Thoughts on lowering links for my bike?

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Lil'Suzi · #1 Unread post by **Lil'Suzi** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:43 am

Looking for thoughts, advice, or previous experience with lowering a motorcycle with lowering links. I'm barely 5'4" and my inseam is maybe 29". I ride a GS500E and I can just touch my toes flat on the ground when on the bike, rest of foot does not touch.

I've read and been told that it's not necessary to be able to "flat foot" a bike, but it is making it very difficult for me to maneuver mine. Doesn't help that my drive way is a hill and so is the street I live on. I feel it is affecting my confidence some. Plus I've fallen over when stopped a few times because the point where the bike starts to fall over when leaning a bit, seems to be just short of when I can get a foot flat on the ground to prop myself up. (Not once did I drop the SuzukiGN125 I rode in the MSF course and I could flat foot and bend my knees some when on it)

Has anyone here lowered their bike with lowering links? Did it help? Did it affect the handling of the bike? Good, bad experiences?

Thanks in Advance!

Pyre · #2 Unread post by **Pyre** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:28 am

I have not lowered mine, but I read about people lowering their bikes all the time. Usually they only lower the back and it sounds pretty easy to do.

I'd say you should definitely do it. Most people only do it for looks, but you could actually benefit from lowering your bike a few inches.

dablade · #3 Unread post by **dablade** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 11:01 am

My friend lowered his SV and I kinda like it better that way.

Ninja Geoff · Tue Oct 02, 2007 11:29 am

Just remember, if you only lower the back, the bike will handle differently. Soulution: lower the front too. Just involves raising the fork tubes in the tripple trees. Though the bars may seem a bit high then, perfect excuse to get new ones

An alternative to lowering is a new rear shock. Though it can be bit more pricey.

It's funny, I'm 7 inches taller and my inseam is only 29 inches.

Shorts · #5 Unread post by **Shorts** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 12:47 pm

What he said ^^^^ Lower the back - lower the front

Another option is to shave your seat. I did on my bike and it made worlds of difference in my foot placement on the ground.

High_Side · #6 Unread post by **High_Side** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:27 pm

We searched out a lowering link for my wifes bike on the net . She had it for a couple of weeks before we managed to get it lowered and she had lots of trouble with it while it was tall. We lowered the front as well and it still seems to handle pretty well. Definitely worth the time and effort.

Ninja Geoff · Wed Oct 03, 2007 1:59 am

Shorts wrote:What he said ^^^^ Lower the back - lower the front

Another option is to shave your seat. I did on my bike and it made worlds of difference in my foot placement on the ground.

d'oh! totally forgot about this option. The best part about it is that the bike's handling and ground clearance don't change at all.

RC Fan · #8 Unread post by **RC Fan** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 5:28 am

I would say go ahead and lower it. I got my Bandit lowered--I wouldn't feel too good riding it without the lowering links. I would also like to shave my seat, or do a solo seat conversion that had a lower seat.

jonnythan · #9 Unread post by **jonnythan** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 5:40 am

Ninja Geoff wrote:d'oh! totally forgot about this option. The best part about it is that the bike's handling and ground clearance don't change at all.

Really?

Seems like shortening the wheelbase would affect the bike's handling to some degree.

Shorts · #10 Unread post by **Shorts** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 12:55 pm

jonnythan wrote:
Ninja Geoff wrote:d'oh! totally forgot about this option. The best part about it is that the bike's handling and ground clearance don't change at all.
Really?

Seems like shortening the wheelbase would affect the bike's handling to some degree.

He's talking about shaving the seat. So yes, really.