Hi all.  After reading through several threads, I have decided to use the lowering links from Dennis Kirk and remove some padding from my seat in an effort to help my confidence.  I found my confidence kept me out of the saddle more often than not, which does nothing for my skills, so I bit the proverbial bullet.  Anyway, my question for those that have used these lowering links is - does the side or center stand require modification?

I will do some more searching on the seat modification but any tips would be appreciated - I bought a "spare" on ebay, just in case

One last question on lowering the front - seems my options are: 1. do nothing (largest negative impact on bike geometry?), 2. lower approx 1/2" using stock handlebars, 3. get risers and lower in sync with rear.  What are the handling differences between options 2 & 3?  And is there a way to add the vortex (or other) clip ons and lower the forks?

TIA everyone, this board is a tremendous resource!

I lowered my rear with the Pingel ZX7 links and measured a 1 1/4" change at the end of the swingarm which is probably closer to 1" at the axle and with my current 140/70 rear tire it's only about 3/4" lower at the rear than standard.  I have a 110/80 front tire which raises the front almost 1/2" higer than with the standard 110/70 tire so the net is very little change at the sidestand and I haven't altered either the side or centerstands.  The more you lower the rear of the bike the harder it will be to put it up on the centerstand so keep that in mind.

That does make for an approx 1 1/2" change in attitude from standard though and as far as the handling goes I notice little difference.  For a new rider it might even be a benefit to slow the steering a bit, can't hurt.

You don't say which links you are getting from Dennis Kirk, they have many brands.  If you mean the Pingel ZX7 ones I used for about 1" lower rear just put them on and go from there and see how it works.  You can go further with front and/or rear lowering if necessary after you try that out.  Shouldn't be a problem with the sidestand if you keep it on level ground when parking until you see how it is.

Thanks, Jack.  Yes, I followed your lead and went with the Pingel links

Let the games begin, seat (off ebay) and links showed up today 

Any seat tips from those that have been there?  I am pulling the staples out with needle nose pliers and a flat head screw driver now.  Found several threads on seat modification although no real "how to" - except one for an sv650 seat 

I used Diamond links but I have a Katana rear shock which lifted the back end about 3" at the tail and 1" at the seat. My seat came pre-shaved and re-stapled by the PO, so there is a "pocket". I think it looks a little funky, but man when I hit a hard bump my rear wants to pop up and out sometimes and it's nice to have that little bit of a ledge right at my rear pockets! Even with a proper setting, with my Sonic springs up front the bike is really stiff, but she can take a lot more bad pavement now and doesn't bottom out, and handles really well.

I ended up with 2" less at the seat total, about a 29" seat height I think, and lowered the front forks up to the stock handlebars. I will probably get risers as I have to sit right up against the tank to get any bend in my elbows to stay loose and not lean on the bars, that makes steering stiff. Yes, there is less response in the turn in as is but like Jack says     it's okay, you would likely prefer it. I have Metzeler Lasertecs in stock sizes for rubber, the profile is a little lower than stock I think, but also rounder, so they added turn in from stock. If I get the risers I will lower the front another 1/2 inch to get the geometry back in spec.

On the side stand, DO be careful where you try to park, I have to watch that if there is a slope to the ground, I need to park the left side to the downhill, or I simply can't get the stand down.

Also, my links impinged on my center stand, keeping the spring from pulling it all the way up, so I took it off. Bike looks cleaner and I have one less thing to worry about dragging or hooking on something. My center stand looked like a sea anchor waiting to catch a pothole lip and toss me for a big loop.   

I ride a lot of steeply crowned roads, so now when stopped at a light or climbing some crazy one lane canyon "road" almost straight up, I feel a lot more secure. I can usually get one foot flat on angled pavement, even if the other is just the tip of the toe.

You will love it, plus they look slick lowered a little.

I bought some that lowered mine 1 1/2 inches off ebay and i have had no problem with my kickstand

Karry

Hey, gal!

I didn't lower my GS, but I got a lot of comfort out of reshaping the seat.  The '01+ bikes have these annoying 'wings' on the sides of the seat that pushed out on my thighs and made it harder to get my legs straight down.  It helped a lot to nip those off.  I also had most of the foam replaced with a gel pad, which is both more compact and more comfy.  I had that done at Rich's up in Seattle.  Taking off the staples and carving the seat was not the part that kept me from DIY - getting my hands on an industrial stapler to get it back on was.  :p

Being a shortie, I always recommend the left foot on the ground and the rear on the brake, with the bike tilted slightly to the left.  That way, you can balance your bike solidly using your left leg.  Even if you can flatfoot, it's still more stable, IMO, as the bike isn't wavering back and forth like it does when you try to keep it straight up.  Not confidence-inspiring.

Post pics of your bike, dizamit.  :p

Quote from: Roadstergal on July 14, 2008, 04:44:18 PM
Hey, gal!

I didn't lower my GS, but I got a lot of comfort out of reshaping the seat.  The '01+ bikes have these annoying 'wings' on the sides of the seat that pushed out on my thighs and made it harder to get my legs straight down.  It helped a lot to nip those off.  I also had most of the foam replaced with a gel pad, which is both more compact and more comfy.  I had that done at Rich's up in Seattle.  Taking off the staples and carving the seat was not the part that kept me from DIY - getting my hands on an industrial stapler to get it back on was.  :p

Being a shortie, I always recommend the left foot on the ground and the rear on the brake, with the bike tilted slightly to the left.  That way, you can balance your bike solidly using your left leg.  Even if you can flatfoot, it's still more stable, IMO, as the bike isn't wavering back and forth like it does when you try to keep it straight up.  Not confidence-inspiring.

Post pics of your bike, dizamit.  :p

Did you have all of the work done at Rich's?  If not what did you use to reshape the foam?

Hmmm...industrial stapler needed?    

There is a custom cycle shop close to me, maybe they are worth a shot to do the whole thing.  Thanks for the tips for when you aren't flat footed 

I'll work on pics for ya, glad at least that hasn't changed

I had the whole thing done at Rich's.  But for other seats, I've carved myself and had them stapled by an upholstery shop (carve little bits at a time, with frequent stops to put the seat back on the bike and check it).  You could probably use one of those home construction staple guns, but we don't have one as we'd have no other use for it. 

what did u use for carving?

Reciprocating saw.  You can use a hacksaw, too, or even an electric bread knife if nobody else in the house will object.   The foam is pretty easy to cut.

Quote from: Roadstergal on July 15, 2008, 08:50:52 AM
Reciprocating saw.  You can use a hacksaw, too, or even an electric bread knife if nobody else in the house will object.   The foam is pretty easy to cut.

sweet thanks 

I lowered my GSF last summer.  Best thing I did.  I also got the gen mar bars for the front to make sure the steering didn't suffer.  I did nothing to the seat and am I now flat footed. Before I was on the balls of my feet.  I had to get the kick stand chopped and welded back together because it sat high and I was afraid it would fall over.  I was always cruising parking lots looking for a slopped parking space.  My friend who did the work for me knew a local guy who did iron work and welding so he cut the kick stand at the foot and welded it back together.  Fifteen minutes and a little black spray paint , you would never know it was done.  I also had the center stand removed because everyonce in a while when I was turning a corner I would hear it scrape on the ground. 

Ja, that's one of the reasons why lowering the bike is dicey, and especially on a streetbike, the vertical challenge solution of last resort (IMO).  The last bike I lowered was an SV650S I had many years ago.  I took it to track days, and it would scrape hard parts with plenty of tire left.  It just severely compromised the handling.

That is why I added the gen mar bars to the front.  It hasn't impacted the handling.  If anything it is a bit more comfortable because I am a little more upright then before.  I can still lean if I want but on my hour commute it is nice sitting a little more upright.  I had a friend who has a Ducati Monster ride it the other day and said how great it was and how it felt like such a low rider.