Lowering kit is no good?

grendels_arm said:

My friend is going to do this to his CBR600RR. He's around 5'5" or so. The 600RR is real tall. Taller than even my Superbikes, which although not flatfooted I don't feel uncomfortable on even though I'm a veritically challenged 5'7".

When my friend asked his friends at the local Honda dealership about what's called I think a "T-bone" the only effects they mentioned were ground clearance if you were taking it to the track. But since he's gonna use it for street riding it won't be an issue.

When I was looking to get a new bike to upgrade from my CBR600F2 back in late 2003 I was looking real hard at a 600RR. I could get one at the time from a local dealer for like $7200 plus taxes,etc. The main reason I didn't get it is because it was too tall for me. The other reason was that I realized for a bit more I could get a freakin Ducati. Woohoo!!

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grendels_arm said:

Not to sound stereotypical and hopefully not offend others but I can understand a Ducati being somewhat low and made for smaller riders. I mean I think Italians are generally shorter than for instance Americans. Now when you go to Japanese bikes you would think the same thing. I mean, once again excuse my ignorance if I'm wrong and sounding stereotypical, aren't Japanese people generally smaller than American people? If so then maybe the Japanese manufacturers tailer their bikes more to Americans?

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paulo57509 said:

I'm Japanese-American, 5'-3" and about 40 lbs. too heavy. I think this is 90% of my problem with trying to fit on a sportbike.

Funny thing is that when you look at the Duc and my FZR600 side by side, the FZR is much taller. But I can fit on the Yamaha better, seat height-wise. However, the Duc's weight distrubution is much better; it doesn't feel as top heavy.

No offense taken, BTW. I too have often wondered why Japanese bikes don't fit the smaller (typically speaking) Japanese people better? Maybe it's evolution at work, but Japanese people of today don't look nearly as small as my Grandfather was.

Level7: I also have Cycle Cat bar risers on the Duc. With these things I sit a bit more upright so it gets my fat arse into the seat a bit more and my feet a bit closer to the ground.

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amullo said:

How far do you need to get a superbike over before the pegs scrape the tarmac?

About this far.

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paulo57509 said:

I asked e-mailed Aftershocks a few weeks ago about lowering via shock internals instead of the method under discussion here (shortened ride height adjuster). Here is there response I received yesterday:
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To answer your direct question, yes, the Showa shock can be shortened. We shorten them internally by adding spacers. However, if we are shortening your shock, we need to shorten the forks as well, internally, to keep the same riding geometry. You didn’t mention what you are doing with your forks, but if you are running your forks up in your triple clamps, you are going to run into issues with the front tire running up into the triples or the radiator.

The most we can shorten your bike is 2 inches. We would HIGHLY recommend revalving the forks and shock as well if we are lowering an inch or more. (You would benefit from revalving no matter how much we lower it, but especially lowering 1+ inches.) Lowering the shock will put it in the rising rate part of the link, so it is starting at a stiffer point mechanically. By revalving, we can soften the valving and make the ride smoother and more plush.

As for costs, all of the labor to revalve and lower the suspension is $540. If you bring in the whole bike and we need to do the teardown, it is an additional $175.

For parts, we will need 2 bottles of oil, which are $10.50 each. If you would like us to change your fork seals as well, they cost around $25 for the set.

If we lower the suspension only and you do not want to do the revalve, the lowering is $340. Teardown and parts and the same as above.

Thank you.

--Marra

AfterShocks - The Suspension Experts
(650) 494-8849
http://www.aftershocks-suspension.com
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I think this might be thea better alternative to fiddling with the ride height adjuster. I just need to see if a 2" drop is enough with the stock geometry.

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