Lowering bikes
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Lowering bikes - 1/15/2006 4:38:33 AM
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Red Hooter
Posts: 28
Joined: 8/12/2005
Status: offline
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Hey,
Just wondering, I'm 5'7" and can't flat foot (I'm on the balls of my feet).
What have you girls done (if anything) to correct the problem?
My bf has been telling me to get lowering links put on the bike, but I'm still hesitant to do any sort of (permanent) mods to the bike as of yet besides frame sliders. I'm a bit concerned when stopped on an upwards incline that the bike will roll back or that I'll drop her when starting/stopping. I've already layed her down once when backing her up in my parking space at home.
What do you suggest?
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RE: Lowering bikes - 1/15/2006 11:53:33 AM
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pitsvtec
Official CBRF Welcome Member
Posts: 5323
Joined: 7/28/2005
From: New Jersey
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Well I shy away from lowering the bike b/c it throws off the bikes handling. I'm only 5'2" and it's hard to believe that your 5 inches taller than me and have a problem. Sorry if that is outright, but it's true...LOL... To correct this problem I purchased taller boots. It's cheaper and if you ever want to sell the bike, it won't be an issue. The boots I now have are called Rocket Dog Draglines. They cover your ankle and add 2.75 inches to your height. Although, I can't fullly touch, they helped me a great deal . It's not a problem it you fully can't touch. At stops, I end up leaning the bike on one leg and when having to move it, I'm off the bike doing so. Be more confident in yourself and you'll be able to handle the bike just fine. Hope that helps you. Let me know.
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Ride for the love of it, not for the attention from it. See you riding!
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RE: Lowering bikes - 1/15/2006 1:33:13 PM
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pupdog_88
Posts: 141
Joined: 1/2/2006
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i got a set of lowering links for my bike of ebay not to expensive and they are adjustable, so u can put it down and back up if you change your mind, i didn't leave mine lowered cause i do alot of canyon carving and with the bike lowered i couldn't lean it as far over with out dragging the pegs or exhaust, unless your dragging a knee around curves lowering your bike won't hurt it, it will probably help you a lot cause it gives u the feeling that your more in control of the bike and not just sitting way up on it, here is what i got i'm pretty sure they will work on your bike to i'd just try lowering it 1 1/2 before you drop it all the way down
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/cbr-F4-F4i-adjustable-lowering-links_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35592QQitemZ4604789475QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
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if it comes down to gas for bike or food for me i guess i'm going to be eating adrenaline and exhaust ha,ha
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RE: Lowering bikes - 1/15/2006 9:43:50 PM
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pitsvtec
Official CBRF Welcome Member
Posts: 5323
Joined: 7/28/2005
From: New Jersey
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quote:
ORIGINAL: pupdog_88
i got a set of lowering links for my bike of ebay not to expensive and they are adjustable, so u can put it down and back up if you change your mind, i didn't leave mine lowered cause i do alot of canyon carving and with the bike lowered i couldn't lean it as far over with out dragging the pegs or exhaust, unless your dragging a knee around curves lowering your bike won't hurt it, it will probably help you a lot cause it gives u the feeling that your more in control of the bike and not just sitting way up on it, here is what i got i'm pretty sure they will work on your bike to i'd just try lowering it 1 1/2 before you drop it all the way down
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/cbr-F4-F4i-adjustable-lowering-links_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35592QQitemZ4604789475QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
You my friend are not supposed to be lurking here....out...shoo....out....damn males...they never listen!
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Ride for the love of it, not for the attention from it. See you riding!
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RE: Lowering bikes - 1/15/2006 9:58:31 PM
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pupdog_88
Posts: 141
Joined: 1/2/2006
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 pitsvtec i humbly apologize, please forgive me i only thought i could help a fellow rider (notice i didn't say women cause i know that women can ride just as good as men) and they look a hell of a lot better on a bike to, next time i'll run my suggestion by u does that satisfy u, or should i just go shoot myself now 
p.s. congrats on ROTM
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if it comes down to gas for bike or food for me i guess i'm going to be eating adrenaline and exhaust ha,ha
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RE: Lowering bikes - 1/16/2006 12:07:11 AM
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pitsvtec
Official CBRF Welcome Member
Posts: 5323
Joined: 7/28/2005
From: New Jersey
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quote:
ORIGINAL: pupdog_88
pitsvtec i humbly apologize, please forgive me i only thought i could help a fellow rider (notice i didn't say women cause i know that women can ride just as good as men) and they look a hell of a lot better on a bike to, next time i'll run my suggestion by u does that satisfy u, or should i just go shoot myself now
p.s. congrats on ROTM
Thank you, but no need to run suggestions by me....this is supposed to be our hideaway.....you bad mofo!  Sneaking in here like that.....shame shame! 
_____________________________
Ride for the love of it, not for the attention from it. See you riding!
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RE: Lowering bikes - 1/18/2006 12:57:56 PM
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CBR Chick
Posts: 203
Joined: 12/20/2005
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LOL that is soo funny, I guess he thought he could pass cause he has a pink bike.LOL But I also stop on the balls of my feet, and I'm 5,9. I too most of the time just end up leaning to one side when I stop. I have heard that lowering the bike throws off the ability to corner well and also throws off the COG. I have heard other people saying bad things about lowering a bike. But that's just my 2 cents.
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If it can fit between my legs, I can ride it!
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RE: Lowering bikes - 1/19/2006 2:55:04 PM
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pitsvtec
Official CBRF Welcome Member
Posts: 5323
Joined: 7/28/2005
From: New Jersey
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Sure...and taking advice from the shortest one posting is a cheaper idea for you tall women!
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Ride for the love of it, not for the attention from it. See you riding!
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RE: Lowering bikes - 1/19/2006 5:03:35 PM
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smooth_caramel
Posts: 6
Joined: 1/19/2006
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Hello, I'm new here!
Yeah, the newer bikes are getting taller and taller, the older ones are ok. Im 5'7" also and have trouble putting my feet down solid on the newer bikes. I've got a 2000 R6, but it was already lowered when I got it. The way it was done is ok. Mine was lowered in the triple tree and the shock set on the "shortest" setting. Since that makes it low, my kick stand is a little shorter than normal. I think it was cut then welded. So, if you really have to lower it try that if you want and it's cheap. Lowering links are probably a better options, but it can get pricey depending on who you get to do it.
You should only really have to worry about handling if your into cornering fast, racing, stunting. For everyday cruising, lowering doesn't make a difference.
If you want to be flat on the ground, just shift your body to one side and put your foot down. Learn how to rebalance and pull off from lights or inclines that way. Eventually, you'll get the hang and won't even notice it anymore.
Good Luck....
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RE: Lowering bikes - 1/19/2006 6:48:19 PM
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pitsvtec
Official CBRF Welcome Member
Posts: 5323
Joined: 7/28/2005
From: New Jersey
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quote:
ORIGINAL: smooth_caramel
Mine was lowered in the triple tree and the shock set on the "shortest" setting. Since that makes it low, my kick stand is a little shorter than normal. I think it was cut then welded.
It is. They have to shorten the stand so the bike doesn't fall. Welcome aboard missy!
And the cheaper thing is to get boots that have some height. $70.00 for the ones I got....links can be pricey and like I said it makes the bike a little more difficult to sell b/c there are more guys riding than women. I know it hurts, but that is the evil truth....
_____________________________
Ride for the love of it, not for the attention from it. See you riding!
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RE: Lowering bikes - 2/14/2006 12:03:26 PM
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CBR Chick
Posts: 203
Joined: 12/20/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: littlenikki
im also 5'1" i was looking at getting the cbr600rr but can even get my balls of my feet to touch the ground!! i cant get seat sculped or anything the only option for me is to get it lowered but i will be on my wee cbr125r for the next year at least anyway for insurance reasons (expensive)
It doesn't matter what size it is as long is you're out there doing it and having fun. Insurance is not cheap these days so ride it while you can and be safe!
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If it can fit between my legs, I can ride it!
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RE: Lowering bikes - 2/16/2006 9:31:17 PM
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Mini Me
Posts: 26
Joined: 11/9/2005
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Wow! What kind of machines are you girls riding that you can't touch at 5'7"! That's crazy! I'm with pits, I'm only 5'3", and I've learned to deal. I just slide my butt over and lean the bike a bit when I stop. It really comes down to a confidence issue. Once you get comfy with (and good at) the slow speed skills they teach in the safety courses most of your problems will be history. I only ever really have issues when I'm backing up, so I usually just get off the bike to do that.
I've given up on ever flat footing a bike. Then again, I did ride a buddy's '05 Gixxer 1K, and the thing is TINY! I was actually flat footed with a bend in my knee!!!!! Way Cool! Too bad it's a 'zuki.... lol.
I did debate the whole lowering thing, but like others here, was warned away from it because of handling issues. I did adjust the suspension presets to the lowest setting, which makes the bike drop further when I sit on it, but no more than Honda intended.
Btw, love your sig CBR Chick!
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MM
'05 CBR 600RR-Tribal
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If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.
-Katherine Hepburn
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RE: Lowering bikes - 2/17/2006 6:20:27 PM
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CBR Chick
Posts: 203
Joined: 12/20/2005
Status: offline
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Thanks!
You're right about those gsxr's I sat on a 1000 at the dealer ship and it was soo tiny. I was flat footed on it, I'm 59 and ride a 1000 but I cann't touch, but the safty course did help the the low speeds. So it doesn't bother me, also I find that if you sit close to the gas tank when stopped, that helps a little but not much.
BTW where are you from Mini Me?
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If it can fit between my legs, I can ride it!
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