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lowering the klr650
Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 11:36 pm
by ginger25_1971
Does anyone have any information on how I can lower my KLR650. I
have no problems unless I get on uneven ground and with the weight
of the bike, I have trouble holding it up with only my toes
touching. If anyone can help me out, you can e-mail me directly at
kesselgin@.... Thanks in advance for any information......Ginger
lowering the klr650
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 10:49 am
by Doug Herr
On Thu, 13 Jan 2005, ginger25_1971 wrote:
> Does anyone have any information on how I can lower my KLR650. I
> have no problems unless I get on uneven ground and with the weight
> of the bike, I have trouble holding it up with only my toes
> touching. If anyone can help me out, you can e-mail me directly at
> kesselgin@.... Thanks in advance for any information......Ginger
Personally I like the scootworks links. They are variable and
will lower your 1, 2 or 3 inches.
www.scootworks.com
--
Doug Herr
doug@...
lowering the klr650
Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 12:25 pm
by sachssci
I want/need to lower it. My legs aren't long enough for my feet to be
flat on the ground.
The dealer tells me there are multiple options. But you experienced
guys probably know the best choices.
So, what's the best way to lower the thing, and how low can I go and
still remain within reasonable design and operational limits?
Thanks.
. . . SMS
lowering the klr650
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:00 am
by Arden Kysely
Flat footing a bike is overrated. I haven't been able to do it on any
of the last 3 bikes I've owned. On my DR-Z, it's tip-toes; my KLR was
balls-of-the-feet, as is my GS. As soon as you lean to one side a bit,
you get a lot more foot contact, and you can always slide your butt to
one side to plant a foot better. Unless your feet don't touch at all,
I'd give the KLR a chance in stock form.
Wearing boots helps a lot since the soles are usually thicker than
street shoes. Reducing rear spring preload is also helpful, especially
while you're getting used to the height of the bike. You'll also find
that the ground comes closer when you load the bike up for a trip.
If you have to do something, have the seat cut down a bit or buy a
dished seat. The last resort is lowering links as they change the
leverage on the rear spring, effectively softening it so that you
might need a new spring. You can kiss ground clearance bye-bye with
lowering links as well, so you'll have to be more careful with any off-
pavment riding.
That's my opinion. I know some folks have lowered theirs and love it,
but realize that there are trade-offs.
__Arden
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "sachssci" wrote:
>
> I want/need to lower it. My legs aren't long enough for my feet to
be
> flat on the ground.
>
> The dealer tells me there are multiple options. But you experienced
> guys probably know the best choices.
>
> So, what's the best way to lower the thing, and how low can I go and
> still remain within reasonable design and operational limits?
>
> Thanks.
>
> . . . SMS
>
lowering the klr650
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:17 am
by smthng else
On Sun, Nov 2, 2008 at 1:25 PM, sachssci wrote:
> I want/need to lower it. My legs aren't long enough for my feet to be
> flat on the ground.
I'm sure you'll hear it from everyone, so I'll just go ahead and toss
it out there as well... Flat-footing is not neccessary. I'm content
with getting the balls of my feet on the ground. Heels are optional.
I lowered mine because I have to back it in to the parking spots
near my office. I couldn't get enough traction with my tippy toes, so
it had to get dropped.
> The dealer tells me there are multiple options. But you experienced
> guys probably know the best choices.
You didn't specify which year it is. That makes a little bit of a
difference. On my '08, I installed 1" lowering links and a lowered
kickstand. I dropped the front forks about 1/2 an inch to even out
the geometry again. This is just about perfect for my 31" inseam.
On the '07 and earlier, you can do the same thing, but I'd cut the
tail off a bit. I've got a fairly large friend with an '07 that he
didn't lower, but his weight causes the suspension to sag a fair bit.
He hit a bump one day and the rear compressed enough that his license
plate hit the rear tire and folded over. If you're going to lower it,
I'd cut the tail section off a few inches higher than stock and move
the license plate up.
Regardless of year, lowering the suspension allows you to keep
everything else (except the kickstand) stock. Or, you could get a
lowered seat or carve up the seat you have. Either way works. If
you're planning a fair amount of off-road travel, tackle the seat, not
the suspension. If you're mostly a street rider, I'd go with the
suspension.
--Jonathan "smthng" Kalmes
Springfield, VA
2005 Yamaha FJR1300ABS - "Blue Bayou"
2006 Jeep Unlimited Rubicon - "Teflon"
2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 - It's here, but it hasn't earned a name yet.
http://smthng.info
"Shake well... some settling is natural."
lowering the klr650
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:54 am
by mikeypep
Yep, thats about it. I agree on all counts.
I didn't cut my fender but mounted the license plate by the bottom
holes so it is higher up on the fender. Works fine.
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "smthng else" wrote:
>
> On Sun, Nov 2, 2008 at 1:25 PM, sachssci wrote:
> > I want/need to lower it. My legs aren't long enough for my feet
to be
> > flat on the ground.
>
> I'm sure you'll hear it from everyone, so I'll just go ahead and
toss
> it out there as well... Flat-footing is not neccessary. I'm
content
> with getting the balls of my feet on the ground. Heels are
optional.
>
I lowered mine because I have to back it in to the parking spots
> near my office. I couldn't get enough traction with my tippy toes,
so
> it had to get dropped.
>
> > The dealer tells me there are multiple options. But you
experienced
> > guys probably know the best choices.
>
> You didn't specify which year it is. That makes a little bit of a
> difference. On my '08, I installed 1" lowering links and a lowered
> kickstand. I dropped the front forks about 1/2 an inch to even out
> the geometry again. This is just about perfect for my 31" inseam.
>
> On the '07 and earlier, you can do the same thing, but I'd cut the
> tail off a bit. I've got a fairly large friend with an '07 that he
> didn't lower, but his weight causes the suspension to sag a fair
bit.
> He hit a bump one day and the rear compressed enough that his
license
> plate hit the rear tire and folded over. If you're going to lower
it,
> I'd cut the tail section off a few inches higher than stock and move
> the license plate up.
>
> Regardless of year, lowering the suspension allows you to keep
> everything else (except the kickstand) stock. Or, you could get a
> lowered seat or carve up the seat you have. Either way works. If
> you're planning a fair amount of off-road travel, tackle the seat,
not
> the suspension. If you're mostly a street rider, I'd go with the
> suspension.
>
> --Jonathan "smthng" Kalmes
> Springfield, VA
> 2005 Yamaha FJR1300ABS - "Blue Bayou"
> 2006 Jeep Unlimited Rubicon - "Teflon"
> 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 - It's here, but it hasn't earned a name
yet.
>
http://smthng.info
>
> "Shake well... some settling is natural."
>
lowering the klr650
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 11:40 am
by sachssci
Great answers from everyone on lowering the bike! Thanks very much! I
now have decisions to make, but I can make them with context instead of
in the dark.
. . . SMS
lowering the klr650
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 8:56 pm
by Rick
As you can see 'to lower or not to lower' is the question. I've
lowered my wife's KLR and mine. Scootworks makes adjustable links and
eagle mike makes fixed links in 1" and 2".
My wife and I don't ride gnarly off road with the KLR's but we have
traveled north and south of the USA on our bikes for extended tours.
We ride fully loaded meaning everything but the kitchen sink goes. For
us, with an already top heavy bike and loaded up for 3 month moto
adventures, flat footing isn't a luxury for us but a necessity. As
you may have already found out, when the bike wants to fall over, let
it go. You won't hurt yourself trying to stop it and picking it up
isn't all that bad.
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "sachssci" wrote:
>
> I want/need to lower it. My legs aren't long enough for my feet to be
> flat on the ground.
>
> The dealer tells me there are multiple options. But you experienced
> guys probably know the best choices.
>
> So, what's the best way to lower the thing, and how low can I go and
> still remain within reasonable design and operational limits?
>
> Thanks.
>
> . . . SMS
>
lowering the klr650
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 11:54 pm
by dooden
Another idea, is what I did, lowered the front about 3/4" in the triple
and it was that little bit I needed for better footing.
Might note headlight will require adjusting.
Dooden
A15 Green Ape
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "sachssci" wrote:
>
> Great answers from everyone on lowering the bike! Thanks very much!
I
> now have decisions to make, but I can make them with context instead
of
> in the dark.
>
> . . . SMS
>
nklr - looking for work!
Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 6:43 am
by Jim Douglas
Got the boot, after (9) years, and am looking for work that I can do
from home. I am a software
engineer with (25) years of varying experience, very professional, well
maybe somewhat professional!
If anyone knows of any type of software work available shoot me an email
as I had made the decision
not to go back to the corporate world but struggle from home, less
stress, etc.
I am in the process of updating my web-site, etc but if you want to see
what I do check out this
link I put on CraigsList, BTW, the last time I posted there I did get
quite a few responses and
one paid off!
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cps/905163434.html
Thanks!
Jim Douglas