Got my FZ6r Lowered!!

[Sixpackgal28]

Well, after more then a couple of "tippy canoe" moments on my bike - my boyfriend decided he needed to lower my bike. What a BIG difference! I am 5'6" and when I bought my bike I was not able to flat foot - was on my tip toes. The kit came from "Roaring Toyz" - a website based in US.
Lowered in both front handlebars and rear suspension. Have not tipped it since ad am flat foot! Huge confidence boost as well. Best of all, it did not affect the turning radius or performance.

 

[motojoe122]

Well, after more then a couple of "tippy canoe" moments on my bike - my boyfriend decided he needed to lower my bike. What a BIG difference! I am 5'6" and when I bought my bike I was not able to flat foot - was on my tip toes. The kit came from "Roaring Toyz" - a website based in US.
Lowered in both front handlebars and rear suspension. Have not tipped it since ad am flat foot! Huge confidence boost as well. Best of all, it did not affect the turning radius or performance.

The great people of the forum will demand pics:rockon:

 

[Erci]

The great people of the forum will demand pics:rockon:

+1! I was under the impression that the there was a lowering link for the back and on the front, you'd just slide the fork legs up the trees to make it match the lowered rear.

 

[Cece]

Yes, pics and how to please

 

[Verharen]

Having a bike that fits you well can make such a difference. I ride a gsxr and had it lowered 1", as well as having the foam of the seat cut down. I don't know what a lowering link is, but that's what they used on the back end.

Originally, I didn't have the front suspension adjusted (lowered). I was fairly new to riding and figured I'd just get used to it and didn't think it would be a big deal. I'm having it adjusted this week and I can't wait to have the bike balanced per it's original design. In retrospect, I wish I had lowered the front end when I did the back end.

Oh, and I had to go to a local welding shop to have the kickstand adjusted so there was enough lean to stabilize the bike when parked. I still can't back up uphill, but have been able to avoid that situation for the most part through careful attention to parking spots. :thumbup:

 

[Susan]

+1! I was under the impression that the there was a lowering link for the back and on the front, you'd just slide the fork legs up the trees to make it match the lowered rear.

Yes, it's the Metisse lowering link. There's a Soupy's link, too; cheaper, but my hubby (a mechanic) said there's usually a reason parts are cheap, so he got me to order the Metisse one instead. He installed it and slid the forks up the recommended amount, and I'm really happy about my feet touching the ground.

One thing to note when you lower your bike is that it's now closer to the ground (duh, right?) and you'll be more likely to scrape your pegs. Or bottom out if you have a pillion or are a bit on the heavy side (even with the rear preload at its stiffest).

I didn't adjust the side stand. I plan ahead when parking, and I haven't had any trouble with it so far.

 

[CodyNKR]

thank you for that post and the fact that I found it so easily. I'm 5'6" as well and just moved down from an FJ1200 to the FZ6. Found the FZ6 a little tall and was looking at options to lower it so my feet could be a little more on the ground.
NancyK

 

[Monica A]

Having a bike that fits you well can make such a difference. I ride a gsxr and had it lowered 1", as well as having the foam of the seat cut down. I don't know what a lowering link is, but that's what they used on the back end.

Originally, I didn't have the front suspension adjusted (lowered). I was fairly new to riding and figured I'd just get used to it and didn't think it would be a big deal. I'm having it adjusted this week and I can't wait to have the bike balanced per it's original design. In retrospect, I wish I had lowered the front end when I did the back end.

Oh, and I had to go to a local welding shop to have the kickstand adjusted so there was enough lean to stabilize the bike when parked. I still can't back up uphill, but have been able to avoid that situation for the most part through careful attention to parking spots. :thumbup:

Isn't backing the bike up "significant others" job? lol Both my bikes have a convenient handle on the back (passenger bar I think they call it) which he uses to pull me backwards, if needed. :cheer: I'm 5'8" tall so lowering isn't necessary for me, but pushing a 480 pound bike backwards (mainly uphill) is pretty difficult. Strategic parking is a smart move.

 

[Monica A]

Yes, it's the Metisse lowering link. There's a Soupy's link, too; cheaper, but my hubby (a mechanic) said there's usually a reason parts are cheap, so he got me to order the Metisse one instead. He installed it and slid the forks up the recommended amount, and I'm really happy about my feet touching the ground.

One thing to note when you lower your bike is that it's now closer to the ground (duh, right?) and you'll be more likely to scrape your pegs. Or bottom out if you have a pillion or are a bit on the heavy side (even with the rear preload at its stiffest).

I didn't adjust the side stand. I plan ahead when parking, and I haven't had any trouble with it so far.

Susan! I haven't seen you on the forum in ages. So good to hear from you. How is it going? Is your son still riding? I've read a couple of your books now. I love them - wanting more....

 

[aragon1301]

Well, after more then a couple of "tippy canoe" moments on my bike - my boyfriend decided he needed to lower my bike. What a BIG difference! I am 5'6" and when I bought my bike I was not able to flat foot - was on my tip toes. The kit came from "Roaring Toyz" - a website based in US.
Lowered in both front handlebars and rear suspension. Have not tipped it since ad am flat foot! Huge confidence boost as well. Best of all, it did not affect the turning radius or performance.

well i am 5'6 and i can put one foot flat the other tipping,.. never had a problem with it, but i do want to lower it one more inch,.. i had lower the seat half inch and it is easy to do so

 

[Gary in NJ]

Welcome to the forum. If you haven't done so already you can raise the fork tubes in the triple clamp 0.50" or so - that will certainly help. The FZ6 has a linkless suspension in the back, so the only way to lower the rear is to get a shorter coil spring. Of course this will also reduce the rear wheel travel. Also know, if you shorten your existing coil spring, that effectively raises the rate, potentially making for stiffer ride. If the spring rate is currently too soft this will have a positive effect. However if the spring rate is already too stiff...well you wont be too happy. You can lower the rear by a few millimeters by going to a narrower cross section tire. Going to a 180/55 to a 170/55 will lower the bike 2.75mm (10mm x .55 / 2).

 

[spine]

I'm 5'2" so as you can imagine pedalling to back my bike out of a spot is a bit of an effort. Once I was facing ever so slightly downhill, didn't realise I wouldn't be strong enough to stand and wheel it backwards. Fortunately for me, some firemen had arrived doing some training nearby and were more than happy to help me out. lol.