Hillclimbing bikes

[CR500R7]

This could go in the steelies or the beer can section, but seeing I was looking at a beer can when I thought of it I will ask it here.
With regards to the steering head angle, do you look for a bike with the front wheel pulled in (steeper angle) or the front wheel pushed out (less angle).
Does this not matter one way or the other because its sort of straight line riding, or have I got this way wrong.
If you were going to make a beer can version out of these 4 bikes which one would you pick and why.
02-07 CR125R
02-07 CR250R
02-04 CRF450R
04-08 CRF250R
You can also add any other model bike to your answer to help make your point as to which bike is better/ suits you.
Just trying to get an understanding of what sort of steering charactoristics you look for in a bike, if at all.
As soon as you lenghten the swingarm you have totally changed the handling of the bike.
Shit I hope this makes sense/ someone understands this.

[john howell]

I look at hillclimbing this way any time you back out of the throttle it cost you 3 tenths of a second. Based on this I do not care what I ride as long as I can keep WOT. Other than that the rest is in setting up the suspension the length and the air pressures for the hill that you are riding.I personally like the bike to steer a little quicker on the hills.My best advice is to go fast take chances the lord hates a coward.

John Howell
NAHA#43

[CR500R7]

Just got to thinking one day, realised I know stuff all about hillclimbing.
Was just curious as to how you would pick a bike for it.
How do you determine what lenght swingarm to use.

[john howell]

I determine the length of the swing arm by how high I carry the front wheel out of the hole. I like no more than 1 foot. if it is less I shorten it up if it is more I lengthen it out. Then as a last resort I take my tape measure in hand and match what the top ten riders are running.

John howell
NAHA#43

[Roostius_Maximus]

it usually takes a walk of the hill for me to set the length, if its loose at the start but solid hook at the top it can be set shorter than a loose everywhere hill cuz its going to have all the speed that'd flip it before you get to the hook

If its hook then loose i like to run it a bit longer so the bike takes off with not much lift while up on the tank, then ride it sitting further back thru the loose to keep that traction

If i'm dooing this wrong let me know

[CR500R7]

Thanks for the replies,its better to ask question and learn something than to assume something and know nothing.
If there is anything else I should know about the bikes to help me understand hillclimbing better, feel free to tell me.
cheers.