VTR 250 lowering - is it practical

[cc rider]

I have a 2001 VTR 250 & find it a bit hard to manage when not running.

I'm 5'4 & 50kg - I can stand with boots on the ground, but, legs so straight I can't seem to 'walk' the bike an inch.

So, am looking at having it lowered front & back.
What exactly does this involve?
I figure the front forks will be adjusted through the triple trees.

How will this affect the bikes handling?

I'm also having seat cut out.

I'm in aust & have a place to take it, but want some advice from anyone that may have gone this path.

Thanks
cc

[Hiflyer]

maybe you could try softening the suspension? it'd be cheaper but it might affect the handling in a bad way though, but so long as you dont go round corners at warp 9 you should be fine.

[CookMySock]

Hullo miss.

Definitely get that seat the chop, and then see you are feeling on it. That is the easy and cheap way.

Other than that, you have to have a suspension part made for the rear suspension (called the dog-bones.)
Have a read here http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=125735
This bloke had different dog bones to raise the bike, but of course you need to lower.

The front is little easier, as you can lower the forks in the clamps and you are done.


Steve

[howdamnhard]

I have a 2001 VTR 250 & find it a bit hard to manage when not running.

I'm 5'4 & 50kg - I can stand with boots on the ground, but, legs so straight I can't seem to 'walk' the bike an inch.

So, am looking at having it lowered front & back.
What exactly does this involve?
I figure the front forks will be adjusted through the triple trees.

How will this affect the bikes handling?

I'm also having seat cut out.

I'm in aust & have a place to take it, but want some advice from anyone that may have gone this path.

Thanks
cc

Having the seat cutout will help and not affect your handling(too much though might mean numb bum). Lowering the front will speed up turn in.Lowering the rear may make the suspension harsher/harder if it has a rising rate linkage setup.If not then using a shorter spring will lower it and the lost travel should be okay as you are light. Not familiar with the VTR and by no means an expert so take this with a pinch of salt.

[cc rider]

Hullo miss.

Definitely get that seat the chop, and then see you are feeling on it. That is the easy and cheap way.

Other than that, you have to have a suspension part made for the rear suspension (called the dog-bones.)
Have a read here http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=125735
This bloke had different dog bones to raise the bike, but of course you need to lower.

The front is little easier, as you can lower the forks in the clamps and you are done.
Steve

hey hun

seat will be first, I think

Looks like, by your sv link (thank you), that I maybe able to get that done by the 'workshop dweller'.

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howdamnhard, if it's the spring that needs adjusting, then I may take it to the shop (salt at the ready)

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Hiflyer - I do nothing at warp 9 - I like to enjoy the senery when riding

[SMOKEU]

Don't forget that you will bottom it out a lot more easily when you lower it.

[kave]

Lowering the bike will reduce the amount of clearance you have when cornering. Have you considered selling your bike and finding one that is a better fit? It may be the cheapest and best option. There are plenty of bikes out there that are suitable for people of limited height.

[cc rider]

I think if I sell it, that will be that, so I'll try a few things first.

[yungatart]

I'm the same height as you, and could manage walking my son's Spada around(I imagine they are very similar height wise), while sitting astride it.
I would suggest that is not height you are lacking but confidence. Get someone to "hold the bike" while you practice walking around with it, much as is done with a little kid learning to ride their first two wheeler.
Alternatively learn to manouevre it while walking beside it. (Again, get someone to help you at first)

[cc rider]

thanks yunga, I think it is lack of confidence, big time.

Will find me a pr of 'training wheels' to help me practice.

cheers
cc

[FJRider]

Sometimes a good pair of boots with thicker soles helps ...

[C.Linnell]

Not sure what you did about this, but I own a VTR 250, and I wish it was higher... cracked the oil sump on a ledge that my friend's bike quite happily rode over.

[Hiflyer]

Not sure what you did about this, but I own a VTR 250, and I wish it was higher... cracked the oil sump on a ledge that my friend's bike quite happily rode over.

Maybe your suspensions overly soft? How big was the ledge and what was your friends bike?

[Rosie]

I'm the same height as you, and could manage walking my son's Spada around(I imagine they are very similar height wise), while sitting astride it.
I would suggest that is not height you are lacking but confidence. Get someone to "hold the bike" while you practice walking around with it, much as is done with a little kid learning to ride their first two wheeler.
Alternatively learn to manouevre it while walking beside it. (Again, get someone to help you at first)

I always get off the sherpa to move it around. I can get the balls of both feet on the ground, so I probably could paddle around on it, but getting off and pushing seems more straightforward to me. I find the bike easier to manoeuver, and it's easier to turn and see what is going on behind me, without losing my balance.

A seat reshape can help a lot. The width of the seat is also very important. I don't know what the seat on the VTR is like, but on the sherpa I made the very front of the seat quite narrow and a bit lower, so I can scoot right forward, and touch the ground easier, but when I'm riding I can sit back a bit where the seat is wider and thicker.