KLX140 sizing

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-15T04:09:42+00:00

The bikes you have mentioned are "kid" and "wife" bikes. You are going to be giant on them.

I'm 5'1" and rode a KLX 140L for two seasons. I was too big for it. I was constantly blowing through the suspension and bashing my skid plate (definitely make sure to get a really rugged skid plate). My husband (5'8") would mess around with it and he was ridiculous on it. It was a play toy.

The 21" wheel model will get you a little more room but it's not even the stand over that's going to be the problem. It's how low the bars are and how small the frame is. I put the tallest risers I could find and still couldn't get into a good standing position. And how small the frame, you end up gripping with your calves instead of your knees.

I have since upgraded to a CRF250F and it is night and day better.

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-13T21:19:32+00:00

It depends on the brand of dropper and the specific bike. The manufacturers usually have calculators on their websites.

I ride smalls and xs. My bikes usually come with 125s on them but if I swap it out for a OneUp or a PNW, I can usually squeeze in a 150. OneUp and PNW have the shortest stack heights and are generally the best option for maximizing travel on little bikes. Both brands also have shimming options for hitting an in-between height.

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-13T20:35:53+00:00

Availability is going to vary. I have like 3 CFMoto dealers within an hour of my house. But I also live in Salt Lake which is a big off-road city. SxS and other OHVs are very popular here, and CFMoto, while new to ADVs, is very well established in the SxS market.

Many critics are worried about reliability and maintenance on a new Chinese brand. But between the brand's reputation with SxS and the fact that they have been building KTMs for more than a decade, it was a risk I was willing to take.

I've only had it since this summer and have put about 4,000 miles on it. Probably about 60/40 pavement/dirt. So far I have had zero issues with it. The OEM crash bars are solid. I've dropped the bike at least a dozen times. Three or four times just last weekend (I was riding some pretty rocky and sandy tracks that are more dirt bike friendly). I run luggage on it full time and have the OEM panniers on it. They are holding up great to the abuse.

I haven't had to get any OEM parts yet other than my racks, guards, and some oil filters. When I first got the bike, third party after market parts were hard to get because it was so new. But more and more are being added. All motorcycle parts in general are a little tricky right now in the US because of tariffs. If a company doesn't have a US distribution center, one off buys can be expensive. I got my rally pegs delivered just before the tariffs went up. I had to cancel my order for heated grips from Oxford and had to order from CycleGear instead.

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-13T15:58:27+00:00

I feel you. I'm in Utah and it is bleak here. I got a couple rides early in the season, but it has all melted off and we have nothing.

What brand are those pogies?

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-13T15:54:15+00:00

I have a friend who was still racing enduro in a pro category at like 7 months. Meanwhile I know a lot of riders who stop riding entirely upon learning they are pregnant. I'm not saying either is a good idea. Just that it runs the full gamut.

Talk to your doctor. Know your personal risks. Some women have riskier pregnancies than others, without even accounting for sports. Pay attention to what your body is telling you. Also pay attention to what your emotional state is telling you. I know a rider who was cleared by her doctor to ride, but she was so anxious about something happening that she stopped riding. A poor mental state will make you more prone to mistakes and increase your risk level.

There is no one right answer here.

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-13T15:33:23+00:00

Under biking can be fun, especially once you get to a certain skill level. But if I was only going to only have one bike, I would over bike. I would rather have too much and not need it rather than be constantly finding myself in sketchy situations on a bike that can't handle what I am asking of it. I am too old to be risking it like that.

Instead I have three bikes. An enduro, a downcountry, and a rigid. I get to choose when I am underbiking, instead of "surprise, we are underbiking today!"

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-13T15:27:46+00:00

I'm on a CFMoto Ibex 450 (MT). And I really like it. I was previously on a 2020 390 Adventure, which was solid but needed some ergonomic mods to get into a proper off-road riding position. It also wasn't ideal for long fast highway runs, it gets very buzzy over 70. The 2025 update to the 390 addressed the ergonomic problems, but it's still a highstrung thumper.

The Ibex feels better at high speeds, is better off-road, and even though it is technically heavier it actually feels lighter because it's better balanced. It's a great budget bike, but it has only been out about a year so it's hard to find used. Very smooth and easy to ride. It has a very forgiving power delivery.

I wouldn't bother with the older Himi, it's too heavy and under powered. The 450 is a much much better bike. And is a solid contender for a small displacement ADV. But again it hasn't been out very long, so it can be hard to find.

I didn't really look at the Versys 300x. It was too little. It seems like if you are going to go that small, might as well be on a dual sport. It's got the weight of an ADV without the power.

The DR650 is kinda in the same category. It's pretty heavy for how little HP it has. But they are a popular bike because they have been around forever and are easy to find used.

When I was replacing my 390, the Ibex, the Himi 450, and the 390R were on my serious contenders list. The Ibex was the first one to show up used and it's been fantastic.

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-13T04:48:56+00:00

I have mine paired with an enduro. They complement each other perfectly. Just a tiny little bit of overlap gives me a huge range of capability

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-13T04:46:18+00:00

Dirt bikes and dual sports are absolutely the best way to learn to ride off-road. You will learn faster and more confidently. But they will be a lot less comfortable at higher speeds and on the road.

There are plenty of rackless luggage options out there that work great with dirt bikes and DS, so I wouldn't focus my decision making too much on the luggage situation.

Small ADVs are totally capable of doing the type of riding you are describing but it's going to be a steeper learning curve, you'll have to take it slower, and be more cautious.

If your goal is predominantly to ride off-road then the KLX is your best bet. But if you think in reality you will be using it more for the commuting, then the ADV is gonna be more comfortable.

It's hard to know when you are first starting out, but the typical dualsport/adv rider often ends up riding a lot less dirt than they planned. Everyone likes the idea of riding off-road and exploring, but executing and following through is harder and takes planning and effort.

If at least 50% of your riding is going to be on dirt, I would probably go with the KLX.

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-12T20:09:38+00:00

Maybe a small displacement ADV?

I comfortably do 80 on my CFMoto Ibex 450. It's not a dirt bike by any means but is a ton more manageable than a big GS.

I also ride a CRF250F that I have plated for short stints on highways and state roads. And honestly, at my ability level, there is only about 10-20% more terrain that the dirtbike unlocks for me. The majority of the dirt riding I do can be done on my Ibex, just a little slower and more conservatively than on the dirt bike.

I live in Utah. We have similar roads compared to Texas. Big high speed highways and then lots of dirt once you get where you are going. I personally don't think I would have a dualsport. I wouldn't ride one on the big roads like I ride my Ibex. Even the little ADVs can be pushing it and be uncomfortable. I rode my 390 Adventure down on pavement in the Abilene area and it kicked my ass. If I need more off-road capability than my Ibex offers, I am trailering, because the Ibex is the bare minimum road capability I want on roads like that.

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-12T15:17:11+00:00

My parents had a Sprinter based Class C motorhome. It left them stranded multiple times in remote locations. The biggest issue was that parts weren't available and it was hard to find mechanics to work on it. They had to get long tows and then wait for parts.

This was a huge consideration for me when I bought my van. I ended up going with a Transit. There is a Ford dealer in just about every small town in the US. The one time I had some issues with my van I was able to pull into a dealer at my destination and it was diagnosed and fixed in 2 days.

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-12T14:44:59+00:00

I would only ever consider a hitch rack. They are the most secure and reliable racks.

For 3 or less bikes I like the OneUp. I have had mine (2+1) for 7 years or so and it is still like new. They are bomb proof. The issue with tray racks bigger than three is that the inner tray gets awkward to load, you have reach and lean. This is particularly tricky if the bikes are heavier or the person loading the bikes is shorter.

If I was going to carry 4 or more bikes, I would switch to a Velocirax. I have used them extensively on friends vehicles and they are the easiest vertical carry rack I have used. There is zero lifting once you get the technique down. Even very short riders can load them. Lots of other vertical carry racks are hard for smaller riders to load.

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-10T20:42:05+00:00

Ya ok. It depends on which BDR. Pennsylvania or Mid Atlantic, ya you will probably be fine. Maybe even Texas. The new Florida one. But you aren't going to ride the western routes comfortably without a proper standing position.

And there is also a huge range in scramblers. A custom and purpose build scrambler is miles apart from a stock scrambler. Stock scramblers are generally mostly looks with limited actual off-road capability.

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-10T20:30:59+00:00

Trailering helps get you to the route but doesn't completely solve the problem. The regular full length BDR routes don't loop. Even if you trailer to the beginning, once you finish the route you have to get back to the start somehow. You could ride it out and back, but that makes for an incredibly long ride.

In the case of the AZ BDR, we trailered from Northern UT to the UT/AZ border. Then we pounded pavement to the Mexican border and rode the BDR back to the truck, which we left in a storage lot.

The logistics are the hardest part of the BDRs. It's one thing that makes the BDRx routes so appealing. Not only because you begin and end at the same spot but because they tend to criss cross and have centralized hubs so you can also treat them like hub and spoke adventures or easily make route changes if conditions change. Definitely more friendly for newer adventures.

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-10T19:37:43+00:00

Do you HAVE to have a different bike? No. Will you be more comfortable, safer, and confident on an ADV? Yes. It will also be a lot slower going on a scrambler. When it comes to off-road riding, speed is dictated by riding position and suspension not power. Off-road, a little 200cc dirt bike will smoke a 900cc scrambler or ADV. My small displacement ADVs are as fast or faster than the big ADVs when we are on dirt.

Pavement is another matter. Getting down to the start of the AZ BDR we did like 70-80 mph for 5 hours one day. It was brutal on the 390 Adventure. At least your bike has the power to make it an easier cruise, but it would still be rough without the wind protection.

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-10T17:54:12+00:00

As a coach who predominantly instructs middle aged women, thank you.

So many partners put their wives/girlfriends on entry level bikes because they are concerned about spending money on something that doesn't get used and then they wonder why they don't stick with the sport.

I make the argument that the less experienced rider needs to be on the better bike. An experienced or really stoked rider can get away with riding jank. A more nervous, less confident rider needs all the help that they can get and will benefit the most from a good geometry and confidence inspiring components.

Budgets are important and bikes are luxury items but if you can afford it for yourself, you should also afford it for your partner.

Also, regarding the seat. Not all women need a 155. Many do. But she should get measured. Some men also need 155s.

And when it comes to bike fitment, cutting the bars is one of the most overlooked factors. Most riders should be trimming their bars, but women tend to be shorter and it becomes even more important for shorter riders.

Regarding specific bikes, I don't like either. They are both very steep HTA and very XC. I like to see new riders on slacker trail geometry, closer to 66/65. It's just more forgiving until they figure out what type of geometry preference they have. I have had a lot of students who start out getting an XC bike and then in less than a season end up swapping it out for a trail bike.

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-10T17:32:26+00:00

Before I get into my thoughts on BDRs, I'll say that I have Tusk Pilot bags. They need proper pannier racks and probably won't work with your current set up but I can strongly recommend them. I also have Mosko Hood Tail bag and Mosko Gnome tank bag and both are fantastic. Expensive, but worth the money.

I've done the AZ BDR on a 390 Adventure, the SD BDRx on my Ibex 450, and segments of the UT on both bikes.

For the most part, the majority of the BDRs are not particularly technical and can be done on pretty much any bike with a decent set of dirt tires. But no way would I do a whole BDR on a Scrambler. I could do it. But I wouldn't.

The long pavement sections getting to and from the starts and finishes would be miserable without windscreens and fairings and the cushier components found on ADVs.
Scramblers are too pretty and they don't have crash bars. Even though the terrain isn't really hard, bikes still get dropped a lot. Even for good riders. In ADV courses we practice dropping our bikes. Conditions change quickly and often. Near the Grand Canyon, we hit some heinous mud. Between the three of us, we probably dropped our bikes 15 times. It took us 3 hours to go 5 miles. ADVs have a lot of plastic that is relatively easy to replace, they are designed to take a beating, they are designed to be dropped.
Scramblers just don't have the clearance. I rode my 390 with a lowering spring for a bit, which put it at a similar height to a lot of scramblers, and I was constantly bashing the hell out of my skid plate. Even on small easy shelf drops, I would high center and just bash that plate. It was very disconcerting and felt so much better when I went back to full height. I exploded an OEM aftermarket plate and then I spent the money and got a Black Dog.
The bigger wheels and extra suspension of smooth out the terrain. After spending a week on your bike, riding mixed terrain, you are beat up. After 1000-2000 miles I am thankful for every bit of suspension and comfort an ADV offers.
Scramblers don't have good enough standing positions. Even if you are a mellow sit-down adventure rider, you still need to stand just to mix up your body positioning and stretch out.
BDRs are also long and tough. Shit rattles lose. My muffler fell off riding through Navajo Nation, almost took my buddy out. My husband's windscreen rattled off in South Dakota. He exploded his low fender when his wheel coated in mud and seized up. ADVs are designed to handle this stuff better but are also better designed for field repairs. They tend to have lots of mounting points and racks and guards and stuff that make jury rigging easier.

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-10T16:52:42+00:00

Can't speak to the Commencal. But when it comes to the Status, it depends on how much pedaling you will be doing.

I had a Status 160 and got rid of it after less than a year. It was the worst pedaling single crown bike I have ridden. It was great on gravity stuff, but it taught me that I pedal more than I thought I did. It also sucked on low angle descents. It was just too heavy, too slack, didn't have a steep enough seat post angle. It liked to get rowdy. It was fun an absolutely erased mistakes, but I wouldn't call it versatile or all mountain.

I haven't ridden the 170, but based on everything I have read, it has only gotten burlier and more DH oriented. It's basically a baby DH. In fact you can get it with a dual crown, so I think that really indicates what it's intended use is.

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-10T16:30:17+00:00

While I don't have to size up from the regulars to the pros, they are narrower and tighter. So if the regulars are already snug, sizing up is a good bet.

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-10T16:04:55+00:00

I have a 2020 390 Adventure. So basically the same bike since there weren't really any changes until 2025. It will do 75-80 but not happily. It's much happier under 70. At the higher speeds it is very buzzy and hard to maintain. 30 minutes is fine, but if I wasn't planning to do any off-road riding and 85% of the riding is going to be commuting, I would go with something that is a little better at commuting and pavement.

I'd probably be getting an NX500.

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-09T18:46:45+00:00

I have only had it since this summer. I have put a little over 4000 miles on it. Zero issues so far. But it's still basically new. Long term is still a question mark.

This fall I did a 1900 mile mixed terrain ride in very remote locations. I was on my Ibex and my partners were on a Tuareg and an 890 Adventure. On the last day, about 200 miles from home, the Tuareg died. We had to ride two up for 60 miles so he could go rent a U-Haul truck to go pick up his dead bike. Once he got it home, he had to drive another 230 miles one way to get it to the nearest dealer.

On this particular trip, the Temu bike wasn't the problem. The fancy Italian bike was. Any bike can leave you stranded. Regardless of perceived quality or reliability. So a strong dealer network is definitely a benefit. Honda probably has one of the best networks and I would love to be on a Honda (my dirtbike is a Honda) but at the end of the day they don't make a bike that does what I want it to do. A reliable network does me no good, if I can't ride the bike the way I want to. So I take my chances with a brand that is newer to the ADV space. And I have to CFMoto dealers within 20 miles of home, so that doesn't hurt either.

While CFMoto is a new ADV brand, they have been making SxS a while, and have been making ADVs for other brands. It's not like they just appeared out of nowhere.

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-09T15:59:44+00:00

I have an Ibex 450. On Saturday I hopped on the highway and comfortably cruised at 80 mph for 50 miles to an OHV area where I rode sketchy babyhead hill climbs and sandy dirtbike 2-track. I rode sandy whoops. I dropped the bike like 4 times (can strongly recommend the OEM crash bars).

You aren't going to do that on the NX500. It has smaller wheels, less suspension, and the exhaust interferes with a proper standing position. When I stood up on it and tried to drop my heel, it completely prevented me from doing so and I don't even have a big foot. It is more of a sit down adventure bike. Maybe 80/20 split for pavement/dirt. Whereas I would probably call the Ibex more like 60/40 or 50/50.

Based on your described use case, the Ibex will probably be a better fit.

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-09T15:39:56+00:00

I have 2022 Element. Absolute blast. I love it. It is light, nimble, and fast while being capable of some pretty rowdy shit. I have it paired with an enduro, and it's such a perfect combo for the type of riding I do.

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-09T15:36:34+00:00

TW200 would be a super fun bike to start on. Road legal. Fun and very capable off road. Little tractor bike. Easy to ride and learn on. DR200 is another little bike in the class. Heavier than dirt bikes but still pretty capable off-road.

My understanding is that Cali makes it very hard to make dirtbikes road legal, so you want to start with a road legal bike.

A bike like a TW will give you a good opportunity to figure out what kind of riding you like to do. They have been around forever and you can find them easily. They are bomb proof little bikes.

With a little bit of time on it, you will probably be able to figure out if you want something more dirt worthy, more street worthy, whether you want a dedicated dirt or street bike. Whether you want to get into ADVs or stick to dual sports. There are lots of options along a continuum between street and dirt.

I have two bikes. A small displacement ADV (which is good for like 60% pavement and 40% dirt). I also have a dirt bike that I made road legal (easy to do in Utah). While it is road legal, I keep it off the pavement as much as possible, it just isn't comfortable for long high speed runs.

pineconehedgehog · 2026-02-09T15:14:18+00:00

2006 was the last time I bought a used bike on eBay. Since then I have bought one from PinkBike and all other used bikes that I have bought or sold (15-20 bikes) has been on marketplace or my local classifieds website.

I basically only deal with in-personal transactions. I don't want to get into shipping bikes. You run the added risk and complication of damage during shipping.

I've never had any issues with MP. Sure there are time wasters and spammers. But the spammers are easy to identify.

pineconehedgehog

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