Lowering my Vstrom - But by how much?

[Goodlad]

Hello blokes,

I recently picked up a 2010 Vstrom 1000. Its great so far but I definitely need it lowered and not sure which is the best way to go about it.
I see options for using a 650 seat and also about cutting or removing the rubber pads under the seat.  
My insean is a short 29" . I also find the damn foot pegs really get in the way when I try get my foot down.

I don't know why but I'm convinced removing the rubber pads under the seat isn't a good idea as in my mind they are to stop vibration. Maybe I'm just crazy?  ....
The 650 seat is an option, I'm going to drop over to the dealer I bought it from as he has a 650 there so I will borrow the seat and see what its like.

As for the lowering links, I'm looking at these. http://www.lustracing.co.uk/suspension/ ... -kits.html

The 40mm combined with the 650 seat to me sounds like a lot but also sounds great. Would I then need to drop the front forks 40mm?

I don't do any offroad driving so no issue there with ground clearence. I know if I drop it this much the centre stand will be a pain to use so can be removed or modified if needed.

Any thoughts on this lads?

[MartinW]

Goodlad - Pop over to the INTRODUCTIONS page and say hello first.

Many members have removed the seat rubbers and not complained at the result.

There will also be a queue of taller 650 owners who will jump at the chance to swap seats with you.

[Goodlad]

Goodlad - Pop over to the INTRODUCTIONS page and say hello first.

Many members have removed the seat rubbers and not complained at the result.

There will also be a queue of taller 650 owners who will jump at the chance to swap seats with you.

Will do man.

If the 650 seat fees better I will remove the rubbers and see how I get on.
If those two small changes sort me out it would be my preference over lowering the bike.

I simply don't feel comfortable on the bike knowing its awkward for me to keep it stable when stopped.
Stopping on even a slightly uneven surface will have me tipping over, haha!

[Mr B]

I'm a 32" inside leg, lowered the Wee by 20mm: perfect.
I got my lowering links (dogbones) from Cosmo: http://www.cosmo-accessories.com/online ... strom.html

I also got the forkbrace and a 12V socket (mine's a 650 not a 1000 BTW)

Can throughly recommend him and his service.

If you add your location to your profile, someone might be able to let you try a different seat.

You could always get some '70s platform soles in the meantime.

[hookie]

You can safely drop the fork clamps 20-25mm down the stancions and get a set of rear suspension links (dog bones) like these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LINK-Q-Suzuki-DL650-DL1000-V-Strom-25mm-Lowering-Kit-/310380728876?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item484422122c

Aim to keep the lowering the same for back and front if you can. However, the Vee does benefit from having it's front lowered a bit more anyway as is sharpens the steering up a bit. So lowering the rear more than the front is probably best avoided if possible.

[greywolf]

I'll repeat my VSRI post for the benefit of those that don't visit there. The maximum safe lowering amounts using links and extending the fork tubes are 28mm in back and 21mm in front. More than that and the fork legs can hit the triple clamps and the rear tyre can hit the mudguard.  See http://www.vstrom.info/Smf/index.php/topic,1605.0.html for info and the last page shows some damage from too much rear lowering. Don't exceed the limits unless you limit suspension travel too. Another thing to watch for is aerodynamics. In stock condition the front end lightens at higher speeds. The faster you go, the lighter the front end gets. Lowering the rear more than the front makes it worse. Steering can get vague and hitting the brakes or even chopping the throttle at high speeds can load the front end like it was dropped out of a wheelie. That can cause a tank slapper. A Scotts steering stabiliser will prevent tank slappers but it is expensive.

Also, lower the bike significantly and you'll need to do side stand work or the bike will fall over easily if it doesn't have enough lean.

[Goodlad]

Cheers for the info lads!  

Giving it a read over a few times and letting it sink in guess I have a plan.

Keeping in mind the safe dropping distances that Greywolf posted I think I will go with dropping the back 20mm with the dogbones from here:
http://www.cosmo-accessories.com/online ... eries.html

And then I will drop the front the same amount. I do see it mentioned a good bit that having the front lower than the back will increase the sharpness of steering but if dropping the back 20mm I would need to drop the fron say 25mm to make it lower but the same lowering for the front is no more than 21mm so I will play it safe and just match the drop distances on front and back.

This combines with a 650 seat will hopefully help a lot. And if I still need a bit more I will remove the rubber blocks too.

Quick edit:  Looking o nthe site I linked there. They also do a 30mm lowering kit which I may just go with instead. Its only 2mm over the safe limits. Can 2mm really make a massive difference?

[MartinW]

Also, see THIS LINK for someone with a 650 seat for sale cheaply.

[Goodlad]

Cheers for the link man. I will see how I get on in a day or two.
I gave my local dealer a shout and he is going to give me the seat from a 650 he has for a day or two so I can see what its like.

Depending o nthat I will hunt one down for sale.

[Goodlad]

So I have the 650 seat on my 1000 for the last few days.
Immediately it was much better as I can get my foot down more now and don't hit the foot pegs as much.

Only issue is its nowhere near as comfortable as the stock 1000 seat. To the point where my Donkey was numb after 90 minutes on the bike.

So maybe I will slap on dogbones to lower it and keep the 1000 seat.
Or does anyone know if I can get an aftermarket seat that's as low as the 650 seat but more comfortable?  

Perhaps a 650 gel seat that's as low as the stanard?

[greywolf]

The gel seat is higher than the stock 650 seat but lower than the stock 1000 seat.

[Juvecu]

The gel seat is also a tad wider at the front, this made it feel higher than the Vee seat for me when stopped with my feet down.

[V-Twin]

Hi Fellow bikers
I would like to try and lower my Glee.
Why are some of the dogbones on ebay at £49 and others at £15 free p/p?

I have drooped the front a little but just need 10/15 mm at the rear. VT

[Juvecu]

Some people think two pieces of flat iron with holes are better than the next set because they've touched it and put a name on it. In theory you could make your own if you used the right grade of steel (but I can't tell you what's right.) Cheap is fine as long as they are as thick as the stock ones so you don't have issues with the bolts.

[Goodlad]

I just picked up a 650 seat in perfect condition from a bike breakers for 50 euro  

Now I just have to get the dogbones installed. I'm going for 20mm as I want to match the amount I drop on both front and back and the front can only drop 21mm safely.

Looking forward to seeing just how much better the bike feels when the dogbones are on. In my mind I wonder is 20mm can really make a difference but I'm told it will so going to go with it.

[EireSkull]

Hello what breakers did you get the seat from?

[Abercol]

Seats are such a subjective thing. What one person thinks is comfy another cannot stand.

I also have a 29" inseam and found the stock Vee seat height was no problem. I hated the seat though, so fitted a Corbin (which is absolute bliss to sit in). It sat me lower/further away from the bars as it makes a kind of shaped pocket for you to sit in but it made the reach to the ground much wider, so I lowered the bike 25mm at rear and 18mm at front. At first the bike felt weird, but I soon adjusted and its been fine ever since.

I also have a 650 seat (swapped my Vee seat with a local owner who wanted more height) and its agony after 45 miles...only kept it to be sold with the bike when I eventually change it (6 years now...no plans for it to go).

[Dave the Dude]

So the 6 million dollar question is .....
I am 5-8 with a 29in inseam and wonder what size dogbone link and fork drop you would recommend ( with a standard seat) ????????

[Mr B]

Dave, I'm 5'7" with a 30" inside leg, Cosmo's 20mm lowering Dogbone has done the trick nicely. The soles of my boots are approx 3/4". HTH

[Dave the Dude]

Cheers mate.
Did you drop the forks too?
Does it affect side or main stand use ?