Anyone know what the unlaiden ground clearance is (at the bottom of the frame rail) of a stock GS. I have GSXR suspension front and back, and I'm wondering how it has effected ground clearance. Anyone have this measurement handy? Thanks.
Rich
You mean cranked over (lean angle) or straight up and down?
Just straight up and down. I'm running into ground clearance problems, and noone else seem to have this issue, so I am wondering if the GSXR suspension lowered the bike. I bought the bike salvaged and the front end was crumpled, so I don't have a baseline to compare. I haven't actually made the measurement myself since I've been out of town. I'll be home tonight and I'll post my numbers. Thanks.
Rich
Alright, I'm showing 8 7/8" from the ground to the bottom of the frame (up front where it begins to curve upwards) and 6 5/8" from the ground to the bottom of the exhaust head pipe.
So... What's everybody seeing? More, less about the same ground clearance? Thanks.
Rich
Rich,
Are you having clearance problems during cornering?
Do you know what is touching down?
Have you taken the case guards off yet?
Are the top of the fork tubes flush with the top of the triple clamp?
DO you know the spring rate in the forks?
Have you set your static sag correctly?
Also, hang way off like a f'in monkey!
Ground clearance on my street GS is very similar to your measurements.
I'd bet that your front suspension is way too soft and allows the front end to dive way too far.
Yep, same old story at the same old track (Grattan), no wreck this time.
Rear set peg is touching on the right side in the off camber turn 4.
frame (kick-stand mount) is touching on the left in the bowl so the front end is pretty loaded up.
Case guards are gone.
Suspension has been optimized. GSXR forks, resprung, gold valved. The whole bike has been set up by computrac. Sag is fine and I'm using most of the suspension travel without bottoming. Turn-in is great and I still have excellent feel through the front so I hesitate to make any drastic changes.
Hanging off is part of it. This happened during the first practice session, so I had to remind myself to hang way off and I didn't have any problems for the rest of the day. Also, I'm pushing the bike alot harder this year than last.
Still, doing gymnastics just to keep the bike from dragging is getting old. I'm also racing an SV this year and there are no ground clearance problems. Completely different riding style.
Thanks for the input Greg. At least I know I don't have to bike set up too low.
Rich,
The GS is a very narrow bike. It is even narrow compared to the SV. That narrowness makes it seem like you are hanging off excessively because there is less bike under you when you get yer body hanging out there.
Greg -
I agree that the GS is very narrow at the top where the rider sits. Getting off the SV and on the GS feels like I'm getting on a GP bike. And I also agree that you feel like you're hanging off the GS much more than you are, which I think was my initial problem last Sunday, which I corrected for the rest of the day.
My original question had to do with the ground clearance of the bike. On the right side I dragged a peg which I sort of expect to be the first thing to hit (that or the pipe). I can guage that with my toe. When I hit the frame on the left side it surprised me. I began to wonder if the suspension was set too low and hence my question.
As for the GS being narrow compaired to the SV... The pegs on both bikes are the same width, but the SV's are about 1/2" higher. So to the extent that the pegs hit first on both bikes, their cornering clearance should be about the same. However, the SV's engine is about 3.5" narrower at the cases and about the same width at the oil pan. But the SV doesn't have the frame coming under the engine (11" across on the GS vs about 6.5" in that same area for the SV). The SV has significantly more cornering clearance when the suspension is heavily loaded, which is the GS's main failing IMO.
But like you said: hang off more. I did that and was running consistant 1.34s (at Grattan)on the GS in the race vs 1.36-1.37 when I dragged the frame in practice, so it's not a problem that can't be overcome. Thanks for the input! :cheers: