17.While the bike was apart for suspension work, we made the riding position more open. The ideal way to go here, since Robinson had always adjusted to the small feeling of the bike, was with a ProTaper P3 top triple clamp ($169.95, www.protaper.com). The P3 offers up to five positions for the handlebar mounts. These photos illustrate the range of adjustment available. We opted for the furthest position forward that didn't let the edge of the clamp extend past the forward edge of the triple clamp.
18.In addition to the five handlebar clamp positions, ProTaper offers different height clamps. Again, this photo shows the available range with optional height clamps. Most triple clamp manufacturers have a variety of handlebar placement options. We used 45mm risers ($59.95).
19.Another option for opening up the rider compartment is to change to a footpeg that is lower or moved back. There are not a lot of available options here. We used Fastway Evo F3 pegs ($109.95, www.fastwayperformance.com).The portion of the peg that the pivot pin goes through is not cast into the peg. It is a precision-machined sleeve, and it can be inserted from either direction. The result is that you can have the footpegs in the standard position (top) or you can reverse the sleeve, swap sides with peg return springs and the footpegs will be located down and forward from their normal location. These photos show the relocation. Since Robinson wears a size 13 and he bottoms the bike fairly often despite the stiffened suspension, we opted to stay with stock pegs and peg height.
20.The final area of the rider compartment that we addressed was the seat. A taller seat ($105.99) and, for a heavy rider, one with firmer foam can greatly ease the transition from sitting to standing. The easiest fix is to call SDG (www.sdgusa.com; 800/743-3734 ) and get one of its complete seats. We ordered a tall, firm model, and it came as a complete seat, including a nonslip cover. It even has the correct brackets. Just bolt it on. Enduro Engineering (www.enduroeng.com) is also a great source for KTM riders. You can choose from Guts (www.gutsracing.com), Factory Effex (www.factoryeffex.com), Ceet (www.ceetracing.com) and a few other companies for seat foam. Be sure to check the parts book; some models have taller seats available from the manufacturer.
21.If you have been doing the math, we spent a bit of cash modifying the bike, but for a big guy to be able to ride at his potential, there really aren't many cheap shortcuts available. There is one for moving the handlebar up and forward. Thumper Racing has these adapters ($89, www.thumperracingusa.com) for tall riders that use the standard bar. These work great on bikes such as the Honda XR250R, 400R, 600R and even the 650R. Those bikes tend to have ergonomics that force the rider into a sit-down mode, and these clamps can change that in an economical way. The applications are limited but work well on the bikes for which they are designed.
When the mods were completed, Robinson had a little trouble adapting to the spread-out riding position, but he soon acclimated and enjoyed the customizing. He took no time at all to appreciate the personalized suspension upgrades. He rides with more confidence and aggressiveness off-road and on the track. He is able to seat-bounce jumps and hammer into jump faces for the first time in his riding history. He literally has never had a motorcycle that worked correctly before. He is quickly unlearning the timidity that has come from a constant diet of frightfully undersprung motorcycles.
When I found out I would be the lab rat for this story, I tried to keep my expectations reasonable. Secretly, though, I had this fantasy result in mind of how good the suspension would be and how much of a difference it would make in my riding. The final result blows away those fantasy expectations. I couldn't even imagine the difference that correct suspension setup made. I'm still adjusting to the suspension, and as I learn what the bike will do, I have tried stiffer adjuster settings, and it just keeps getting better. I'm able to experience riding in a way that I never have before. I've even started passing riders and having battles on the track. Now I realize that I was trying the equivalent of riding motocross with trials suspension. I can land short and not crash and even overjump without fear. A big part of the trust in the suspension comes from opening up the riding position. I'm a working man/kid on a strict budget who only buys used bikes. But if I had known how valuable these mods were going to be, I'd have scraped up the money somehow, some way and a long time ago!
-Matt Robinson/6'2"/310 lb/Novice (but learning fast)