Want another FJR but...

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Spridal

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Hi All,

I sold my 06 FJR a little over a year ago due to the fact that the bike was a little tall for me (I'm 5' 7") but now am really wanting another one but would need to lower it just about an inch or so. Does anyone know of a shop that can lower an FJR?

 
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2 things have been reported:

1) You lose 7/8" ground clearance. Watch out for high curbs and speed bumps! Make sure to take them at an angle.

2) IF you ride aggressively, you may touch your footpeg feelers earlier than normal. Change your technique and move your body so the bike stays more upright.

Link to lowering kit threads.

[SIZE=8pt]Google is your friend! Try typing in: "lowering kit site:fjrforum.com". This per Slappy's post about alternate search features under "Board Operation".[/SIZE]

 
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Hi All,
I sold my 06 FJR a little over a year ago due to the fact that the bike was a little tall for me (I'm 5' 7") but now am really wanting another one but would need to lower it just about an inch or so. Does anyone know of a shop that can lower an FJR?
I am 5' 7" also. I did lower my seat about 3/4" from the low position. Helped some. Next week I am taking my leather boots to the shoemaker and put new heels on them. For around $50 he will install new heals adding another 3/8". I am fine riding the bike but backing it up on slight inclines is very tough( as is gravel). No new surgical operations for stretching our legs yet.

 
I'm 5'7" also and have an 06. Its too tall for me too but not to the point that I would even consider getting rid of her. I avoided the lowering kit as I didnt want to sacrifice ground clearance. Corbin makes a seat for our bikes thats advertised as sitting 29" off of the ground as compared to the stock seat at 31.5" in the lowest position. I bought the corbin seat and was disapointed. It looks great, much nicer then stock but seeing as the seat was a little wider it still didnt get me much closer to the ground. I called Corbin and they had me send the seat back as they claim they will be able to work the seat to get me both lower and more forward in the saddle. I should be getting the seat back any day now, hopefully today and I'll report back as to the final result. FYI, the seat was around $280.00 and nothing extra for reworking it.

 
PM Paisano. He has a shock and lowering links. If you lowered the bike, you would definately want a stiffer rear shock. This would help prevent the pegs from touching down too early.

 
5'8+ and I cant quite get both feet flat but would not consider lowering. I have scraped bottom on speed bumps. They make them unusually large at some casinos with no breaks to get around. Also steep driveway entrances are a problem especially with two up. I have also felt the footpeg feeler warnings on Mt. Palomar and wasn't knee draggin. There must be ways of modifications to further lower the seat. Beyond that wear thick soled boots, loose pants, eat your spinach, and do your stretching exercises. :blink:

 
Maybe it's me and my fat ass but..... :unsure:

I'm always on the pegs over bumps, especially ones that I know are coming. The FJR is very peg friendly.

Dirt bike habits are hard to break.

 
I sold my 06 FJR a little over a year ago due to the fact that the bike was a little tall for me (I'm 5' 7") but now am really wanting another one but would need to lower it just about an inch or so. Does anyone know of a shop that can lower an FJR?
Oh to be as tall as 5'7"..........

I'm 5'2" with about 26" inseam. While getting used to the FJR, I used 2" thick soles on my boots but that made shifting a bit clumsy. Now, I have dog bone lowers for 3/4", which makes a big difference. Touching the ground is over rated anyway. This is a bike for riding, not parking. :) I do approach parking the bike very carefully, with a view to how I will get out of the space. Many times, including in my own garage, I have to walk beside the bike and heft it around to a point where I can ride it out.

The downsides are: big speedbumps will ground the bike. The side stand had to be modified to lean the bike far enough over, and is still a bit iffy. Cannot use the center stand as designed. Andy can get the bike onto it, by riding the back wheel onto a piece of wood then two of us together easing the bike onto the stand.

Since my FJR is so big and heavy, in proportion to my height and strength, I do have a smaller bike but there is no question which one I'd choose for a long ride.

Jill

 
What's needed are some air shocks that allow the chassis to squat at a low speed (e.g. <5mph) and then boost the suspension back up to a normal position once under way.

The chopper world has such (not that I know anything about that).

Another option is the retractable outriggers that the disabled guy put on his ZX-10 (posted here last week).

 
Good input, thanks. i think i'll try to re-work the seat from either Corbin (would be a good ride anyway) or a guy here in town who has done some work for me in the past. I don't really want to give up any clearance. I can live with the occasional gravel or backing up and will just have to anticipate my parking more. Did I mentioned how much I like this bike??

Thanks again.

 
Thanks for all thee great tips. I might try to taller heel trick. Now if I can only get a sweet deal on a 07 Black Cherry.

 
Another Option for your consideration.

Has anyone checked to see if one of the shock manufacturers makes one that is "shorter". I know some have purchases shocks for the FZ-6 that lowers the ride height. IF you could do that with the FJR, it would serve a few purposes:

A.) Lower the bike;

B.) Have full adjustability--preload, compression, rebound

C.) Replace the OEM that will need to eventually be "tossed";

D.) It shouldn't affect the handling characteristics as much as changing the "dogbones" might.

Just an alternative thought, though certainly not the most budget-minded.

 
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I'm not adding much but to round out your stats I am 5'7" with 29 inch legs. I was thinking about lowering but just got used to the bike instead and do not want to sacrifice ground clearance. I am on the lookout for taller heels (boots, not the drag queen variety). When I ride 2 up the extra passenger weight lowers the bike anyway. Every once in a while I need an assist to back the bike up on uneven surfaces or uphilll, but that is what riding buddies are for.

 
Do you ride 2 up alot.

If not get your ego out of the way and if you have to get off the bike and manhandle it who cares ( besides the ego ).

We all don't have a 34" inseam so get used to it

If you do ride 2 up alot a shorter shock is the best way to go.

PS

My ego would not let me not lower it - sucks being short - oh poor me :angry2:

I did the dog bones and dropped the triple tree down the tubes

I'm still not flat footed but I am more comfortable when I am stopped

I used to ride a DL1000 and I never had 2 feet on the ground when stopped I don't know why with this bike I feel that I must

Very strange I do say

The rear end became very soft when I installed the dog bones and I had to crank the rear shock up to 3/4 the way up,

If I had the cash I would have bought the shorter shock.

I am thinking I will raise the bike back up to normal over the winter and see what it feels like in the spring

Later

 
Do you ride 2 up alot.
If not get your ego out of the way and if you have to get off the bike and manhandle it who cares ( besides the ego ).

We all don't have a 34" inseam so get used to it

If you do ride 2 up alot a shorter shock is the best way to go.

PS

My ego would not let me not lower it - sucks being short - oh poor me :angry2:

I did the dog bones and dropped the triple tree down the tubes

I'm still not flat footed but I am more comfortable when I am stopped

I used to ride a DL1000 and I never had 2 feet on the ground when stopped I don't know why with this bike I feel that I must

Very strange I do say

The rear end became very soft when I installed the dog bones and I had to crank the rear shock up to 3/4 the way up,

If I had the cash I would have bought the shorter shock.

I am thinking I will raise the bike back up to normal over the winter and see what it feels like in the spring

Later
It's not an ego thing for me. I just want to feel comfortable on the bike.

 
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