Advice needed on lowering seat height

[alpsrider]

First time out of the garage today for my 2003 R1150 GSA since last August.

Being as I am now in well into my 60's and have all the aches and pains that go with it, I'm now finding the old girl a bit of a handful when coming to a stop.

I'm 6' and have always found putting both feet flat on the floor a struggle unless I take out some of the pre-load, which lowers the back of the bike but then it's so soft it rides like a cross channel ferry in a force 5.

I don't really want to get rid and get something smaller just yet so have been thinking to lower the biker by approx 20mm to regain my confidence when putting feet down without the fear of it toppling over.

So my questions are,

1. Should I get the seat remodelled by taking a bit out of the height and width and risk feeling a little cramped. I have tried lowered footpegs in the past and couldn't get on with them.

2. Have the shocks serviced and have a slightly shorter spring fitted to bring down the overall height of the bike. If I do this will it become difficult to get onto the main stand?

If anyone has any experience of this and can offer any advice I would very grateful.

Many thanks

 

[buellzebub]

You could have the seat remodelled. You could also swap the GSA shocks and both stands for GS ones

 

[Cook1e]

You can lengthen the torque arm.

I bought an adjustable one from eBay many years ago, but I don't think it's available now.

I believe you can fit the torque arm from another 1100 or 1150 - RS? RT? to the same effect. Someone who knows will be along in a moment...

 

[Mad Hatter]

I’d definitely go the standard GS shocks & stand route rather than messing about with anything else. I went the other way from GS to GSA shocks and it makes a big difference.

 

[Neil W]

Fit standard length gs shocks and you will be fine with the gsa sidestand although you may need to fit a gs centre stand

 

[alpsrider]

You could have the seat remodelled. You could also swap the GSA shocks and both stands for GS ones

I like the idea of GS shocks and stands, that way I can return it to standard when the time comes to say goodbye. Thanks for the info

 

[alpsrider]

You can lengthen the torque arm.

I bought an adjustable one from eBay many years ago, but I don't think it's available now.

I believe you can fit the torque arm from another 1100 or 1150 - RS? RT? to the same effect. Someone who knows will be along in a moment...

I think I remember seeing one of these on a post some time ago but as you say, no longer available. Will keep and eye out for a second hand one, could be a quick fix.

 

[alpsrider]

I’d definitely go the standard GS shocks & stand route rather than messing about with anything else. I went the other way from GS to GSA shocks and it makes a big difference.

Did you stay with the original stands or did you change them as well?

 

[alpsrider]

Fit standard length gs shocks and you will be fine with the gsa sidestand although you may need to fit a gs centre stand

I think you're right. Fair bit of lean on the sidestand of the GSA.

 

[KTM-AL]

I think I remember seeing one of these on a post some time ago but as you say, no longer available. Will keep and eye out for a second hand one, could be a quick fix.

Hi We lowered my wife's 1150GS with an RS torque arm or one from a 1100S. You can see the difference between the longer arm on the black one to the standard length on my Yellow GS.

 

[Stanley Knife]

You could always invest in a pair of Daytona M-Star GTX boots which have a buit in 6 cm higher stand
https://www.daytona.de/en/Boots/display/Overview-selection/M-Star-GTX

 

[alpsrider]

Hi We lowered my wife's 1150GS with an RS torque arm or one from a 1100S. You can see the difference between the longer arm on the black one to the standard length on my Yellow GS.

I'm guessing around 20mm lower, you can see the difference What did you do about the centre stand?

 

[alpsrider]

You could always invest in a pair of Daytona M-Star GTX boots which have a buit in 6 cm higher stand
https://www.daytona.de/en/Boots/display/Overview-selection/M-Star-GTX

I'm sure we used to wear boots like that back in the 70's during the glam rock era, those were the days

 

[Mad Hatter]

I changed both stands, but I reckon going shorter you’d only need to change the centre stand

 

[Riceburner]

Hi We lowered my wife's 1150GS with an RS torque arm or one from a 1100S. You can see the difference between the longer arm on the black one to the standard length on my Yellow GS.

It's the obvious option. The main visible change is the increased angle on the final-drive UJ.

I've done the reverse on my Rocksters - used a GS length Paralever arm (365mm) instead of the standard length arm (385mm) to raise the ride-height. I'm not sure if there's a 3rd arm, but I don't think so. The length of the shock also affects the ride-height (obviously) and the angle of the final UJ. For example - on the Rockster, at one point I ran an R1150R rear shock along with the GS arm (365mm), and it brough the ride-height back down to (almost) the same as Rockster shock (longer than R-R shock), and standard Paralever arm (385mm)

A standard length arm is not expensive 2nd hand from a breaker (Motorworks / james sherlock etc), and very easy to fit.

 

[pharme]

It's the obvious option. The main visible change is the increased angle on the final-drive UJ.

I've done the reverse on my Rocksters - used a GS length Paralever arm (365mm) instead of the standard length arm (385mm) to raise the ride-height. I'm not sure if there's a 3rd arm, but I don't think so. The length of the shock also affects the ride-height (obviously) and the angle of the final UJ. For example - on the Rockster, at one point I ran an R1150R rear shock along with the GS arm (365mm), and it brough the ride-height back down to (almost) the same as Rockster shock (longer than R-R shock), and standard Paralever arm (385mm)

A standard length arm is not expensive 2nd hand from a breaker (Motorworks / james sherlock etc), and very easy to fit.

Wouldn't the change to the angle of FD and then the drive shaft give stress to the UJ after some time? I am in similar situation and looking to lower the seat height, that's why i asked.

 

[ThreeDawg]

Might not be a problem in reality, but the angle of the FD doesn't look comfortable to me. Other thing about lowering the back end like that is it must slow the steering down something rotten. I'd go for a set of shorter shocks - the standard ones are cheap enough on ebay to try as an experiment, then buy a decent set if you're happy.

 

[Riceburner]

Wouldn't the change to the angle of FD and then the drive shaft give stress to the UJ after some time? I am in similar situation and looking to lower the seat height, that's why i asked.

Take a look at the entire R259 range.... each bike, as it came from the factory, seems to have a slightly different 'default' final UJ angle. The RT is at about 15-20 degrees.

I don't think it's that much of an issue - the whole point of a UJ is that it can handle a reasonable amount of angle.

Incidentally - I came across a video the other day that helped to explain the UJ offset.....
Here: https://youtu.be/cXuMgPi0K68

 

[Pekkavee]

You can lengthen the torque arm.

I bought an adjustable one from eBay many years ago, but I don't think it's available now.

I believe you can fit the torque arm from another 1100 or 1150 - RS? RT? to the same effect. Someone who knows will be along in a moment...

Thank's for the idea.
I just ordered a R1100RT torque arm for my R1100GS.
It was 29.90 € delivered to Finland in ebay.de

Pekka

 

[pharme]

Take a look at the entire R259 range.... each bike, as it came from the factory, seems to have a slightly different 'default' final UJ angle. The RT is at about 15-20 degrees.

I don't think it's that much of an issue - the whole point of a UJ is that it can handle a reasonable amount of angle.

Incidentally - I came across a video the other day that helped to explain the UJ offset.....
Here: https://youtu.be/cXuMgPi0K68

Thanks for the share. My understanding of the UJ with its 'reasonable amount of angle' is to offset the weight of rider/luggage and the severe bumps from harsh road conditions (off road). Not scientific i have to admit. It's useful to hear out from someone who has used an altered length of the torque arm to share their findings.