should I go for a CRF150R?

[halgaruk]

Title should be CRF150F

Hi all,

I'm new to the Forum, and new to riding, although I've been interested in bikes for as long as I can remember.

I have a disability from birth which for me means left sided weakness. It also means I am unable to pull in the clutch on most manual bikes, to change gear properly.

I was hoping to buy a second hand XR 125 to learn to ride on (using it for some offroading) , and was going to buy a Rekluse Z Start Automatic Clutch to install on the bike, to effectively make the bike "semi automatic"... allowing me to ride it.

BUT I have got a e-mail back tonight after my enquiry, and found that they do not make one for the XR 125 (only the XR650), which is far too powerful for me. They told me however that they do the clutches for the CRF150s.

Does anyone think the CRF150 would be a bit too powerful, as a starter bike for offroad use to learn to ride on?

It was a bike I looked at before the XR but my brother told me it would be too powerful, probably having a "power valve" fitted.

The bike needs to be lightweight, and easy to manage... have a bit of power but not deadly enough to be unpredictable.

I need some advice....

Thanks in advance

Gary

[meljordan]

You could go to a dealer and ask for a test ride or if you go to any local mx track and talk to people who have them. Also if you get something and it's just a little wild for you drop 4/5 teeth off the back sprocket and it will help you out until you get used to the bike.
And good luck......

[halgaruk]

You could go to a dealer and ask for a test ride or if you go to any local mx track and talk to people who have them. Also if you get something and it's just a little wild for you drop 4/5 teeth off the back sprocket and it will help you out until you get used to the bike.
And good luck......

Thats the problem, I couldnt ride a stock CRF150F because of the clutch, it would need to have the Automatic Clutch installed first. But for size, I am just over 6ft tall, but have a small frame (hense weight is a issue).

As long as the bike isnt unpredictable then I should be OK... Dont want a bike thats gonna throw me off. Fast but controlable.

[AIRWOLF]

As i understand, the recluse clutch only works from a standstill, you still need to use normal clutch for higher gears.
I suggest you check this out before spending a lump of cash.

[meljordan]

Ok then have a look at this piece of magic.
EFM Auto Clutch
Also people have done the stella alpina on twist-n-go bikes and some of the best riders on the forum have to adapt a few bits and peices to there bikes. You will get mucho respect from all here for having a go ......

[AlanH]

An option I've seen (can't remember where now) is the clutch on the right bar operated with the right hand so you have all the controls on the one side. I thought I might be needing that a few years ago when I had a brachial plexus injury.

Check out the NABD adaptions list:

Adaptions

Where there's a will there's a way.

[halgaruk]

As i understand, the recluse clutch only works from a standstill, you still need to use normal clutch for higher gears.
I suggest you check this out before spending a lump of cash.

I believe there is a few types... the Z Start Auto Clutch takes over clutch control, so you only have to concentrate on changing gear, but there is also the Z Start Pro and another one...

The z Start controls the clutch for every gear, I've been looking into it for days, believe me. I will check again though....

[halgaruk]

An option I've seen (can't remember where now) is the clutch on the right bar operated with the right hand so you have all the controls on the one side. I thought I might be needing that a few years ago when I had a brachial plexus injury.

Check out the NABD adaptions list:

Adaptions

Where there's a will there's a way.

So I've been finding out.... I would prefer not to have to use a clutch at all at first, learning to ride. Thats why the z Start auto clutch sounds perfect. Having to just change gear without thinking about the clutch.

But first I need a suitable bike. The only bike that I think may be suitable that Rekluse do is the Honda CRF150F.... the other 2 were the Yamaha TTR125 (which would be too high, and maybe to heavy). I've tried the WR125 and that was too hight to sit on. And the other bike was a XR650 - way too power and probably too heavy for me to handle with my left sided weakness.

[halgaruk]

Airwolf, After a bit of digging on Google, I've confirmed that the Rekluse z Start Automatic Clutch does let you change gear without touching the clutch lever, but you can still over-ride it if you want to and use the clutch like normal....

I've been browsing around the web, but couldnt find out if Honda still do a 2009 CRF150F ? Does anyone know if I would still be able to buy a 09 CRF150F??? the reason I ask is because the 150F has a electric start (more suitable for me), and I think it'll be that little less powerful, and less heavy.

[hondaxrnut]

you should not need to use the clutch once you are going to change gear especialy on a honda, but dont get confused between a crf150r and a crf150f, they are 2 entirly different bikes, the crf150r is an out and out mx bike and is kick start only, and i think it would be too much for a novice, the crf150f (almost all are kick start) is a smaller wheeled and cylinder sized crf230f, the clutch on it is not very hard to pull, much easier than an xr200 or xl185/125.
i would go to a dealer and just try the clutches, you can get lighteners for them, i would recomend a crf230f easy to ride, you can forget the clutch when moving, elec start, and very forgiving when in the wrong gear.
good luck in your quest.