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KLR650 - Lowest seat possible? KLR650 - Lowest seat possible?
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  #1  
Old 11 May 2009
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KLR650 - Lowest seat possible?
Hi everyone! My wife and I are planning a Central and South American trip and want to know how far the KLR 650 seat can be lowered with seat / fork / shock mods?

Thank you for your help!
Chris & Sharon
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  #2  
Old 12 May 2009
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Hi,

Try to find a lowering kit to change dog bones.

I own a KLR600 and previous owner was a smaller person and it was lowered from rear shock and forks.

The rear shock has a nut and back nut for spring adjustment and forks were lovered to keep the proper balance
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  #3  
Old 19 May 2009
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and try the corbin dashed seat, super low and great for 2'up riding
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  #4  
Old 1 Jun 2009
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Thank you for your response, quick question, what are "dog bones". Besides actual bones for dogs that is ??? I am kinda new to motorcycle terminology and have not come across that one yet. Thanks!

We aren't planning any 2upping...one person per bike, but if the corbin seat will lower the bike any we might be interested. I thought I read somewhere else that the corbin seat does lower the bike some, but it also widens it and the end restult is about the same as far as feet being able to toouch the ground.

Thanks again for your reponses, they help!
Chris
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  #5  
Old 2 Jun 2009
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where are you from?

i have a lowering kit from happy trail here with me from the previous owner (had to take them back off)

stijn
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  #6  
Old 2 Jun 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thestrunas View Post
Thank you for your response, quick question, what are "dog bones". Besides actual bones for dogs that is ??? I am kinda new to motorcycle terminology and have not come across that one yet. Thanks!

We aren't planning any 2upping...one person per bike, but if the corbin seat will lower the bike any we might be interested. I thought I read somewhere else that the corbin seat does lower the bike some, but it also widens it and the end restult is about the same as far as feet being able to toouch the ground.

Thanks again for your reponses, they help!
Chris
The Corbin dished seat does not widen the seat for the driver. It's alot more comfortable than the stock seat.

I would go with the dished seat and not the lowering links, if you plan on carrying lots of gear your bike will lower itself because of the extra weight. Don't mess with the suspension, just lower the seat, load up the bike and see if it works for you.

http://www.dual-star.com/index2/Imag...ks%20Small.jpg
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Old 2 Jun 2009
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My wife and I live in Honduras, however, we are from the US. We have not purchased the bikes yet - still poring over all the data and trying to figure out what will work best for us.

Thanks a lot for the link, the picture makes it real clear why they call them dog bones ...really is worth a thousand words, hehehe. I have read much the same advice in my research (lower the seat and don't mess with the suspension unless you absolutely have to). Unfortunately, because of my wife's short legs I think it is going to be necessary (unless she wears four inch heels).

Thanks for your responses and candid advice!
Chris
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  #8  
Old 3 Jun 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thestrunas View Post
My wife and I live in Honduras, however, we are from the US. We have not purchased the bikes yet - still poring over all the data and trying to figure out what will work best for us.

Thanks a lot for the link, the picture makes it real clear why they call them dog bones ...really is worth a thousand words, hehehe. I have read much the same advice in my research (lower the seat and don't mess with the suspension unless you absolutely have to). Unfortunately, because of my wife's short legs I think it is going to be necessary (unless she wears four inch heels).

Thanks for your responses and candid advice!
Chris
Four inch heals!!!??? Like you said, a picture is worth a thousand words.

I really think she (and you) will like the Corbin seat over the stock KLR seat. I have the Corbin flat seat on my KLR and love it. I have the stock seat on my Tengai and hate it after riding for an hour.

Get her the dished seat along with the lowered links. If you need assistance getting them to ship to Honduras just let me know and I'll help in any way I can.

Buena suerte y me avisa si necesita algo!

Gian
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Old 5 Jun 2009
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Gracias Gian! Usted es muy amable! However, we are not going to even buy the bikes until we get back to the US and get 'paying' jobs - missionary work does not pay very well - monetarily speaking, hehehe.

I am still not sure if the dished seat and the lowering links will be low enough - we did an inseam measure and came up with 31.5" on my wife (that is with 1" thick soled boots).

Anybody have some specific numbers (in inches) of what a:
dished seat
lowering links
and 200lbs weight (that is cargo and rider)

will actually lower a KLR650 from it's 37" mountaintop?

Thanks for all the help so far...Sorry I am such a newb (one has got to start from somewhere - to get anywhere)

Chris
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  #10  
Old 19 Jun 2009
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Sorry I can't help, but I have a 30" inseam, weigh 250lbs, have a flat Corbin seat, 1" raising links and stock rear shock, 3 pelican cases in back with some tools and I tippy-toe on the KLR.

With my wife in back (110 lbs) I can flat foot it.
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