Newbie Question: Lowering an ST3

[Pirate]

OK.. I've found an 06 ST3 that I may go pick up tomorrow.. woohoo!! Had previously only test ridden an 04 ST3 and it sat a full 1-1.5" lower than the one I'm picking up. I was flat-foot on the one I test rode. The 04 ST had a Sachs rear shock but this 06 has an Ohlins. At least I think it will as the 06 ABS version (which I sat on an hour ago) has an Ohlins on it...

My newbie question (which has probably been beaten to death here) is..

Is there an adjustment on the Ohlins (or a Sachs) which will lower the bike at least an inch?? or will I have to have the shock modified or replaced with a lower shock?

I'm on my toes and that's NOT where I want to be... so please no lectures on the benifits of lots of ground clearance..

Any sage advice would be appreciated...

[Desmo_Demon]

You should be able to adjust the ride height adjustment rod (next to the shock) to get the rear of the bike down. This will affect your ground clearance, though. You could always have take the original seat, or get a seat off of eBay, and have an upholstery shop shave an inch out of the seat foam, too.

[YveST3]

Originally Posted by Pirate

OK.. I've found an 06 ST3 that I may go pick up tomorrow.. woohoo!! Had previously only test ridden an 04 ST3 and it sat a full 1-1.5" lower than the one I'm picking up. I was flat-foot on the one I test rode. The 04 ST had a Sachs rear shock but this 06 has an Ohlins. At least I think it will as the 06 ABS version (which I sat on an hour ago) has an Ohlins on it...

Any sage advice would be appreciated...

The 06 ST3 have a Sachs rear shock and the 06 ST3S Abs have a Ohlins rear shock.

YveST3 04/red

[Mike]

Originally Posted by Pirate

OK.. I've found an 06 ST3 that I may go pick up tomorrow.. woohoo!! Had previously only test ridden an 04 ST3 and it sat a full 1-1.5" lower than the one I'm picking up. I was flat-foot on the one I test rode. The 04 ST had a Sachs rear shock but this 06 has an Ohlins. At least I think it will as the 06 ABS version (which I sat on an hour ago) has an Ohlins on it...

The shock will NOT change the ride height appreciably (once they are both adjusted to the proper sag). Could the difference be in the saddle? If they had the same saddle the difference you noted was probably in the sag (pre-load). Still, I'm a bit confused. Only the ST3s comes with an Ohlins (as far as I know). If you are picking up an "s" model, it's possible someone has already adjusted the ride height higher?

I'm on my toes and that's NOT where I want to be... so please no lectures on the benifits of lots of ground clearance..

Any sage advice would be appreciated...

First you say you don't want to hear about the benefits of ground clearance and then you ask for "sage advice"? IMO, the two are mutually exclusive.

My advice is to become more proficient at slow speed ground handling so you don't feel the need to get both feet flat on the ground. A little skill and finesse goes a long way. If you are not ready for that, I would strongly suggest you have the saddle cut down instead of lowering the chassis. A little change will make a big difference in your ground handling ability and will also improve the handling of the bike during fast left/right transitions.

[Pirate]

actually.. for the most part.. I disagree with most of your advice.. but thanks for offering it...

First.. we have been selling shocks for years..and one of the biggest selling points of the brands we carry is that you can lower the bike by up to 2 inches by just ordering them that way and to a lesser degree.. by a height adjuster knob on them... I am just unfamiliar with the Sachs brand..So obviously.. you can lower any bike with the proper shocks..When done correctly.. any "skilled" rider can go every bit as fast and corner every bit as good.. unless you are up in the Valentino Rossi league..

I asked two dealers and they only offer ONLY one seat so that shouldn't be a variable. The bike I rode was used so perhaps he had adjusted it down.. That's a good sign.

also.. just found out that only the "S" version has the Ohlins.. the standard does not.. you are correct there.

Second.. as to your suggestion to becoming more proficient at slow speed riding.. that's a bit condescending, mate..especially not knowing who I am or my credentials. Obviously you aren't short or you wouldn't be spewing that.. Any short person will tell you that no matter how good your skills are.. it's alway preferable and comforting to have a bike that you can comfortably put your feet down..especially when you're two-up. FYI.. having ridden for 34+ years without an accident ..on the finest, and fastest bikes on earth.. probably spending more days on a track than most posters here.. I'd hazard a guess that I'd be considered by most... proficient..

I may look at buying a lower seat as well, but the suspension will have to be lowered a bit... 32" is just a tad high for a 30" inseam...and as this bike will never see a track, any loss of ground clearance wont be noticed..

Originally Posted by Mike

The shock will NOT change the ride height appreciably (once they are both adjusted to the proper sag). Could the difference be in the saddle? If they had the same saddle the difference you noted was probably in the sag (pre-load). Still, I'm a bit confused. Only the ST3s comes with an Ohlins (as far as I know). If you are picking up an "s" model, it's possible someone has already adjusted the ride height higher?


First you say you don't want to hear about the benefits of ground clearance and then you ask for "sage advice"? IMO, the two are mutually exclusive.

My advice is to become more proficient at slow speed ground handling so you don't feel the need to get both feet flat on the ground. A little skill and finesse goes a long way. If you are not ready for that, I would strongly suggest you have the saddle cut down instead of lowering the chassis. A little change will make a big difference in your ground handling ability and will also improve the handling of the bike during fast left/right transitions.

[Desmo_Demon]

Hey Pirate.....I just noticed your location and website link.......get any word on your truck, trailer, and gear? I still will check any silver/grey trailer when I see one.....and welcome to this site. I'm sure you'll enjoy the ST3 a lot. You picking it up from Myers or Tourign Sport?

Don't forget to join www.usdesmo.com and come on out and play in the mountains of northern GA for the Ducks Fly South rally in October. (Ok, I think I'm through with all the plugs. LOL )

BTW - I'm the same Desmo Demon from www.carolinariders.com .

[Pirate]

As a matter of fact.. the cops found my truck a few weeks ago not 1 mile from where it was stolen... Geezz.. Insurance had already paid off on it.. No sign of my trailer or any of my gear... Thx for reminding me... ;-)

Looks like I'll be picking it up from Touring Sport in Greenville. I'm ordering a black 06 non-ABS tomorrow. They say it should arrive in about a week-10 days..
I found a black with ABS here in Asheville but I simply don't want that feature.. figures.

a rally in October?? I think I can make that!! I'll check it out.. Thx..

Originally Posted by Desmo_Demon

Hey Pirate.....I just noticed your location and website link.......get any word on your truck, trailer, and gear? I still will check any silver/grey trailer when I see one.....and welcome to this site. I'm sure you'll enjoy the ST3 a lot. You picking it up from Myers or Tourign Sport?

Don't forget to join www.usdesmo.com and come on out and play in the mountains of northern GA for the Ducks Fly South rally in October. (Ok, I think I'm through with all the plugs. LOL )

BTW - I'm the same Desmo Demon from www.carolinariders.com .

[Mike]

Originally Posted by Pirate

actually.. for the most part.. I disagree with most of your advice.. but thanks for offering it...

First.. we have been selling shocks for years..and one of the biggest selling points of the brands we carry is that you can lower the bike by up to 2 inches by just ordering them that way and to a lesser degree.. by a height adjuster knob on them...

None of the ST's came with a shock that allowed ride height adjustment. Yes, you could swap shocks for ones that allow adjustment but I doubt either of the bikes you sat on had their shock swapped yet. I'm not sure what your point is here.

I am just unfamiliar with the Sachs brand..So obviously.. you can lower any bike with the proper shocks..When done correctly.. any "skilled" rider can go every bit as fast and corner every bit as good.. unless you are up in the Valentino Rossi league..

I strongly disagree with that (and it's a real slam to the skills of Rossi). The ST series has better than average cornering clearance (for a sport-tourer) but it is by no means unlimited in road use, especially in the tighter, slower twisties or those with very bumpy pavement (and I am a long, long, LONG ways from being comparable to Rossi). This is with the OEM ride height and properly set sag and sport-touring radials - lowering the ride height front and rear will compound the problem. Raising the rear (to give balanced handling) improves the situation very much.

Second.. as to your suggestion to becoming more proficient at slow speed riding.. that's a bit condescending, mate..especially not knowing who I am or my credentials. Obviously you aren't short or you wouldn't be spewing that.. Any short person will tell you that no matter how good your skills are.. it's alway preferable and comforting to have a bike that you can comfortably put your feet down..especially when you're two-up.

No intention to be condescending. I think it's comforting to have a bike that you don't have to worry about grounding out if you find yourself unexpectedly in a decreasing radius corner and need to lean over a bit more. While it's true that a lower bike will give you more room for error while performing ground handling maneuvers, that's just what it is, more room for error, hence my suggestion that lowering is not required for safe ground handling. I've known borderline midgets that have handled larger, taller bikes without incident for years of daily riding. It's just a matter of becoming comfortable doing so.

No offense intended.

[BAZ_777]

The ST3s (like the ST4s) has an adjustable tie rod as part of the linkage between the shock and the swing arm. It is located just in front of the shock.

This adjustable tie rod allows the ride height to be adjusted.

My 2006 ST3s had the ride height set higher than my 2005 ST3 (non-adjustable tie rod) and the steering is noticeably quicker. My present bike has about 15 mm clearance between the rear tyre and the ground when the bike is on the centrestand, the 2005 ST3 had about 40 mm.

[flynfink]

I'm 5'9" with a 30" inseam.. I have no problem flat footing my ST4S solo or two up.. I'd check the ride height..