Another Beginner Bike thread...

Orchard

Guest

« on: September 15, 2008, 08,15:33 AM »

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to say hi and ask a few questions, I have always wanted to ride, altho previously wanted a road bike I have been freshly convinced that trail is 1000 times better than any road riding.

Im yet to be broken into the sport but eagerly await my first outing... Being sure of how much I am going to enjoy it Im in the process of research for a good beginner bike and have a pritty good short list.

Im looking for smooth power and simple (ish) maintenance so 4 stroke is the go. From this forum and a few others it seems that the race is between a TTR250 and XR250 atm the TTR is in front.

However my problem comes from my physique, Im pritty small. When I went to some shops with my mate I sat on some new TTR's and some other stuff and found that on the TTR 250 the tips of my toe's only just touch the ground at a struggle, I wouldnt want to ride like this (im sure boots would add a little bit but im talking tips of tips), knowing that the only way off the bike is through the air... I wouldn't feel comfortable unless my toes could rest on the ground. It was mentioned that you can hack at the seat to get an inch or two (at most) from the bike or do something with the front suspension, Im not 100% convinced that hacking the seat is a good idea but perhaps some of you could correct me?
Sitting on the 125 (non-LW) my feet were flat but thats to be expected, I would think the LW would have a better height but I didn't see one to sit on.

Further reading I discovered the TTR 230 (and CRF230 which is also up for debate). With a seat height of 87cm a bit bigger than the 125-77.5cm (compared to 910 for the TTR 250 - altho I found mixed heights of up to 5mm higher) it sounds a bit more like my kind of sized bike.

But the 230 isnt the same bike as the 250, so do all the bullet proof qualities of the 250 transfer over to the 230?

Money is always an issue, but if $500-800 means the difference between a good bargain for a 250 over the 230 is it possible/practical to lose 3-5cm off the ride height without losing any comfort or anything?

also being small picking up 109kg vs 120kg sounds a bit better, but all in all my questions are as the the quality of the bikes and the plausibility of seat height reductions.

On top of that if you can digest it all, any other general advice would be great, tell me if I'm on the right track and so on...

My preference would be the 250 but practicality is my question...

Thanks for the time people...
- Orchard


« Last Edit: September 15, 2008, 08,20:18 AM by Orchard »	Logged

Serge C

Full Member 2013/2014

Posts: 3011

Re: Another Beginner Bike thread...

« Reply #1 on: September 15, 2008, 08,28:23 AM »

Hey Orchard,

Some have said that I suffer from the same problem as you! Vertically challenged! So I went for the lowering option on my bike. I bought a WR 250 and took it to Krooz Tune, where they lowered it by 50mm, and set the suspension up so it still handles a treat.

Also, once you have all your gear on, and set the pre-load on whatever bike you choose, you will probably find that you'll feel a little more comfortable with the seat height.

Another bike for you to consider is the DRZ 250. This has an advantage of a built-in lowering point on the linkage, and will drop the seat height by around 40mm (from memory). This can be done by the dealer, or by yourself if you know which end of a spanner to hold!

Good luck,


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Tim Dykes

Abbeyard Officer
Administrator

Posts: 1859

Where I want to be...

Re: Another Beginner Bike thread...

« Reply #2 on: September 15, 2008, 10,00:13 AM »

I fairly sure the Honda CRF 230 can only get Recreation Reg on it, I'm not sure about the Yamie TTR 230 but I think it may be in the same boat.
The XR 250 has no electric start and nowadays a bike without it is unusual, well at least on most AMTRA rides it is!

Serge is the most Verticaly Challenged in the club, I'm sure he'd like someone to take the title away from him!


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Orchard

Guest

Re: Another Beginner Bike thread...

« Reply #3 on: September 15, 2008, 10,49:04 AM »

hrm, having it professionally dropped sounds good... 50mm is a pritty good drop... Can I ask about how much that set you back?

I'm 162 or 163cm, 23 y/o so not growing any more, about 65kg after a big meal... do I win?

DRZ was on my list at some stage... not sure why it didnt make it further... ill keep that one in the look-out... the yellow is ugly as hell but a good bike is a good bike... You hold the claw end for extra grip don't you? Cheesy

Also I'm only interested in rec reg so thats no problem... I was more worried about the 'playbike' category that I saw it under in a few reviews, made me think maybe it wasn't quite as sturdy-bulletproof as the 250..

When I get closer to buying I guess I should ring around a few places see if they can drop it for me...

Thanks for the response guys,

Serge, do you have a viscous bash plate with the reduced ride hight? do you bottom out a bit more? or is it not really that big a problem?


« Last Edit: September 15, 2008, 10,55:14 AM by Orchard »	Logged

Serge C

Full Member 2013/2014

Posts: 3011

Re: Another Beginner Bike thread...

« Reply #4 on: September 15, 2008, 10,59:16 AM »

If the front springs need to be replaced (with shorter ones) you'll be looking at around $350.00 and around $250.00 for the back end. Sounds like a lot, but it's worth it to make the bike feel like it's yours!

The springs on my bike are shorter, but stiffer, and they are balanced front to rear, so bottoming out is not an issue. They are also set for my weight. I have a little less ground clearance than a standard WR, but I can't ride a standard WR!

Quote from: Orchard on September 15, 2008, 10,49:04 AM

I'm 162 or 163cm, 23 y/o so not growing any more, about 65kg after a big meal... do I win

Not even a contender!


« Last Edit: September 15, 2008, 11,02:38 AM by Serge C »	Logged

"He may look like an idiot, he may sound like an idiot, but don't let that fool you...he really is an idiot!" - Groucho Marx.

Orchard

Guest

Re: Another Beginner Bike thread...

« Reply #5 on: September 15, 2008, 11,05:09 AM »

oh man! what a let down Cry

I thought I was tiny...

$600! holy crap! :/ curse my tiny legs...


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Mat R

Treasurer
Committee 2013/2014

Posts: 1775

Treasurer

Re: Another Beginner Bike thread...

« Reply #6 on: September 15, 2008, 12,41:58 PM »

TTR230A and CRF230A are both ADR compliant and can be fully registered. Older models can get rec reg.

Most bikes can get lowering links for a few hundred which are a good temporary solution to get used to the bike, after which it can be removed and reset to original spec. That would mean you can return the bike to a spec more suitable for others interested in buying it when time comes to sell.

Also have a look at some of the two strokes, as these bikes are quite light. The Gas Gas Hobby would be a good choice but there are few for sale as they are discontinued, and few appear on the second hand market.

Good luck finding a bike, and look forward to having you out on a ride.

Mat.


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