All 2st How tall are you and what do you ride?

[justplayin]

I all for setting up a bike to fit, especially suspension. However, I refuse to waste money on "experiments" with so much information available online. I also refuse to spend money on so called "improvements" like auto clutches and fancy levers. I was never spoiled growing up, but I do spend money on what I want. Thankfully, my daughter is an only child so she benefits from that, but she also races on a contingency program from me and her mom. If she wins her class she gets to pick her prize, we have set dollar amounts up to 3rd place.

Please don't turn this into a bickering contest.

Sorry gotlabs, I was just responding to the post I quoted, not your original question. I was just trying to say that you can "learn" to ride anything, if you HAVE to, that's all. But to directly answer your question, I feel that if you need to lower the bike, do so internaly with the suspension. Maybe, shave the seat or something.

 

[mnb]

Please don't turn this into a bickering contest.

Sorry, we got sidetracked. Back to the topic at hand...

I feel that if you need to lower the bike, do so internaly with the suspension. Maybe, shave the seat or something.

Most seats can afford to lose some foam and still not feel like you're sitting on the pan. That's the cheapest way to gain 1/2-1". If you have an electric staple gun, you can do this pretty easily yourself. A sureform file is a good way to shave off the foam. Wear a breathing mask and safety goggles... tiny bits of foam will get everywhere.


Two friends of mine had KTMs lowered recently using internal spacers. They paid $600 for the springs and work. It'd probably be a tad more for a Husky since it doesn't use a linkless rear suspension. I'm not sure what the hourly rates for labor are in your area, I'm guessing it was about $80/hr for my friends who had the work done in Monterey, CA. In the San Jose area (90 minutes away), it would be $100-110/hr.

Your daughter is lucky to have parents that are able and willing to be so supportive. I'd love to see some pics of her riding and hope she shows em how it's done in her races this year!

 

[Vinduro]

I'm on the opposite side of the scale. 6'6" (2m) and 215lbs (95kg). WR300. Just got a 5.8 rear spring to install soon.

I am riding a WR150 and weigh 185lbs. I am running a 6kg spring on rear. .40kg front.

 

[HUSKYnXJnWI]

If lowering Internal Suspension was desired or determined to be the best option- LT Racing does it fairly reasonably in conjunction with a revalve Extra 95$ based on my understanding.... Call them up for more details.

I had a lowered KTM- It railed due to the lower Center of Gravity/ and felt like a trials bike in tight stuff- but was very harsh at fast pace stuff and deflected easily. I can ride faster in tight or open with my Husky. Sold the KTM after it never became the "weapon of choice" no matter what the day involved. I would definitely revalve if you lower it and would get the right springs- my take on LTR's website is you'd be set up with a lowered custom suspension with springs for in the area of 5-6 hundred.

Could definitely shave the seat- free.

I think the 125 would be a great bike for her- nothing is perfect- might as well build a perfect bike from a Husky. Suspension work is almost always needed anyway-

My point of my first post was just to say shorties (like myself) can ride full height bikes- and half the time being forced to ride on the pegs and not have bad habits can be a good thing- but I understand the confidence in putting a foot down when momentum stops- and when you have to kick start at inopportune moments. Sorry if my post didn't quite inspire the way I intended, or came across as judgemental toward anyone.

 

[john01]

I say go with a 125 or 200 GG. I have the 2010 GG 300 and it's about an 1 1/2" lower than my 08 CR 144 Husky and a least an 1" lower than my 2010 TC 250. Shave an 1" out the seat and I think she would be good to go. If she needed any more than you could have the suspension lowered a little. You are a racer so you know the deal. I just think if you start out lower with about the same ground clearance you will have less to change to get the bike where she feels good about it. BTW I'm 5' 7" myself and a bike thats a little lower feels mo better to me and at 53 now I've ridden a few.

 

[Johnnymannen]

You would have done better by changing the springs. Static sag is what the issue is. Stock I had trouble throwing my leg over the bike. I only had about 25mm static front and 10mm static rear. I put one step softer fork spring in and now have a static sag front of 40mm. (rider sag 75mm). On the rear I had to go up 5 steps from stock. I have now a static sag of 33mm and 103mm rider sag. MUCH BETTER. And very plush but controlled. Even Drew Smith tested my bike and was shocked on how well it worked.

Ok, i thought it had with how tall you are compared to your body weight. What springs should i use if im both short and heavy to get the bike lower and not too stiff? I,m 5"8 and weigh around 200 pounds. Just a shorter and stiffer rear spring and fork springs?

 

[water racer]

I am 6-2, 165lbs, and I am very comfortable on my husqvarnas. I even like the stock bars.
GP

 

[lankydoug]

I say go with a 125 or 200 GG. I have the 2010 GG 300 and it's about an 1 1/2" lower than my 08 CR 144 Husky and a least an 1" lower than my 2010 TC 250. Shave an 1" out the seat and I think she would be good to go. If she needed any more than you could have the suspension lowered a little. You are a racer so you know the deal. I just think if you start out lower with about the same ground clearance you will have less to change to get the bike where she feels good about it. BTW I'm 5' 7" myself and a bike thats a little lower feels mo better to me and at 53 now I've ridden a few.

I agree with this and another plus for the GasGas is they are sprung for a 150# rider from the factory which is about the average weight for a shorter person.

Les at LTR can lower a Husky but if you don't already own one why not get a bike that is already suited for you.

 

[Vinduro]

Ok, i thought it had with how tall you are compared to your body weight. What springs should i use if im both short and heavy to get the bike lower and not too stiff? I,m 5"8 and weigh around 200 pounds. Just a shorter and stiffer rear spring and fork springs?

You just need the correct springs for your weight. You can always max out the static sag. Go read my thread in Tech.
http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/vinduros-suspension-setup-recommendations.17836/
Too soft a spring will require more preload thus a taller bike. You don't want shorter springs. Just minimal preload. I am not that much lighter and had to go one softer on fork spring and 5 steps heavier on shock spring. I had a hard time slinging my leg over the stock bike. Not a problem now. You can cut a slightly shorter preload spacer also for the fork (Under the spring on OC fork) to get static sag and rider sag to max. Like 44 static and 78mm rider sag. You can also raise your forks 5-10mm in the clamps. Set your rider sag on rear to about 105mm. Static 30-35mm. (on current framed 125-150)

 

[Harbinger]

I'm only 5'8" and a quarter with a 30 inch inseem and i ride a WR250, i don't have any issues with the heigth of the bike. I have raised the bars on my bike 0.5 inches since i usually ride it standing.

 

[BCdirtbikegal]

I'm 5"10 and ride a WR150, had the seat cut on it and also just went to Renthal high bars as I usually ride standing

 

[Gotlabs]

Well, I think today was the beginning of a downwards spiral in my daughter racing "career". She got to check out a 2010 TXC 250 and really liked it, I will keep pushing her to smokers since they are easier on the wallet when rebuild time comes around. I actually don't care what she wants to ride as long as she keeps riding and racing. Watching her tool around the field on a big bike was a reality slap in the face, they grow up so fast.

 

[huskyfrk]

how about a number of things, shorten the subframe, a mild shave of the seat. and i would run a link, but have the shock modified to go along w the link. i don't think most will miss 1 or 1 1/2 of rear travel add the rest of it up and it still won't be perfect, but a good bit better. and i am 5'5" and have found no solution on my supermoto RR .. starts are the worst. but once underway, it's a gas,,,, run my 250 tc stock just w proper sag......

 

[Jkosmo]

Well, I think today was the beginning of a downwards spiral in my daughter racing "career". She got to check out a 2010 TXC 250 and really liked it, I will keep pushing her to smokers since they are easier on the wallet when rebuild time comes around. I actually don't care what she wants to ride as long as she keeps riding and racing. Watching her tool around the field on a big bike was a reality slap in the face, they grow up so fast.

Gotlabs, what route did you end up going for your daughter? If you went with the 125 were you able to set it up to the point where it was a comfortable height for her? I'm curious as my girlfriend about the same height and we are looking at setting up a WR125 for her.

 

[Dirtdame]

Oh yeah, and of course now I ride a stock height 2011 WR300, but at least it's a lot better handling, much lighter and way more torquey power than my 450.

 

[huskybear]

6' 2",205lbs. ride a stock height wr150 and a husaberg fe450 with tall bar risers. Both are comfortable,but the husky just feels right!

 

[Gotlabs]

Gotlabs, what route did you end up going for your daughter? If you went with the 125 were you able to set it up to the point where it was a comfortable height for her? I'm curious as my girlfriend about the same height and we are looking at setting up a WR125 for her.

We went with a CR144, koubalink and low seat. She still has to one leg the bike, but she is comfortable on it and has even won a race on it. Suspension setup is a must, obviously. The stock trim is way to harsh for lightweight riders.