Lower a Versys??

[HipGnosis]

I'm thinking of getting a Versys.

But I'm a pretty short guy.

Can they be lowered?   If so.. how (and how much will it cost)?

[Squareman357]

The Versys has the same laydown rear shock as the Ninja 650R.  As far as I know, the only way to lower that bike is with a new shock.  You MIGHT be able to shave an inch or so by modifying the seat foam, but the laydown shock doesn't have dogbones like typical sport bike suspension, so getting a shorter shock is the only way I know to lower it.

[HipGnosis]

Are shorter shocks available?

How much is a shock?

[Squareman357]

Are shorter shocks available?

How much is a shock?

No idea if they are available.  I'd figure, like most aftermarket shocks, you're looking $300 to $600 range?  Maybe more?  Never bought one, so I have no idea on the price either.

[Johnny Monsoon]

Why choose the Versys over a 650R?  The latter is every bit as fantastic as the former.

[Fourstring]

Hey Hip,

We're looking at a Versys for the next ride too.  I'm tall, she's not.  Our solution is going to be buying two seat pans:  one short, one normal.

The short seat pan takes two inches off the height and puts it within range of the 650R.  I don't know how much the option is, though.  Are you going to the IMS?  It might be worth checking out.

[HipGnosis]

Why choose the Versys over a 650R?  The latter is every bit as fantastic as the former.

Because the inverse is equally relevant.

Besides the more adjustable suspension, I've already got my sport-touring bike.

[HipGnosis]

The short seat pan takes two inches off.. It might be worth checking out.

DEFINITELY worth checking out!  I didn't know it was that much lower. THANKS for the info!

I wonder if the dealer has a short seat to try...

[Johnny Monsoon]

Have you ridden a 650R?  I ask only because my first impression of the bike was that it'd make an incredible fire-road bike with some knobbier tires.

I'm not sure you'd get much return on a more adjustable suspension if you lowered a Versys... you may, I just don't know.  The Versys is otherwise not a 650R; I can see the advantages of luggage and the alternate fairing...

I was just curious as to why you'd want a lowered Versys over a stock 650R.

[JGreb]

Kawasaki makes a lowered gel seat for a seat height around 31 inches.

[yonder]

Why choose the Versys over a 650R?  The latter is every bit as fantastic as the former.

For reference, I am 6'2" but with only a 30" inseam.  I'm also a lard ass.

I went by the dealership today and sat on both bikes.  I sat on the 650R first.

The Ninja was much easier for me to get my leg over, and had a better seat height for me.  But the pegs were so high and so far back I felt like I was kicking myself in the ass.  I know some of the young bucks like this seating position but I would prefer something more neutral.  I remember distinctly thinking I would like this bike a lot more if the pegs were in a more neutral position.

Then I spotted the Versys a couple of rows over and had a seat on it.  I had a harder time getting my leg over it (combination of short inseam and being an old lard-ass).  But once I was in the saddle, my feet were flat on the ground and all was good.  Peg position was about perfect.  I didn't go in there looking for the Versys specifically but it was on my short list of bikes to at least check out.

It's also the bike I'm almost certain to be buying at the end of February.

[Johnny Monsoon]

Wow... ummm, a Ninja 650R is a REALLY open cockpit.  I will say the Versys is a bit more yet, but...

If you're only niggle with the 650R is the position, you may well do better getting Buell pegs mounted and put a taller handlebar on it.  They adapt extremely well to that, and it is a very low cost modification.

[Thunderbox]

Go to Ebay and search Versys Lowering and it will come up.  It cost 29 bucks and lowers the rear of the bike 2 inches.  Then just slip the forks down as much as you can which is about an inch.  You wil see where the forks get narrower and thats as far as they will go down.  Good luck and have fun.  The lower seat takes it down 2 inches also but costs like $400.

[Squareman357]

Go to Ebay and search Versys Lowering and it will come up.  It cost 29 bucks and lowers the rear of the bike 2 inches.  Then just slip the forks down as much as you can which is about an inch.  You wil see where the forks get narrower and thats as far as they will go down.  Good luck and have fun.  The lower seat takes it down 2 inches also but costs like $400.

Found it.  That's new.  It's interesting too, moving the actual shock mount location on the swingarm up about a half inch or so, resulting in bringing the wheel up nearly 2 inches.  Cool.  No new shock needed.