Yeah, I guess the site I initially used to convert (google) failed me, you are right 5' 11" is about right.
Gordy mentioned KTMs. It's amazing how different a given bike can be made to behave with setup of motor and chassis. Sharing bikes is problematic, as sting32 points out -- a little different take-up on the clutch, a little different pitch to the handlebars, and you wonder how anybody can ride this thing!? My son is six inches taller, twenty-five years younger, three classes better at trials. He can ride my bike, but his is completely foreign to me. To each his own. My wife is about my size. She sets up her mountain bike so oddly I can't even figure out what is wrong with it. She makes it go, I make mine go....
Just had to share this data point... http://www.places2ride.com/trials/beta/handlebars.htm tapered bars with risers came on the '98 trials Beta "they are strong and have a bit more riser, perfect for that taller rider"
. You found an opinion from some page selling stuff! How's this for a data point? A guy on ADVrider.com said that short guys should run their bars upside down.
Was that a quote from someone with a `73 yamaha wannabe cafe racer? Or `I`ve been in that position on my Back`, wait I want to say I saw it on TV so it has to be true!
Actually, silly boys -- the data I found elsewhere as well says that Beta shipped that year with and without risers ...
What you had was a poor translation, which happens every year! And if you had ordered a 280 that year and was lucky enough. Beta sent the bike as a 250 and included the 280 topend free of charge! Now that was the best deal of the 90`s!! Extra cylinder, head and piston kit free of charge!
I'm 6'5" and bar risers helped. Another huge improvement was a new set of foot peg's. I bought a set from RYP that were 1/2" back and 3/8" down from the stock pegs on my 05 2.9 that made a huge improvement for my personal fitment. https://secure.rypusa.com/prodpage.cfm?cat_selected=165&product_selected=140&startrow=1
I stood next to Raga at the 97 world round at Donner.He was probably all of 16 years old and at that time was skinny as a rail.He has for sure beefed up over the years.The other night in the garage I "caved" to all the advice about risers.Took out a 15 mm slice of riser so I am down to 15 mm total rise.We will see how that goes.Raining and snowing today so it might be time to get my new sled out.
