Multistrada's too high, what now?

[liljegren]

Hi folks, looking for higher knowledge. My Multisrada dreams are in tatters, the bloody thing is just too high to get on and off, esp for my pillion. We've done some great touring on the VFR, but now we want to get all the gravel bits, maybe Aussie in the future, so what to replace it with? All the "adventure" bikes are the same, the Tenere, the Tiger, the V-Strom, the Versys. We want enough grunt to do the miles, so no DR, no GS 650, no XT660, but low down to mount easily, good on gravel. It's got me beat!!! Suggestions please? Matt.

[Tagger]

Had the same with the KTM Adventure, no loweringkit will even get me close enough to the ground to make me feel comfortable.


Why no 650? The BMW F650GS is low enough, the F800GS (or the R1200GS) is way to high in standard formation but there are a lot of lowering kits to get it down quite a bit (love of hate the BMW hype, but their popularity did make it that they seem to have a solution for everything, be it at a price )

[munster]

Combination of shorter suspension (will reduce travel) and lower seat.

I have read some manufacturers offer these options, for others it will have to be after market.

[Digitdion]

Hi folks, looking for higher knowledge. My Multisrada dreams are in tatters, the bloody thing is just too high to get on and off, esp for my pillion. We've done some great touring on the VFR, but now we want to get all the gravel bits, maybe Aussie in the future, so what to replace it with? All the "adventure" bikes are the same, the Tenere, the Tiger, the V-Strom, the Versys. We want enough grunt to do the miles, so no DR, no GS 650, no XT660, but low down to mount easily, good on gravel. It's got me beat!!! Suggestions please? Matt.

Check out the new Ktm 1190 adventure. Due here very soon. Looks as though there are lots of options on seat height. This bike looks the goods. Will take a lot of business from Ducati and BMW IMHO.

[Devil]

Check out the new Ktm 1190 adventure. Due here very soon. Looks as though there are lots of options on seat height. This bike looks the goods. Will take a lot of business from Ducati and BMW IMHO.

At the same time the new R1200GS is due here this month. Looks damn sexy and apparently has a cracker of an engine. Totally new bike.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Triumph Scrambler


Sorted

[Haggis2]

Grow longer legs?

[Zamiam]

Grow longer legs?

Let me know how you do this as I'd like to take this option myself

[paturoa]

Here is a great web site http://cycle-ergo.com/ where you can trawl the bikes and seen how you'll fit the bike.

It has a library of bikes and you enter your height / inner leg, and then any tweaks to the standard dimensions.

It tells you the seat heights as well.

Lots of bikes can be lowered by fitting different dog bones or getting the seat changed.

Edit: just been playing on the site and you need to go into the options and select put feet on the ground. You can also select several bikes and swap between them.

[liljegren]

I'm pretty up to speed on lowering bikes thanks guys. The real problem for us is the configuration of the pillion seat. They all seem to go for these stepped seats now, so the pillion's head is so much higher than the rider's, something which my missus just hates. For a start its really hard gettin on and off, specially with the topbox, and secondly the pillion is exposed as hell up there! Seing as how the new generation of soft roaders are not really aimed at off road, why are they all so bloody high up!! Maybe I'll look for some gravel road tyres for the VFR!

[Devil]

That's a really random pillion complaint.
Firstly the stepped pillion seat allows for much better rider and pillion comfort, and also gives them a view.
As for struggling to get on, perhaps bad technique? Some people really make it hard for themselves, when others make it look a breeze.

I'm not a fan of lowering bikes - particularly when it compromises a safe suspension geometry and ground clearance.
How tall are you?
I'm 5'9" and have a BMW R1200GS Adventure. It's a really fricken tall bike, but good technique and a bit of practice means I have no trouble managing it. You only ever need one foot on the ground.

[mulletman]

The DS1000 and 1100 have a lowering/raising adjustment rod fitted factory....dont know about the new 1200s, do know theyre farkin quick and comfy with really good handleing (on road) would love one myself !