Posts
101
Joined
10/17/2015
Location
Roseville, CA
US
Edited Date/Time
11/4/2019 8:27pm
Quick question. Can the YZ250F be made to work for a short rider? 5-5, 5-6 ish? Seems to be the tallest bike in the class and doesn't appear to have much seat foam that can be shaved off. What are some of the options without cutting the suspension? Also is there a company that will cut and weld the subframe about 10mm? Thanks
Also look at pics of the Martin bros bikes from a couple years ago they used to run a lower seat that they do now and it will give you some idea of the amount.
The Shop
Cut down the seat, install longer rear suspension link, slide the forks up in the clamps, and I considered cutting the sub frame 5mm lower but back then it seemed like too much of a pain. Now there are several companies that offer that service. JGR offers their adjustable sub frame modification for 179.00.
Call Haeseker racing, he does these mods for 150.00 I believe.
Haeseker Racing
shaved the seat a bit and sent my suspension to factory connections, also added the lowering link, works awesome now
I'm really interested in the adjustable subframe. Has anyone here used one? Just looking for some reviews.
Worked pretty well on my '03, '06, and '09...
$225 subframe (sell yours on eBay)
$75 short seat
$75 lowering link
Ben
61096002eight seven
Usually, I am able to raise the fork tubes up a bit, but on these models, the handlebars are right above the tubes, so you really can't raise them up much at all. Is anyone doing this by perhaps using bar risers?
As for the subframe mod. I've never done that before to a bike, but it seems like that would only lower about midway back to about the rear of the seat. When I come to a stop, I'm usually pretty close to the tank on the front of the seat, so I don't see how lowering the rear portion of the subframe would help.
The low seat option. Yamaha has a part number for a lower seat for the 2020's, but honesly, the 2019-2020 YZ seats were already made lower and skinnier. I don't see how they could shave off any more foam. There's hardly anything there now!...LOL.
I've used lowering links before, but it's been a while. I was looking at the Devol Transformer pull rod. It will drop the seat 22mm or 7/8". Their lowering link will drop the bike 1.25 and states that it's not for aggressive riders or jumping. I will pretty much be riding in the woods, so not sure this would be an issue. I think the Yamalink even drops if farther, but they recommend a stiffer spring.
Any input would be appreciated...thanks!
If you can wait, give your suspension time to break in. Then when it’s time to have it serviced, have it lowered internally.
Pit Row
The lowered subframe is good for short riders as it gives us more clearance from our ass to the seat so when the bike kicks up in the back it doesn't hit you in the ass and try to throw you over the bars. You can allow the bike to work underneath you more. It also brings down the contact patch for your legs. For some riders like myself im able to squeeze the bike better because of this.
Links do help this bike. Less so on the 19-20. More so on the 14-18. Don't use a "lowering link". It's not what you need. Use a standard link from Pro Circuit, ride engineering, JGR factory connections ECT ect if you go that route but the stock linkage isn't bad at all on the 2020
Lowering the suspension internally is the way to go. I'm planning on dropping mine .75 to a inch in height front to back. The 18 yzf feels so tall to me that corners especially slow corners i always feel like im going to tip over.
I get through them just fine but when i do bobble a corner it's ugly compared to somone 3- inches taller.
I'm 56 years old, 5' 5" short and will only ride the bike in the woods. Most of the stuff is all single track with roots, ruts, and rocks. There are just too many times that I will get stuck on "tweeners"...places where you go to put a toe down and there's nothing there but air. If I wait for the suspension to settle, I'll end up trashing the bike on rocks during the waiting time.
I've had suspension lowered in the past...in fact, Pro-Action is just right down the street from me. I just hate making changes to the bike that I can't reverse myself just in case I want to sell the bike.
I may install a heavier spring with the link to help keep the bike in the "sweet" spot.
I DO get the idea about the sub frame mod to keep the seat from hitting your butt. Never really thought about that, but yeah, it happens. In fact, I my suggest this for my daughter who races a '19 YZ250F. She acquired the short gene and this mod would really help her in whoop sections.
Cool!
These are cheap mods that are free but take some work. If you can afford to get the adjustable subframe I would recommend that mod more than any other as it does not affect the handling. With a longer linkage pullrod it will lower the rear of the bike but it will change the handling.
Cheers,
Brandon
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