Lowering a 6th Gen. ?? Any Ideas??

I have a new '07 RWB that I would really like to lower about an inch or a little more if I could. I'm short, 5'8", 155 lbs., and when sitting on the bike, my heals are off the ground about 1 1/2 inches. I would like to be flat footed on the bike when sitting. I have backed out the front spring load and have the rear on the mininum setting, but that did not do much. I do believe to keep correct geometry, the front and back should be lowered the same.

Can the fork tubes be raised a bit and is there a shorter rear shock (or spring) available? I do realize that I will be sacrificing some cornering clearance, but that is ok, my foot ped draging days are long gone.

Any thoughts?

Steven

 

Here ya go...
Sigma Cycle LLC - Brownsburg, Indiana

AND, from VFRD, someone is offering a free trade for stock parts :

WTT: Lowering Kit for stock setup - VFR Discussion

 

Saleen09,
Thanks for the info. I probably don't want to let go of my stock pieces but am interested in buying a kit outright. Called SigmaCycle, they no longer have a "retail" store, no one to talk to, and just refer you to the website. Little dissapointing.

Does any one out there have this lowering kit on their bike??? How well do you like it??? Looks like to me the link will lower the rear and you just push the fork tubes up in the front, am I right?

Thanks for any input.

Steven

 

I have the sigma lowering kit on my 06. it dropped the rear just over an inch. I raised the front fork the same amount but that was to much, it seemed to over steer with that much of an adjustment on the front. I ended up only raising them a little under 3/4 inch on the front and the steering feel was right where I like it.

The job was pretty simple and took me a couple hours with the readjustments on the front. the longest part of the project was trying to get one of the nuts out of the top of the catalytic converter "tray" when I dropped it taking the dogbone off. (I now have a magnet to do that )

I also had an upholstery shop shave out some of the width of the stock seat and the this put my feet almost flat. I am 5'6"

The bike rides great, I do have to watch speed bumps or hard transition driveways, but that is it.

I also got the shortened side stand which I recommend or have yours shortened. If not the bike will stand almost upright and a slight breeze could blow it over. their side stand also has a larger base for the melting asphalt.

let me know if you have any questions at all. or want to see some pics.

 

One other thing, here is a good link that I followed when Installing mine

2002 - 2009 Honda VFR 800 Interceptor Modification Page

 

Captredfish,
Thanks for the info, I think I'm going to order the package.

Couple of questions. Did you remove the center stand? Or is it useable with a big tug? Do you have stock bars? I was going to get a set of Helis, but now I almoust think I should wait till I lower it.

Have you ridden 2 up? If so, how did the bike handle? A couple of comments on the other thread seem to give a positive expierence, what do you think? I am 5'8", 160lb. and wife it 135lb.

Thanks again for the input.

Steven

 

I did not remove my centerstand. I use a about a 2' piece of a 2x4 under the rear tire. That makes it easy to get on center stand to do maint.

I also ordered the whole package which included the Bar risers which i put on with the stock bars. I rode it this way for about 6 months, it was still a little bit of a reach for my short arms. I then ordered the Helibars, because the forks were raised about 3/4" I was able to use my bar risers in conjunction with the Helibars. That made a world of difference. There is still a little bit of a lean (which I like) but it took the weight off my wrists and arms. I would say wait on the Helibars and see how you like the ride one piece at a time.

I did have to stiffen the forks one notch from stock so that I would not bottom out the front on big bumps and I set the rear spring on 3 for 1up riding. When my wife rides with me I set the rear at 5 and it rides great. As mentioned I am 5'6" 175lbs and my wife is 5'9" 1?? lbs, so you may not have to stiffen the rear that much.

As a side note and another possible upgrade I have also used the stock windshield, the zero gravity sport tour, and the Givi Windflip. As you know the stock was a constant blast of air, the ZG created some pretty significant buffeting and IMHO the Givi is the best sport touring shield for the VFR, no buffeting at all and you still get a good breeze to stay cool.

 

Hi Steven,

I also lowered my VFR with a kit from Sigma Cycle and it's great. I ride two-up with my wife and it makes a really big difference as it brings the center of gravity lower. I don't feel like my wife's going to tip over the bike everytime she moves at low speed and it makes it easier for her to get on and off. We've never bottomed out and I've never experienced cornering issues. FYI, I'm 5'7'' and 150 lbs and she's 5'6'' and 105 lbs.

I've tried the 2x4; which makes it easy to put the bike on the stand, but I feel you need two people when you want to get it off the stand as the bike is coming down from higher; which increases the chances of it falling on it's side. I would like to get the center stand shortened, but I haven't found someone who could do this for me. I've kept my center stand on for now, but I might be looking for a pit stand very soon if I can't find a shorter one.

Frank

 

Being flat-footed is not necessary, and if you need it almost NO sportbike will work for you.

Wanting to lower the bike as soon as you get it is (Oh my God, i'll get severly blasted for this if not banned entirely!!) so GIRLISH !!

New riders or riders of bikes new to them almost always want the bike lower, but resist the idea until you've done about 500 miles of riding since lowering a bike limits the suspension travel and upsets handeling.

Believe me ( i'm just 5'4"), you will learn to adapt to the bike's height if you just persist through your initial trepidation.

The longer you ride ANY bike, the smaller it will feel to you.

Removing some foam from the seat can lower the bike but not compromise the suspension.

 

Captredfish / Frank,
Well, after reading your reviews, I pulled the trigger and ordered the kit from Sigma. Will try the kit before any W/S, seat or handle bar upgrade. I was really thinking of the Helis, but now I'm taking a close look at the LSL setup. I'll probably see if I can find someone to shorten the center stand, but will address that later. Thanks for the info on the windscreen as well.

squirrelman,
I hear what your saying but don't think it's girlish at all. The VFR gets a lot of "round town" commuting and being more comfortable is not girlish. In the last couple of years, I have owned a GL1800 as well as a K1200RS, so I know what larger/heavier bikes are like. Yes, you do get used to them, but that doesn't mean you cant change stuff a bit. Did I see three Hawk GT's in you signature? Cool bikes, I have a '91, included a picture.

Thanks again,
Steven

single sided swingarms forever............