Lowering a Suzuki Gladius SV400 - help!

[joGr]

Hi, I am new to motorbiking and quite a short lady. I need to lower my Gladius but cannot locate where to get a lowering kit. Would it be the same as for an sv650? My bike is a 2012 Japanese import. Grateful for any advice ☺


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[FJRider]

Hi, I am new to motorbiking and quite a short lady. I need to lower my Gladius but cannot locate where to get a lowering kit. Would it be the same as for an sv650? My bike is a 2012 Japanese import. Grateful for any advice ☺


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Have you tried wearing thicker soled boots ...??

[joGr]

Have you tried wearing thicker soled boots ...??

I thought about that too, but would need platforms ha ha! I just need to source the correct lowering kit.

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[FJRider]

I thought about that too, but would need platforms ha ha! I just need to source the correct lowering kit.

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Are you riding it ... or is it too tall for you to ride .. ???

[joGr]

Are you riding it ... or is it too tall for you to ride .. ???

Am riding it, but am on tip toes.

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[FJRider]

Am riding it, but am on tip toes.

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Have you figured out how much lower it needs to be to be comfortable for you .. ???

what footwear do you wear when riding ... ???

[joGr]

Have you figured out how much lower it needs to be to be comfortable for you .. ???

what footwear do you wear when riding ... ???

A couple of cm would work I think, I don't need to be flat footed, just get the balls of my feet down.

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[joGr]

Have you figured out how much lower it needs to be to be comfortable for you .. ???

what footwear do you wear when riding ... ???

Boots are rst raptor 2

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[FJRider]

Boots are rst raptor 2

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Their soles are not that thick. Borrow a thicker heeled set of footwear and see what difference it makes.

Also ... place a one centimeter thick flat board either side of the bike and see how it feels.

[joGr]

Their soles are not that thick. Borrow a thicker heeled set of footwear and see what difference it makes.

Also ... place a one centimeter thick flat board either side of the bike and see how it feels.

Good idea! Will try that. Thanks 😊

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[AllanB]

Internet will supply them. However, if lowering the rear you should lower the front a corresponding amount to keep the handling the same. Thus limiting the amount you can lower it and keep the bikes good handling. Plus obviously ground clearance will be reduced. Front end lowering has limits - often in the fork design (clamping area) and obviously the clearance between wheel/radiator/engine is reduced.


I am unsure with the Gladioli but some models of bikes have adjustable seats (Google). Alternatively there are good auto trimmers in NZ that will be able to knock a couple of cm out of the seat easily.


Flat footing is not a necessity but certainly more confidence inspiring for a learner.


A alternative is to call a suspension expert and see if they can shorten the shock.

[nzspokes]

You can use lowering links but it does bad things to suspension action. 20mm off the seat and extra 10mm added to your soles may well do the trick. If you are in Auckland I can recommend places for both jobs.

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[AllanB]

If you are doing the seat also look at the possibility of narrowing it a cm or more each side where you lower your legs. The Suzuki should be a narrow bike by design (V 2) but if the seat is wide it will splay your legs out.

My Ducati has a tall seat and my legs are not the longest in town .... but it is a very narrow bike so reach is acceptable for me.


Or get a groin lifting done - however that would be very expensive and bloody painful!

[AllanB]

The other thing about lowering the suspension to consider is the side stand - it will need to be shortened as well or the bike will sit upright on the stock stand.

I presume it physically matches the 650 and is just a Jap market sleeve jobbie to make it a 400? If so lowering links and the like will be available ex USA - be weary of questionable quality cheap Chinese ones. You'll need to do you homework if going down this path. If it is the same set up as the 650 then there will no doubt be good info online if you Google lowering the 650 ....


IMO - start with the seat.

[F5 Dave]

Back off preload, drop forks down a little and what nzspokes sez. Try get away from lowering links, they are a bodge, but you can do a little here and there with tall soles and seat rework.