i have a 2002 290 which is high geared or so i've been told.

any advice on getting it geared down would be helpful

Not too sure if it was the 02 thought it was the 03 which they geared up slightly 1st. never bothered me too much, if you never ride on the road youcould change the front sprocket if you feel it needs it. Compare it to tanother year as they went back to previuos ratios.

cheers for that it might stop the feeling of it ripping my arms out every time i ride it

My 04 290 is geared at 10/42 as standard from factory. I have never felt any need to go lower than 10 on the gearbox sprocket. Once tried an 11 on front to raise the gearing but was too much of a beast so went back to a 10. Mainly use first and second in sections, and third and fourth on hillclimbs and across the moors. Normally keep fifth for road use, hope this helps.

As I recall, '02 was the year they increased the first gear. Many went to the 9 toth front but the 44 tooth rear off the 125 is better as the ratios fall in between the 9 and 10 tooth front.

Same for later years as well, ti will slow the bikes reaction, but so will a slow throttle and resetting the ignition timing.