Looking to upgrade

[OreoGaborio]

This thread is friggin ridiculous.


Nikki... buy whatever you want... ride it around... if you wanna lower it, go ahead & lower it.
Do I think you could get away with NOT lowering it? Probably.
Will the bike handle better at stock height? Most likely.

But if you're gonna be more comfortable dropping it an inch I won't hold it against you.... and if anyone here does, well then that's their damn closed minded problem.




Now.... What should you get? I dunno... YOU need to ask yourself what you want to get out of your next bike.

When I was looking to replace my Kawi with another street ride I made a list of qualities I wanted in a bike... I though more about my list of wants/needs and THEN looked at what was on the market, rather than just looking around at what bikes were available & seeing what caught my eye.

Of course my list was pretty specific... if you aren't picky, then swing by a dealership & throw your leg over as many bikes as you can & see what ya like.

[RyanNicholson]

really? I know the cold weather is coming... but damn. Who the hell cares what SHE buys? If SHE is more comfortable on a bike thats lowered a bit who cares? I have no interest in riding a lowered bike personally, but I'm also 6' tall... what the hell do I know about being 5'2".... Its not like she's going out dragging elbows. It'll still ride safely and she'll still enjoy the hell out of it, as far as I know thats what matters in the end.

Nikki.... imho... try out an sv or 650r... I think they should be right up your alley. Switching from a vtwin to an inline 4 is quite a change, if you get the chance try riding an I4 before buying one just to try it.

[Danz19899]

Definitely the time to buy a new bike!!

Its all about what you plan on doing with the bike.

If your commuting and doing some nice calm weekend rides, look for something comfy and for that application lowering it and inch or 2 probably wont make a difference fore u just try and get both the front and rear dropped the same amount

If your into ripping twisties on the weekend look for something more sporty, and lowering it will give u less ground clearance in corners.

My ZZR600 was a great bike, Its a bit more relaxed seating then the current super sports. The seat height is also not high i believe its 32"

[Mad Max]

I don't want to get involved in the debate of whether or not to lower a bike. The only thing I want to interject is that some seats have a surplus of foam on the seat that can be shaved down and reupholstered. This makes it easier for the rider to reach the ground with his feet.

The Gen 1 SV650 is one particular bike that will allow for this. I would estimate about 1-2 inches can be taken off.

[lrrs428]

I know where there is a 749 for sale

[Duffy]

Here some info you might find useful......or maybe not

http://www.nebcom.com/noemi/moto/sbl.faq.html

http://www.nebcom.com/noemi/moto/sbl.sbl.html#bikes

[Nikki88]

[QUOTE=DBKromz;820592]i dont think hers is. i know newgixxerchic had ehers lowered, then put it back to stock height. the main reasoning is for what you said. she learned to ride it & realized she didnt NEED to have it lowered.

According to her signature Gixxersixxer has a one in lowering link in her bike...which is probably what I would do.

Anyway, thank you for all your suggestions. I have a few more ideas to take with me to the dealerships and should get a better idea once I sit on a few more bikes!

[Kurlon]

After riding an F2, and owning a GS500, I don't think the switch from a parallel twin 500 to an inline 4 would be that much of a change. Both are gutless on bottom and want to be spun a bit, the difference is once you spin the F2, something HAPPENS! :teehee.

That said, I've run my GS on the interstate with track and stock gearing, and it didn't make a racket doing so? Yes, it was wound up (especially with track gearing) but it wasn't buzzy or loud doing 85mph sustained? It might just be that your GS needs a lil TLC in the engine department?

Also, there are a few exhaust options that actually make the GS sound like a proper bike, with a rumble even, if you want to go that route.

Unfortunately it's not worth spending the money trying to make the GS faster, the easy 541 and 555 kits no longer exist, cams are expensive for little gains with out displacement and compression bumps, etc. So if it's more get up and go you want, I'd look at alternative bikes.

The GS650F (Faired Bandit) looks like a good machine. I'm a Duc fan so I definitely can get behind a Monster suggestion as well.

[Pittenger5]

When I was looking to replace my Kawi with another street ride I made a list of qualities I wanted in a bike... I though more about my list of wants/needs and THEN looked at what was on the market, rather than just looking around at what bikes were available & seeing what caught my eye.

Thats the gayest thing Ive ever heard. Look at a picture of every bike available. When one makes your panties wet, buy it.

[DucDave]

How bout a Monster...696.

You would look great on that bike and its more fun to ride than you can imagine!!!

[patricia929]

I definitely get off my bike to gas up....but when it comes to moving it around I feel like I have more control if I am actually sitting on it. I am not all that strong and it's hard for me to muscle it around from the side angle.

I feel the same way. I'm sure there is a technique to this (the guys at the shop make it look very easy) but the one and only time I tried this I dropped my bike.

I know it has already been mentioned, but you can also do well by modifying/changing the seat. The Monster 696 and 1100 both have an optional lower seat that gives you an extra 3/4".

Another thing to take into account is what type of riding boot you are going to be wearing. Sadly the selection for women's riding boots is pretty poor and the technical boots tend to be really flat. I have a friend that took her Sidi boots to a cobbler and had them put on an extra sole that gave her an extra inch in height. It's really helpful to wear your riding boots when sitting on the bikes you are considering.

[-jro-]

I have a friend that took her Sidi boots to a cobbler and had them put on an extra sole that gave her an extra inch in height. It's really helpful to wear your riding boots when sitting on the bikes you are considering.

Like these sidi boots??? mwhahaha



hehe sorry,soon as you mentioned modified sidi boots all I could think of was that. But that is a very interesting concept I hadn't considered before, altering riding boots for more height.

Nikki- I couldn't recommend the SV enough, PM me for more about my experience with this bike if you so chose.

[Awesome]

If you want to improve handling after you lower it you could always get a few guys to lift it up.

[Degsy]

This thread is friggin ridiculous.

Wait a minute Pete. Take a look at Nikki's first post.

She ASKED whether lowering the bike will affect handling. I answered, yes. To what degree depends on how she rides, but no-one can argue that it doesn't affect handling. Lowering the bike the usual couple of inches at the front and whatever you can at the back affects handling a lot, no matter what speed you are riding at. I have done exercise 10 on the MSF course on a lowered gixxer and on a stocker. I can tell you it is A LOT easier on the stocker. The difference is huge. Then there is the effect of lowering the front more than the rear on the rear end of the bike under heavy braking. The front will have more bias on a lowered bike, causing the rear wheel to have less traction than normal under heavy braking, hello Gixxersixxer, wanna chime in?

I do understand a little of what I'm talking about. I have trained hundreds of shorter (under 5'2" people) and many of them look at the CB250 training bikes and claim they can't ride them because they are too tall for them. Well, when that's all there is to ride they have to give it a try. Lo and behold a few exercises later and some coaching about stopping the bike and leaning it left and they are very comfortable with not being able to touch down on both sides.

I still say master the bike as is then modify it to your liking. There's more satisfaction in being able to handle the bike stock than modifying it right off the bat.

Shaving the seat is an option of course, and that won't affect handling very much at all (lower c of g)

[DucDave]

Degs is right....thread should have gone like this:

So, I got my GS500F about 2 years ago. It has been a great first bike and I do really like it. Thing is, with 487cc's I don't like the way it rides on the highway. She is high-strung, runs at high RPMs and is noisey (and it's definitely not the sound of a nice throaty pipe). I am kinda partial to the Suzuki line, but I am not opposed to something else. I have been looking at the SV 650S and the Gixxer 600....I am about 5'2" so whatever I get will have to come down, probably about 2 inches...I don't know much about that stuff so I don't know how it will effect the handling. Since there is a lot of knowledge here I am hoping for some insight.

Any suggestions?!

Thanks!!

Yes...lowering the bike will affect handling.


(Now, get a Monster!)

[R1]

My opinion is this

I have an R1 for sale that would be perfect for you...

I might be able to get a 1/2" out of the tires if i deflate them

it really nice

on the other hand

I could leave the tires inflated

its up to you.

[CEO]

Hey, ride how you like on what you like, but Jim's original point is valid: There IS no reason why a 5'2" person should NEED to lower an SV or a Gixxer. If you NEED to, then get some experience. If you WANT to, then go right ahead

Agreed.

While degs may make his points in not the most PC way all the time, he usually has a good one... in this case, he makes an excellent point... no one should lower a bike to make up for defeciencies in their skill (Not saying anyone did/is/will)

Jen could easily ride her bike without lowering it, but she wanted to and is more comfortable with it that way, so she did. That's perfectly fine.


ps I cannot even close to flatfoot either of my race bikes or my street bike.


btw another thing Nikki could consider is shaving the seat... maybe sacrifice long-ride comfort a little but can help things

[Awesome]

As long as you only use 89 or 91 octane, I won't give you a hard time.

[OreoGaborio]

Wirelessly posted (Samsung Lube.... Er, Glyde: Mozilla/5.0 440x240 Samsung SCH-U940 NetFront/3.4)

This thread is friggin ridiculous.

Wait a minute Pete. Take a look at Nikki's first post.

She ASKED whether lowering the bike will affect handling. I answered, yes. To what degree depends on how she rides, but no-one can argue that it doesn't affect handling. Lowering the bike the usual couple of inches at the front and whatever you can at the back affects handling a lot, no matter what speed you are riding at. I have done exercise 10 on the MSF course on a lowered gixxer and on a stocker. I can tell you it is A LOT easier on the stocker. The difference is huge. Then there is the effect of lowering the front more than the rear on the rear end of the bike under heavy braking. The front will have more bias on a lowered bike, causing the rear wheel to have less traction than normal under heavy braking, hello Gixxersixxer, wanna chime in?

I do understand a little of what I'm talking about. I have trained hundreds of shorter (under 5'2" people) and many of them look at the CB250 training bikes and claim they can't ride them because they are too tall for them. Well, when that's all there is to ride they have to give it a try. Lo and behold a few exercises later and some coaching about stopping the bike and leaning it left and they are very comfortable with not being able to touch down on both sides.

I still say master the bike as is then modify it to your liking. There's more satisfaction in being able to handle the bike stock than modifying it right off the bat.

Shaving the seat is an option of course, and that won't affect handling very much at all (lower c of g)

I don't disagree with what's being said, more so with HOW the information was being presented and how the resulting debate was conducted.

[Nikki88]

I don't know why I am still feeling the need to prove myself here, but oh well! I have ridden other bikes that were "too tall" for me. Not for long periods of time....but one on a test ride and one just because I wanted to take it for a rip...I had the "skill" to ride both of them and I managed just fine. It is just a personal preference of mine to be able to have my tip toes on the ground on both sides.

[OreoGaborio]

Wirelessly posted (Samsung Lube.... Er, Glyde: Mozilla/5.0 440x240 Samsung SCH-U940 NetFront/3.4)

When I was looking to replace my Kawi with another street ride I made a list of qualities I wanted in a bike... I though more about my list of wants/needs and THEN looked at what was on the market, rather than just looking around at what bikes were available & seeing what caught my eye.

Thats the gayest thing Ive ever heard. Look at a picture of every bike available. When one makes your panties wet, buy it.

okay, nm then. Guess MY OPINION is wrong... And that's exactly why I said earlier that this thread is ridiculous.

[CEO]

As long as you only use 89 or 91 octane, I won't give you a hard time.

if you use the 89 though, you better be using a synthetic oil

[Doc]

You can't use all the power unless you use 93 octane.

[Mr Bread]

Don't forget the NOS!


But seriously - Listen to Batman - Buy a monster.

[Jim]

chris, dont you ever agree with anything i say