Hi folk just wanted to air this out, I have a 2013 EC GG and can get feet to the ground ok as I have lowed it a ted, but loosing ground clearances , I am not looking on getting a ktm free ride but if GG or Beta had some think in the line up I would be the first to buy at my local dealer, the little ktm is heading in the right direction with it having very good ground clearances and still enough power to have some fun, I have rode a Honda CRF230 and can ride that faster around a wooded endure loop but that is an old bike now, So any think in the pipe line?????
Short riders!
- Thread starter Adss
- Start date
Fred1956
New member
Sherco has the X-ride, it is a full on 290cc trials motor in a trail bike frame
Thanks for replies so far, had a go on the AJP and it rode and felt as it looks, very cheep, but saying that I have a mate who loves is but if I was going for that sought of thing a 2nd hand Honda CRF 230 with CCM brakes would be a better buy and the bike would hold its money, did not know Sherco did the X ride and I have had a look and they say its not a race bike but who says what you can or not race, I just wondered if GG or Beta had some think on the cards as I would like to stay with my local dealer as I get very good after sell, don't get me wrong as I love my 300, but a EC300 engine in the Freeride frame with some good brakes and just a kick start would make Gas Gas a killing as I am not the only short rider on the planet. 
One of my friends, Dallas Shannon puts out a nice e-magazine for dirt bikers called 'Traction'. He does a pretty good job of it. He also did an article this month on tall and short riders.
He happens to be 6'8" and Rob Lang (of Langs Off-road) happens to be 5'2"
Between the two of them, they've seen both ends of the ergo issue. Some good pics of the two of them side by side in the article.
Front cover & links http://www.odsc.on.ca/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=20952
It's free to subscribe- subscribe@tractionerag.ca
PS the Sherco x-ride is a pretty sweet bike. I can see one of those in my garage in the future..
He happens to be 6'8" and Rob Lang (of Langs Off-road) happens to be 5'2"
Between the two of them, they've seen both ends of the ergo issue. Some good pics of the two of them side by side in the article.
Front cover & links http://www.odsc.on.ca/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=20952
It's free to subscribe- subscribe@tractionerag.ca
PS the Sherco x-ride is a pretty sweet bike. I can see one of those in my garage in the future..
adv rider
Platinum Level Site Supporter
short riders
After finally riding my 12' 300, i felt pretty darn comfortable on my first ride. I am 5'5", so i have been dealing with "Tall" bikes my whole life. I think its a matter of experience as to how a person deals with seat height. Any how, coming from a kx450 i believe helped the transition to the gg. Once i further fine tune the set-up, the seat height will only be a bother in certain off camber situations. And its nice to have greater ground clearance, i still bashed the frame on my first ride.
As part of my job,i ride a variety of bikes and the only ones that really make me nervous are certain adventure bikes,loaded up- ktm,and bmw gs come to mind.
Thanks for the link to that e-mag- I will check it out.
And for those who have not seen this:
http://www.dirtrider.com/features/h..._content=122613&utm_campaign=Dirt+Rider+eNews
After finally riding my 12' 300, i felt pretty darn comfortable on my first ride. I am 5'5", so i have been dealing with "Tall" bikes my whole life. I think its a matter of experience as to how a person deals with seat height. Any how, coming from a kx450 i believe helped the transition to the gg. Once i further fine tune the set-up, the seat height will only be a bother in certain off camber situations. And its nice to have greater ground clearance, i still bashed the frame on my first ride.
As part of my job,i ride a variety of bikes and the only ones that really make me nervous are certain adventure bikes,loaded up- ktm,and bmw gs come to mind.
Thanks for the link to that e-mag- I will check it out.
And for those who have not seen this:
http://www.dirtrider.com/features/h..._content=122613&utm_campaign=Dirt+Rider+eNews
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Jakobi
Super Moderator
Agree that experience plays a big part. Its only when the momentum comes to a halt and the grounds some distance a way that the height becomes an issue. Even on the lower 2010, its not all that uncommon for me to still find myself tipping over in the wrong place, bailing out, and laying it over. Its all part of the experience.
If you live in eastern pa stop by n go for a ride with me . My X Ride rocks I have ridden with some great riders , they could beat me on a z50 but my X ride is more fun than any of my other bikes . Kind of reminds me of why I started to ride dirt bikes n still do at 55 !
Might have to take you up on that offer.
thumperflipper
New member
?? for ACR TOM
What is the travel on the X ride front and rear? How does the bike feel at speed? I mean are the 40mm Zokes stable? Do you bottom out on small jumps?
What is the travel on the X ride front and rear? How does the bike feel at speed? I mean are the 40mm Zokes stable? Do you bottom out on small jumps?
liv2day
Platinum Level Site Supporter
My X Ride rocks I have ridden with some great riders , they could beat me on a z50 but my X ride is more fun than any of my other bikes . Kind of reminds me of why I started to ride dirt bikes n still do at 55 !
This will more than likely come across as a stupid question; I just assumed the X-Ride was a 4T after a quick glance at the pipe; but the specs say it's a 2T? I'm not an engine guy, but no expansion chamber to speak of...right?
Might consider one of these as well as the GG200.
adv rider
Platinum Level Site Supporter
xride
Yes, a 2 stroke with no expansion chamber. Without the chamber, power is smooth,linear. Think scooters, vintage enduro{ke100,dt 100,etc}. The typical modern competition oriented exhaust is built with engine performance in mind,based on engine dimension and characteristics wanted. Giving it the "powerband" of your 200/250/300.
Theres more to it, but you get the idea..I hope. I am not an expert, nor good at explaining things.
Yes, a 2 stroke with no expansion chamber. Without the chamber, power is smooth,linear. Think scooters, vintage enduro{ke100,dt 100,etc}. The typical modern competition oriented exhaust is built with engine performance in mind,based on engine dimension and characteristics wanted. Giving it the "powerband" of your 200/250/300.
Theres more to it, but you get the idea..I hope. I am not an expert, nor good at explaining things.
gasser
New member
Very true but what many people who are limber don't understand is even people who can touch the ground when seated can have a hard time swinging their leg over the seat when tired. I'm 6 feet tall and I would not put up with any bike taller than my 2011 gasser - period. If I were 2 inches shorter I would have to get it lowered. Short riders adapt and make accommodations but they shouldn't have to - you would think that at least one manufacturer would have the sense to build a bike for this untapped market. The freeride comes close but its design focus obviously wasn't on short riders because the ground clearance and seat height is still too high and the motor tamed too much. It seems the freeride is designed for the average height rider with an interest in trials type riding. An old pampera or the new X-Ride fits that need well. What is needed is a serious enduro bike designed for shorter riders. We don't have one size fit all pants so why should we have one size fit all bikes? The market for a smaller sized enduro bike is huge - just look at the popularity of vintage racing. Those bikes we older guys grew up with in the 60s and 70s were much smaller.
spawtydawg
New member
Hi, have you ever heard of the Gas Gas Pampera??? It's along the same lines as the Freeride. Water cooled two stroke engine, soft suspension, and a fairly low seat height. I recon you could race one no problem and think the only possible down side is that when you really got on the pace the suspension may hold you back a tad, although it would be really good on very technical trails.Not sure if they still make em though.
rubber Jonny
New member
gas gas need to make a 2014 pampera
gasser
New member
I disagree the Pampera 2strokes were simply a trials bike with a seat, bigger tank, and road legality items. The Freeride is a slightly down sized enduro bike with a much weakened motor. The Freeride is closer in size to a regular 250 enduro than it is to the 2stroke Pampera. While the old pampera and that new Sherco clone of it may be fine for cruising the lanes of England they are too flimsy to hold up to the beating they would get from my Tennessee riding buddies here in the hills and hollers. In my opinion a downsized (2-3 inches in wheelbase and seat height) enduro bike would be a much better fit for the US market. The KTM freeride is a stab in the right direction but made some serious mistakes imo. Seat height is still too high (every bike they make doesn't need 13-14 inches of ground clearance), motor needs a power valve and kick starter, and it is way too expensive.
