Vstrom height

[Madmax16]

Hello everyone
After five years of owning the beast I just realised that the previous owner of my 2015 650 vstrom might have lowered the bike with a different dogbone and front suspension dropped.  How would I know for sure?  Does anyone know what the measurements should be , here is a few photos and any assistance with my quest  would be great.

[aggressivesk8r]

Not sure what length the standard Dog Bones should be but from your pictures the front forks have definitely been dropped through the top yoke.
Standard dog bones and raising the top yoke on the forks should raise the bike considerably!!

[Ianmc]

    This might help,but the front has definitely been lowered.The forks should be level with the top yoke.

[Rixington43]

From other threads and forums, it looks like the standard Dog Bones are 140mm eye to eye which would line up with that chart, they look standard with a Suzuki part number stamped on them.
Perhaps someone just lowered the front to sharpen up the handling and prevent any front end lightness at speed.

[kwackboy]

Definitely been lowered, as said, the top of the forks should be virtually flush with the top yoke, as for the dog bones, although I'm unsure of the OEM length, would have almost certainly been changed.

This is easily checked, if you have a standard centre stand , it's a lot more difficult to pull the bike onto it and, the rear wheel, once on the stand will be a good few inches off the ground, standard should be no more than an inch and, if you have a standard side stand, when down, the bike would be virtually upright.

Be aware though, when returning the bike to the standard height, if both stands have been modified they'll be useless. 

[Madmax16]

I checked and the rod measures 140mm  from centre to centre of the bolts + it has a 06G inprinted on it

 

[Rixington43]

Only just noticed that the link Ian posted actually states the standard links are 140mm so no deduction needed after all. Doh.
So you're standard at the back and lowered at the front which will steepen the head angle and make the steering sharper. Easy to return the front to normal and see if you prefer the factory set up I guess.

[Cartejo5]

If it were my bike I'd probably drop the forks by 1/2 of the distance they are up through the clamps and try that. As a rule bikes turn more quickly with the rear jacked up which is what has effectively the previous owner has done.

[Madmax16]

Anyone knows the best way to replace dogbones? Can it be done using centre stand to hold the bike up whilst replacing the rods?

[kwackboy]

Using the centre stand will be fine.
Depending how far your back wheel is off the ground you may need a slim piece of wood to keep the wheel/swing arm in position.

Out of interest, if you have standard size dog bones why do you want to replace them ?

[Madmax16]

Thank you.  I want to jack bike up by afew Cm .  Amd as my front end was lowered before I am going to increase front end height by the same , giving me the same ride as now bur more confortable for my legs and knees

[Cartejo5]

Apologies if I'm stating the obvious but raising or lowering the suspension won't give you extra legroom.

If what your trying to achieve is more room between the seat and the footpegs you can either fit a taller seat or lower the footrests or both.

[Madmax16]

 Yes I am increasing my seat height anyway and lowered footpegs.  Asmy bike was lowered at the front by previous owner  and I love how it handles at the moment , I want to raise the front to stock position and need to raise the rear to give the same type of steering I have at the moment .  Any thiughts on this are very welcome.  Thanks for feedback mate.

[porter]

I would say your bike has been lowered front and rear, the original owner then removed the rear lowering kit to sell on but never bothered their arse to move the forks back down. If you look at the photo you can see a faint line near the fork cap, this should sit level with the top yoke.
Cosmo and I'm sure other ebay retailers sell jack up kits in various sizes, I'd not go to large, 15-20mm should do the trick. I used to run a 15mm kit on my tiger8 which helped with the ground clearance two up without speeding the steering up to much one up.

[Cartejo5]

If it were my bike I before I bought new links etc I would check the rear shock absorbers settings. Is it at factory settings for preload and rebound or has it been adjusted?

I’ve heard of folks backing off the rear preload almost right off which in effect lowers the rear of the bike once you sit on it, that combined with dropping the forks would lower the bike. If it handles OK why are you wanting to change it, are you running out of ground clearance or do you want to change it for some other reason.

Ps I’m no suspension expert but the basics are always worth considering and trying before you get your credit card out.

[Madmax16]

Thank you buddy.  You make a valid point, would you happen to know what the stock settings should be on rebound at all? 

[Cartejo5]

Morning, I've a L8 model. For mine the standard/factory setting for rebound is two full turns out from being on full rebound - screw the rebound screw clockwise until its fully seated then wind it out two full turns. The preload is on the 2nd line from being fully off.