Can you lower a bike?

speedysi · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 19 Jul 2011 Karma :

As the title says. Im after a 1999 CBR600F and its has a seat height of 810mm. Im only 5'7" with an inside leg of 30". At present riding a CG125 seat height 781mm. I can get my feet flat on the floor and then some. I know it has to do with width also. Any help and advice will be appreciated as always. Smile

Thanks
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1999 CBR 600F😄
Theory Test passed 15/08/2011👍. Off Road passed 20/09/2011👍. On Road passed 5/10/11👍

pinkyfloyd · Super Spammer Joined: 20 Jul 2010 Karma :

You could let all the air out of the tyres. Laughing

On a serious note though. You can get lowering kits for many bikes and for the bikes you cant get the kids for you can replace the shocks, tends to be more expensive, but possible.

Sometimes you can get seats designed to shave a few mm off the seat height.

Personally I wouldnt bother providing you can get one foot on the ground. My Firestorm has the same size seat height and I'm an inch and a half shorter than you and have no problems. Tippytoes with both feet or one foot on the ground and one on the peg.
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

bombom · Scooby Slapper Joined: 22 May 2011 Karma :

you can get lowering kits for the rear

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-2006-Honda-CBR600-CBR-600-F4-F4i-LOWERING-KIT-/330609517537?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4cf9dce3e1

as for the front you may beable to slide your forks throught the yokes.
dont quote me on the link as there was a few differnt listed, just have a look on fleabay for lowering kits
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Previous: suzuki gsf400 bandit

Welshd1k · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2006 Karma :

hagon will do a lower'd shock for you to your spec's
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speedysi · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 19 Jul 2011 Karma :

pinkyfloyd · Super Spammer Joined: 20 Jul 2010 Karma :

You'll find that getting through your test they recomend putting the left foot down and right foot on the peg on the brake lever.

All well and good for us shorter people on a 125 with a low seat height but with the camber of the roads its a nightmare on bigger bikes. Since passing my test I'll put the right leg down, its more comfortable and feels safer. I'm less likely to drop the bike. I've also noticed most big bike riders doing the same. Its rare I see a left leg down on the bike.
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

Biker Alex · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 18 Jun 2011 Karma :

speedysi · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 19 Jul 2011 Karma :

speedysi · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 19 Jul 2011 Karma :

Kylemwh · L Plate Warrior Joined: 04 Sep 2011 Karma :

you can buy a lowering kit which is a metal link between swing arm and suspension this is the cheapest and easiest option. dont forget if you lower the back you have to drop the forks the same cms for the same ride and this will reduce your clearance, important if your fairing hits curbs when parking etc.

you can skim the foam in the seat or get a tailor to do it, you just send seat away again and they reshape it. i found it more comfortable tbh plus you dont have to tell insurance.

finally the most expensive option is to replace suspension which may be a poor choice in both price, insurance and how it alters the ride.

or you could do all 3 but as you alter the parameters you alter the handling.

Germ · Trackday Trickster Joined: 13 Aug 2011 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Villers · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Karma :

I think what Marjay is trying to say (in his usual blunt directness lol) is that although you are lacking in height your biggest deficiency is your confidence. I too have had some big bikes, my RSV is quite tall and makes modern sportsbikes feel like childrens toys size wise but I manage fine despite my meagre 31" inside leg. When I started out though I would quake at the size of 600's in the showrooms.

You just need time, experience and confidence. If lowering the bike helps then fair enough but you dont neccesarily require a lower bike mate! Wink

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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

speedysi · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 19 Jul 2011 Karma :

ruck bodgers · Trackday Trickster Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Karma :

lower the front end drop the yokes down a bit ,
trim the seat cushion and recover it,
reposisstion the rear shock mount ,
or make an adapter to shift it ,
cut the spring or change the spring for a smaller one ,
or just change the monoshock completely if u will not have enough travel
, wear 5 pairs of socks hehehehe

temeluchus · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Oct 2008 Karma :

70's style platform boots?
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ruck bodgers · Trackday Trickster Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

speedysi · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 19 Jul 2011 Karma :

Vin · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Karma :

DrDonnyBrago · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jan 2010 Karma :

My brother is your height and can ride my bike easily (same as your bike) I wouldn't worry about it. Tbh you are the ideal height for it, any taller and the bike starts to feel a bit cramped.

speedysi · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 19 Jul 2011 Karma :

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

I've got a 28 inch inside leg and rode that model of cbr for about 5 years. It's all in your head.

If you really need to make a change you can scoop loads of foam out of the seat foam out.

keggyhander · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Nov 2008 Karma :

On hills I use the back brake. You then have a perfect hill start.

At normal traffic lights I come off the front brake and come to a stop on the back brake only. Looks cooler when the front doesn't dive.

Then, I hold it on the front brake while I slip it into neutral so I can rest my left arm (got tennis elbow). Both feet on floor, no hands on bars.

Then when the light goes yellow I stick it in first and set off with my left foot up, right foot up shortly after. It's easier to short-shift into 2nd that way.

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

Some of the most able street riders I've known have only just been able to touch the ground. Maybe they get a better feel for balance Question

Most lowering kits for sale are actualy "raising kits" as they raise the swingarm rather than lower the back end of the bike - sometimes with detremental effects on the handling.
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