So you have finally decided to pursue the dream of owning a dirt bike. But, you only have one problem. You went shopping for a dirt bike and didn’t feel comfortable on any of the machines that they had at the dealership. Dirt bikes are designed for the average of height, generally from 5 ‘ 7” to 5’ 10” and not specifically for the tall rider that you are. But with a few tips and tricks you could be riding that dirt bike of your dreams in comfort sooner than you think.
Proper set up on your dirt bike is important for everyone that is riding but especially important for a tall rider. Being taller, a larger frame, and generally larger hands and feet can become problems when reaching for the shift lever or the brake levers. A proper set up can mean the difference between an enjoyable ride and a dangerous ride or the difference between placing in the middle of the pack and standing on the middle of the podium drinking champagne. Below we have listed some important considerations when setting up your new bike so you can enjoy every minute on that next ride.
What’s Important in a set up?
So you want a dirt bike to be safe when riding and maybe a chance to win next weekends race. Well, there are a multitude of adjustments that you can make on your new dirt bike to make this happen. These range from simple adjustment’s to replacing major components to allow proper adjustability. Some of these countless adjustments include the positioning of your foot control heights, handle bar and handle bar mounts, and shifter positioning. If you wanted to have a Professional Factory Dirt Bike just like the professionals you can make more complicated changes. These changes mostly include tweaking the suspension components to get the bike to feel like its part of the rider. These adjustments can include things like, adjustable rebound dampening, fork and shock oil height and viscosity changes and adjustable pre load. Some of these adjustments are very complicated and do not attempt unless you are well experienced or have done proper research.
Dirt Bike Setup Adjustments
Like described above there is an abundance of adjustments that can be made on your new dirt bike but there are a few that are very important when setting up a dirt bike for a tall rider. These changes generally involve replacing parts to get the desired fit for your specific height.
- Springs
- Seat
- Handle Bars
- Foot Pegs
Stiffer springs are very important for taller riders with a larger frame. By replacing the factory springs, things like sag and ride height are adjusted for your specific weight.
Obtaining a comfortable riding position can be a little more difficult and can be a process of trial and error. Aftermarket companies produce seat foam that is taller than the factory seat. Some of these companies can also offer various foam densities to provide the most comfortable fit.Replacing a seat can be a matter of riding style. Some riders transition to sitting and standing often while riding, however some riders mostly stand. In this situation changing the seat height may not be as important as other adjustments would be. Here is our guide on the best harley davidson seat for tall riders.
Another factor in riding position is handle bar height. Handlebars can be adjusted in many different ways. You can replace the handle bar risers with a taller or shorter riser to adjust height, or you could replace the handlebars with a taller designed handlebar. Some riders find that a combination of both is required to get the proper height for their set up.
After adjusting the handlebars the foot pegs are next. Foot peg height is not generally adjustable from the factory. This means adjusting foot peg height will involve replacing the foot pegs. There are foot peg manufacturers that manufacturer foot pegs with multiple height options which make it easy to find the right height for your specific set up. After a comfortable riding position has been found, focus should be directed towards hand and foot control’s. After all, what’s a good set up if you can’t apply the brakes when you need to. Having larger feet generally mean an extended shifter is required. This places the shifter peg further from the foot peg to accommodate larger feet. Handle bar lever adjustment can be very simple, the brake and clutch lever’s can be moved further up the handle bar or forward to accommodate the proper location for the tall rider. If you really want to change that bike to fit you like a glove there is a company that offers a solution for you. They have designed, and manufactured bolt on kits that accommodate tall riders by raising the sub frame, handlebars and tank to accommodate taller riders.
While you may not be looking to completely change the frame on your new bike. You now have a little more insight into what goes into setting up a dirt bike for a tall rider. So remember the next time that you are out looking at that dream dirt bike. With a little bit of trial and error and the proper parts you too can have a dirt bike that is not only comfortable to ride but also set up properly to win that next race.
This one-piece seat measures in at 19” wide for the driver and the passenger seat measures in at 14” wide. By placing the driver 1 3/4” further to the rear of the bike and lower than the stock seat, they are designed for the best fitting and most comfortable seating for tall riders on those long all day rides. There is room for a few improvements with this seat, first if you like riding with a backrest this seat is not compatible with Mustang or Harley Davidson driver backrests, the seat foam is also firm which could be loved or hated by riders depending on their personal preferences. Overall this is a great quality seat, and if you like a firm seat this one will fit your needs perfectly.
This seats low price compared to our other two options make it a great choice for our solo riders that do not carry passengers. Primarily designed for high speed stability and control this seat is ideal on those days when high winds are possible. By providing a different riding position that is forward and down roughly 2” this seat provides a different riding position than a factory seat. Again a slightly firm feel is the only downfall to this seat, but we feel the full grain leather and the fact that it is made in the USA more than makes up for that and those are the reasons this seat sits at number two in our review.
This seat is the most expensive on our list, but it does have some of the best features. This custom looking seat is specifically designed for tall riders that need more room during their rides, it provides the driver with an amazing extra 2” of room while still providing the passenger with the best comfort possible. With a 15” wide seat for the driver and a 13 3/4” wide passenger seat, along with special contouring that provides great support to the riders, this seat provides the best possible seating for large and tall riders. This seat also has a backrest which some riders will find irreplaceable during those long rides. The only downfall and the reason this seat is number three on our list is the price. But if price wasn’t a factor this seat could possible challenge our #1 spot for the Best Motorcyle seat for tall riders.
