no matter what, modifying it's ride height is going to affect the handling of it in the curves.....But that is something your going to have to sacrifices if you are a short guy....id go 1 all around....

 

im 5' 8" and i lowered my 03 r1 1 in the front and 1 in the back, and it was perfect for me..

 

im 5'5'' and i would not lower it at all. I lowered my last r1 and it kills the ride
the travel of the suspension is set at the stock ride height. Just get some boots with a big heel

 

Zero & zero

 

I've thought about this recently as well. I know a lot of people are against it, but like he posted, it's just for street riding. I guess if you don't really ride THAT hard, then lowering it a bit won't be a big deal. Unless you really push your bike to it's limits, which I know I don't. I'm thinking of doing an inch in the ft, and .75 in the back.

 

can anyone describe the negative effects? I'm guessing it slows how quickly you can turn in?

 

the problem with lowering the front end is the shocks will bottom out on un even roads giving you no suspension

 

If you lower it evenly it shouldn't change turn in, it should only change clearance when leaned over.
If you lower just the front or the front more than the rear it should turn in faster but be a little more likely to head shake.

 

And when you say evenly is that 1 to 1?
So far where ppl talk about lowering it's been .75 in the front and 2 or 3 in the rear. This doesn't sound even to me. Is there a ratio front to back to "keep it even" Does that even make sense?

 

wow these threads are everywhere....good description Jacob......

 

lowering the bike will change the wheelbase

 

care to explain that a little more?

 

Rake and trail both change when altering ride height, lowering forks in triples or raising/lowering the rear. All of which factor in to handling.
Has anyone actaully measured the wheelbase of a lowered bike compared to stock ride height? For a slammed bike, you might be surprise to find it is a bit longer than stock (1395mm vs 1422mm for mine). While you are lowering the front only, it steepens the angle, but when you lower the rear, it has the opposite effect and brings it back to the same angle. The swingarm is already down from the pivot, but when lowered, it is level with the pivot which lengthens it (ever wonder why your chain gets TIGHTER when you compress the suspension?).


Pulling up the forks to lower the front, decrease the rake (steeper angle) and shortens the trail due to the increased angle of the rake. WHile this does sharpen up steering, depending on suspension, tires and such...it can have a negative effect on stability. Raising the rear ride height also does the same thing. This can help you understand some of the terms and such...http://www.carbibles.com/suspension_bible_bikes.html

What one perceives as bad handling to one person, another may not even notice.

I'd still like to know just how lowering a bike will cause the forks to bottom out.

 

Rake and trail both change when altering ride height, lowering forks in triples or raising/lowering the rear. All of which factor in to handling.
Has anyone actaully measured the wheelbase of a lowered bike compared to stock ride height? For a slammed bike, you might be surprise to find it is a bit longer than stock (1395mm vs 1422mm for mine). While you are lowering the front only, it steepens the angle, but when you lower the rear, it has the opposite effect and brings it back to the same angle. The swingarm is already down from the pivot, but when lowered, it is level with the pivot which lengthens it (ever wonder why your chain gets TIGHTER when you compress the suspension?).


Pulling up the forks to lower the front, decrease the rake (steeper angle) and shortens the trail due to the increased angle of the rake. WHile this does sharpen up steering, depending on suspension, tires and such...it can have a negative effect on stability. Raising the rear ride height also does the same thing. This can help you understand some of the terms and such...http://www.carbibles.com/suspension_bible_bikes.html

What one perceives as bad handling to one person, another may not even notice.

I'd still like to know just how lowering a bike will cause the forks to bottom out.

thanks for the input.

based off of this. I am going to do the 1" all around. Won't know how it feels to me until I try. I know I ride well, but I also know that I do not take this bike any near it's limits. I would feel so much more comfortable if I could get my foot down at stops.

As it relates to the chain I imagine this is a simple adjustment of the rear wheel?
Thanks for all the imput.

 

You people are short.

lmao

 

You people are short.

lmao

Yeah, well watcha gonna do...

 

how abotu 0

 

I wouldn't lower it at all, after having owned a lowered bike.

 

PLease give reasons why. This is the info I am looking for. Just telling me not do it/ to do it is not helping me. I don't mean to sound like an a$$ but I need facts not just "don't do it"

THanks for all the info.

 

The reasons have been posted by fiveoh and sss_r1 to name a few. It will negatively affect the handling of your bike.

Before lowering I suggest you check your sag numbers. Then I'd recommend if lowering to lower the absolute least amount. But... your bike, your payment etc. :dunno

 

It ruins the handling of the bike for starters and ground clearance (for hard parts) during cornering is greatly reduced. If you want a bike with a low seat buy a cruiser.

 

are there anything extra that is required to lower the R1 an inch lower? does 2002-03 R1 have this ability? Im 5 foot 5

 

None.

You only need one foot on the ground to hold the bike upright. If you haven't got the confidence, and need both feet, perhaps you shouldn't be on a bike like an R1 to start with.

I've seen plenty of guys (and girls) shorter than that on sports bikes, and they don't lower them. They'd rather keep the handling as it should be.

 

I only use 1 foot on the ground, but I can only do that on the standard height with the bike on an angle, even with the bike on an angle its only my toes that are touching the ground.

 

46508799

 

well since i dont want to create another one of these threads since there seems to be like billion of them..i will jus ask here...lol..Im planning on lowering my 09 r1 atleast an Inch in the rear just for looks since later it will get a slight extension for some drifting as well...should i lower the front as well? and if so how do i lower the front?

 

search is your friend.

 

he asked 5 years ago... :lol

 

May have still been on the fence :dunno

 

All I saw when I saw the thread title was "how many inches in the front and rear" :lol

 

who will this attract first, gaymac, figays, or mooner? :lol

 

so positive... :crash

:lol

 

ok thanks...that thread is really informative and broken down to if i wanted or did track days...i guess i wanted to ask what the easiest or simplest way to lower down the front...i have read some threads in releasing the clamps but that sounds a lil dangerous to me....

 

From what I've seen, the 09 actually likes to ride tall. First find a good suspension setting at stock height and work from there before dropping an inch in the front. That is a HUGE change and probably far more than needed unless you are doing this because you're not tall.