Lowering a 5th Gen VFR

Lowering 5th Gen VFR

I was hopping around various threads & websites trying assemble a tidy, complete lowering package for my bike but I either can’t find some article or “lost” it. So if anybody can chime in I would appreciate it.

I have purchased a 1998 VFR and would like to properly lower it to help my city riding needs. I am 5’5” and many of the Lowering Links will reduce the rear height by 35mm (1.4”) (Metisse Lowering Kit). I understand that to properly lower the whole bike, you must also lower the front and adjust the Kickstand length. I am also aware of reversing the Dogbone Mounting Plate method for a ¾ inch (19.1 mm) drop, but I would like more than that. So…

I swear I saw a member who offered a complete kit with a dogbone and kickstand included but I can’t find him again. I’m also not certain if it was for a 5th Gen.

If I have to piece together a package, does anybody know how much the Kickstand has to be shortened to restore the lean angle when parked.

Does anyone know where to get, or have, a stock kickstand for sale so I can cut it down and keep the stock one as well (Not that I would EVER sell this bike. I’m 51 so I still have a lot of growing (up) to do!) ?

Your input (and links) would be greatly appreciated.

Triplepac

 

Here are some tips. Hope these helps:

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

http://vfrworld.com/forums/modifications/1207-lowering-link-vfr800.html

http://vfrworld.com/forums/suspension-articles/20220-how-i-lowered-my-6th-gen-new-triangle.html

Good luck!

 

cebuVFR,
Yep. That's the article! Unfortunately, his ( MCT54 ) last posting was in May of 08 with people still asking for his product. Maybe I'm not seeing it but the product seems to be for a Gen6. I don't know if they're compatible for Gen5's. Onwards I guess. I'm just trying to be careful not to take one step forward and two steps back by not doing it right. At this point it looks like a store-bought link and fabricating a shorter Kickstand. Thanks for your help.

 

I went with Sigma Cycle's VFR Lowering Kit ( 98-01 ). Got the package a couple of weeks ago. Got it at noon, riding by 2. Very easy Mod. *Caveat; they ran out of sidestands so I have to wait a bit for it. Here's a very good reason to buy a COMPLETE kit; The original kickstand is very marginal at best after lowering the bike & I would not recommend using it. I'm had to find an uphill (R side) parking spot to be safe. Not real hard in Seattle but could be tricky.

Wanna know how good it is to lower it for a couple of short riders? My girlfriend got on my bike after lowering it. She turned right around & bought a another VFR for herself! More on that later.

 

congrats there. by the way, how many inches were you able to lower your 5th gen? does it affect the handling? any adjustments to the front forks? send some pics too if you can.

 

Sorry I didn't get right back. It lowered the bike about an 1 1/2 ". The Kickstand looks about cut off at halfway between the original foot and the tab you "kick". The kit also came with a couple of "risers" to put in between the lowered (to yield the same amount of lowering as the rear) Triple Clamp. Some would call these pieces cosmetic but in fact they have orientation keys so the handlebars are angle correctly and identically without guesswork. The Throttle and Brake lines didn't require any modification. As I have stated elsewhere, I am not the most technical rider doing trackdays (read no tracktalk), but, handling seems the same. I'm having front fork issues with a little too much front end dive but I'll get to adjusting that (never done it).

I've been living with them now for about a month and they have made the bike livible in the city. The biggest improvement is backing up to park, angled curbside and in traffic jams where there's a lot of stop-n-go. I see you have a Suzuki Burgman 400. You must ride in the city? I have a Honda Reflex 250. It's great around town. It holds a lot but it's maxed out at 75 to 80 with the 250cc's which became a problem after awhile. Still like the scooter though.

For comparison, my girlfriend is still riding a "prelowered" '93 VFR750. She gets on it and says WOW! Lowering it (the '93) has become a bit of a project. Mostly quality issues in the fabrication (not me) and getting the "dogbone" length right. It's a hardened steel piece so you have to modify the original or buy a new one to modify. There isn't a "kit" for it so the process is a bit pricier. The first attempt lowered it WAY too much (ouch$!$!).

ps I gotta figure out how to post a picture in this thing. I'm over the 50 mark & am not the most kOmPewtier literate.

 

i'm glad your getting used to the low height. i enjoy riding the burgman around town and also on the freeway. i hit 90 several times but normally just cruise around 80-85.

 

I still have to download my pix for the Gen5. Here's the Gen 3 Double Dogbone while I'm here...

The Crosstube is a hardened piece so I had to have a new piece from Honda modified. I wanted to keep the original. This one actually turned out to be too long, thus, lowered too much.

 

I lowered my 6th gen with the Sigma Cycles kit and it was an easy operation. Quality is superb and Ron at Sigma is the absolute BEST when it comes to customer service! They are the poster child of GREAT CUSTOMER FRIENDLY SERVICE and ASSISTANCE! Here is a picture of the stock and SIGMA dog bones. (longer one is the replacement) Pay no mind to the background - yes, I have a few projects lined up in the "shop". After all, one can't spend every winter day skiing!