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[wvskypilot]

I have just bought my first KL6 650 after have all sorts of m/cs since age 16 (now 83) riding on road off road and motorcross. I am 5' 11" but find it hard to put my feet on the ground. I have heard that these bike can be lowered, My question is what is the best method, for the best use of the machine. Any ideas or comment are welcome

[SniperOne]

Having tried the various lower seats, as well as the lowering links, I definitely suggest going with the shorter Progressive rear shock and move the front forks in the triple clamps to balance front and rear. Check with Fred at Arrowhead Motorsports (administrator of this list) and he can explain the dynamics of what and why like he did for me. Randy From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of wvskypilot Sent: Monday, December 24, 2012 6:16 PM To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Lowering a KLR 650 I have just bought my first KL6 650 after have all sorts of m/cs since age 16 (now 83) riding on road off road and motorcross. I am 5' 11" but find it hard to put my feet on the ground. I have heard that these bike can be lowered, My question is what is the best method, for the best use of the machine. Any ideas or comment are welcome [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jud]

My advice would be to leave it alone. If I can manage mine at 5'7", you can do it at 5'11". I use a lower Corbin seat, and I shy away from really tight single track, but I have put about 50k miles on mine without lowering it. You might want to lower it for travel in really steep, difficult areas with full luggage, jut to make it easier to manage the bike. I did that with my DR650 in Mexico. Of course, it ie much easier to lower a DR in the field. If you are going to lower your KLR, the use of links is the best way, as long as you have enough spring to compensate for the increased leverage your swing arm will exert on your shock and spring.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "wvskypilot" wrote: > > > I have just bought my first KL6 650 after have all sorts of m/cs since > age 16 (now 83) riding on road off road and motorcross. I am 5' > 11" but find it hard to put my feet on the ground. > > I have heard that these bike can be lowered, My question is what > is the best method, for the best use of the machine. > > Any ideas or comment are welcome > > >

[ron criswell]

I have a 30 inch inseam and I say leave it like it is. If you lower it and ride it in rocky areas, you will be banging on the skid plate more. The drain plug is already kinda vulnerable stock. Get a good skid plate and a Corbin. Some get the seat with the dip for really short legs and riding in difficult terrain. Criswell Sent from my iPad

On Dec 24, 2012, at 10:55 PM, "Jud" wrote: > My advice would be to leave it alone. If I can manage mine at 5'7", you can do it at 5'11". I use a lower Corbin seat, and I shy away from really tight single track, but I have put about 50k miles on mine without lowering it. > > You might want to lower it for travel in really steep, difficult areas with full luggage, jut to make it easier to manage the bike. I did that with my DR650 in Mexico. Of course, it ie much easier to lower a DR in the field. > > If you are going to lower your KLR, the use of links is the best way, as long as you have enough spring to compensate for the increased leverage your swing arm will exert on your shock and spring. > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "wvskypilot" wrote: > > > > > > I have just bought my first KL6 650 after have all sorts of m/cs since > > age 16 (now 83) riding on road off road and motorcross. I am 5' > > 11" but find it hard to put my feet on the ground. > > > > I have heard that these bike can be lowered, My question is what > > is the best method, for the best use of the machine. > > > > Any ideas or comment are welcome > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[dooden]

Honestly I considered lowering mine too, but I found that when I loosened the triples clamps pushed the fork tubes out the top about 3/4" it lowered the front just enough for that little I was looking for. No effect "I" can notice on handling. Heck how many took delivery and rode off with the forks in "crate position" ? bout 3" sticking out. It costs nothing to try, I did it on my MC lift to support bike while loosening and adjusting. Good Luck Dooden A15 Green Ape

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "wvskypilot" wrote: > > > I have just bought my first KL6 650 after have all sorts of m/cs since > age 16 (now 83) riding on road off road and motorcross. I am 5' > 11" but find it hard to put my feet on the ground. > > I have heard that these bike can be lowered, My question is what > is the best method, for the best use of the machine. > > Any ideas or comment are welcome > > >

[mark ward]

My "Maiden Voyage" (4hr's) test ride, including on the freeway, on a friends KLR, sold me on the bike. After a week of having my own I noticed My bike was higher to sit on then the differance, His forks were up a good 2-3inchs.

--- On Tue, 12/25/12, Dooden wrote: From: Dooden Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Lowering a KLR 650 To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Date: Tuesday, December 25, 2012, 1:04 PM Honestly I considered lowering mine too, but I found that when I loosened the triples clamps pushed the fork tubes out the top about 3/4" it lowered the front just enough for that little I was looking for. No effect "I" can notice on handling. Heck how many took delivery and rode off with the forks in "crate position" ? bout 3" sticking out. It costs nothing to try, I did it on my MC lift to support bike while loosening and adjusting. Good Luck Dooden A15 Green Ape --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "wvskypilot" wrote: > > > I have just bought my first KL6 650 after have all sorts of m/cs since > age 16 (now 83) riding on road off road and motorcross. I am 5' > 11" but find it hard to put my feet on the ground. > > I have heard that these bike can be lowered, My question is what > is the best method, for the best use of the machine. > > Any ideas or comment are welcome > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Tengai Mark Van Horn]

I have a spare shorter shock from a Tengai with 20K miles that I can offer up for sale if anyone's interested. This shock will lower the bike an inch. Mark

> >

At 8:26 PM -0700 12/24/12, SniperOne wrote: Having tried the various lower seats, as well as the lowering links, I definitely suggest going with the shorter Progressive rear shock and move the front forks in the triple clamps to balance front and rear. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Desert Datsuns]

I may be joining the discussion a bit late, but.......I used to think that lowering the KLR was a stupid idea that would ruin the bike. At the time I never would have lowered my 1998, and just dealt with the tippie-toes thing at lights. It was also hard to gain a footing when riding technical stuff in the dirt. In 2003, a Corbin dished seat fixed those problems. I could slide forward and touch the ground easily, and still kept the clearance. But 2 days ago I got a new-to-me 2009, which is lower from the factory. I actually don't mind it, it's kind of nice. It might be difficult to take this bike all the places we went with the 1998, but I just won't ride it down boulder strewn creek beds this time. My friend has a 2003, has the lowering links, and he likes it just the way it is. He is also the same height as me, about 5-10/11. So it's not as stupid as I used to think. Ryan Phoenix mark ward wrote:

>My "Maiden Voyage" (4hr's) test ride, including on the freeway, on a friends KLR, sold me on the bike. > >After a week of having my own I noticed My bike was higher to sit on then the differance, His forks were up a good 2-3inchs. > >--- On Tue, 12/25/12, Dooden wrote: > > >From: Dooden >Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Lowering a KLR 650 >To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com >Date: Tuesday, December 25, 2012, 1:04 PM > > > > > > > >Honestly I considered lowering mine too, but I found that when I loosened the triples clamps pushed the fork tubes out the top about 3/4" it lowered the front just enough for that little I was looking for. > >No effect "I" can notice on handling. Heck how many took delivery and rode off with the forks in "crate position" ? bout 3" sticking out. > >It costs nothing to try, I did it on my MC lift to support bike while loosening and adjusting. > >Good Luck > >Dooden >A15 Green Ape > >--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "wvskypilot" wrote: >> >> >> I have just bought my first KL6 650 after have all sorts of m/cs since >> age 16 (now 83) riding on road off road and motorcross. I am 5' >> 11" but find it hard to put my feet on the ground. >> >> I have heard that these bike can be lowered, My question is what >> is the best method, for the best use of the machine. >> >> Any ideas or comment are welcome >> >> >> > > > > > > > > >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[mark ward]

I debated it do to tippy toeing, Not at stops but when I need to, back up. (or back out of the garrage.) Then I noticed when I LOAD IT DOWN with camping & fishing gear, it is lower.

--- On Tue, 12/25/12, Desert Datsuns wrote: From: Desert Datsuns Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Lowering a KLR 650 To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Date: Tuesday, December 25, 2012, 3:26 PM I may be joining the discussion a bit late, but.......I used to think that lowering the KLR was a stupid idea that would ruin the bike. At the time I never would have lowered my 1998, and just dealt with the tippie-toes thing at lights. It was also hard to gain a footing when riding technical stuff in the dirt. In 2003, a Corbin dished seat fixed those problems. I could slide forward and touch the ground easily, and still kept the clearance. But 2 days ago I got a new-to-me 2009, which is lower from the factory. I actually don't mind it, it's kind of nice. It might be difficult to take this bike all the places we went with the 1998, but I just won't ride it down boulder strewn creek beds this time. My friend has a 2003, has the lowering links, and he likes it just the way it is. He is also the same height as me, about 5-10/11. So it's not as stupid as I used to think. Ryan Phoenix mark ward wrote: >My "Maiden Voyage" (4hr's) test ride, including on the freeway, on a friends KLR, sold me on the bike. > >After a week of having my own I noticed My bike was higher to sit on then the differance, His forks were up a good 2-3inchs. > >--- On Tue, 12/25/12, Dooden wrote: > > >From: Dooden >Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Lowering a KLR 650 >To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com >Date: Tuesday, December 25, 2012, 1:04 PM > > > > > > > >Honestly I considered lowering mine too, but I found that when I loosened the triples clamps pushed the fork tubes out the top about 3/4" it lowered the front just enough for that little I was looking for. > >No effect "I" can notice on handling. Heck how many took delivery and rode off with the forks in "crate position" ? bout 3" sticking out. > >It costs nothing to try, I did it on my MC lift to support bike while loosening and adjusting. > >Good Luck > >Dooden >A15 Green Ape > >--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "wvskypilot" wrote: >> >> >> I have just bought my first KL6 650 after have all sorts of m/cs since >> age 16 (now 83) riding on road off road and motorcross. I am 5' >> 11" but find it hard to put my feet on the ground. >> >> I have heard that these bike can be lowered, My question is what >> is the best method, for the best use of the machine. >> >> Any ideas or comment are welcome >> >> >> > > > > > > > > >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Robert Waters]

> I have a 30 inch inseam and I say leave it like it is. If you lower it and ride it in rocky areas, you will be banging on the skid plate more. The drain plug is already kinda vulnerable stock. Get a good skid plate and a Corbin. Some get the seat with the dip for really short legs and riding in difficult terrain.

Criswell > I have a 32 inch inseam and a Corbin seat. I lowered it one inch, which is about right for me. It rides better on the road but in really rough stuff, as Criswell said, you definitely need a skid plate. rw NW Arkansas [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]