Anyone here lower a VStrom?

[MotoYoda]

One more post from the vertically impaired... at 5'6" I'm just not in my comfort zone on a DL -- even the 650.  I've had bikes lowered in the past, and I have no problem with any loss in lean angle.  I am also aware that I would need to cut down both the side and center stands.  

So, that out of the way, just looking for anyone with any experience lowering one -- any tips or warnings, successes or regrets?

Thanks!

[LordSmoke]

Not me, but lot's of others, I think.

Check here: http://11109.rapidforum.com/
and here: http://www.stromtrooper.com/forums/

[MotoYoda]

Not me, but lot's of others, I think.

Check here: http://11109.rapidforum.com/
and here: http://www.stromtrooper.com/forums/

Excellent!  Thank you  

[Stromgewehr]

MotoYoda, I just lowered mine 3/4 of an inch front and rear.  I'm 5'9" and can now flat-foot my DL1000.  It makes a big difference.

Regards,
Will

[Canuck]

Try this page http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/VStrom2.html and scroll down to Suspension. He has some info on lowering V-Stroms. I dropped the front forks in the triple trees 15 mm as he recommends three years ago and have been riding it that way ever since. But the lowering links would be needed for what you want.

[MotoYoda]

Thanks everyone!  

[stromgal]

I used to be 5'6"   but I'm shrinking.  Didn't want to lower the bike, so I swapped seats with a 650-owner (650's seat is 3/4 inch lower by virtue of less padding) and cut the rubber bumpers mounted on the seat bottom in half, which lowered it another half-inch.

bj

[MotoYoda]

...I swapped seats with a 650-owner (650's seat is 3/4 inch lower by virtue of less padding) and cut the rubber bumpers mounted on the seat bottom in half, which lowered it another half-inch.

Wow!  Lowering 1.25 inches without touching the suspension, that's impressive!  Thanks for the info -  

Are there year/model restrictions on that swap?  And that was an SV, not an SVS seat (or does it matter?)?

[stromgal]

Swapped seats with a 650 Wee-Strom.

All Strom seats, all years, interchangeable.

[andmoon]

I have 27" inseam...officially 28!

Don't lower the suspension.  I am dragging the left peg and the right bar of the Pat Walsh bar/plate combo w/ stock suspension.

[MotoYoda]

Don't lower the suspension.  I am dragging the left peg and the right bar of the Pat Walsh bar/plate combo w/ stock suspension.

Lowering has its drawbacks, but the benefits far out weigh them for me.  I've never dragged anything on a bike, and I've been riding off and on for over 20 years.  My "chicken strips" are substantial.  I learned how to ride on softly sprung 80's bikes, and I don't recall ever touching down on one of those.  In truth, my riding style in the last ten years would lend itself to riding cruisers, I just don't find the seating position of those 'all-day' comfortable and I just can't seem to get myself to ride anything with my feet sticking out in front of me.

So, thanks for your concern, but I don't think it would be a problem for me.

I'm not positive about this, but you probably wouldn't be dragging anything if you stiffened up your rear suspension.  Of course, that would probably make the bike sag less when you sit on it, and make it more difficult to comfortabley reach the ground at stops.  When I lowered my Z750S, on my first long trip with the bike weighed down with gear when I hit bumps the tire was hitting the panel under the seat.  So I adjusted the preload and everything smoothed out perfectly.

[andmoon]

I set the suspension on all my bikes via the sag method.
Reach to the ground comes last.
If you can get one foot flat footed w/ the other on the peg, you are good to go.