How much can you lower the GS500 ?

[SAFE-T]

Looking to lower a GS500F for a 5' 3" rider with a very short inseam. Currently rides a Honda CBR125 and can just get both feet on ground.

Have a 1.5" lowering link ready to install, and clip ons for the front end so we can lower the nose as well.

I see lowering links that will drop the bike up to 3" or 4", but couldn't find any info on how much you could lower the motorcycle before you ran out of shock travel front/rear.

It would suck to have to buy another link and try again, but suck more to put something lower on that causes the suspension to bottom out while riding. Around a corner. With oncoming traffic. Or a cliff...if you see what I mean.


 

[jrains89]

so, when i bought my bike it had lowering links on it that made the bike REAL low, and upon putting stock links back on, it raised the seat of the bike about 3.5 inches. The suspension never bottomed out on me, and i'm guessing you weigh less than me seeing as i'm 6'2". I'll send em to you for the price of shipping if you want.

[joshr08]

i dont think you have to worry as much about bottoming out the suspension as you do bottoming out the bottom of your fairing on the ground. 

[gsJack]

Lowering the front more than an inch will cause the seal wipers to hit the lower triple clamp, best to lower only 3/4-7/8" if the rider is heavy enough to bottom the front suspension:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=40074.msg450638#msg450638

One forum member did lower the front 1.5" as I recall but he had already installed heavier front springs and it didn't bottom for him, yet. 

Specs put the CBR125 seat height at 30.6" and the GS500F spec is just 1/2" higher at 31.1" so why not try the 1.5" lowering links on the rear and and lower the front just under 1" and see how it works for the wife that way.  You mentioned concern about changing stock suspension geometry in your e-mail but that would only be about a 1/2" change in attitude or a approx .5* more rake.  The 01 and later models have a 25* rake and the older models had a 25.5* rake which is hardly a noticeable difference, I've had both 97 and 02 GSs.

If you lower much more than that you might have to remove the center stand to keep it from dragging in corners.  A friend of mine lowered his Busa 4' and was bottoming the top of the rear tire against the inner fender that way.  Not sure where the GS will bottom, depends on rider weight and number of riders.  Busa friend was dragging body work in the corners too.

[SAFE-T]

Ok - we'll go with that for now. She is tippy toe on the bike as it is and not comfortable with that.

Used to have a VF500C Magna but no longer wanted a cruiser - got back into it on the CBR125 but hoping for something more normally sized for the road.

[gsJack]

Give it a try, those links are easy to change.  I changed them on the centerstand without even pulling the wheel.  Just removed the 2 bolts thru the links.  Tippy toe is not good for a new or re-entry rider.  Need feet on the ground.

Standard links are 7 1/16" between hole centers.  I put on links that were 7 5/16" between hole centers and it lowered it 1 1/4".  Ratio is about 5:1, how long are your new links?

Some have gained about 1" by shaving the seat foam down.  Just makes seat a bit firmer.

[jeremy_nash]

before I put the gsxr shock on mine, I installed 3" lowering links, and the center stand would occasionally touch the road in a fast curve.  I'd say you would be fine with the 1.5 inch links you already have

[GeeP]

Don't lower it!  I'm 5'3 and my modified SV is quite a bit taller than stock, which is an inch taller than the GS.  I'm a good two inches short of touching the ground.

Accept the fact that both feet will never touch the ground at the same time and learn how to ride it accordingly.  You'll gain confidence and it will open your horizons to include all kinds of motorcycles you though you could never ride.   

[Big Shot]

GeeP does make an interesting point.  I'd be for it but i guess it's really up to the rider in question as to what direction they want their riding career to go.  Personally, i have a friend that rides and is totally satisfied with just getting from point A to point B with no desire to master her bike.  It drives me f%$king nuts...


To each their own - Bob!

[gsJack]

But will GeeP say that when he's 76?   

[gearman]

I know some folks who have raised the bike back to stock after gaining confidence. The sidestand may need to be modified as well. Myself, I would buy a used stand to modify and keep the stocker with the original links. Let us know how it works out.

[GeeP]

Jack,

I have to make it to 76 first!  Mother would say "that's doubtful."   

But will GeeP say that when he's 76?   

[SAFE-T]

Accept the fact that both feet will never touch the ground at the same time and learn how to ride it accordingly.  You'll gain confidence and it will open your horizons to include all kinds of motorcycles you though you could never ride.   

This person has several years riding experience. I think if we cannot get their feet flat on the ground we will just sell the GS500 as neither one of us can afford the frustration and cost of ruining an otherwise new motorcycle. 

[simoniz]

So have you considered having the seat foam cut down a bit, and the seat customized? Probably easier than all that mechanical work. I would start there if it were me.

[GeeP]

Ruin it?  The worst you can do is drop it.  Pick it back up, replace $20 worth of parts and go ride again.

I've dropped my GS once on the street, when I put my foot into a puddle of oil on a rainy night.  It likely would have happened regardless of whether I could get both feet down or not.  I've never dropped the SV.

Don't let the idea of damaging the bike discourage you (or them).  It's all part of learning.   

This person has several years riding experience. I think if we cannot get their feet flat on the ground we will just sell the GS500 as neither one of us can afford the frustration and cost of ruining an otherwise new motorcycle. 

[jrains89]

when the back was lowered 3" on mine, there were no problems whatsoever, the center stand would scrape if you got a good angle but that's fine because i removed the center stand anyway. if you want to lower the back end alot, go with the links, it's real easy.

[SAFE-T]

Ruin it?  The worst you can do is drop it.  Pick it back up, replace $20 worth of parts and go ride again.

GS500F with full fairing. Somewhat spendy to lay over on it's side.

[Bluesmudge]

First month I had my GS500F I dropped it at least 3 times as I was used to a dual sport riding position -- I had never ridden anything else (and I'm 6' so I can touch just fine). Never did anything but tiny scratches on the indicators and bar-ends. Nothing you would ever notice if you didn't know it was there. You have to really be moving to scratch up the fairings and if you are going down at speed being able to flat foot isn't going to help.
If you are really worried the bike will be dropped in the learning stages, take the side fairings off. It takes about 10 minutes and one metric allen key.

So yeah, drop the bike 1.5" in the rear, 1" in the front and if that isn't enough shave the seat. If you are feeling cheap and creative you can shave the seat yourself with just a bread knife and a staple gun.