Lowering the K1200LT

[JCrute1]

I was told that you can lower the height of the K1200LT by getting a custom
suspension. Said it would lower it by 1 or 2 inches. Can anyone shed any more light on this?? Said the suspension could be ordered from WilbursUSA.
Anyone know who and where they are?? :)

[Daman858]

Not sure if Wilburs or Olins actually lower the bike but you can get Wilburs Here http://run-n-lites.com/run-n-lites/products.asp
Scroll down to the last item.

You don;t want to lower the bike too much due to the bottom scaping.

[®win]

Now, why would you need to lower the LT? If you want make your LT a sportier ride, you're already short on ground clearance in curves with the stock shocks.

Don't look for a solution in lowering the bike. Look for it by improving the shocks at maintaining the height. And there are several solutions:
HoW (http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/faq.php?faq=how_customization#faq_how_faq_cussusp)

[scottydawg]

Your best option would be (depending on the year of the bike) to get the lowered seat that BMW offers or to have yours re-done 1" to 2" lower.

[DavidTaylor]

Don't know who told you that but they're wrong. The LT's suspension design isn't conducive to lowering (it ain't a Harley :) ), and attempting to do so would likely screw up the bike to a point it at best wouldn't be any fun to ride, but ore likely unsafe to ride. You can get a lower seat from BMW that is an inch or so lower than stock, or you can have a custom seat made that is built for your specific build/inseam, etc., that allows you to reach the ground more easily.

[dmatson]

I lowered my seat another inch by taking all the stuff that raises or lowers it off and then going farther and removing the pads that the seat sits on. It worked. The seat sits on the frame and the only negative thing is the paint on the frame has a shinny spot on it. You also have to adjust the latching mechanism also.

[JCrute1]

So where can I get a custom seat made?? Don't get me wrong, I love the bike and have put about 15,000 miles on it, but I have trouble with balance at stops because my legs are short.
Thanks,
JIM

[dmatson]

Try Bill Mayer Saddles

[zippy_gg]

Jim, try www.beemerboneyard.com (http://www.beemerboneyard.com/) and look for a used low seat so you can try it. It will make a big difference. The installation however will require some minor modifications described on this forum (less than an hour of work).
Any custom seat will make your situation worse as for the most part they are even wider than the stock one.

[Keith]

A thicker soled boot can help too, really. It's amazing how the fractions of inches add up and help.

[hoodoodrum]

A thicker soled boot can help too, really. It's amazing how the fractions of inches add up and help.

Go to a Red Wing Store and get the ankle high work boot with the thick soles. Works like a charm.

[leckhart]

I had new soles with a 5/8" spacer added to my Oxtar's and it is amazing the difference it has made. The new Vibram soles are better than the originals and for $60, I can ride with much more confidence.

[petepeterson]

Jim, there is a Red Wing store across from the Long Leaf mall on oleander.............Pete

[DavidTaylor]

So where can I get a custom seat made?? Don't get me wrong, I love the bike and have put about 15,000 miles on it, but I have trouble with balance at stops because my legs are short.
Thanks,
JIM

A number of places, but some of the popular ones are -

Rick Mayer Cycle (my preference, I love mine)
Russell Day Long
BIll Mayer Saddles
Corbin
Kontour

Any of these vendors should be able to build you a seat that helps you reach the ground more easily, and probably be even more comfortable than you are now.

[glieske]

I used Wilber shocks to lower the LT 1 inch. I am not the most agressive rider and usually ride two up with my wife. Since I have a short inseam I find I enjoy riding the LT more now that I am less on my toes. I have not had a problem scraping on corners, or when going over speed bumps.

The Wilber shocks also give me the option to raise it one half inch again if I choose to do it. I believe the shocks can be made so that if you do not like it one inch lower, you can take the shocks off and raise them an inch.

Only issue I have is that getting it on the center stand is more difficult.

[leckhart]

glieske,
Have you thought of modifying the center stand to accomodate the lower frame?

A much cheaper approach would be to try thicker riding boots or have yours modified by adding a .5 to .75 spacer between the boot bottom and the sole. It's relatively cheap and you wouldn't believe the difference. A side bene is you'll be able to take that extra height with you in the crowd or from bike to bike!

[RonKMiller]

A thicker soled boot can help too, really. It's amazing how the fractions of inches add up and help.

That's really good advice - and along with a, grippy, completely flat sole like Vibram "Unit" you can literally have the entire footprint of the boot in contact with the ground. The extra traction is a BIG help in supporting the bike.
These soles will wear out much quicker than regular "Boot" type soles since they are much softer - but you'll easily get several years of service out of them.

Any good custom cobbler can hook you up (and add up to an extra inch in height as well) with your existing favorite riding boots for about $100.;)

Problem solved. :)

(Or you can always buy a custom seat....) :thumb:

http://www.bmwlt.net/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=K1200LT&Number=307116&page=&view=&sb=&o=

[leckhart]

Ron,
This idea originally came for you in an email to me. You were spot-on and it has helped me tremendously. Thx a lot. Now maybe I can consider one of your saddles. I just completed a Bun Burner 1500 + 1300 miles and my butt was the only thing that complained during the trip. I have a Corbin with a nose job that has about 4500 miles on it and I'm not getting the sense that it is getting any better with milage.
Woops - didn't mean to steal this thread, just wanted to give Ron the credit for the statement I made based on his advice.