Smaller front wheel
 

Hi All.
I'm interested to know if anyone has tried a smaller front wheel on their XT. I'm wonering what effecta 19" wheel might have on both road handling and off road riding.
So the question is, has anyone tried it? If so, how did you go about it? What effect did it have on handling etc?
Thanks,

Geoff

Smaller front wheel will make the steering a bit heavier but also quicker steering at the same time. Ground clearance will be reduced and you may find that if ridden offroad at speed, the steering is a bit less stable.

Interesting points Steve. I think I'd be happy with the effects you descibe. One of my problems is that the bike is a little too high for me so if a smaller front wheel lowers it a little, all to the good.
Have you tried smaller wheels yourself?

Geoff

I have fitted an 18 inch front wheel to my R80GS along with a shorter rear shock both from an R100R for the same reason you give, the bike was a bit tall. Since then I have done about 100,000 miles, many of them overland and find the extra confidence I get from having my feet reach the ground more than makes up for any side effects of the smaller wheel.
With a 19 inch you will have a better choice of tyre than I get with 18 inch.
Don't forget to tell your insurance company, I have done and remind them when my renewal comes but they are quite happy about it.

Geoff, have you lovered you're bike? Kedo and probably others sell lovering kits, I think you loose around 4cm, then you could slide the forks up in the clams for a few extra centimeters.

This is an option I'm also considering Jens. I'm keen to get information on all the options before I spend any money. The points Mark made are interesting too.
Geoff

Jens, do you have any contact details for Kedo? I'm struggling to find anything on the web.
And if anyone else has personal experience of lowering kits I'd love to hear about it.
Thanks,

Geoff

Talon and Kouba make lowering links, not sure if they make them for XT's though?

I've lowered a couple of DRZ's using Talon links at the rear and Talon bar risers at the front. The risers were needed to allow room for the forks to be poked through the top yoke to level the bike out.

Many years ago I fitted 17" wheels to a DR600, I also replaced the long trail bike forks with shorter forks from a Suzuki GSX1100EFE. Front wheel was FZR600 with EXUP/YZF750 disc and GSX-R1100 4-pot caliper and Revere master cylinder. In addition to the above, I used a low profile front tyre (120/60 x 17), in total I lowered the front by 7-8".

The rear wheel was late model RGV250 which meant converting the rear brake from drum to disc plus dealing with an increase in wheel spindle size from 17 to 20mm.

All the weight on the front meant it would not wheelie but it steered incredibly quickly and handled surprisingly well for what it was.

A lot of radical changes there Steve, you're obviously quite adventurous.
I'm getting the feeling that lowering kits for XT600s might be hard to find as I've already had a reply to an enquiry I made saying they don't do them. Dave Lambeth said just to unwind the suspension and that should drop it down up to 50mm. Looks like there's some experimenting to be done.

Geoff

Link for kedo: KEDO - Product Details

Item number 50223

Im not sure they send overseas, but let me know it you need help. SHipping from Germany to Denmark is only 10euro, and then I can ship it to you.

Thanks Jens. I'll look into it and let you know if I need your help.
Geoff

The preload adjustment is for setting sag on the bike and not as a ride height adjuster. If you back the preload off all the way, you'll end up with a bike that's used 50% of its suspension travel by the time you sit on it, load it up with luggage and there's nothing left to absorb bumps etc.

Just to let you, and anybody who's interested, know, the kit is 229 euros with 9.95 euros shipping cost to the UK. I'm not rushing to get it just yet but it's good to know it's out there when I finally decide what to do.
Geoff

Kedo Lowering Kit
 

Go for the Kedo - fitted one to my XT600 - you get
new suspension arm+front fork tubes+sidestand adjuster.
Which means front and rear ride height is lowered together - most important as just dropping the rear modifies the steering geometry.

Sidestand is adjusted to give correct angle so parking the bike is safer.

Once fitted my XT handled BETTER than with the standard set-up..:D

Good info, thanks. What effect do the new tubes have on the front springs, if any?
Geoff