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Kind of a stupid question as any bike can be customized. I'm looking for a 125. I'm either 5'5 or 5'6. That's something i don't keep up with. I'm about 170 pounds or so. Which bike with minimum mods ( shaved seats etc) do you think fits a shorter rider the best? I was originally thinking Honda, but then it crossed my mind that Kawasaki would be the best? It has been said that Kawi has the lowest seat height.
What do you say?
Thanks!
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I imagine there would be more aftermarket accessories available for the YZ125. I've seen numerous lowering links and other mods for the YZs. Actually Iv'e seen more YZ125s lowered more than any other bike, probably has more to do with the fact that they are still producing them.
Most of the seat heights on the 125s are pretty close, My 94 yz125 was a bit on the short side but you don't want that bike lol
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They're all about the same. Find one in nice shape and well taken care of and go from there.
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I'm 5' 6" with short legs. I ride an '02 RM 134 and my son has an '04 KX125. Both fit me just fine although the RM is a little taller. I can't stand flat-footed on either, but once I get going, it's never been an issue.
2019 KTM 150 SX
2019 Husqvarna TX300
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Deerhunter7890 wrote:Kind of a stupid question as any bike can be customized. I'm looking for a 125. I'm either 5'5 or 5'6. That's something i ...more
I'm 5'6 and 170lbs... for motocross I don't care about that (my bikes yz125 and sx125). Was for enduro and trails I recomend yz whit a lower link. I have one from zeta and it works.
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Edited Date/Time:
I’m short, and wouldn’t recommend the YZ. I’ve owned one, and it felt too tall.
I personally like the KX125
You really should at least sit on a few different brands to get a feel for it. Everyone’s different.
"Nothing happens until something moves"
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Location: Cairo, GA USA
I agree. I'd find the nicest late model bike and go from there. It's easy to shave a seat on any of them.
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Location: Ardmore, OK USA
Deerhunter7890 wrote:Kind of a stupid question as any bike can be customized. I'm looking for a 125. I'm either 5'5 or 5'6. That's something i ...more
I'm just going to stick with the trails. Maybe some woods racing here and there. I think i have a lowering kit on my bike.
Posts: 12
Joined: 4/29/2018
Location: Ardmore, OK USA
Posts: 12
Joined: 4/29/2018
Location: Ardmore, OK USA
Oh no the YZ i's just a pig lmao. I sat on one that had a lowering link on it i could flat foot it. But the pawn shop was asking to much for it. So i picked up a CR125 i shaved the seat and everything. I think there is a lowering link on it. But i'm not sure lol.
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HighPlainsSquid wrote:I'm 5' 6" with short legs. I ride an '02 RM 134 and my son has an '04 KX125. Both fit me just fine although the RM is a little ...more
I might just go look into a KX 125 . my dad has one. I believe that i can touch with both if my feet. Also on my CR125 i think it has a lowering kit, but i'm not sure.
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2 friends of mine who are twins are roughly 5'6 one rides a 2018 350sxf and the other 2018 150sx all they have done is move there forks up and run softer springs. All depends on your personal comfort only time you should be touching the floor anyway is when setting off/ starting line, get a few blocks of wood and you'll be fine.
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Here's a good article on the subject:
https://dirtbikeplanet.com/dirt-bike-height/
Common Dirt Bike Seat Heights
KTM 50XS – 26.7″ (68cm)
Yamaha TTR50E – 21.9″ (56cm)
Kawasaki KX65 – 29.9″ (76cm)
Suzuki RM85 – 33.5″ (85cm)
Honda XR100 – 30.5″ (78cm)
Honda CRF110F – 26.3″ (68cm)
Kawasaki KLX 110L – 28.5″ (70cm)
Yamaha TTR110E – 26.4″ (68cm)
KTM 125 SX – 37.8″ (96cm)
Kawasaki KLX140 – 30.7″ (81cm)
Kawasaki KLX140G – 33.9″ (86cm)
Kawasaki KLX 140L – 31.5″ (83cm)
Yamaha TTR230 – 34.3″ (87cm)
KTM 250 XC-W – 37.8″ (96cm)
Yamaha TTR250 – 35.8″ (91cm)
Yamaha YZ250 – 39.1″(98cm)
Yamaha YZ250Fx – 38″ (96.5cm)
Suzuki RM-Z250 – 37.6″ (95cm)
KTM 300 XC-W – 37.8″ (96cm)
Kawasaki KX450F – 37.4″ (95cm)
KTM 450 XS-F – 37.8″ (96cm)
KTM 500 EXC-F – 37.8″ (96cm)
Beta 125 RR - 36.6
Beta 300 RR -36.6
Beta 480 RR - 36.8
Beta X-Trainer 35.8
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Johnny Depp wrote:Beta is a couple inches lower than the rest, which are on full size frames.
I would get one. But there are no one that sells em here in oklahoma lol
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Wandell wrote:I agree. I'd find the nicest late model bike and go from there. It's easy to shave a seat on any of them.
Deerhunter7890 wrote:I have a 03 CR125. I believe the kid i bought it from installed a lowering kit. Not sure tho. 4
When my son was 12, he was 5'3" or 5'4" and I bought him an 02 CR125. All I did to it was cut the seat foam down. It's very easy to do and also undo. By that Christmas he was 5'7" and I had to buy a new piece of seat foam. LOL
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Johnny Depp wrote:Beta is a couple inches lower than the rest, which are on full size frames.
Deerhunter7890 wrote:I would get one. But there are no one that sells em here in oklahoma lol
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Location: High Lonesome, NM USA
To add to my previous post:
I've shaved seat foam and I don't like it. When sitting, the bars feel higher- like chopper bars- and the seat/tank junction is messed up. I shaved the seat on my '05 YZ450F and after a few weeks put a full height replacement on it and just lived with the tall seat height.
I've had 3 KX125's- '01, '04, and '05 and they are 100% comfortable to me so if you have access to one, definitely check it out.
2019 KTM 150 SX
2019 Husqvarna TX300
2021 Honda CB500X
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'03 KX125, feels really small, when I first bought it it almost feels like it's not even a full size bike
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Location: Cairo, GA USA
Good point. But when you shave the seat foam, it also reduces the distance from the pegs to the seat. This is also an issue with shorter riders so you sorta address two problems at once. As you mentioned though, you may need to install lower bars to correct that situation. In my case, when my son hit a growth spurt I installed bar risers along with a new piece of seat foam.
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The Honda is taller i think? My buddy owns a -07cr125 and bought a tc250-17 and the husky was smaller according to him
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Location: Buda, TX USA
Current 125's
TM - no seat height stats to be found anywhere.
From MXA: Every TM bike we have tested is tall—at least taller than its competition.
YZ - 39.3
KTM - 38
Husky - 37.8
Sherco - 37.4 (not available yet)
Beta - 36.6
Older used models
Suzuki '05 37.4
Honda '03 37.3
Kawasaki '05 37.2
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Deerhunter7890 wrote:Kind of a stupid question as any bike can be customized. I'm looking for a 125. I'm either 5'5 or 5'6. That's something i ...more
kx has a low in the pocket feel but most of the bikes have simliar seat heights
"If you feel in control, you're not going fast enough" ~Mario Andretti
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The long awaited, and previously assumed incorrectly '18 model by yours truly, Beta 200 is rumored to be unveiled Tuesday. It is expected to be in the same frame as the new Beta 125. More choices for shorter riders is a good thing.
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I'm 5'6" and 155. So I feel your pain. I had to shave the seat on my 16 Kawi 450 to make it work.
But on my 16 KTM 125SX I'm fine with the stock seat. I have the sag adjusted to 105mm.
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