bike too tall- keep droping it

[JBMcIntire]

Does anyone have any suggestions for lower the K1200LT? Has anyone tried BMW's lowered seat? How about lowering the forks or buying lowered shocks?
I am tired of dropping the bike when I stop with my wife on back.

[DaveDragon]

The lowered seat may help some and you can get Wilbers Shocks made and inch to an inch and a half shorter.

The key to low speed handling on the LT is to stay off the front brake below 10 mph and always stop with the front wheel straight.

If you have not done so, take the MSF Experienced Rider Course.
I have taken it a few times as well as other training opportunities like that offered by John Pretti (Motorman587) at last years Spring Training Camp in North Carolina.

[sanjaun2]

There are two lowered seats on ebay right now,One is heated the other is not. They are on ebay quite often. A lot of people like them.

[NevadaNez]

The lowered seat may help some and you can get Wilbers Shocks made and inch to an inch and a half shorter.

The key to low speed handling on the LT is to stay off the front brake below 10 mph and always stop with the front wheel straight.

If you have not done so, take the MSF Experienced Rider Course.
I have taken it a few times as well as other training opportunities like that offered by John Pretti (Motorman587) at last years Spring Training Camp in North Carolina.
I'm watching all these posts about seat height and the potential for playing dropsies with our toys with interest because I too am a "height-challenged" curve cowboy.

I have been considering the lower seat for my own bike as well, since i'm 5/7 and while I'm not tip-toed, i am higher than i've ever been on any other motorcycle i've owned with the exception of a couple of dirtbikes....and it is a little disconcerting at times.

While this was some sage advice on low-speed stopping, what happens--at least in my own case--is that as I slow to 2-3 mph, the feet go down, leaving me with no other option than to hit the front binder.

That being said, my own "drop" yesterday was at a crawl and seat height didn't really play much of a role in the process. In entering my driveway, I have to bump up over a ridge that separates my driveway from the street and there is a small rise to the sidewalk, then the driveway slopes significantly down and the cement is tilted slightly to the right, to boot.

Well, I bumped up and crested the sidewalk section and as soon as the front wheel caught that slope it just followed the tilt natural as can be. Unfortunately, by the time i recognized what was happening, it was all over but the wailing and gnashing of teeth.

I"ve taken the basic MSF course many many moons ago and although I have been riding steadily for the past 30 years, I had sorta kinda planned on taking them both again here in Tennessee when they became available in early March. Because of the size and complexity of the LT and the fact that i ride two-up a lot, it just made good sense to hone skills I already have and learn some that i don't.

Now there's no "maybe kinda sorta" planning --both the basic and advanced courses are a must-do at the earliest possible session availability.

After I complete those courses and spend some additional time riding, I'll be in a much better position to determine whether a different seat or other modifications to lower the bike an inch or two are warranted.

Until then however, I don't think I'm changing anything--but threads and posts like these are a great help in letting me and others know the options that are available.

[Malki]

I am new to the LT and also found the height and weight very disconcerting. I have ridden loads of bikes over the last 33 years but this one is the heaviest and highest. I cured my fears today, by buying a decent set of boots that I can actually plant full flat down, grippy sole, comfy like slippers. They just gave me that extra confidence that I lacked up til now, so it's not always the expensive options you need to look at. These have not done away with all my fears of dropping the beast, but give me peace of mind for a wee while at least.

[JBMcIntire]

Thanks for those replys. I have taken the ERC but on my Harley and it is much lower to the ground. I have dropped the LT when I have been stopped and there is a slight off camber on the road or there is loose dirt or gravel. I guess I just don't balance it correctly.
Has anyone actually installed the lowered seat or the shorter shocks?

[surfran]

After talking to the previous owner of my bike last week, I was told that I have the lower seat. I had been told by another member a couple of months ago that it looked like mine was on the low setting, but when we lifted the seat I didn't have the bar to raise it so i just brushed it off.

But apparently mine was modified for the lower seat but me being 6' 2" I don't need it. I have been kinda keeping my eye out for a reasonably priced seat to potentially change mine out and see what the difference would be.

I just went out into the garage and measured mine while it is on its center stand. I laid a board across the seat where my butt would sit above the passenger's foot rests and it measured 31.5".

Anyone measured theirs like this before?

I think I had read in the past about the frame being modified for the lower seat also, so I assume that was done on mine as well. Does anyone know if that precludes it from going back to the normal seat? Does it change any mounting?

Funny how these things work isn't it. Not riding another LT before or since I bought mine, I had nothing to compare to, and actually it doesn't seem uncomfortable either.

Well maybe someone has some answers out there.

[wilbar00c]

[QUOTE I have dropped the LT when I have been stopped and there is a slight off camber on the road or there is loose dirt or gravel. I guess I just don't balance it correctly. QUOTE)

Are you using your peripheral vision, while you keep your head up and look forward, with your line of sight just above the instruments? This method gives me the first indication of going off the center of balance. Especially when in reverse, as well as inching forward in traffic, I can't look around until I get both feet on the ground.

Many factors related to dropping, other than the seat height; technique, foot gear, surface features, rear shock condition, rear tire wear, bike load, etc.
We have all been there-done that. It is on my mind any time less than 4-6 MPH. Photo is my 3rd event at 5 yrs and 39K miles.

[cfell]

Fellow LT droppers, lend me your ears.

I found when trying to support significant weight, such as the LT at rest, a simple technique is necessary. When I stop, I try to ensure my foot is flat on the ground and my toe is pointing between 45 and 90 degrees away from the side of the machine. I then keep my butt on the seat and use the upper thigh to hold the load. Additionally, by having my toe pointed out, I'm able to apply more pressure to hold up the bike. You can hold much more weight with your legs than arms.

By pointing the toe to the outside, you can hold much more weight than by allowing your ankle to roll in your boot.

Now, let your bike onto it's wheels, then try to figure out where your foot placement works best.. use your legs to control your bike NOT your ARMS unless absolutely necessary!

[hschisler]

Barnett,Good to know that the LT's crash bars protect caliper-mounted Motolights. Just had mine installed recently and was wondering about that. Thanks for the photo.

[scottydawg]

I have the lowered seat on mine and love it.

[wilbar00c]

Howard, my lights are actually mounted with the fork straps, as I bought them at Americade (6/6/01) when Motolight was just starting to sell them. If I remember correctly, the caliper mounts position the lights slightly closer to the fork tube, so you might have slightly more road clearance then my picture shows.

[TBob]

I bet she it too... :D

Does anyone have any suggestions for lower the K1200LT? Has anyone tried BMW's lowered seat? How about lowering the forks or buying lowered shocks?
I am tired of dropping the bike when I stop with my wife on back.

[ansonk1200lt]

I see too many (experienced) riders dropping their feet just before the bike comes to a complete stop. Practice, practice, and practice not doing that because it is a bad habit. What happens when both or one foot prematurely reaches for the asphalt is that the center gravity of the bike switches, as the mere movement of your leg/s changes the motorcycle mass. The bike therefore leans more in the direction of the foot appraoching the ground, as the weight is now more off center.

Always try to stop with the front wheel pointed straight. It requires "planning" ahead in your mind EVERY time you approach a potential stop. Other than with the linked brake system, use your rear brake, as grabbing the front will shift all of the weight forward and if your front wheel is anything but straight, the weight heads toward the direction of the turned wheel.

Another bad habit I see is when riders start out from a stop with their legs still off the peg, as it forms the bad habit of hanging the legs off the peg when stopping to balance, as described above. Not only that, riders get too comfortable at balancing the motorcycle with the legs instead of keeping the body erect and straight. Remember -- the same physics apply to starting a bicycle from a stop. It's like using one or both feet to push yourself off. The weight distribution is uneven and you will have to compensate with the other leg or shifting your upper body. Unlike a bicycle, there's the engine to start you off without having to use the feet.

Knock on wood!!! I am only 5'7" with a 29" inseam and getting shorter with age. I have ridden the 1150GS, 1150RT (OEM and comfort seats), and K1200LTC (OEM seat) for years, and did not (won't say "never" because it will be a jinx) drop any of the bikes, although I got very close when NOT planning for the stop. (I have ridden solo and doubled, but prefer solo since the wife kept falling asleep and off-setting my center of gravity!). I also rode the Goldwing GL1800 but that thing is as low as a Harley.

It's like parking the bikes for guys, who are verticlly challenged and slight frame.....have to "plan ahead" on how to park, especially when there is an incline on the street.

Bottom line -- as you riders know -- we have to plan ahead for everything unlike driving a car. Ride safely and wisely.

ALOHA

[RonKMiller]

Just remember that a "low" seat has much less padding - so you'll trade more security most likely for a severely aching butt. It is the last thing I would do.

Not just any one mod will help that much - but several will:

Wilburs, as Dave mentioned ($$$$ but worth every nickel), mod the seat pan bottom (free), narrow the seat nose ($$$) have a cobbler add an extra one half to one inch of height to your favorite riding boots and at the same time install Vibram Apollo soles ($$). They are SUPER grippy and come in black. You'll feel like Spidey. ;)

I've had several customers with 26" inseams and this combination has worked perfectly.

http://www.vibram.us/products/popup.asp?Product=234/239W&style=Lifestyle