Just head on out to the local track and look around. Pay
attention to all the motocross riders. The common factor is the difference between them. They all come in different sizes
and shapes. But bike builders have to design and build for the masses, just as car companies do. For a high performance,
custom ride, you’ll have to make your own changes to shave seconds off your lap times.
Taller than average riders are a typical case where mods are required to maximize performance and rider comfort.
Never forget that the goal is to achieve a bike/human unit. Travis Preston belongs to the “tall guy” club. What
does he do to mod his Sobe No Fear/Samsung Mobile/Honda CRF450R?
The most obvious thing
to do is raise the seat. It’s the easiest thing to do and sets the stage for all other mods.
Think about the bar height next. Also an easy fix, just a few millimetres
higher on the bars and/or mounts make things equal with the seat mod.
Some taller riders
just can’t get it right without cutting down the sub frame. Is this ok? Sure, but keep it to a minimum and accurate
– don’t risk throwing things out of whack; never let an amateur with a torch close to your ride.
How big are your hands? If you are a much taller rider than the manufacturer
counts on, you’re hands will be bigger too. Bigger levers are in order because you never want to sacrifice flexibility,
comfort, and access. The weight gain is negligible, trust me.
Finally, think about your bike’s suspension. If you’re taller, chances are you’re bigger (I know,
it’s all lean muscle mass; ahem!). Anyway, in this case consider adding stiffer suspension. It will pay off in the long
run.
