Can I lower a GS500, Any short folks?

[jakal3932]

I am considering moving my wife to a sportier bike.

What is the seat height of the GS stock and can it be easily lowered for a 5 footer?

Thanks in advance.

[The Buddha]

Yes, 2-3 ways to do it depending on what you want and are more comfy with.
1. Shorter shock. I had a few last year, they came off a VTR 250 or some like that but were well made and quite beefy compared to the GS...and that just dropped in and lowered it a few inches. The guys that bought them bought it for the same reasons as you and have not complained so far. I fit it on and it was lower but looked rather like a cartoon, never rode it however so no idea.
2. Flip the linkage around. Never done it so may run into issues here. Its at this point a nice sounding theory but hey its fully reversible and free.
3. Longer dog bones. Some here have done it and works fine. But be careful and do it right else you may end up with some mismatched parts...Bad.
Cool.
Srinath.

[bigdaub]

another thing you can do is to take out some of the padding on your seat, but you'll sacrafice comfort for it.

[96gs]

no the stock seat kinda sucks so dont do that i start feelin pain after 30-50 miles on the stock seat. gettin another one though. but im bout 5'4" and im on the end of my toes. of course a new gel seat will set you up i think 2-3 inches

[Black Snowman]

My seat is fine for my 20 minute commutes. Of course the pads in the ass of my Pheonix pants help a lot, I'm sure. Proper gear makes a differance  

[vegbiker]

I bought my GS from a 5' 1" woman. She had the seat shaved down and a gel seat inserted into it. It bought her a bit of leg room without sacrificing comfort. It's actually too low for my liking. What year is your wife's GS? I'd happily trade the shaved seat for a stock one...lemme know