Hello Everybody, I am new to the motorcycle world, this is my first bike but i feel the seat is a little bit high for me, i am looking to lower the bike 1 or 2 inches to feel more confortable. I've been looking for the lowering kits all over the internet but all i can find is the lowering "link": is that all i need to lower my bike?? Please help me!!! I would really appreciate it!! By the way if someone lives in South Florida give me a shout Thank you

 

i just logged on and was about post the EXACT same thing, if just the link works is that for the front or the rear??? and what ever ends it lowers what about the other side??? how does it change your handeling?? anyone have pic of a 1'' or 2'' drop??? can someone help us out??

 

I can say that the link is for the rear suspension only, and i believe you can just slide the fork stanchions (sp) up through the triple tree a litte.
Lowering does ruin your handling, so if you're looking to do any canyon carving or track days, lowering is out.

 

I know Honda seats are a little wider than zooks and yammys, so it makes your legs go out further (as opposed to straight down), and makes it seem like the seat is higher.

But seriously how short are you guys? Have you considered shaving the seat? I know Honda seats suck already, but I think it's a better option than lowering the bike. What about pulling off the "one cheek sneak", when stopped just move your *** a little further to one side of the seat so you can get one foot solidly on the ground. That's what I do, I'm about 5'4 and I do this on my RC.

Look at Jason DiSalvo! He is a shortcake! Who has that pic of him pulling the "one leg sneak" on his bike?

EDIT: Found the pic



Modified by backlash at 9:46 AM 1/13/2006

 

you can also get "lowering straps" for the front that lower it down a bit

but i think shaving the seat should be your first step, Me personally I wouldnt want to mess with screwing with the bike in that way. It was built that way for a specific reason through lots of R&D Testing.

But your bike good luck.
but look into shaving the seat first!

 

They may build the bike for specific reasons but not everyone uses them like the factory envisions. Each manufacturer makes them to fit an ideal customer but there is no one spec that fits. So, if you need to change the bike to better suit you, I think you should just do it.

Before lowering the bike, you should find reference points on the front and rear near the suspension and measure the distance to the ground (hopefully flat and level). Then, when you lower the back with the new dog bone, you can slide the forks down the same amount of drop that the rear went down to keep the geometry of the bike pretty much the same to minimize any adverse handling affects from the drop.

 

How bad do u need to lower it? I mean... are you tip toes?

If you only need a little bit to get the ***** of ur feet on the ground-- get the preload and all that adjusted a little to see if it helps any.

I really dont think links are a bad idea since you're a new rider... you probably wouldnt want them hitting the twisties and such...

 

im on my tip toes, i dont do anything crazy in the turns. (my insurance is high enough already) i just love the acceleration and the noise of it and going through the gears. i will occasional bring the front up a bit here in there. it happens ahhaha

 

Man.. you must be just as short as me (5'3)

I know the RR's feel reeeeally high to me... I cant really even sit tip toes ... more like 45* angle flat on one foot..haha.


The 05 R6 needs to be dropped about an inch for me to get just the ***** of my feet.


Id say hell... if you bought the bike and wanna just do NORMAL riding (slow down stunna) get the links until you're comfortable... you may wanna leave them on forever.


Theres tons of options... preload settings/forks... shaving seat foam (can make a huge difference)... a thicker soled pair of riding boots... etc...

Who knows.. maybe you'll get bored of it?

 

why not just modify the seat so you'll seat lower? i saw a few threads on how to take material out of the seat so that you sit lower on the seat.

 

"...i dont do anything crazy in the turns. (my insurance is high enough already) i just love the acceleration and the noise of it and going through the gears. i will occasional bring the front up a bit here in there. it happens ahhaha"


that sounds squidish..

 

hey, I think i live near u. yea, lowerin ur bike will make it handle not as good as stock. u can brin it by Broward Motorsports on Davie Rd. n ask them to lower it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by godspeedbebe3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Man.. you must be just as short as me (5'3)

I know the RR's feel reeeeally high to me... I cant really even sit tip toes ... more like 45* angle flat on one foot..haha.


The 05 R6 needs to be dropped about an inch for me to get just the ***** of my feet.


Id say hell... if you bought the bike and wanna just do NORMAL riding (slow down stunna) get the links until you're comfortable... you may wanna leave them on forever.


Theres tons of options... preload settings/forks... shaving seat foam (can make a huge difference)... a thicker soled pair of riding boots... etc...

Who knows.. maybe you'll get bored of it?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I did, when I had my SV I had the seat shaved because I wanted to be able to flat foot the bike. After I got more comfortable on the bike, I wished I never shaved it, and then started only putting one foot down anyway. Putting both feet down was not really a big deal anymore.

 

do you want to lower it because you want to put both feet down?
I don't think i ever actually put both feet down unless i can tell i'm going to be somewhere for a while.
Just get really comfortable using one foot and you'll probably be glad you never lowered it.

 

i want to be able to put the ***** of my feet on the ground, not just my toes.

 

i say go ahead and lower it (i know thats not what your original post was about, but since the topic has swayed that way...). if you start tracking or really come close to reaching the limits of the bike, then raise it back up. but from what you said youre not really in need of the exactly perfect suspension and if youre more comfortable with it lowered, go for it .

and to answer your original post, im pretty sure all you need is links. do some research and find some articles in motorcycle magazines about how to lower a bike. probably some of the best advice you can get. good luck

 

ah, this good old quarterly discussion

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .Ash &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">ah, this good old quarterly discussion</TD></TR></TABLE> lol

 

the f4i seat is pretty anemic as it is, there isnt much to shave off. id suggest on just getting it lowered until your confidence in riding is good and then raise it back

 

nice... thanks for the hint... ill take it to davie just to see what can they do for me.. and keep in touch maybe we could ride together sometime... yeahh...

 

if i lower my bike, WOULD IT AFFECT THE RIDING STABILITY OF THE BYKE?? i really dont wanna get in to an accident for being able to put both of my feet on the ground... otherwise ill just try one foot on the ground

 

If you're just starting out... you should be ok with links....

Once you become more advanced and more comfortable I would remove them...

Just make sure if you lower it... 2 inches or something and your suspension is real soft... that you stiffen that just a tad... if you have potholes like we do here in WI... you might not enjoy your first 'nice' pothole.

Just avoid trying to drag knee on twisties at 60mph until you are an experienced rider.

Once you feel real comfortable with yourself and the bike... you can try to go one footed or ball and tip toe...

No matter what you do.. just ride safe!