Lowering kits- how do they effect the ride?

Discussion in 'Mods, Upgrades, Accessories and Products' started by LisaRR5, Jan 1, 2017.

  1. LisaRR5

    LisaRR5 New Member

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    Took my RR5 out yesterday for the first time and Im thinking of a lowering kit as my tippie toes are not giving me confidence at junctions.
    Ive spied a couple of nice sets in the US and have family that can bring them back. These look fav: http://www.buynowroaringtoyz.com/2004_2007_CBR1000RR_5_Hole_Lowering_Links_p/rth725rt.htm
    I have read about dropping the yoke down the forks to balance out the change and hubby mentioned stiffing the spring to avoid bottoming out.
    Any experience with lowering, tips or pointers on how it might effect the ride would be a great help. Thanks
     
  2. Haggler ®™

    Haggler ®™ Active Member

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    I,ve got a set of lowering bones you can have.......fitted for 30 miles and then removed. They,re not as nice as the ones you linked to but you could fit mine and if you like it then order the expensive ones. My lowering kit is for a 06 Blade , I suspect it,ll be the same for a 05 ?. Just let me know and I, ll search for them in the workshop and send them to you
     
  3. LisaRR5

    LisaRR5 New Member

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    Wow that would be brilliant thank you! They should fit fine, most things seem to be 04-07. Ill pm you
     
  4. sulaco

    sulaco Active Member

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    Several things worth mentioning, If you lower front by sliding the fork tubes up in the yokes, this gives you less fork travel before the mudguard hits the bottom yoke. Stiffening the front(or rear) to compensate may make for a crappy ride. Ground clearance is another thing to consider, things will start touching down far sooner than you think. Also your stand will be too long.
     
  5. sps170373

    sps170373 Moderator
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    If just lowering the rear it will increase the wheel base slightly and slow the steering slightly!

    Have you looked at getting the seat width cut out slightly as would give you extra leg length!
     
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  6. LisaRR5

    LisaRR5 New Member

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    Im gonna try that on a second hand seat from ebay. I noticed today that the seat that came with the bike is after market and looks squarer so im hoping I might gain a bit from trying this. And its the easiest job!
     
  7. sps170373

    sps170373 Moderator
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    You can make it narrower and skim the height of the seat! And replace with gel which would give more comfort
     
    #7 sps170373, Jan 1, 2017
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2017
  8. LisaRR5

    LisaRR5 New Member

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    hmmm gel thanks ill look into it!
     
  9. Dave dunlop

    Dave dunlop Elite Member

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    Steve are you suggesting he sits on a laptop!!:D


    Joking apart I would definitely go down the seat option! You might find your aftermarket seat is also wider so it could be a win win situation once you start shaving it down.
     
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  10. sulaco

    sulaco Active Member

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  11. LisaRR5

    LisaRR5 New Member

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  12. sps170373

    sps170373 Moderator
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    Oops typo! Wouldn't go dell bloody crap
     
  13. Nickw

    Nickw Active Member

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    Hi Lisa, any mod of this nature is going to have some kind of impact on your bike apart from the seat mod that is. As an alternative, have you considered changing your riding style?
    When I was teaching, and we got someone who was a little short in the leg we would work out a system for planned stops where they they would slide their bum cheek over to the left which allows their left leg to extend little further, thus allowing their foot to fully contact the floor. This then allowed their right foot to remain covering the rear brake.
    Practice it on a quiet car park, aim for a spot where you'll stop and look to get your foot planted. Once you get comfortable with it you can literally leave it till the last second to slide your bum left.
    Hope that helps.
     
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  14. tuktuk

    tuktuk Elite Member

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    I had a zx6r which had been lowered before i bought it. It felt weird tipping in and holding a lean through a corner but it was my first big (sports)bike and i assumed this was the nature of it. Wasnt till i thought about why it stood at about 89deg when on the stand i realised it must have been lowered. Changed dog bones and added stock spacer to shock to bring it back to standard height and i was on a different bike!
     
  15. SimonRR

    SimonRR God Like

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    Maybe you should keep the bike height and go with these instead :D
    Screenshot_2017-01-01-14-49-14-1.jpg
     
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  16. sp1n99

    sp1n99 Active Member

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    Surely some of the effect of moving your bum over to the left will be lost on the camber in the road?
     
  17. Nickw

    Nickw Active Member

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    Of course, but you have the camber to deal with regardless, and you still gain an extension in your left leg by sliding your bum left. Your left cheek moves left which allows the thigh to extend down. It does work...
     
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  18. sp1n99

    sp1n99 Active Member

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    It may have a slight effect, although when I had an Honda dominator I ended up in a heap using this technique and I'm 5ft 9in.
    I'd say you should have proper control of a bike whether you're moving or stationary and if that means lowering it then that's better than trying to adapt techniques.
    I once followed a young lady on a zx9r into donny and watched in disbelief as she stopped on tiptoe and her boyfriend (?) had to park his bike then help her off hers.
    Imho you need a bike that fits you.
     
  19. Nickw

    Nickw Active Member

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    It's an option, that's all...

    I taught it at cbt and das level without difficulty or incident.
     
  20. sulaco

    sulaco Active Member

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    Hey this guy's got a technique:
     
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