Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Suzuki Tech
Suzuki Tech Suzuki Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to Suzuki riders only.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 Mar 2009
Michael Madill's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Canmore Canada
Posts: 60
How Low Can You Go !!!

I bought a new 2009 DR 650 for my wife because I believe its the right bike for a South American trip and I was under the impression that I could lower it enough for her but at the moment I have not been succesful getting low enough I need between 30" and 31"

So far I have lowered the rear suspension and slid the front fork up an inch
as well I bought a corbin seat .

I read something in Thumper talk about changing something in the front forks and someone mentioned reducing the the diameter of the the front wheel.

Any input would be great.

Freedom Rider
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 25 Mar 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: perth OZ
Posts: 48
I thought your Suzuki dealer could supply a kit.(?) Even including another sidestand...Or at least they do here in OZ. Go ask them. Good luck Boot.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25 Mar 2009
Michael Madill's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Canmore Canada
Posts: 60
Dear Buniyp01

I did lower the rear suspension and added the shorter side stand is there
some kit you can buy as well.?

Freedom rider
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 26 Mar 2009
BlackBeast's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ontario, CANADA
Posts: 313
Hey Michael,
My wife and I also own DR's for a similar trip. Both are '08's. With her's, we had lowered (at time of purchase), got a suzuki gel low seat and now she is comfortable. She's 5'4" if that matters and she went from an xt225 to the DR.
Another idea that may also work - a friend of mine had his motorcycle boots built up so that he can keep his Dakar upright. I think he's about 5'6" or there abouts.
Hope that helps.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 26 Mar 2009
Michael Madill's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Canmore Canada
Posts: 60
Thanks BlackBeast

I will talk to the Suzuki dealer my bike just arrived and maybe they can
modify mine and I will switch with her.
How comfortable is the Suzuki gel seat and how much lower is it than a stock seat.?

Freedom Rider
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 27 Mar 2009
maria41's Avatar
The franglais-riders
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 1,175
I don't know the Corbin seat but for me as I am short I always get the seat scooped out on my bikes (so far!) and get a thin gel seat inserted.
I did this again on my new Versys (84cm seat) and it did a big difference. I eventually fitted also a lowering kit to the rear shock and lowered the front forks by about 2 inches.
Overall it probably lowered the seat by about 3 inches in total, more or less.

I find the gel seat fairly comfortable despite being thin (but then being a woman I have some padding down there!). I have sometimes spent up to 12 hours riding and I was fine.
__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 27 Mar 2009
Michael Madill's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Canmore Canada
Posts: 60
Thanks maria41
What did you do to lower your front suspension.?

Freedom Rider
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 28 Mar 2009
BlackBeast's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ontario, CANADA
Posts: 313
Hi Michael,
We managed to bring her bike down about 3" from stock height. She really doesn't mind the suzuki gel seat and has never complained on any of our long rides. Her break in ride on the bike was a 700km ride in a day & she was totally fine. Me on the other hand, I couldn't spend more than 60mins on that seat. I've put a Renazco seat on mine. I guess I'm just a bit more delicate than she is.
Daryll
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 28 Mar 2009
Michael Madill's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Canmore Canada
Posts: 60
BlackBeast

Could you please tell everything you did to get 3" lower so far I have been
unable to get that much.

Thanks
Freedom Rider
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 29 Mar 2009
BlackBeast's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ontario, CANADA
Posts: 313
Chapter 5, page 47 in the service manual explains the lowering procedure. You would need to get the shorter (grey) suzuki side stand or modify the stock version. Gel seat, lowers further.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 29 Mar 2009
maria41's Avatar
The franglais-riders
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 1,175
Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Madill View Post
Thanks maria41
What did you do to lower your front suspension.?

Freedom Rider
Michael, it is fairly easy to do:

get the bike on centre stand to remove weigh from the front forks.
Unscrew the 2 set of triple clamps that hold the front forks (do this one side at a time if you do not have centre stand or if your bike weigh on the front because if not the whole thing will slide forward and turn to disaster!)

Slide then the fork through the 2 sets of clamps, one at a time, upward, by as much as you want. Note that I did this in both my F650GS and my Versys. On the Versys the forks are inverted but the principle is the same.

Really that's all. Tighten the forks. Look in your workshop manual to ensure the right torque. (Always put the right torque this is important!)

You should be able to lower by 2 or almost 3 inches. Remember than when you do this, the side stand will have to be adjusted (cut) or the bike will sit to much upward and risk to fall. ALso if you lower the front but do not fit a lowering link in the rear shock, it will affect the handling of the bike.

Actually check it out here good photos. This apply to the versys but take you step by step: http://motowerk.com/Documents/Web%20...Suspension.pdf

Good luck!
__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 31 Mar 2009
Michael Madill's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Canmore Canada
Posts: 60
Thanks Blackbeast

The items you have mentioned have already been done but the result has not lowered enough.
So I'm looking for other things I can do.

Thanks maria41

This is something that I have also done but still not enough but one thing
I did over the weekend was to make new longer cushion rods ( dog bones)
I found if you lenghten them by 1/2" you can drop the bike by around 1 1/4"
it amazed me.

Freedom Rider
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 31 Mar 2009
maria41's Avatar
The franglais-riders
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 1,175
Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Madill View Post
Thanks Blackbeast

The items you have mentioned have already been done but the result has not lowered enough.
So I'm looking for other things I can do.

Thanks maria41

This is something that I have also done but still not enough but one thing
I did over the weekend was to make new longer cushion rods ( dog bones)
I found if you lenghten them by 1/2" you can drop the bike by around 1 1/4"
it amazed me.

Freedom Rider
That's very good! I will keep that in mind for my next travel bike. I am thinking an XT600 or 660, but at 86.5 or 89cm seat I will need every little trick to lower!
__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 31 Mar 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: KY, USA
Posts: 4
Michael,

Have you checked the manual for the factory lowering procedure involving the fork internals? Factory lowering front and rear and a gel or shaved seat should make a big difference. Here's a link to the DR650 FAQ at TT, scroll on down for links to the online manual:

Dr650 Faq - ThumperTalk

Sarah
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 31 Mar 2009
Michael Madill's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Canmore Canada
Posts: 60
Thanks for the link Sarah

The one thing that I have not done yet is some internal changes to my
front fork , when I have read enough info on how to do the procedure
then I will give it a go.

Freedom Rider
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 00:53.