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Author Topic: Do shorter riders have an adavantage over taller riders or vice versa?  (Read 10400 times)

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Offline CCOADY454

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I know the weight of a rider could have an advantage over a heavier rider, but what about a short rider having an advantage over a taller rider?  I haven't really thought about it until recently, with my son and BMX.  He's rather tall for a 10 year old, but does pretty well.

Who do you think has the advantage?  Tall guy or short guy of equal, or close to equal weight?  Just wonder on the pros and cons so I can think of what areas to work harder on. 

Thanks!

Offline SachsGS

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Mike Bell is 6'4" and Ricky Carmicheal 5'4" so I think ultimately height doesn't make any difference. However, the MX guys are usually about 5'8" or so and wiry,think Bob Hannah, and the offroad guys a lot bigger.David Knight is 6'4" and a fast guy from my region, Corey Graffunder, is also about the same height.

I'm almost 6'5" and found that my height gave me more of an advantage in offroad events then MX.

My oldest son is 6'3" and in his first downhill mountainbike race he was 2nd overall and won the second event, he was as much as 8 seconds faster then the second place Pro on some parts of the course. Now if only I could get the runt back on a motorcycle.

Offline 2smoker

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Smaller riders have a faster transition between the jumps..  less weight..less wind drag lol they attract less mud ahaha
Formula over substance will ALWAYS sell more.

Offline ford832

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I'm 5'10".Anyone taller than that is a twisted,genetically inferior freak of nature that should have been done away with from the get go as an artificial natural selection process.Especially when they can put their foot down in the woods to save what would be a crash for me.Grrrrrrrrrr. ;)
I'd rather a full bottle in front of me than a full frontal lobotomy.

Offline scotty dog

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I'm 5'10".Anyone taller than that is a twisted,genetically inferior freak of nature that should have been done away with from the get go as an artificial natural selection process.Especially when they can put their foot down in the woods to save what would be a crash for me.Grrrrrrrrrr. ;)
HAAAAHAHAHAHAAA ;D Im 5'11"  :(

I dont think height is too much of an issue, as long as ya not like 7 foot tall there shouldnt be a worry...
F**K THE WHALES......................SAVE THE 2 STROKE!!!!

The hardest part about riding a 4 stroke is telling your parents your Gay!!

05 CR 250

Offline SachsGS

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Weren't most of the Golers around 5'10"? :o

Offline CCOADY454

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I'm 5'10".Anyone taller than that is a twisted,genetically inferior freak of nature that should have been done away with from the get go as an artificial natural selection process.Especially when they can put their foot down in the woods to save what would be a crash for me.Grrrrrrrrrr. ;)
HAAAAHAHAHAHAAA ;D Im 5'11"  :(

I dont think height is too much of an issue, as long as ya not like 7 foot tall there shouldnt be a worry...

Naaa, not 7 foot.  I'm 6'7".  I have to be careful in some turns where I stick my leg, haha.

Offline ASH510

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i am 5'6" and it has abvantages and disadvantages like
at work i can get in tight areas where big guys cant, wait
that sucks hummmm
oh on riding i think RC says shorter is better nobody had won more than him.

Offline ford832

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Weren't most of the Golers around 5'10"? :o

Yep,when ya comin' down to these here parts fer a visit sachs? :-* :D
I'd rather a full bottle in front of me than a full frontal lobotomy.

Offline MonsterYZ5

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Im 5'8" and I get around just fine :P. I can touch almost flat footed on my YZ
Josh: #5 2009 Yamaha YZ250

Offline maicoman009

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Hey Ford,Has'nt anybody ever told you that "SIZE REALLY DOES MATTER !!!"or that "BIGGER IS BETTER!" :P :D :o ;)

Offline G-MONEY

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I think as long as your suspension is set for your height you will do well.Notice Ricky's bike it looked like they cut an inch off each end. I always thought  motocross was a middle size white boy sport anyway.Then came Bubba.Some of the real tall guys in my district look like their knees are in their chest, they dwarf the bikes they ride, like a regular guy on a 80
"Everthing's the same just slightly different"

Offline ford832

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Hey Ford,Has'nt anybody ever told you that "SIZE REALLY DOES MATTER !!!"or that "BIGGER IS BETTER!" :P :D :o ;)

I'm a small man in many ways :-[ :-X
As for height,I think it matters more in the woods.A couple of the guys I used to race with were well over six foot.When you get in one of those situations where you have to get a foot down and both wheels are on something and you're straddling a hole-down you go-unless you're one of the aforementioned freaks.Naturally,I could pull off the same moves as them-if I rode an 80. >:(
I'd rather a full bottle in front of me than a full frontal lobotomy.

Offline SachsGS

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For many years one of the guys winning everything offroad in my area was 6'6".Only 2% of the male population is over 6'3".

Hey Ford,maybe you could get your MX boots modified (think 70's ABBA platform shoes).

Offline G-MONEY

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fORDS NO DANCEING QUEEN
"Everthing's the same just slightly different"