Bike Lowering Question

[ronk1200lt]

I have a friend who is 5' 1" and severely vertically challenged. He wants to get a GS but has problems getting his feet on the ground. Realistically how much could he expect to lower this bike if he gets some aftermarket shocks? Thanks. Ron

[tmgs]

I have a friend who is 5' 1" and severely vertically challenged. He wants to get a GS but has problems getting his feet on the ground. Realistically how much could he expect to lower this bike if he gets some aftermarket shocks? Thanks. Ron

up to 3" from wilbers

BUT wait how long is his inseam?

My wife has a 27" inseam,
we just bought her a 2006 R1200GS,
it has the bmw low seat on it and wilbers shocks built 2" shorter than factory, she handles it fine!
she has put over 6000 miles on it since then
we had the centerstand lowered and the sidestand

the R1200GS with the low seat on it is much lower than the standard seat in the lowest position.
PM Me if you have any other questions or your friend wants to see pics of the bike lowered

Tom

[jwh11550]

Tom
I have always wanted to get a GS but considered it too tall, (28" inseam).
Could you post or send me a pic. of your wifes lowered GS?
jahansel@sbcglobal.net

[tmgs]

Tom
I have always wanted to get a GS but considered it too tall, (28" inseam).
Could you post or send me a pic. of your wifes lowered GS?
jahansel@sbcglobal.net

Hope you are having a grea thanksgiving,
We have been goofing around all afternoon and we did take more pics than you wil want of her lowered GS,
I will get them posted in a bit and send you a link

Tom

[tmgs]

Tom
I have always wanted to get a GS but considered it too tall, (28" inseam).
Could you post or send me a pic. of your wifes lowered GS?
jahansel@sbcglobal.net

here are pics ands a little explanation


http://www.bikershut.net/gs/gslow.htm

[ronk1200lt]

Thanks for the pictures Tom. I forwarded them on to my friend the short guy. I think we will pick him up a GS this weekend. Ron

[tmgs]

Thanks for the pictures Tom. I forwarded them on to my friend the short guy. I think we will pick him up a GS this weekend. Ron

if you or your friend have any quesitons feel free to holler at me, PM me I'll send my tele if needed. These shocks were so simple to install. I did them at the house in no time
remember Her bike has the low seat on it as well ok
Tom

[jwh11550]

Thanks for the e-mail. That's just what I was looking for.

[black1200lt]

Tom,
That is one seriously good looking bike!!!
I'll bet your wife is have a blast on it.
Good work.

[tmgs]

Thanks for the e-mail. That's just what I was looking for.


No problem! glad to hear it was what you may need

Tom

[drhines]

Inseam is much more important than overall height. I am 5'6" tall but only have a 26" inseam. I find the R12GS very easy to handle with stock shocks and the taller standard seat. Yes, I am on my tippy toes, but this bike is so light it is a very easy to handle. Much easier than the LT's I have owned - simply because of the weight.

The only problem or inconvience I have with the 26" inseams is that if the bike is not on level pavement, I cannot back it up with my tip toes and have to get off to push the bike back uphill. I just try to park on level or uphill spots if I can easily find one. If not, I just push it backwards.

Also keep in mind, that if you lower a bike and if you are an aggressive rider you will drag parts. My bike is standard height, and if I start honking thru the twisties I can drag the Hepco Becker engine guards on the pavement.

You will enjoy the bike. I have had 17 new bikes in the past 7 years. If I could only have one bike, the R12GS is it. The more I ride it the more I love it.

Doug Hines
Benton, AR

[tmgs]

Also keep in mind, that if you lower a bike and if you are an aggressive rider you will drag parts. My bike is standard height, and if I start honking thru the twisties I can drag the Hepco Becker engine guards on the pavement.

Doug Hines
Benton, AR

That is why we went with eh bmw bars instead of the hepco beckers, and also why it has the adventure side cases on it instead of jesse or any other aftermarket bags, the adventure bags were the shortest giving the most ground clearance of everything we measured

If i run it pretty darn hard I can drag my boots on it, the wife has not had a problem yet dragging anything with her 2" lowered GS

Tom

[tmgs]

Tom,
That is one seriously good looking bike!!!
I'll bet your wife is have a blast on it.
Good work.

She says thanks Coni!, yes she is loving it much better than her RT, she has right at 7500 miles on it now and is not looking back at all. She even likes that big ugly Adventure top case on it, (ok so she got the case I got her old Givi so i'm a little jealous <grin>)

Tom