Factory lowered questions

[fred_jb]

Low chassis comes as standard with low profile seat, so you have the issues of thin padding and more knee bend. If you have a standard seat on low chassis it will be more comfortable while still letting you reach the ground. That is what I had and I think it is a better solution than standard chassis with low seat for people with medium leg length.

 

[Rowle]

Low chassis comes as standard with low profile seat, so you have the issues of thin padding and more knee bend. If you have a standard seat on low chassis it will be more comfortable while still letting you reach the ground. That is what I had and I think it is a better solution than standard chassis with low seat for people with medium leg length.

Actually, thats not quite correct.
If you specify low chassis it comes with a standard seat. You need to tick the no cost option to get it delivered with a low seat.
Did it a couple of months ago but check it out on the bmw configurator.

 

[fred_jb]

Actually, thats not quite correct.
If you specify low chassis it comes with a standard seat. You need to tick the no cost option to get it delivered with a low seat.
Did it a couple of months ago but check it out on the bmw configurator.

OK, thanks for the correction, but I think BMW must have changed the configurator since I last used it. At that time, admittedly quite a while ago, the low profile seat was added automatically when selecting the low chassis option, and any attempt to add a different seat option would remove the low chassis option, which was very annoying. Glad to hear they have fixed that.

 

[Santa-2512]

OK, thanks for the correction, but I think BMW must have changed the configurator since I last used it. At that time, admittedly quite a while ago, the low profile seat was added automatically when selecting the low chassis option, and any attempt to add a different seat option would remove the low chassis option, which was very annoying. Glad to hear they have fixed that.

Just to make clear, the low "chassis" thing is a misnomer- there is NO low chassis, the chassis (frame) is exactly the same accross the GS range otherwise you'd need a different engine to fit the ""low"" chassis

Lowering is done via suspension and stands

 

[fred_jb]

Just to make clear, the low "chassis" thing is a misnomer- there is NO low chassis, the chassis (frame) is exactly the same accross the GS range otherwise you'd need a different engine to fit the ""low"" chassis

Lowering is done via suspension and stands

Yes agreed, and a good point, well unless you regard the suspension struts as part of the chassis! I'm just lazily using the terminology commonly used.

Quite important though as only changing the suspension struts means that it makes no difference to the ergonomics other than those caused by any associated changes to seat thickness.

 

[ChazzyB]

I'm 5 years into a lowered GS - second one currently. I have never touched anything down; frame or foot. OTOH, I have grounded the centre stand on my 1200R LC. Never the GS.

 

[Hut van]

Low chassis

Hi guys, I have just put a deposit on a ex demo 2020 1250 Ralley with low chassis,
Would that bike have ESA as standard, I forgot to ask and they don’t open again till Monday
Cheers

 

[fred_jb]

If it is definitely a low chassis version then it will definitely have ESA as you can only have the lowered bike if you also have ESA, or at least that used to be the case. You can go on the website configurator to check.

 

[Doc]

Yes it will. My 2019 low chassis gsa does.

 

[Hut van]

Thanks guys, I did have a look at the configurator, but I think they have dropped the info for the 2020 bike.

 

[STMGSA]

Low chassis comes as standard with low profile seat, so you have the issues of thin padding and more knee bend. If you have a standard seat on low chassis it will be more comfortable while still letting you reach the ground. That is what I had and I think it is a better solution than standard chassis with low seat for people with medium leg length.

Mine never came with low seat profile. It came with standard seats although I swapped them out for BMW comfort seat.

 

[Jer]

I have a 1200GS with the low chassis, it came with the low seat as standard but found it a bit uncomfortable after a while so changed it for the comfort seat which really helped all day comfort. I’m 5’-5” with 29” I/l and I can only get the balls of my feet down or one foot flat if I slide over a bit. It’s never been a problem as the weight being low down helps. (I had a tiger 1050 and had to get rid as it was too too heavy)
Never had a problem with anything grinding out but I only ride solo.

 

[Tricuspid]

Currently have a 2018 1200 RS & thinking about a new factory lowered 1250 GS next, have any owners noticed the handling suffering or the foot pegs, centre stand grounding out sooner than on a standard height GS ?

I'm not a short arse 5'10" but thinking a lowered bike with a standard height seat would be just easier to get on & off, move around at low speed etc.

What do you guys think Worth going low chassis with standard height seat for knee comfort ?????

My first bike was a standard 1200 with the low seat in low position and it was pretty cramped on the old knees. Now I have exactly what you describe - low chassis 1250 with standard seat in the high position ... maximum knee comfort (and I have a dodgy left knee, so that matters). The bike is also for sale in case you're interested ...

I tell myself that handling should be better with the low chassis because the weight is lower to the ground, don't know if that holds water or not. I've never ground out the pegs or stand, and the ground clearance looks ok to me. Ride and comfort are exceptional, the 1250 feels (to me) significantly more comfortable than the 1200 (both with ESA).

 

[trebor]

As others have said, height has nowt to do with it, it's inside leg that counts.
I ride a standards 2018 GSA Rallye TE, with standard seat on low setting and I can, on level ground, place the soles of both my feet flat on the ground (i.e. not tip toes).
A few months ago I borrowed a 1250 GSA with lowered suspension whilst mine was being serviced. With this I could get both feet flat on the ground.
My inside leg is a tad under 30".

 

[Matty589]

To clear up any confusion...
GS with lowered suspension comes with a LOW GS seat by default (low suspension drops seat height from 850mm std to 820mm, low seat takes it down to 790mm).
GSA with lowered suspension comes with STD GSA seat by default (seat height is now 840mm). You can spec a GS black std seat to take it down to 820mm.
You can of course choose a different seat when spec’ing the bike.

Personally I preferred the std height bike with a low seat - there’s already plenty of legroom and you maintain the extra suspension travel. I had two low suspension version, and whilst they handled perfectly the ride quality just didn’t feel as good, either with the original ESA or the newer self-levelling version.

 

[Santa-2512]

To clear up any confusion...
GS with lowered suspension comes with a LOW GS seat by default (low suspension drops seat height from 850mm std to 820mm, low seat takes it down to 790mm).
GSA with lowered suspension comes with STD GSA seat by default (seat height is now 840mm). You can spec a GS black std seat to take it down to 820mm.
You can of course choose a different seat when spec’ing the bike.

Personally I preferred the std height bike with a low seat - there’s already plenty of legroom and you maintain the extra suspension travel. I had two low suspension version, and whilst they handled perfectly the ride quality just didn’t feel as good, either with the original ESA or the newer self-levelling version.

Unfortunately your figures aren't quite correct

The low seat with the esa option puts the bike at 790mm, but the seat is 60mm wider than the old Hexhead seat. effectively putting the seat height back to 820mm

(its to do with the arch of the instep)

The only way to get to a true 790mm is to buy the ultra low seat

 

[Matty589]

We’re talking about seat height, not reach to the ground, which is not just inner leg curve, but profile of the seat, where the pegs are located etc.
so BMW’s (not my) figures are correct. The Hexhead GSA I had with a low seat felt far higher off the ground than my LC GSA with low seat.

 

[hawkeye]

I have an inside leg of 31" and a standard height R1250 Exclusive TE which, when I got it, I found that I couldn't quite flat foot even with the seat on its lowest setting. Fitted a low seat which improved things, however in looking at the seat I noticed that there are 2 ridges that run along the top sides which was still preventing me 100% flat footing - so had the low seat re-profiled to round the sides off and also had a gel pad fitted at the same time (for more comfort). Sorted, can now flat foot with ease.

 

[Santa-2512]

We’re talking about seat height, not reach to the ground, which is not just inner leg curve, but profile of the seat, where the pegs are located etc.
so BMW’s (not my) figures are correct. The Hexhead GSA I had with a low seat felt far higher off the ground than my LC GSA with low seat.

Within the context of this thread it's splitting hairs, the seat height is 790mm, we all know that,

but due to the increased width of the seat, it effectively takes it back to 820mm,

How do i know, i bought a factory low LC blind, only to find i couldn't get my feet,down compared to my 30mm Wilburs lowered hexhead.

A detailed measurement exercise later, found the wider sear to be the culprit , 60mm wider spread of the legs means i cant get the balls of my feet on the floor

unfortunately no one has yet to shrink the width of the seat on any aftermarket part, so your still fighting the width when you dont need it

 

[Santa-2512]

I have an inside leg of 31" and a standard height R1250 Exclusive TE which, when I got it, I found that I couldn't quite flat foot even with the seat on its lowest setting. Fitted a low seat which improved things, however in looking at the seat I noticed that there are 2 ridges that run along the top sides which was still preventing me 100% flat footing - so had the low seat re-profiled to round the sides off and also had a gel pad fitted at the same time (for more comfort). Sorted, can now flat foot with ease.

Sorry to say it , but with a 31" inside leg, you have no issues with factory low models, all your problem is in just comfort and ergonomics

if i had a 31" inside leg, i wouldn't be on a factory low model