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XT600E to tall for a 5'8 Female ?? XT600E to tall for a 5'8 Female ??
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  #1  
Old 22 Nov 2006
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XT600E to tall for a 5'8 Female ??
Me and the missis are planning a long trip. Iv already got my XT600E all kitted out and really want us to use the same bikes..

Well, shes 5'8 and although not small, im thinking the bike will be to tall for her as im 6 foot and find myself on tip toes at times.

So !! What dya reckon ? lowered seat ?? Does anyone make a lowering linkage for the shock ? Are they any good.

Cheers in advance !
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Old 22 Nov 2006
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Lowering an xt600e
Hi, If you do a search a company called KEDO based in Germany sell a lowering link and a front fork lowering sleeve, cost is about 140 euros from memory. I am only 5'6" 29" inside leg and have used this kit on a 17000 km jopurney through Europe an Russia with 2000 km off road. Kedo also sell oil temp filler plug gauge. Hope this helps. Have fun.

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Old 22 Nov 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmy46
Hi, If you do a search a company called KEDO based in Germany sell a lowering link and a front fork lowering sleeve, cost is about 140 euros from memory. I am only 5'6" 29" inside leg and have used this kit on a 17000 km jopurney through Europe an Russia with 2000 km off road. Kedo also sell oil temp filler plug gauge. Hope this helps. Have fun.

Jimmy
Just what i was after... ta very much.
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Old 3 Apr 2007
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Did you get the lowering kit???
I'm just over 5ft 5" and I am usually on tip toes. Most of the time it doesn't bother me, but when I'm on a steep hill (and there are lots of those in Spain) my legs aren't quite long enough so I'm seriously thinking about lowering my XT.

My husband is only 5ft 8" and has very short legs (28") so he has a similar problem on his XT.

One thing to think about, when the bikes are fully loaded up, the bike will be about an inch lower anyway but they are also more difficult to keep upright if your feet aren't firmly on the ground (as I found out several times travelling through Europe last year).
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Old 3 Apr 2007
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I put a Talon lowering link (on my drz400sm) and left it on for a week, then took it off. The problem is that the linkage moves the range of travel of the shock away from the optimum. It uses up the soft initial range and makes the shock feel much cruder and harsher. Just be aware of this.

I sorted my height problems by shaving 1.5in of foam from the seat (from the underside so the seat appearance wasn't affected). Comfort is no worse and I can now flat foot one foot. I'm 5' 7".
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Old 4 Apr 2007
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TM...the lady I purchased my XT from was...5'4" ! She did lower it but I'm not sure how she did it, probably lowering links. I'm a 5'8" stature and it fits me well with my feet flat on the ground and a stock seat.

Have you considered buying your wife assjacks?? ( thick soled boots)
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Old 25 Apr 2007
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I'm 5' 8", my Tenere is not a problem...

The reason why bike heights may differ could be down to the shock absorber. At one time I had two 3AJs, it was quite obvious that one was higher than the other. During rebuild/s I pulled both rear shock abserbers and compared them - one was slightly longer than the other.

A bit more research revealed that a shock from a TT600 will fit into an XT600, but the TT600 shock is a little longer - resulting in higher ride height. My shock is from a TT600 - and I appreciate the extra height/travel when offroad and loaded up.

If you're going to replace your shock anyway, most decent shocks have adjustable links (maxton, wp, ohlins) - so this may solve the problem. Also you could just drop the forks through the yokes a little to balance things up - but check clearance front wheel against exhaust pipes...

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Old 25 Apr 2007
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Hi Ted,

I'm a 5'9" bloke and my XT is no problem, and women tend to have longer legs and be more flexible than us blokes. Shouldn't be a problem I'd think.
I went from an enfield to an XT and it felt monstrous for a while but within a week or two it felt natural.

Matt
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