Big and Tall Setup - Letter of the Week - Dirt Rider Magazine

Hi there, I'm 6'3 and 170 lbs, and I love dirt biking, but as is obvious I have an issue with finding a bike that I can ride comfortably. I read your article on tall setups for bikes but I don't have the budget for the mods suggested. Is there any bikes that are generally built larger or am I just going to have to bite the bullet and spend tons on multiple suspension and other such mods?**Quinten Korneli

Prince George, British Columbia, Canada**

Start by looking for a bike that comes with an adjustable top triple clamp, like on the KTMs. This is a start that will save you some cash right up front and KTMs have been coming with this feature for a lot longer than some of the other bikes that are now adding this. Overall, KTMs also seem to fit larger riders where the new Husabergs, for instance, don't. A lot of that has to do with the footpeg position and that is something that just standing on a bike on the showroom floor will reveal to you quickly. As for suspension, you won't really need to do much at 170 pounds other than tune your settings with clickers because in theory, you are a longer pendulum than someone in the 5'10" range. After all, that is why bikes have clickers! -Jimmy Lewis