Need way better footing FJ-09.

[howardrichman]

I've been riding a 07 Ninja 650r For over 10 years. Best bike I've ever owned. I've had a lot of fun and touring 69K miles. My wife needs a ride, and gave her my 650R Lowered. I was lucky I installed an upgraded suspension w/ ability to lower to any level, along w/fork tubes dropped an inch. I purchased a 17 FJ-09. I'm 5'9" tall. when I demoed the bike I was infatuated w/ the bikes performance, bought it, did many mods, and now a few months later, I'm realizing not getting a good footing, slipping on uneven pavement and gravel, and not always feeling safe. It's looking like I bought too big a bike. I had a much better footing w/ the ninja. Id'e rather NOT install the lowering links and dropping fork tubes; getting engine parts too close to pavement w/aggressive riding. The stock seat also needs a major mod or replacement, but would only raise me up more. I'm now looking back at the Ninja 650, but may miss the FJ's performance, and lose big$.

                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                           What tooo do?
                                                                                                                                                                                             Howie...
       

[Sport-Touring]

[chefc14]

I’m 5/8 and I rode an 08 Kawasaki Concours for 6 years and put 70k miles on it. I could never flat foot the bike and didn’t lower it for the same reason you stated. I had that bike to the dragon, up Pikes peak and everywhere in between. I was sure I’d drop it when I first got it but eventually I got used to it and never had a problem. I now have a ninja 1000, I think the seat height is an inch or two lower. I can flat foot the ninja and I am comfortable on it. I would suggest to just give it time. I’ll bet you’ll get used to it. The jitters will go away. Being nervous makes you more vigilant which will keep you from dropping it. I hope. Plus, who wants to lose money?

[kver]

 The stock seat also needs a major mod or replacement, but would only raise me up more.
        

The stock seat could be made shorter and narrower in front or get a custom one with those dimension changes.  I once got some minicell foam (used for kayak outfitting),  some spray on contact glue, and replaced the foam in my seat with a shorter, firmer, but more comfortable one.  I used 1/4 (i think) sheets of various densities to build up the shape and a belt sander to shave it down to what I wanted.