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lowering kits. advice please lowering kits. advice please
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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 27 Jun 2014
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lowering kits. advice please
I am looking to take between 1-2 inches off my bikes height by lowering the front and rear suspension. i am wondeirng if using lowering kits reduces the amount of weight a bike can carry or increases chances of snapping thigns breaking when the bike is in use.

ground clearance ins't the issue as speed bumps and potholes are my biggest obstacles.
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Old 27 Jun 2014
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Different bikes use different kits and then have different levels of success. Last one I lowered was a wee-strom using longer dog bones and slipping the forks through the clamps. Worked well in my admittedly low opinion.

For two inches I think you need to combine methods, suspension bits and a seat.

Also narrow the seat, wide that creates an angle is equivalent to height.

What's the bike?

Andy
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Old 28 Jun 2014
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thanks. it's a cb500x so a road bike.

i am looking at the same method as you used on your bike. the cbx forum only has positive feedback with lowering using two different produts but i am dubious of an inherrant bias on a bike specific forum. i.e everyone loves the bike and thinks the best thing since sliced bread (and it is a good bike).

if i lower the bike it will be by 1.25 inches but im kinda thinking whats the point. if i slip in ice or loose gravel when i put my foot down that 1.25 inches wont make any difference. also just exploring the concept on frame and suspension reliability post lowering so thanks as your feedback is perfect in this regard.
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Old 28 Jun 2014
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1 and a 1/4 inches will make a difference if you go from toe down to flat footed as it adds the choice of still putting a toe down just in a different spot.

Now if this only gets you from half a toe down after sliding across the seat to half a toe down, yes its a waste of time you either need to practice so much you stay feet up, or forget the Ewan and Charlie look and get a smaller bike.

Experiment with stopping next to kerbs or rocks or using bricks on your garage floor before buying. 30mm on the Wee turned it from barely acceptable with a pillion to usable. As I wanted comfortable the ultimate solution was the Guzzi.

Lighten the bike and practice first, shopping trips for instant technical solutions rarely work if the issue isn't obvious IMHO.

Andy
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Old 28 Jun 2014
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the bike is great on all aspects other than the height. im not sure another bike is out there which meets this spec. i think i will go for toes -flatfoot with 1.25 but if not it'll be pretty close to it
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  #6  
Old 28 Jun 2014
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My kawaski z750s has been lowered a couple of inches with dogbones. and a shortened sidestand.
The handling is fine, getting on and off is super easy and I can stand up flat foot with my backside off the seat at lights.
Only thing is : I don't think it would carry as much weight as before as there is less travel before the rear wheel meets the underseat area. Cranking up the preload helps but it can make the suspension hard if adjusted up too much.
Still it is ok with either pillion or luggage maybe not both at the same time!
I like it!
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