| Author | Message | ||
     Monstergirl |
im sure it's been asked before, but have any of you lowered or know how to lower the 1125? I realize there is no kit to do such a thing, but SOMEONE has to know how to safely do it. I love love love my bike and that's the only issue i have with any sport bike, this one being a little taller than my ninja 600. Let me know what you guys got as far as ideas!! | ||
| Curve__carver |
With bikes that use suspension linkage you can change the size of the 'dog bones' to raise/lower the height. Unfortunately, the 1125 doesn't use linkage. In theory you could replace the shock with a slightly shorter shock. I don't know if anyone has attempted this on an 1125. That type of change could hurt the handling. You could reduce the rear preload, and lower the triple clamp on the forks a few mm. This would make a small change in ride height, but could also hurt handling. I'll always help a short girl. | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
Ill be following this as I have a 29" inseam. I have a suspicion we are S.O.L. | ||
| Nuts4mc |
we have a few gals in our club - to help them we usually take the seat apart and try and make it "narrow" up in front where it meets the tank - the seat is not too "hi tech" an electric carving knife and a industrial stapler helps when making the modification...make small changes and try it out with the cover off...modifing it as you get closer to your ideal "height". you can drop the triple clamps ( raise the forks) on the front end ( effectively lowering the front end) - it changes the bikes "Geometry" ( be careful) as it will make the bike turn quicker, but you can loose hi speed straight line stability. there is pre-load spacer in the front forks that separates the top nut from the top of the spring...you may need to take it to a suspension shop as they could shorten the spacer and make the forks shorter still - note you will loose the "stock" amount of "travel" the forks have and add to even "quicker steering" ...don't suggest you try it unless the front end is overly stiff to your "feel" (it's a weight thing...if you're very light ( less than 120lbs) you may like it.) The rear shock is stiff and new spring of lower "rate" may help...go here - scroll down for pix: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/290 431/618487.html?1302479534 boots with thick soles? when you lower a bike not only do you change the geometry and the way a bike handles but other items may be affected - does the kick stand still support the bike - or is it too vertical and tends to make the bike "tippy"...does the muffler and foot pegs "touch down" in a turn?...riding at night where do the headlights point?...think about it - if you change too much - you'll quickly fall out of love with the bike...and you'll never enjoy riding a bike that doesn't fit you....good luck (Message edited by nuts4mc on August 22, 2012) (Message edited by nuts4mc on August 22, 2012) | ||
| Curve__carver |
...or you can order a custom Corbin Seat (custom is the same price). I had one made that moved the riding position forward 1/2 inch and lower 1/2 inch. It's a big improvement over the stock seat. It made the entire riding position more comfortable (for me) by making the clipons feel a bit higher and closer. | ||
| Monstergirl |
im going to get new riding boots that actually have a 3 inch heel  but thinning the seat could work too. I am a 145lb bodybuilder so I am definitely solid, but we will look into doing a few things, I don't want to change the geometry of the bike if i don't have to. THanks guys, I will let you know what we do and show the progression, hopefully to help others too. | ||
| Aseecobra |
My girl was facing the same problem. She came from an XB9S low that fit her well to her 1125CR which was too high. I had GP Suspension properly reconfigure the forks and rear shock to drop the static ride height one inch and then ordered a Corbin seat with less material in the crotch area to drop another inch. She can now touch the ground with both feet. I think she is 5'3" with a 29" inseam. Chris (Message edited by aseecobra on August 22, 2012) | ||
| Bob_thompson |
Monstergirl, love to see women Buell riders and I can relate. Older guy here with 27" inseam and 150 lbs. Just hang off a little to get a foot down when standing still and adapt. After all you are a body builder, and enjoy the ride on a great handling sportbike where it all comes together at speed and even after 10mph.  | ||
| Rogue_biker |
Boot with thicker soles will probably be the simplest, safest, least expensive way to go. When you stop, put only one foot down. If you must back up, don't stay seated and paddle with your feet. Instead, move the bike standing next to it. Ideally, you want to plan ahead every time you park so you don't park with the bike going downhill. Always best to park the bike going uphill so you can just get on the bike, put in gear, take off. I've done all the above for a couple of decades and it's second nature to me now, even though I can paddle the bike and almost flat foot with both feet. Even then if I must back the bike up an incline, I still do it off the bike and push it backwards. | ||
| Monstergirl |
i am 5'3" with a 29 inseam as well, i do put one foot down when stopping and that's no problem, but if i lose my balance for some reason, I can stop the bike from going over. I have even had my 15 yr old daughter as a passenger and stopping is no problem, but her getting on and off, makes me nervous sometimes....don't get me wrong, she is a great passenger but I want to be confident with passengers..... here are the new boots im getting as opposed to the ones that are flatter made by the same company http://www.leatherup.com/p/Womens-Motorcycle-boots/Xelement-LU8003-Womens-Fashion-Buckle-and-Harness-Motorcycle-Boots/347898.html (Message edited by monstergirl on August 22, 2012) | ||
| Crowley |
Mrs Crowley is 5'4" and has her own XB Long. I narrowed the seat for her and it worked a treat. She's also got used to riding my 1125 (when I let her  ), so I'm sure you'll get used to it. I've always found, after resculpting seats and refitting the cover, that it helps 'settle' the plastic covering by pouring a kettle of boiling water over it. | ||
| Redbat |
Monstergirl, yes it is possible to lower your 1125. I have done a 2 inch drop in my rear suspension. Just goggle "Works Performance", and give them a call. They shortened my rear shock to accomplish a 2 inch drop. I did not lower the front suspension at all, and since I don't do track days, I think it handles fine on the street. It feels less twitchy, which I prefer. It slows down handling, but not to the point that most guys think. I've been riding this way for two years now including a 3000 mile trip to LA, and back to Dallas Texas. Works for me. | ||
| Al_lighton |
I get the "how can I lower my bike" question a LOT. My answer is usually the same: DON'T. The simple fact is that for most people, it doesn't make a lot of sense to compromise the suspension for the 99% of the time you're moving, to solve a "problem" that exists the 1% of the time you're stopped. A regular Uly is my "daily" ride. Not the short XT, the tall one with 6.5" of suspension. My inseam is only 29-30. I can pretty much only tiptoe it, like the photo Bob posted above. For stops at lights and stuff, it's one side or the other, and sliding a butt cheek off the seat. If I want to push it backwards, I have to pretty much jump off. I have to let gravity back my into downhill facing parking spots. Getting on the bike requires a pretty big leg swing, especially if there's a pack on the back. But I still wouldn't dream of lowering it, the suspension works too darn well for that. It's the only bike in the stable that I can go the whole length of LA without feeling like I got beat up. I like the suspension the way it is and adapt. My XR400 dirt bike is even taller, and that even needs to be kickstarted. So I know the issues that you face. For some folks (4 ft 10" tall, first bike), the suspension may need to be lowered. But an 1125R isn't a first bike anyway, so that really shouldn't be an issue. If it is, there isn't a good solution. You can get softer springs and or less preload to get more sag and give up some suspension that way, and perhaps raise the fork tubes a bit, but that's about it. My 1125R seems positively easy to be stopped on compared to my Uly. A 29" inseam shouldn't be an issue at all. Flat footing it is over-rated. Stay moving.  Al | ||
| Craigg |
Monster as you already mentioned you were going to do is get a thicker sole boot. That's as far as I would go. Since you do mention you take your daughter on rides it would be better not to change the handling of the bike no matter how little it may feel. In the one Oh shit moment it may be enough to stop you from keeping the bike on 2. I'm 6'2" and don't have the height problem but my GF is learning to ride and we just did the thicker sole thing as well. As have many of the girls I ride with. The seat idea seems like it would be a perfect fit with the thicker sole. Since it wouldn't affect the handling of the bike. | ||
| Ljm |
Both the Mrs. and I are vertically challenged and haven't had a good deal of difficulty, however, that being said, when you are only touching your toes, stepping in an hole in the pavement of your foot slipping in the sand yields the inevitable. It doesn't matter how strong you are and how much you shift to the side, or for that matter how experienced you are. Stuff happens. Jennifer, you can only decide if the tradeoffs are worth it. The works shock is pricey, but they are good. I've spoken with them too and while I didnt' buy it I was satisfied that they make a quality product that will work for us dependably. You can drop the forks through the triple tree and lower the whole bike, both front and back with the shock set up. Then you have... an 1125r SCG. If that makes you comfortable, and suits the type of riding you do, fire away. By the way, the xb12SCG is still in great demand and has held its price vs. the 1125 and some of the other models. I've had one and wished I'd kept it and my son is looking for a reasonably priced on for his wife. Maybe something to that making the shorter rider more comfortable. | ||
| Monstergirl |
thanks guys, i think i may just work with the seat and the boots and see where that gets me. I will post a pic of me and my bike this weekend! I TRULY LOVE my 1125, it's throaty, full of balls and solid. I will do what I can to make it work | ||
| Ratbuell |
1. always park facing uphill. Backing out is easier that way. 2. NARROW the front of the seat. You get to keep the comfort/padding that comes with height, but instead of an "out and down" line, you get a straight line from your hips to your heels which puts you "closer" to the ground. 3. Do NOT alter the geometry of the suspension. Engineers do a LOT to make sure our Buells handle properly - dropping forks, cutting springs, changing wheelbases (which both of the above will do) - only UN-does all that work. That said...yes, I have a 34" inseam. But, if you're a bodybuilder you should have no problem with the cheek-slide-tripod at a light that Al describes above. Slide to the left, left foot down, right toe on the brake...done. And, you keep that amazing handling while you're riding | ||
| Andros |
How much did the rearshock shortening run you? | ||
| Monstergirl |
I cut 2 inches out of my seat and adjusted the shock in the back to be softer. I am now able to comfortable put one foot on the peg and flat footed on the other. Comfortable with both balls of the feet on the ground! Just got back from a poker run and took my girl on the back, no issues stopping and starting I will post pics | ||
| Monstergirl |
 me and my girl | ||
| Samg |
Is your arm sleeved ? | ||
| Monstergirl |
yes it is | ||
| Samg |
By any chance a punk rocker? | ||
| Crackhead |
Ratbuell, It is kind of funny that one of the few people that can flat foot a Uly X with both feet is giving advice on how to help a shorty. | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
Heres a link you might find useful. http://badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/290431/ 532891.html Or alternatively you could gain 150lbs and just squat the bike down until youre flat footed....  | ||
| Monstergirl |
yep we got it done thanks.....fortunately it was the easy way! thanks guys | ||
| Father_of_an_era |
That bike looks good on you Monster. I have to admit, our 08's are bad ass looking bikes! | ||
| Terrys1980 |
You can get a custom shock from ShockWorx to lower the back 1 to 1.5" and you can drop the triple trees down on the fork tubes 1/2" or so in the front. | ||
| Andros |
Have you got an email or url for shockworx? | ||
| Rogue_biker |
Nice pic Monstergirl. The look on that Harley guy is priceless. | ||
| Dennis_c |
You are only short on one end the other is just right  | ||
| Terrys1980 |
My bad its Works Performance. Penske can also make a 1" drop shock. | ||
| Stirz007 |
Elevator shoes are Mr. Cruise's solution.  But then again, he's got a mannequin on the back of his (Not) Ducati. | ||
| Believer |
I think that the topics is right so, the original front tire is 120/70 17R. How much difference does the 120/60 17R tire make? And maybe some lower profile tire on the rear wheel to? That's the way to lower the bike a little. |
