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Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
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  #1  
Old 30 Dec 2015
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WR250R low rider
Experts:
My wife has taken a keen interest in the noble art of gravel touring, and will attend an off road course this spring. She wants my WR250R as her bike, as it is light and powerful enough - but she needs it lowered.

How does one do that?
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Old 30 Dec 2015
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Lowering the WR should not be a big deal ... but first I'd make sure it really needs lowering. I guess the WR is a bit tall for a 250 dual sport but by dirt bike standards it's low.

So be sure she really needs it lower ... or can she adapt ... like most of us do with a taller bike?
Novice dirt bike riders always want a lower bike ... but that is not always the best thing. Feet DO NOT have to be FLAT ON THE FLOOR to control a bike.

Lowering can negatively affect handling, turning and ride. Important to maintain Front to Rear balance and height when lowering a bike.

But if she is truly short ... then LOWERING LINKS in the rear shock linkage is probably the best way to start.

Next, lower the front by raising fork tubes UP in triple clamps ... or by cutting internal damper rods and tubes. Adding bar risers may allow more room to raise up tubes in triple.

Raising tubes UP in triples is easy and reversible, as is adding a lowering link to shock linkage. So, my advice is to start with the simple, cheap and reversible stuff and move on from there.

Now you get to be "instructor" in charge of teaching a novice dirt rider who also happens to be your wife! ... and good luck with that part!
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Old 30 Dec 2015
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Yamaha Lowering - KTM and TTR WR YZ Yamaha Lowering Link

Not cheap as links go, but a good piece of kit, you could probably get a local machinist to cut some out of aluminium.

You can also buy a low seat or shave the stock seat down an inch or so.

ps. I would tell my wife to buy her own bike

I know where she is coming from, I have a 32 inch inseam and the KTM seat height is 38+ inches, yes the suspension compresses a bit with my weight, but I am on tip toes and this (combined with a lack of talent) has caused the KTM to nap a good few times
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Old 30 Dec 2015
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Thank you for that link - very useful!
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