Mastering Bike Setup For Your Height

[@steverichardson9133]

As said previously, perfect timing. I'm 6'4" and also wear a size 16 boot... I just got another bike and was tempted to try and ride it stock setup. My last one had lowered footpads and the hammerhead extended shift and brake levers.. the shifter obviously helped with my big flipper feet but this has me rethinking putting on lower pegs. I also have a replaced knee that doesn't bend as well as the other so that was a factor for going with the lower pegs. I have the taller seat but have never really tried it. Thanks for another great topic discussion.

[@motomatt6752]

Hey thanks for this. At 6’3 I’ve tried to keep things as stock as possible I ride yz450 all I’ve ever done to my bikes is move handle bars to forward hole on triple clamps and add a taller seat to give my knees a little more to grip thanks again

[@Stone881]

I am 6'2 and when I was starting out used to use bar risers. As I got better as a rider, I went away from that and now run everything at stock height and no worries. Seems to me that the closer you can keep the bike to the standard triangle parameters, the better.

[@claytonadams3942]

I'm 6'5" and did the same thing. Changing that bar back to stock height took so much weight off my wrists too once I was riding with better technique.

[@abusa0o0]

6'4" and ran Fastway lowered pegs and Renthal ktm "high bend" bars on my 350 sxf. No risers, no tall seat. I tried both of those early on and the higher center of gravity throws off the bikes natural handling characteristics. Lower pegs slightly increase the risk of foot contact in ruts but overall help open the triangle up in a way that lowers the center of gravity.

[@TheCnelson3]

So much more to geometry than just handlebars, footpegs, and seats. In a perfect world, tall guys would be able to get a size “tall” frame with different geo and with the motor positioned to help offset the weight and leverage a taller rider would put on the bike. I agree with AJ as I’m not quite 6’4” and tried all of these ideas. Taller bars made the front end light and vague. On my Honda, I do like the rearward pegs and taller seat though. Less sag than others as well.

[@user-mo8tm4jw2l]

Agree. Drop 5 back 5 has made an insane difference in body position for me. Helps me keep my hips back and unlocked. As well as weight the legs better in corners. The drop 5 isn’t as important I don’t think as back 5. I know A LOT of guys running that setup on all different colors. 🤙🏻👍🏻👊🏻

[@BikesandBlickeys]

6’3 here, I am anti tall bars/bar risers. Tried them and in my opinion, as well as seeing others at the track with them, they keep you from getting in the correct attack position. I run the guts wing seat, anything more to grab with my legs helps, as my knees are significantly above the seat. & only slightly lower foot pegs, 5mm down and 5mm back. I have noticed in really deep ruts my heels can drag but I think that will happen with stock pegs as well. I wouldn’t run the foot pegs if I was on any other manufacturer of bike. Yamaha’s cockpit is a bit crammed as is.

[@tcmx712]

Same here I found the bar risers make me lean back further and it's near impossible to get into the attack position properly

[@Yyytttbbbddddooo]

Wing seat make a noticeable difference?

[@BikesandBlickeys]

@@Yyytttbbbddddooo I absolutely love it. It will be one of the first purchases for any bike I own from now on. Planning on buying a new bike after my tax return and will be purchasing a wing seat for it before I even ride it.

[@user-mo8tm4jw2l]

100 dude. This setup is the PERFECT setup for anyone almost any height imo. -5 -5 makes a huge difference in rear wheel traction when weighting pegs. Bike brand doesn’t matter there. Helps keep hips back and unlocked. If you got a bum acl like me the drop 5 is pretty clutch late moto when your tires. Especially if you ride a ktm or husky. The sx pegs are already 5 mil higher than their off-road pegs. Husky rider triangle is built for someone who’s like 5’8 lol. I run sx race bend bar, -5 -5 raptor titanium pegs, sx race bend bar and a guts wing seat with phantom foam because I like a stiff seat for moto. Best setup ergonomically I’ve ever had on any of my ktms or huskies that I’ve owned. Most bikes I don’t need to touch unless they already have a cramped triangle. Doesn’t take much to get right though. Sometimes people make changes way too extreme and you end up having to change the entire bike setup just to suit a new set of handle bars because of where it places your body position in corners etc.

[@user-mo8tm4jw2l]

@@BikesandBlickeysgame changer for a tall guy who’s knees don’t even press on the plastic when standing. That seat has saved my ass more times than I can count giving me a grab spot with my knees I can actually reach lol.

[@straighttimestirrups]

Here is something that hardly anyone considers. Height is irrelevant to the equation, but your personal geometry does. Two people 6’6” can be built in two extremes. Short legs and long torso or long legs and short torsos! They will require their own unique set-ups as far as bar bends and peg to seat distances. Therefore, this is one subject that is unanswerable with any blanket comment. I agree with AJ on this one 100%. Stick to a bar bend that gives you the most comfort and places you in the correct attack position. Bar risers/tall bars move the bars up as well as back towards the rider and I don’t see how that benefits a taller rider myself. I’m 5’9” with a longer torso (I’d guess if I weren’t built like a gorilla I’d be 6’-6’1” ) and I hate my bars coming closer to me.

[@user-mo8tm4jw2l]

Finally someone who gets it. You can be tall with short legs. Or tall with short arms. Or tall with a short back or any combo there of. Or maybe short like my buddy with arms to your damn ankles almost. People are all built differently.

[@bkdub3467]

I have a 22 kx250 I’m 6’2 I put a tall seat on and dropped my pegs down and felt like it was much easier for me to squeeze the bike and work on my form and be more consistent

[@nathan00campbell]

I'm sure a lot of this has to do with the particular bike in question. My YZ250F felt perfectly fine with nothing more than a taller seat. My XR650R I have a taller seat, and I also have the type of bar riser that moves the bars perfectly straight up. Not the little blocks that move the bars up and back towards the rider. So they got like a 45° angle to them or whatnot. So the handlebar positioning front to back of the bike doesn't change it only moves straight up. With the XR650R, hi Ben bars and no bar risers if I'm sitting on the seat I can touch my leg with the handlebar and I don't like that. I am 6'5. Also the attack position was impossible without the bar risers as the handlebars were too far down and it made me have trouble finding any level of balance. I basically just wanted to fall forward over the handlebars. So I'm normal length in the torso with really long legs and arms. Your body's proportioned will be different as well. So I don't think there's a one size fits all analogy for this. I've known tall guys with short arms, and I've known tall guys with long arms. The one thing I would never recommend to anyone on an off-road bike is lowering the pegs. And adventure bike maybe. But anything you're going to be jumping, single tracking, or general off-roading, you don't want your feet hitting the ground.

[@Jacksquatch69]

I'm 6'6" also. stock bars, stock pegs. stock seat. I do run a tall seat on my adventure bike though but not my dirt bikes. I have tried tall bars/risers, lower pegs in the past. Makes the bike handle weird so I don't do it anymore.

[@jeremyphelps3806]

I'm 6,6 and my feed are to big to really fit beetween foot pegs and brake lever distance

[@travisbarr5367]

Im 6'10" looking at the 2023 KLX300R because all I want to do is casual trail riding and I don't want the top end power the wr250f, KX 250, or other moto cross converted to trail bikes has that is way too much for me. I have not been riding in 20 years when I was 10 riding a xr100r. I know Im going to need a taller seat and handle bars. Is this the right bike and are threr any other mods I need to do when i get it? I'm looking at the 2023 over the 2024/2025 because the 2020-2023 has a seat height 36.4" and the 2024/2025 is 35.4"

[@michaelcarr3037]

I'm 6,3 and have rox on my xr650l but it's probably 80 20 street it's just more comfortable on long trips I'm building a xr600 and have no plans to have risers on it I do get into some tricky single track sometimes and can say just watching some of you videos on Facebook has ben a big help improving my riding ability I really get sore the next day though my upper legs and and mid section but not my arms like before but it actually surprised me what the bike is capable of I'm older and have ben riding a long time

[@user-mo8tm4jw2l]

I’m tall. Not 6’6 tall but I’m 6’2 before boots go on. I ride stuff stock before making any changes at all. I have a blown acl as well. Hard on my knees to stand in a stock riders triangle anymore because of the weakened knee. Raptor -5 -5 are imperative for any setup I ride. I ride stock height sx race bend bars because I’m lanky. Husky stock bar is nice too but a bit low unless you have long arms. I make VERY few changes to riders triangle because it just generally doesn’t need it for a normally shaped human. Most of us are normal shapes at 6ft or so. If you get into some weird body shape where your legs are super long and your back is short with some short T. rex arms well your gonna have to make some changes. Most times I generally put stuff back extremely close to stock whenever I ride someone else’s bike too and they allow me to alter setup.

[@jaymz_mx45]

I'm 6'3. Adding bar risers and a taller seat really made the bike feel a lot better.

[@lydgate3419]

Would you please give me some more info on your tall seat? Was it custom, or a staright aftermarket? Thanks so much for any help.

[@jaymz_mx45]

@lydgate3419 I bought guts tall seat foam with seat cover

[@johnbarnhart7174]

The Fastway pegs (at least for KTM) use the stock pin in the stock footpeg brackets (welded to frame) . Seems like whether they are run stock height or 10 mm down & back would load the bike the same as the brackets don't move. I am old so like the tall seat, 5-10 mm bar risers, and down & back Fastway pegs. Seems to make sit to stand transition easier on knees.

[@fragutopia]

I am 6´4 and have been running "2 Tall Racing" for 8 years now best upgrade I ever had on a bike. Unfortunate they have closed down. Other then that I have a extended tip on the gear shifter and Fastway footpegs. I don´t use bar riser or higher seat, just a 994 bar bend I like. Think manufacturers should offer something like that or tall frames.

[@Dave_A41]

I was thinking about getting bar risers, now I’m wondering should I just get higher bend bars….(I’m 6’4”, riding xr650L)

[@Foleyathome]

I'm 6'6 and I've a taller seat foam and a gripper seat cover aswell as bar risers. A game changer for me. Don't drop the footpegs, bigger guys =bigger feet so when you drop your heels there's a bigger chance of getting your foot ripped off the peg in different scenarios

[@KFreebraaap]

You say the taller you are it's harder or more demanding to get into a good rider position, I think taller riders feel "this" and are looking for a way to help getting into a good rider position with some comfort, without wearing yourself out...I found that cutting my frame and adding an inch to lengthen and heighten the frame helps. Ok, just kidding on the last part. So basically you're saying if you are taller, suck it up as there is no help for you except to workout much harder than a shorter rider. Okay, squats it is...

[@ogoshikimura5621]

The reason pro MX riders don't do mods is obviously they don't need comfort for a long stretch on the road before getting to a light trail. So I don't think I can relate to your answer.

[@c3otb816]

just got my suspension back from Factory connection.....super pumped!!!!....850 bucks.

[@Andrew-zd1rn]

I'm 6'1, last season I lowered my foot pegs and moved my bars forward a position, big difference. I have more room to move around and notice my knee position beside the seat feel more natural. Did take some getting used to, but feel that I have better control of the bike and get less tired.

[@diyjeff1838]

Nice! I needed that pep talk. I am 6'4" and trying to jump out of the seat is the hardest part. I guess I am just fat and old. Lol. Wait. Pep talk? I better swallow a tape worm and start losing weight.

[@esprit09]

6’3” and all I did was the hammerhead extended shifter to get my size 12 boot under it easier.

[@CanadianArmwrestler]

I have always done a lot of research into this topic on rider height as I am 6 foot tall bare foot , but when people say there height is it bare foot height or height with there riding boots on? Thanks

[@Johnwinot]

When are u guys coming back to the boogie track I need help getting faster

[@dekgroup8703]

I have found that the biggest difference comes from finding the correct bar bend/sweep.

[@JLSwagger]

Why did he lie about his height 😂

[@bloomerb4162]

Bc Cam said he wasn't very tall at 6 foot. Idk how tall is he?

[@JimG1964]

6'3" but never really bothered changing anything. The bracket to move pegs down and fastway pegs seemed so much money to move the pegs a few millimeters which I'm not convinced would have really made me feel like a 5'10" rider on a bike. I did have to work a lot on flexibility to get in the right position and still look like I'm riding an 85 at times. I don't really like the bar forward position or high bars because they just make it easier to drop the elbows in my opinion. My next bike I will pay a bit more attention to rider triangle as the Yamaha does feel cramped to me.

[@themotoacademypodcast]

All good points! Very true.

[@Yoseype]

Could you maybe also talk about if there is anything you change for shorter riders? 5'5?

[@jaceohran5665]

Im curious too.

[@zama59]

Perfect timing, I'm 6'4 with a size 16 mx boot and just got my first bike yesterday. I won't be riding it for awhile since we've got snow for a few more months but I was going to ask you guys what I should be changing. Was looking at hammerhead shift/brake levers to try and move the end closer to my toe but wasn't sure what else. Hadn't thought of needing to move everything up to get better clearance for my feet but i'll wait for that to become a problem before making those changes

[@BricoleurTV]

We have a lot off snow here in Sweden too but rides all year thanks to studded tires. Can't you get that in the US (or wherever you're from)?

[@RideWithJosh696]

I think it depends on your body proportions more so than height. Sitting I am relatively average (short torso) but when I stand Im 6'2''. Im all legs so when I go from sitting to standing it takes a lot more effort, that is why I probably should invest in some lower foot-pegs or taller seat foam to make it not such a pain to go standing to sitting all the time. I could be wrong though so please roast me if I am. :) thanks!

[@ralfuhlmann8341]

are there tips for smaller riders, 175cm (5.7) ?

[@StreetShamann]

Enjoy it!

[@Robbe1912]

I am also a shorter rider (178cm ~ 5.10) and I have relatively short legs. I just gave my bike to a shop to cut some foam out of the seat and move the handlebars closer. I will see how it is in two weeks once everything is done with it. Would love a video with tips for shorter riders.

[@coldsteeloffroad]

6'2" 210lb 39 y/o riding 2020.5 Husky FC450RE. Run the Guts winged gripper seat cover & FLO Motorsports standard-height pegs & both are awesome. I ran the stock Husky bend ProTaper's in the aft position for quite a while but I have a long torso & I felt my arms weren't in the strongest position possible (think pushup or bench press) in the AP, so I went with the Race Team bend ProTaper's (slightly taller rise but almost identical sweep, width, etc. for similar feel) in forward position & it helped. I tried the FLO lowered pegs but didn't like them...stuck out 10mm further from the chassis & had a machined lip that prevented your boots from hugging the frame.

[@Motoxman4life]

I’m 6’8” and weigh 253. I have tried all this nonsense, taller seat, risers, moving pegs 2018 “KX450” which in grand scheme of things you aren’t gonna notice 5mm, which I did not. I actually moved them right back to stock, because when you move them down they move forward also which left me feeling my toe box was way to tight. For me I use this same exact bar bend that AJ has mentioned in this video. Risers really screw up your turning geometry imo.

[@NextLevel141]

this was a topic for me a long time, and actually iam agree with u, are so many things you can "fix" in body position and handeling first, than makes change on the bike. Glad to hear u talking about this

[@Steezy_Mx]

Fastaway foot pegs for tall riders as well. Allows you to lower pegs. Taller bars. Really made a difference. But I’ve only done this to my sons KTM105

[@SreidMX]

I run a 2020 TM 300 and they sale lower foot pegs, and they’re way lower and further back from stock. Like 1.5 inches and that allowed me to run stock bars and seat

[@sevensi62]

I like my bars higher I'm 5'11" also but feel like the bars are so low especially when I jump. On a YZ250 and the risers help and my arm pump goes away

[@michaelwendler5589]

For someone with a 36" inseam, lowered pegs make a huge difference on being able to grip the bike. Also have Steg Pegz on my bikes as well, and highly recommend them to anyone with long legs.

[@freekmaalderink3467]

im 6 feet 8 and using a higher seat, i have tall legs and with the stock hight it is way to much effort while riding to move to the front of the seat while cornering. living in the netherlands with small and short sand tracks. also a handlebar with a flatter curve and moved all the way to the front of the tripple clamps. the biggest tip i can give is try all the bikes to figure out what suites you the best, there is a lot of diffrences between the way they feel and they ride as a tall dude, my biggest recomend are the fantic or yamaha, or the gas gas or ktm (not husky the back end is lower). bikes like honda or susuki are just way to small.

[@danielarney9729]

Depends on body type, different length legs, arms, torso, neck. Pastrami had dropped peg mounts, probably hung in ruts.

[@kodeland7729]

Glad to finally see some honest advice. Im 6'4, you definitely get more tired. But when you love throttle therapy, you deal with it! Love the channel guys!

[@MrCleowaite]

6'3 Trying to stick to the geometry's of the bike out of the factory is the best bet It might not be as comfortable, but the bike will handle better Tall seat foam was my best upgrade, less fatigue from sitting to standing and something to grip my knees on

[@64maxpower]

Since you are tight with Lawrence you should be your friend and have a talk with him and tell him his gear is way too tight and he looks ridiculous. I would want a friend to do that for me

[@brad2233]

6’-4” here- I have found that the KX tall Protaper bars are a perfect height/bend for me (highly recommend). This year went to a bit taller seat- took me some time to adjust to it, but now the stock seat feels way too low.

[@infidelmat]

Just say no to bar risers

[@onloct7417]

Not directly related to the video but I've been trying to sign up to the moto academy app and evertime it asks for the email confirmation the email comes a long time after the page times out so I can't get in. Any advice?

[@jeremytaylor3539]

Would you say this is the same for a bigger kid on an 85 also...... not sure how tall he is but looks rather big on the 85 now.

[@tmk5522]

I’m 6’3” I just like a slightly taller bar, reed/windham is my favorite.

[@jopsball-turret6969]

I put slightly lower foot pegs and the guts tall seat on my 22 yz250f and it really changed the comfort level for me. Also moved the bars to the rear holes and wished I would’ve done it sooner. I’m 6’2”

[@derkbrock5996]

6’2” I’ve tried bar risers, taller seat, and lowered pegs. I agree w everything u said about not really needing any of it. The one thing I kept from trying all that and I think helps me is the taller guts won’t seat.

[@bm7376]

6’3 tried bar riser and the lower foot pegs. I undid them. The bars I have long arms so lower bars is better and easier to bend over and get over the top.

[@OGLD]

Do you know what kind of set up AP runs AJ? Dean Wilson is another taller rider too

[@cooganbeggs4942]

did you say renthal 827 bars? It sounded like you said A27 🤔

[@jackmaclean508]

At 6'3 all I've done is rotate my bars forward a little bit and it seemed to help a ton

[@williamgalloway4798]

I'm 6'3 and ride mostly enduro. I use 30mm bar risers and will never go back. I feel so much less cramped, it's easier to keep elbows up and good technique for longer. I'm visibly more comfortable on the bike and have more fun.

[@tcmx712]

Not quite sure what bike you have but I found bar risers made me stand up too straight and shifted my weight rearwards too much. I guess if you mean desert racing when you say enduro that would be ok but when it comes to getting up on the front of the bike bar risers just don't seem to work

[@shanethomas4506]

5’6 here and I can’t touch the ground on my 450

[@wherewithalmoto]

Being 40 I get sore pretty fast from standing and bending over so much. Bar risers helped me to last longer and have more fun.

[@OGLD]

Invest change I made was getting good suspension. Far less sore than I’ve ever been riding because I think the bike is working like it should

[@ssse3123]

I love it when my wife .... ?

[@wraith3089]

I’m 6’6” and trained at Tomahawk with AJ for a session with my buddy. Both vet riders. I think a key point made is comfortability. If your consistently not comfortable but doing the right things mechanically then you need to look to make a change. I have lower foot pegs (size 13 Alpinestar Texh 10s). I have an inch taller seat concepts seat. I have rental twin walls with the mako shark bite clamps and I tested that combo as well as Renthal fatbar high bends. The pegs and seat change really allowed me to grip the bike with my legs better and the bars height/width really helped free up the cockpit. I also have my suspension set up for my height/weight/ability. The geometry is certainly different but my comfort and ability have increased. I can also turn more laps because of the changes. I think every set up is unique to the rider and their ability.

[@mxjayden]

5’5 on a yz85 small wheel

[@TheJGJR9]

ah im 6’4 so im right at the cutoff😂

[@roofinggriggs8323]

6’8” taller bars is all I have

[@Boosthead7]

What's you're though on the bar mount options in stock triple clamp like on CRF?

[@davidlakovich8381]

I'm 6'4 and just moved them to the front holes facing back. So that is 5/8 in forward from stock. Have not rode with then yet but feels a little more comfortable when in attack position.

[@Boosthead7]

I'm only 6'0, I ve try both setup and I'm riding with the bar mount up front, feel easier to move up to the front of the bike. I'm just wondering if a coach would approve.

[@CodyRaue]

Bars with less sweep really helped for me

[@kmkings1]

6’6”.. cardio cardio cardio

[@gramwolfe8986]

at 6’1 i can honestly say the tall seat is beneficial to me i’ve switched back and forth multiple times and have always preferred the tall seat