What Bike Has Best Ergo's For Taller Riders

121x
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121x
Edited Date/Time 4/16/2025 2:42pm
What is the general consensus on what brands of 2020+ 250f's or 450f's tends to be better suited for taller riders over 6'2 tall? I believe a few years back Yamaha and Honda were regarded as having roomier cockpits better suited to taller riders. It appears that is not so much the case anymore. I know Kawasaki is up there in terms of facilitating taller riders with their adjustable pegs, bar positioning and natively taller seat and slightly longer chassis.

Also has anyone sold a bike because they could not get comfortable on it due to the ergonomics even after trying lowering pegs, different bars, maybe bar risers, taller seats, etc?

Interested to hear from others.
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Sandusky26
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Sandusky26 6/10/2022 12:37pm
6/10/2022 12:37pm
I’m 6’2 and my hippy ass rides Suzuki. I like how wide the seat is, my knees are above the seat on all bikes, so width is important to me. Rode a KTM and liked how easy it is to grip the side panels.
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Broseph
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Broseph 6/10/2022 12:45pm
6/10/2022 12:45pm
Cayden Thompson wrote:
Kawasaki and Yamaha.
‘15-‘18 Yamahas felt good to me. ‘19+ feels cramped in my opinion.

The new KX fits tall guys real well for sure.
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Zycki11
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Zycki11 6/10/2022 1:10pm
6/10/2022 1:10pm
Kawi, especially if you start messing with the peg/seat/bar triangle. The bike is a big longer and taller than other models and allows you to move around more.
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scott_nz 6/10/2022 1:13pm
6/10/2022 1:13pm
Kawi has adjustable foot pegs and handlebar mounts from standard and probably starts as one of the bigger bikes anyway
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profeshenal125 6/10/2022 1:22pm
6/10/2022 1:22pm
This would b the model your looking for punch your ticket to the podium. I,m the same height but hv long arms I can reach ovr and adjust the passenger mirror. T clamp is more up and forward. Pegs coming r 1/4 in down and back. My stolen bike had 1/2 d and b. Get ready for the big 125 races.


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Mr. Afterbar
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Mr. Afterbar 6/10/2022 1:28pm
6/10/2022 1:28pm
Kawi. I'm 6'2" and haven't had to purchase any height comfort mods for my '21 450 or my '16 before that. I run the bars in the front hole, mounts back and lowered my pegs. People used to say Yamaha's were good for bigger guys, but the latest gen has a short peg to seat height from everything I've heard. Haven't ridden one.
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Moto520
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Moto520 6/10/2022 1:41pm
6/10/2022 1:41pm Edited Date/Time 6/10/2022 1:44pm
kawi with a taller seat is great for taller riders. I'm 6'3" and the 2019 KX450 is one of the better tall guy bikes made.
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jtiger12
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jtiger12 6/10/2022 1:48pm
6/10/2022 1:48pm
Honda has always fit me well at 6'2". The kxf def has more adjustment, but all I've ever needed was a 5mm riser in the clamp and my preferred bend.
brimx153
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brimx153 6/10/2022 3:51pm
6/10/2022 3:51pm
KTM /husky/gas gas . Kawi . I had a 14 Yamaha 450 and that was good . The new generation Yamaha is the worst for tall riders imo . I am 5 9 and feel cramped on It . Depend s how flexible you are really.
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MelonFan123
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MelonFan123 6/10/2022 3:56pm
6/10/2022 3:56pm
i'm 6'3" and the lowered pegs from FLO were a game changer for me one my KTM. Where I ride ruts aren't really a concern but I have heard people complain about that with these.
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nytsmaC
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nytsmaC 6/10/2022 4:00pm
6/10/2022 4:00pm
So far you've been recommended a 20 year old 125, a Yamaha that has a ridiculously short seat-pegs distance, and the KTM/Husky which feels like a mini bike. Waiting for someone to recommend a Vertemati to complete the circle.
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TogaSet
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TogaSet 6/10/2022 4:06pm
6/10/2022 4:06pm
Go green. Roomy cockpit.
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whethefakawe
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whethefakawe 6/10/2022 5:39pm
6/10/2022 5:39pm
If you're over 6"2 or so you'll have to expand it regardless of make. Ask me how I know.

Mix 'n match: tall seat, lower footpegs (Fastway), higher and further forward triple clamps (BRP) and/or bars (RC High or Windham bend).

Typically you'll have to get the suspension done too, unless you're a breadstick on legs. Correct spring rate being #1 issue. .

Stock bikes are built for 5"7 and 175 pounds, they say. KTMs are the tallest bikes according to DB and MXA

Stock? KTM big, Honda and Beta small, in my experience. . Blue/yellow/green? Can't say.
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Sandusky26
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Sandusky26 6/10/2022 6:06pm
6/10/2022 6:06pm
whethefakawe wrote:
If you're over 6"2 or so you'll have to expand it regardless of make. Ask me how I know. Mix 'n match: tall seat, lower footpegs...
If you're over 6"2 or so you'll have to expand it regardless of make. Ask me how I know.

Mix 'n match: tall seat, lower footpegs (Fastway), higher and further forward triple clamps (BRP) and/or bars (RC High or Windham bend).

Typically you'll have to get the suspension done too, unless you're a breadstick on legs. Correct spring rate being #1 issue. .

Stock bikes are built for 5"7 and 175 pounds, they say. KTMs are the tallest bikes according to DB and MXA

Stock? KTM big, Honda and Beta small, in my experience. . Blue/yellow/green? Can't say.
Leave it stock and adjust your body position so you don’t feel like a drunk bobble head when you hit bumps standing. These new bikes are roomier than they were 10 to 15 years ago.
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Dirt.Squirt
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Dirt.Squirt 6/10/2022 6:08pm
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CR500
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Juck
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Juck 6/11/2022 9:24am
6/11/2022 9:24am
Heard a few people say the new TMs are really tall, I've never ridden one though so can't confirm. However I can say that the current generation Yamaha is extremely cramped for taller riders.
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Shawn142
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Shawn142 6/11/2022 9:32am
6/11/2022 9:32am Edited Date/Time 6/11/2022 9:34am
6'2" on a GasGas MC450. I go with raising the bars over lowering the pegs. KTM/Husky/GasGas make bar mounts for all their bikes in the powerparts catalog from stock height to a 20mm increase. That allows me to stand up without being bent over so I'm happy with it.

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gkerrofficial
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gkerrofficial 6/12/2022 4:59am
6/12/2022 4:59am
I'm about 6ft. I ride a KX450. Tried the Suzuki and it was terrible.
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profeshenal125 6/12/2022 10:09am
6/12/2022 10:09am
gkerrofficial wrote:
I'm about 6ft. I ride a KX450. Tried the Suzuki and it was terrible.
The kx450 is supposed to be the most adjustable. But it might b the strangest feeling bike you sit or stand on. I hv no idea how someone could ride 1. Even the shrouds r strange not much grip with your knees. Just like the rest of the modern bikes . You r disconnected from the bike you sit way on top. It has to b hard to get a feeling of what the bike is doing. Probably why they hit the ground when something quick happens.
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sandtrack315
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sandtrack315 6/12/2022 10:29am
6/12/2022 10:29am
I’m 6’1, felt cramped on the Yamaha, Honda is great for me.
121x
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121x 6/12/2022 10:53am
6/12/2022 10:53am Edited Date/Time 4/16/2025 3:27am
Has anyone sold or not bought a specific bike because of the ergonomics as opposed to investing a little money on trying to adjust the ego's by purchasing after market options?
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motoGleamer
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motoGleamer 6/12/2022 11:28am
6/12/2022 11:28am
I am a vet C rider so maybe my preferences would not be applicable to better/faster riders but I really like my yz450 and I'm 6'3".

I had an 18 and added a guts racing wing tall seat because as others have mentioned, in stock form the yz has a shorter seat to peg height. Then I got a 21 and i used the 18s bar mounts (5mm higher) and transferred the seat over. Those are the only changes I have done and really enjoy the bike.

I've sat on the kx450 but it didn't feel noticeably different aside from being more narrow although I don't mind the width of the yz. I've sat on the ktm and that felt pretty much smaller all around. I've sat on the crf and the seat to peg felt similar to my tall-seat yz but the handlebar distance felt a little more cramped.

Also, beyond the egos, I just like the yz. I think it is a great looking bike. The power tuner app is super convenient for keeling track of hours/maintenence as well as doing quick and easy engine tunes. And I love the suspension, especially on the 21.

I can't speak to the top-level capabilities of the bike but for my needs as a tall recreational rider, I love the current generation yz450.

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chrisgg90 6/12/2022 2:05pm
6/12/2022 2:05pm
Kawasaki for me. I was a KTM guy until I went to buy my new bike a few years ago. Sat in the 2017 I think it was and felt so cramped for me. I like to feel, I’m sitting on the bike rather than sitting on top of it if you know what I mean. The kawa is so roomy, and I don’t cut my knees on the bars like I did in my KTM 😂
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ScoobyDoo81 6/13/2022 5:40pm
6/13/2022 5:40pm
Kawasaki fits all. Adjustable foot pegs and 4 way adjustable bar mounts!
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quadzrulebro 6/13/2022 5:52pm
6/13/2022 5:52pm
Kawi all day long. At 6’3”, the adjustable foot peg mounts were a game changer for me.
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FGR01
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FGR01 6/13/2022 6:08pm
6/13/2022 6:08pm
whethefakawe wrote:
If you're over 6"2 or so you'll have to expand it regardless of make. Ask me how I know. Mix 'n match: tall seat, lower footpegs...
If you're over 6"2 or so you'll have to expand it regardless of make. Ask me how I know.

Mix 'n match: tall seat, lower footpegs (Fastway), higher and further forward triple clamps (BRP) and/or bars (RC High or Windham bend).

Typically you'll have to get the suspension done too, unless you're a breadstick on legs. Correct spring rate being #1 issue. .

Stock bikes are built for 5"7 and 175 pounds, they say. KTMs are the tallest bikes according to DB and MXA

Stock? KTM big, Honda and Beta small, in my experience. . Blue/yellow/green? Can't say.
You might be exaggerating just a bit. I am 5'7 175 and can't come close to reaching the ground on any full size modern bike. Seems they are all built for some one about 5-11 to me.
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Jeremy Macduff 6/13/2022 7:05pm
6/13/2022 7:05pm
I'm 6'6"

Yamahas are the "roomiest"

If you're riding motocross, DO NOT lower the footpegs and/or run ape-hangers. Learn how to ride small. That's the best advice I can offer.

If you're just trail riding, go ahead and fuck up all the ergos to be comfortable.
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GUS.975
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GUS.975 12/14/2022 6:07am
12/14/2022 6:07am

Does anybody have rider triangle measurements to back any of this up?

I'm hearing Yamaha and Kawi but lets see some data. 

 

I'm 6'3" and 225lbs so I'm invested in this tall guy stuff. Always rode Yamaha and Kawasaki personally. Debating KTM currently.

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