Lowering your bike

[megawatt]

Just thought I,d post this up coz of the recent interest. If your bike is too high for your little legs, you will drop it, no question! To avoid this, lower it or cut foam out of seat and stack your boots up. If you must lower it, DO NOT SOFTEN THE SUSPENSION!!! Lower it with a shorter, better shock and/or dogbones . Lowering may not necessarily mean shorter, some bikes need longer dogbones or shock, depends how your suspension works. Check it on your bikes forums and buy the right shock, with better damping, ideally. Dogbones come in different lengths or buy adjustables that you can adjust on the bike. Once the ride height is correct, then you can set the rear SAG, but that,s another story. Once you are happy with the rear, you can adjust the front to match, but be careful. Too steep a head angle will make the front unstable through bends, too shallow will make it slower and more difficult to change direction. If you are a newbie to fast riding I wouldn't,t worry about lowering the front too much.

[johnnyp1972]

good post, cheers

[N1NJA]

What about going the other way? I'm 6'3" and I've noticed on my bike the rear shock is dropped as low as it will go so I want to raise it. I own a 2001 ZX6R and the rear shock is adjustable height. Do you think I'm better off taking it to somewhere like K-Tech to get the bike set-up to my height and weight.

[megawatt]

Set the preload adjuster for the correct SAG, then adjust the ride height with the seperate adjuster May have to undo shock for ride height adjustment. Most suspension specialists can set the bike to your requirements, but they will charge for it!!!

If the back end goes up much, you may need a steering damper to control the front end at speed!!!

[TC]

Once you are happy with the rear, you can adjust the front to match, but be careful. Too steep a head angle will make the front unstable through bends, too shallow will make it slower and more difficult to change direction. If you are a newbie to fast riding I wouldn't,t worry about lowering the front too much.

 

TBH I would lower the front as well.

The bike is designed to be set up level. So if you only lower the rear you will of upset the balance of the bike.

Too low or too high front WILL change the characteristics of the bike.

[megawatt]

It might and it might not. In my experience, it is better too high than too low. Try it and if necessary lower it in 5mm increments.

[johnnyp1972]

sorry if its a stupid question, but how do you lower the front end??

Ive tried to find a guide but cant find anything.

Cheers

John

[megawatt]

Support the front of the bike so that the weight is taken of the forks,preferably with a hydraulic or scissors jack. Undo the top and bottom fork clamps and clip on clamps if you have them. Slide the forks upwards, 5mm to start with, depending on how low the rear is. Tighten everything up and lower the jack. Check mudguard not too close after lowering.

[johnnyp1972]

cheers megawatt. my job for tomorrow:)

[megawatt]

Remember ,not too low on the front. Do it in 5mm steps. Better too high than low at front.

[TC]

before you start, put your bike on level ground off the stands place a spirit level on the bike. Lower the rear and then lower the front until the level is level.

[johnnyp1972]

Thanks for the advice lads

[littlecat]

great advise.. and i have to say that softening the suspension was essential on mine, its handling much better now

[megawatt]

Your bike hasn't,t been lowered Cat, we just adjusted the shock to give some rear SAG. It just so happens that with your weight it now moves the correct amount at the softest setting. How much SAG is there on the front end? For a heavier rider, this wouldn't,t work and the shock would bottom out. A different shock or dogbones would be needed.