Lowering a Triumph Street Triple R

**bogan** · 17th November 2011, 13:16

Originally Posted by Jally Bean

So how would you recommend I do it please I'm in the same situation. My dealer recommended lowering the front but I don't think it will end up lowering my seat height any. Thanks.

I'll have a crack at answering that. The problem with lowering is you have to change the wheel stroke as well as it's lowest position. If you don't you'll bottom the wheel into the guard, or even worse, hard parts. The huckory way of doing that is to change the 'triangle' link, but that will result in faster shock velocities for a given wheel travel, and will make it feel much stiffer. A better way would be to get a new shock, and just change the shaft travel so the suspension tops out a bit earlier. And in either case, the front will then have a disproportionate amount of travel compared to the rear, drop it a bit to maintain the right level will help. those are just my guesses though, RT might be along with a more definitive answer.

How much lower do you need it? If it isn't much a low seat and heel inserts are probably the better options!

**Jally Bean** · 17th November 2011, 13:56

Originally Posted by ckai

... there's nothing hotter than a chick on a bike...oh hang on...yeah there is...a chick on a Trumpy

Originally Posted by 5150

Don't forget she is wearing a bikini

Oh you guys are too lovely thanks

Originally Posted by bogan

I'll have a crack at answering that. The problem with lowering is you have to change the wheel stroke as well as it's lowest position. If you don't you'll bottom the wheel into the guard, or even worse, hard parts. The huckory way of doing that is to change the 'triangle' link, but that will result in faster shock velocities for a given wheel travel, and will make it feel much stiffer. A better way would be to get a new shock, and just change the shaft travel so the suspension tops out a bit earlier. And in either case, the front will then have a disproportionate amount of travel compared to the rear, drop it a bit to maintain the right level will help. those are just my guesses though, RT might be along with a more definitive answer.

How much lower do you need it? If it isn't much a low seat and heel inserts are probably the better options!

Can't say I understood all of that

but I appreciate the detail thanks Bogan. I generally manage on the balls of my feet or landing with one foot mostly flat, but I'm giving myself stress avoiding metal car parks and uneven ground. I had a buddy measure under my heel yesterday and I reckon I would be almost flat foot with the 35mm reduction so I don't think raising my boots or cutting into my seat will do it.

It's not much to spend as long as handling isn't going to be compromised and would probably make me feel a tad more confident parking on uneven camber etc. Seems like the side stand mod is harder than the lowering kit.

**5150** · 17th November 2011, 14:33

Originally Posted by Jally Bean

Oh you guys are too lovely thanks

Anytime. You welcome

**HenryDorsetCase** · 17th November 2011, 14:39

My shock was built shorter but I believe with the same travel. Fairly chunky money but absolutely worth it. Ive also dropped the forks through the yokes by 6mm ( 10mm exposed above top clamp, stock is 4mm).

It made a bit of difference and the reduced ground clearance will not be noticed on a street bike.

**kiwifruit** · 17th November 2011, 15:02

Just slide off to one side or the other, you don't need both feet on the ground.

**ckai** · 17th November 2011, 15:33

Originally Posted by Jally Bean

Can't say I understood all of that

but I appreciate the detail thanks Bogan. I generally manage on the balls of my feet or landing with one foot mostly flat, but I'm giving myself stress avoiding metal car parks and uneven ground. I had a buddy measure under my heel yesterday and I reckon I would be almost flat foot with the 35mm reduction so I don't think raising my boots or cutting into my seat will do it.

It's not much to spend as long as handling isn't going to be compromised and would probably make me feel a tad more confident parking on uneven camber etc. Seems like the side stand mod is harder than the lowering kit.

After going through all of this with Wifey, I would have to say that if you're only 35mm from being comfortable slightly higher boots and taking a chunk out of the seat will be the best and cheapest option. The problem with the Street compared with the Daytona is the seat is wider which means your legs stick out further when you have them on the ground.

I don't know what the seat of the Street is like but if it has as much foam as the Daytona you can easily get it 20mm lower and it'll still be comfy. It's real daunting thinking of attacking your seat but you can do it without anyone knowing it's been done and is really not hard at all. It just needs to be done in the place where you sit when your feet are down. Not the whole seat. And if you do it neat enough you can put the foam back it. My wife reckons it's heaps more comfortable too. It makes it kinda like an air cushion

20mm out of the seat - free
15mm higher soles - maybe $30
Done.

Even if the link drops the rear by only 15mm there's your difference without touching your boots.

I wouldn't go spending money on flashing shocks etc unless it's HEAPS too high. A few people end up taking the links out when they're comfortable with the bike so spending $$$$$ on shocks seems a waste.

After doing my wife's seat (I brought another one), I wouldn't hesitate in doing it to anyone else's or any other bike of mine if needed. In fact, I'm thinking about doing it to my own just in a different place so fits my ass better when I'm at the back of the seat.

**Jally Bean** · 17th November 2011, 19:58

Originally Posted by ckai

After doing my wife's seat (I brought another one), I wouldn't hesitate in doing it to anyone else's or any other bike of mine if needed.

Shame I'm not local I'd let you have a go at mine while I'm boot shopping with your wife lol - thanks!

**FJRider** · 17th November 2011, 20:18

Originally Posted by Jally Bean

Oh you guys are too lovely thanks

Can't say I understood all of that

but I appreciate the detail thanks Bogan. I generally manage on the balls of my feet or landing with one foot mostly flat, but I'm giving myself stress avoiding metal car parks and uneven ground. I had a buddy measure under my heel yesterday and I reckon I would be almost flat foot with the 35mm reduction so I don't think raising my boots or cutting into my seat will do it.

Put a 1 centimeter thick board on the ground either side of the bike ... and measure again.

It may supprise you ...

**Jally Bean** · 17th November 2011, 20:43

Originally Posted by FJRider

Put a 1 centimeter thick board on the ground either side of the bike ... and measure again.

It may supprise you ...

LOL yes forgot about Pythagoras, I won't need the full 3.5cm afterall, I'm almost flatfoot with that.
Well spotted

(*blush* I'm supposed to be an engineer ffs)

**FJRider** · 17th November 2011, 21:13

Originally Posted by Jally Bean

Shame I'm not local I'd let you have a go at mine while I'm boot shopping with your wife lol - thanks!

Thicker sole's on your boots ... maybe ...

**Jally Bean** · 18th November 2011, 06:41

Originally Posted by FJRider

Thicker sole's on your boots ... maybe ...

I've been resisting that in the name of fashion but I'm beginning to think you may be right

**ckai** · 18th November 2011, 13:46

Originally Posted by Jally Bean

Shame I'm not local I'd let you have a go at mine while I'm boot shopping with your wife lol - thanks!

haha yeah would have been good, apart from the fact I'd be doing all the grunt work while you ladies enjoy yourselves. Oh I do like a good shop LOL

Honestly it's not that scary. The scariest thing is carefully removing the foam from the plastic seat pan. You don't even need to remove the seat cover from the foam if it's glued onto it (mine was).

Fashionably, my wife's white, 1 inch sole Doc Martins look very bad ass