The dogs' Hornet mods

**Deviant Esq** · 21st February 2007, 04:07

Great thread, makes good reading. I've got a bit of a soft spot for Hornets and will no doubt be considering one somewhere down the line. Beaut machines, the Kendogs

Just one question though - has lowering Mrs. KD's machine (how much by total?) affected the ground clearnace much? Still able to biff it into corners without grinding the pegs too early? Reason I ask is despite not being a short guy (I'm 5'10"ish) I like having a slightly lower bum position as it's more comfortable when stopped at lights etc and would consider lowering mine a smidge. Opinion? Cheers guys! Keep up the good work.

**Trudes** · 21st February 2007, 08:35

Originally Posted by Deviant Esq

Great thread, makes good reading. I've got a bit of a soft spot for Hornets and will no doubt be considering one somewhere down the line. Beaut machines, the Kendogs

Just one question though - has lowering Mrs. KD's machine (how much by total?) affected the ground clearnace much? Still able to biff it into corners without grinding the pegs too early? Reason I ask is despite not being a short guy (I'm 5'10"ish) I like having a slightly lower bum position as it's more comfortable when stopped at lights etc and would consider lowering mine a smidge. Opinion? Cheers guys! Keep up the good work.

Thanks DE.
My bike has probably been lowered by about 2inchs (at a guess) by the shock and the seat being done. So far (touch wood) I haven't had any ground clearance issues, although I have had to have the side stand hacked twice as the lean was not enough to be able to park it on a slight righthand slope.
As for grinding pegs, I'm not that good of a rider (yet), but hopefully it won't be too much of an issue. The Ohlins shock and the lowering of the front through the forks has made the bike more "biffable" into corners, I believe it corners faster, ie. dives into corners faster than before, and has made the overall handling better and the ride smoother.
Hope this helps!!

**Cajun** · 21st February 2007, 08:40

Originally Posted by Deviant Esq

Great thread, makes good reading. I've got a bit of a soft spot for Hornets and will no doubt be considering one somewhere down the line. Beaut machines, the Kendogs

Just one question though - has lowering Mrs. KD's machine (how much by total?) affected the ground clearnace much? Still able to biff it into corners without grinding the pegs too early? Reason I ask is despite not being a short guy (I'm 5'10"ish) I like having a slightly lower bum position as it's more comfortable when stopped at lights etc and would consider lowering mine a smidge. Opinion? Cheers guys! Keep up the good work.

Lowering the bike does not really effect the pegs grinding, at most road speeds, you would notice the difference at track, but at 5'10 you should have really any need to lower a bike i would think, take a touch out of the seat, and you be fine. with out even worrying about the shock.

**Deviant Esq** · 21st February 2007, 10:17

Thanks Cajun.
Yeah, I know I wouldn't really need to lower a bike at my height. I'm not really short, more in the average range. It's kind of a taste thing for me I suppose. I just feel more comfortable a smidgin closer to the ground for low speed stuff and ducking into corners. And I've gotta confess, I like the hunkered look of Mrs Kendog's machine - I'd hit that.

Reason I was asking about ground clearance issues is because while my current bike - the NZ250 - has quite a low seat, lower than other 250s it's been lined up next to, the pegs are quite high. But I still ground my boots frequently enough when tilted over on it, so I thought I'd ask the question for future reference. And the Hornet would have much better tyres than my humble NZ...

I'd probably change the rear shock anyway, just to improve the handling a bit as Mrs KD says (good description of the effects, thanks), but whether or not I'd lower it a little at the same time is what I'm trying to get a feel for. This is the perfect thread for that.

*Subscribes*

**Trudes** · 21st February 2007, 13:07

A lot of people recommend simply lowering the front slightly through the forks for improved cornering, cheaper than the whole shock replace too.

**TerminalAddict** · 27th February 2007, 12:48

hey guys and gal...
I've got an opportunity to get some renthal 758 bars

will they do the job? be the bizzo?

**Morcs** · 27th February 2007, 16:04

Kendog if you are ever stupid enough to consider selling it, pm me

**Kendog** · 27th February 2007, 16:42

Originally Posted by TerminalAddict

hey guys and gal...
I've got an opportunity to get some renthal 758 bars

will they do the job? be the bizzo?

That is the Ultra low bar and it comes highly recommend on the US and UK Hornet forums.
I have just swapped to this bar and love it. If you are changing from stock you will notice the following:
Wider grip position
More lean forward in your riding position (the bar is much flatter)
Vibes almost gone completely.

Get this bar, you will not be disappointed.

Originally Posted by Morcs

Kendog if you are ever stupid enough to consider selling it, pm me

May be a while away yet, I still love this bike.

**WickedOne** · 27th February 2007, 17:02

Originally Posted by Kendog

That is the Ultra low bar and it comes highly recommend on the US and UK Hornet forums.
I have just swapped to this bar and love it. If you are changing from stock you will notice the following:
Wider grip position
More lean forward in your riding position (the bar is much flatter)
Vibes almost gone completely.

Get this bar, you will not be disappointed.

I'll second that, you can't go wrong with the Ultra Lows, they are really awesome!!!!!

**TerminalAddict** · 27th February 2007, 17:12

what effect does having wider bars mean? (n00b alert !!! )

lower bars are what I'm after, not sure about wider bars tho'

**Kendog** · 27th February 2007, 17:41

Originally Posted by TerminalAddict

what effect does having wider bars mean? (n00b alert !!! )

lower bars are what I'm after, not sure about wider bars tho'

I always found my hands unconsciously moving wider on the stock bars, to the point where I was having problems with the accelerator. To me the stock bars are just too narrow.

With wider bars you should notice more leverage steering wise e.g. for counter steering. I think it is a more natural riding position as well.

**98tls** · 27th February 2007, 17:53

Considering changing the bars on my TL.As you stated the wider bars give great leverage........i road a bandit awhile back with some wide bars and it made the thing feel like a large motorcross bike.......awsome.....the only thing is for me to do it i have to cut away a bit of the fairing.........