There are several options for lowering your bike so that you can fit more comfortably on it. After sitting on the bike and determining whether or not you need it lowered, here are a few tips and options for what you can do to give yourself a bit more height. From VTwinMama cycle-ergo.com/ is a site that has a selection tool for bike make/model and a stick figure seated. All sorts of adjustment possibilities, including a look at feet to ground. Be sure to read the reliability message in the FAQ section ... but this is a good tool to narrow down your search!
| 1) | Determine if you're leaning forward or reaching for the handlebar controls. If so, it may be shifting you in your seat and hampering foot to ground reach. Consider adding a pullback riser or checking into a new handlebar. |
| 2) | Check if there is an adjustment to the rear shock(s) and front forks (it's called preload, the point of spring compression, and for lighter weight riders, can be brought down . . . just make sure the springs aren't bottoming out when you encounter bumps in the road). |
| 3) | Buy or modify boots for a higher heel/sole. You'll want to carefully consider how your foot is placed in regard to the footpeg and lever, but remember that the lever can usually be re-adjusted to a different angle if the new configuration shifts your overall foot position. You can also consider adding an interior insert for about another 1/2" (or more if you buy a boot one size up, more insole, which may be useful).Lower the bike or raise the boot sole height? (Adobe Acrobat PDF file) |
| 4) | Change the stock seat to something that is either narrower (so thighs are not pushed out) or curved down to lower overall seat height or have the original seat's interior padding shaved down (you can add a gel insert to maintain tush comfort). |
| 5) | Check for shorter shocks or find a shop that will custom shorten them, Alternatively, check into air suspension shocks which can lower/raise as needed. |
| 6) | Lower the bike with an official lowering kit. |
| 7) | Find an independent motorcycle shop and see if they can make a lowering link for you. It's a piece of metal (either straight or L shaped) with holes on each end. The shock is removed and the new bracket placed between the frame and the shock. This will lower the motorcycle. Alternatively, on some bikes, a new frame hole can be drilled so that when the shock is reattached, it will be at a lower position. |
| 8) | Change out the tire to a lower profile (but talk to the mechanic about a possible impact on the speedometer reading). |
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