Dirt Bike Modifications Forum

My original question from yesterday was this:

“I just bought a 09 YZ250F and the bike is great on the straights and whoops but I am 5’ 8” and when I get into turns and tight spots and need a leg out to assist I don’t have enough leg to get the job done, especially kick starting it, unexpected stopping and making tight u-turns on trails. I’m not going to be pulling doubles but I may, maybe just might do some cross country/endure races in the spring. The majority of this bike’s life will be on the trails of the Lake Murray ATV park in Ok or similar areas. My question is how much I can realistically expect to lower the bike by just adjusting sag and forks (I’d have the dealer set the suspension up and adjust forks). At 5’ 8” can I get close to flat feet in the dirt with boots on by just adjusting the sag or would a YAMALINK be needed? And if a YAMALINK or other mod is needed, how much will it affect the handling and feel of the bike? I’m assuming that adjustments in sag will have little or no effect on overall characteristics and that a YAMALINK can have quite a lot of influence on how the bike will handle… also could the influence of a YAMALINK and the changes in handling be a benefit considering the kind of riding I plan to do”

Since then I have talked to two dealers (service dept) and a guy who races a 250 and 450 and sells YAMAHAs for a living (the more opinions the better) and the consensus according to all three is that the best way to lower a YZ is via a lowering link, dropping the fork tubes and minor adjustments to sag (if any) to accommodate riding comfort, style and ability. The critical element to maintaining handling is lowering the bike evenly front to back with little or no change at all the rake. If you can’t lower it enough without changing the rake, modify the seat and you’ll get maybe an extra inch. So there ya go… that’s the general opinion of three people who service, sell, race and ride YAMAHAs for a living.  

I ordered a YAMALINK and am planning on having my local dealer setup the bike’s suspension from front to back but while I am waiting for parts and a service appointment any/all input and opinions are welcome because again…  the more opinions the better.

PS… post anything you want here, I don’t own this thread so there is no way you can hijack it. The more info the better. God forbid someone googles how to lower their YZ finds this post and gets an abundance of info in a single thread.

Happy Trails-  

Does ur local dealer do suspensions? Most dealers I know of couldn't find the suspension let alone work on it. If ur serious about what you want done. There are way better places to send ur stuff.

Id check with factory connection or pro circuit or cannon racecraft. Thats what these companys do.

Also congrats on getting your new 09 I'm way jealous.

Don't forget to give us more feedback about your bike. Did u have another Yz250f before this one?  

Yeah I’m way nervous about letting a local yokel work on my suspension but there are a few guys that race out of that shop and they seem to know what they are talking about (key words seem to). They also are of the same opinion as the other techs I have talked to. Either way I’m gonna have to roll the dice, my seat height is 38.8 inches and my inseam is 30 inches… I just don’t have enough leg to get the job done. I read on the YAMALINK site and emailed them a few times and they say that it will make the rear end more plush and better overall for the kind of riding that I do, but then again they make a living selling guys like me lowering links… they have to be at least a little bias. I’m kinda hoping that someone who has lowered his or her YZ will see this and give me their results and feedback. Either way I’ll post my results and hope it helps the next guy. And this is my first YZ. I have a TTR and an ATV as well, but this YZ is a whole different animal altogether. I love the bike other than the hight.  

At 5'8 on a 250f it should not even be a issue. Good info though and thanks. We have debaited the lowing link a few times.
And they seem to work good on the 125 and 250f, but needs to be done right or you could have some ftront end issues.
now if you wand to lower your bike without messing with it, Just gain 50 pounds lol.    
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Ruff!

The other thing which is cheaper is "time".

U really can't have much time on the bike and it can't even be broken in yet. 5'8" isn't really that short. Id give it a couple of months. U may forget about it completely.  

Hey Woods. How'd it go last nite?  

Great!  .  
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Ruff!

yzwoods:
Great!  .

Thats cool.    

I'm giving it a month... well two more weekends of riding. I ordered the link but didn't make the appointment to have the mods done just yet. I'm 99% sure I'm gonna do it, climbhing hills and working my way up washed out inclines where I need a foot on the ground as I bouncne up and over ruts, rocks and stuff has been waaaay hard to overcome. If i could keep everything the same as far as handling but have a 3 inch lower seat height the bike would be beyond perfect.  

3 Inches? I'm your hight and ride a YZ250 in the woods and ruts trees ect...Dave is 5'5 and rides a 250 as well.
After break in the bike can be lowered some when you set your sag. Between the break in, the time on it, and the lowering through the suspention and sag set up i think you will find you will be fine.  
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Ruff!

Yeah I could probably live with it as is, but if I can keep the handling I have and lower the seat it will be that much better overall. I don't want to do anything that can't be undone and the lowering link peeps seem to think it will make the bike everything I need it to be. So I'm 99% sure... but there is still that 1% of doubt.  

Thats cool, Just give it the break in time and sag set up before making your finel.
Most mechs won't want to do the suspention set up before break in any way.
Keep us posted eather way.  
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Ruff!

yzwoods:
3 Inches? I'm your hight and ride a YZ250 in the woods and ruts trees ect...Dave is 5'5 and rides a 250 as well.
After break in the bike can be lowered some when you set your sag. Between the break in, the time on it, and the lowering through the suspention and sag set up i think you will find you will be fine.

Yeah and I have been know to provide some entertainment when I get caught where I can't get a foot down  

One gets used to it.  
Dave H 2006 YZ250
(2008 YZ 125 son)

You probably just have to get more comfortable on your bike and let it carry you through the turns - that's how I do it when bikes are too tall for me.  
- Lindsey

So true lindsey. It makes you balence and ride the bike better and let it do the work.  
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Ruff!