Lowering VFR's for us Vertically Challenged People

Hi,

I have a 2002 VFR, and I'm 5'5". Sigh. I can reach the ground on both sides, but just on the very balls of my feet. Consequently I've dropped it a couple of times.

I just purchased a Sargeant seat, and had it modified to drop me another inch. I was going to purchase a lowering kit (after saving my pennies). I spoke with the head mechanic at a shop and he recommends against it. He said it changes the cornering of the bike. It dives into the corner. I absolutely love the way this bike corners, and do NOT want to change it. He said we can try a few other things, like shock adjustment, etc.

Has anyone out there lowered their bike and noticed any changes?

Thanks!

Theresa Greene:smile:

 

I haven’t ridden a lowered VFR but I helped a friend lower a ZX-10 (for drag racing). We both took a before and after ride. Lowering the bike definitely did make a difference in handling. It wasn’t scary but it would feel like it was dropping into turns and the pegs would scrape at what felt like low (for a sport bike) lean angles. Like I said nothing scary and he actually likes the trade off in handling verses how hard he can launch the bike. I would say try the other things first and if they don’t work then lower it. The good thing is that its totally reversible it you don’t like it.

Action

 

If you really need to lower your bike,you could probably just remove your peg feelers and gain back the lean angle you lost.
I really don't know how the cornering/handling dynamics would be effected,but I thought I'd throw this suggestion out there!!!!

 

Thanks for the idea. I think I've pretty much decided against lowering it. Try the other ideas first. I really don't want to take anything away from the cornering of this bike.

Theresa

 

If you lower it an equal amount front and back the geometry shouldn't be changed. The only negative consequence would be reduced cornering clearance. I'm pretty sure that if you remove the peg feelers, they'll still be the first to touch down, so it won't be anything dangerous (like the sidestand/centerstand).

If you don't have a problem with cornering clearance with the stock peg feelers in place (I know I've never touched them down on my 5th gen), You'd probably be okay to lower it a bit. I don't know what's available for the VFR, but if you get adjustable lowering links you could see what works for you...

 

When I bought my VFR, the previous owner had lowered the triple clamps on the fork, and also rotated the triangle for the rear shock linkage. I think that lowered it about an inch....

 

http://vfrworld.com/forums/suspension-articles/14909-how-lower-your-6th-gen-triangle-flip.html

 

There's quite a few threads on this if you do a search, I'm going with the lowering link, apparently flipping the triangles changes the handling due to the different angles on the shock bracket geometry:unsure: If you get the different link and lower the forks in the triple clamp it's supposed to be the same just a little less lean angle. Look around, lots of info here.

 

Thanks Britt.

I've done some searching, and have read about the how to's, it's the afteraffects I'm concerned with. According to this "mechanic", after lowering the rear and adjusting the front it makes the bike corner differently. It causes it to "Dive" into corners. And I don't want to change the way my bike corners, it's perfect as it is. I'll continue to research.

But I would still like to hear from riders that have lowered their VFR's and get their input on how it changed their suspension, cornering, etc.

Thanks for the input.

Theresa

 

Theresa,
I'm only 5'-4" and don't have any issues with my VFR, but I did lower my SV by changing the dogbones in the rear suspension and lowering the forks in the triple clamps.
It lowered it about an inch in the back and 1/2" in the front.
It gave up a little cornering clearance, but handled just fine.

 

Get Taller shoes:afro:

 

I rode mine lowered for 100 miles or so, and the handling was just fine. I really think that if the front and rear are lowered equally, your steering geometry will not really change. My bike certainly didn't dive into corners or anything like that. I only raised mine back to stock because I'm 6'3", not because it handled poorly. After raising it, I noticed no difference in the way it cornered.

In my personal opinion, if you flip the triangle, and lower the front about 3/4" and then properly set your sag, I think you will find handling to be fine. Best of all, it's a free mod that only costs you a little time!

Anyway, I know it's fun researching this stuff, and I wish you luck! :smile:

 

We had my girlfriends GSXR600 lowered 3" and it does make a little difference in the way it rides. I think that it rides a little stiffer and a little faster. Since hers was lowered so much it does affect how far you can lean.

 

Why didn't I think of high heels???

 

There's this link to a thread already on the forum here. If you do a search in the upper right hand corner of the forum and type in "lowering links", you will get a plethora of threads where this topic has already been discussed. If that doesn't provide enough info., post up again.

 

Oh, and the link I referred to above would be:

http://vfrworld.com/forums/modifications/16440-lowering-vfrs-us-vertically-challenged-people.html