low seat lowered suspension
- Thread starter stevie Allen
- Start date
I nearly went for red with spokes, that does look good.
The best colour, spokes low seat and suspension,cant really tell the difference until its alongside a normal one
Hi Guys, I'm a new member to this group, and a fairly novice biker. I'm currently riding a Triumph Explorer which I have had for 1 year, but having recently ridden the GS-LC, I'm seriously thinking of defecting.
The new GS is a lovely bike but I find it just a tad on the tall side, what should I do, buy a lowered version and be able to flat foot or buy a normal height bike with a lowered seat and tip toe?
I'm 29 inside leg, the reason for my query is that I have ridden both bikes and I got the feeling that the ride on the lowered GS did not feel quite as plush as the standard GS. It seemed more bumpy, to which the salesman agreed.
Thank you!
Please can any of you veterens advise or even concur with my findings, both bikes have the ESA system.
The best colour, spokes low seat and suspension,cant really tell the difference until its alongside a normal one
I was in Ocean yesterday, your bike certainly looks good.
I am waiting for my red one later on in the week, almost wish that I had ordered spokes myself.
Didn't realise yours was a lowered suspension. Even though I had a lowered bike before.
Like the crud catcher, looks really smart - one on order.
SMB
RobertG
Registered user
Definitely, absolutely lower seat on standard suspension if you can flatfoot one foot down you will get used to the height.
I'm a short arse (5'10") with a 29" inside leg. I've got the standard TE with the low seat and I can put both feet flat on the floor. The new GS seat is narrow at the front so it's easier to flat foot. Also numb bum does not set in until around 3hrs. On my old TC the low seat was like sitting on a plank. SWIMBO says her seat is much better also.
alp
Registered user
It's not so much a case of how tall you are, more a case of your inside leg measurement.
- Iandavid says he's fine with the low seat and 29" inside leg.
- I know of a short'ish woman who has a low seat on her new GS and seems fine, didn't ask her for her inside leg measurement for obvious reasons.
- I'm fine with a standard seat in the low setting with an inside leg measurement of 32".
Anyone else like to add to this?
- Iandavid says he's fine with the low seat and 29" inside leg.
- I know of a short'ish woman who has a low seat on her new GS and seems fine, didn't ask her for her inside leg measurement for obvious reasons.
- I'm fine with a standard seat in the low setting with an inside leg measurement of 32".
Anyone else like to add to this?
Sorry made a mistake. Delete. "_Adventure" from the link and you get the GS diagram. The seat heights are the same for the LC but as said the front is slightly narrower.
jonnyp
Registered user
I'm 5'11" never measured my inside leg... But I think it's 32". When I picked up my GS I set the set in the high position (front and back) and due to the narrower seat it's meant I get both feet almost flat on the floor (there is probably 1/2" of air under each heel!) It feels lower that my old 1200.
I've now dropped the seat at the back, still high at the front, as it feels more comfortable - both feet are now nearly touching the ground.
My best mate, who is 5' 7-8" with probably a 29" leg has ridden mine and a demo bike and not really had a problem.
Obviously you need to make sure it suits you but it seems to me the narrower seat makes a difference. You may fine the std bike just with a lowered seat is fine.
Hope that helps.
I've now dropped the seat at the back, still high at the front, as it feels more comfortable - both feet are now nearly touching the ground.
My best mate, who is 5' 7-8" with probably a 29" leg has ridden mine and a demo bike and not really had a problem.
Obviously you need to make sure it suits you but it seems to me the narrower seat makes a difference. You may fine the std bike just with a lowered seat is fine.
Hope that helps.
Little-Brit
Registered user
I'm 5ft 7in with an inside leg of 29 in, according to my M&S trousers!
I have standard suspension with standard seat in the low position. I wouldn't want the seat even a fraction higher but I chose this combination to get the best suspention and the kindest leg position for my knees. I'm managing but wouldn't rule out retro fitting a lower seat at some point.
Derek
Ps, I love the bike
I have standard suspension with standard seat in the low position. I wouldn't want the seat even a fraction higher but I chose this combination to get the best suspention and the kindest leg position for my knees. I'm managing but wouldn't rule out retro fitting a lower seat at some point.
Derek
Ps, I love the bike
I'm 5ft 7in with an inside leg of 29 in,
Derek
I'm a short arse too and have the seat on the lowest setting i can tip toe just and if using one foot than I just shift my body so that I can get my most of my foot down, its never been a problem its all about having confidence and riding enduro bikes that are huge i think gave me the that, only issue when they go over i can't keep it up so end up lying it down.
Biggest problem I have is finding bike gear to fit me i think most company's either think your 6ft tall or you've eaten to many pies type and not short and slim .
Thanks guys, please keep your comments coming!
This sounds promising and concurs with what the salesman advised, so can anyone confirm that the lowered bike has a worse ride than the standard bike?
This is a great forum!
Batman im 5.7" and a 29 inside leg , my last bike was one of the first older models lowered. It had wilbers suspension ,but no esa etc and also the lowered seat
What with the dished low seat ,the first impression other guys got when they threw a leg over my older one as they were sitting in it rather than on it. but on the move still got the same feel of being above cars etc that the gs gives you .
I tried the new wc with just the lowered seat at the lowest setting, but dont feel happy enough being on one foot flat or tip toes on both, along comes a camber and catches you off guard. Also you just dont have the push if its on a camber and the side stand , I will soon find out if ive made the right choice...... 3 weeks to go
bring it on
These replies are all very useful, many thanks guys. 
It's not really an issue for riding one-up, just with my partner on the rear with full luggage on a adverse camber with a bit of gravel under my boot.
I'm still hoping for a definative response about if the lowered bike gives a less comfortable ride than the normal bike. The dealer who brought me the bike to try (he rode it to my house) strongly advised me to buy the full size with a low seat, because he thought that the lowered bike did not ride quite as comfortable as the standard GS-LC, and he said that he had fiddled around with the ESA on the low bike to get the best result.
I can understand the theory behind the fact that the shorter shocker must need to be a bit stiffer as it will be working through a shorter stroke to try and do the same job as a standard length shocker.
I will just have to try both bikes again, but it's not always that easy on a short test ride.
The LC is a fab bike though, I was amazed to find that it had even more overtaking grunt than my Explorer 1200!
It's not really an issue for riding one-up, just with my partner on the rear with full luggage on a adverse camber with a bit of gravel under my boot.
I'm still hoping for a definative response about if the lowered bike gives a less comfortable ride than the normal bike. The dealer who brought me the bike to try (he rode it to my house) strongly advised me to buy the full size with a low seat, because he thought that the lowered bike did not ride quite as comfortable as the standard GS-LC, and he said that he had fiddled around with the ESA on the low bike to get the best result.
I can understand the theory behind the fact that the shorter shocker must need to be a bit stiffer as it will be working through a shorter stroke to try and do the same job as a standard length shocker.
I will just have to try both bikes again, but it's not always that easy on a short test ride.
The LC is a fab bike though, I was amazed to find that it had even more overtaking grunt than my Explorer 1200!
This is a photo of mine last year alongside the explorer i took for a test ride with there low seat 
Well i had to see what all the fuss is about 
Anyway the other is with my left foot on the ground ,but my right was on the peg and the front brake was on. For me the test ride okay , but still didnt inspire confidence . The first thing i did was push it and wheel it around the carpark, some
funny looks just to see the weight balance etc .
I gotta admit i nearly bought one ,but when confronted with a spotty 20 something female that had as much knowledge about bikes as a
shop assistant. I decided to wait.
btu each to there own
the test ride i had of the toilet last leave only had the lowered seat. but everyday use i want the safety of both feet balls at least on the ground.
Talking of that i did a trip last year with some fella that had a full loaded spec sized gsa and he was the same height as me ,but he had years of experience on motocross bikes the comment from the other guy about harder rides etc with the shorter spring rate etc i cant comment
enjoy
Well i had to see what all the fuss is about Anyway the other is with my left foot on the ground ,but my right was on the peg and the front brake was on. For me the test ride okay , but still didnt inspire confidence . The first thing i did was push it and wheel it around the carpark, some
funny looks just to see the weight balance etc .I gotta admit i nearly bought one ,but when confronted with a spotty 20 something female that had as much knowledge about bikes as a
shop assistant. I decided to wait.btu each to there own
the test ride i had of the toilet last leave only had the lowered seat. but everyday use i want the safety of both feet balls at least on the ground.
Talking of that i did a trip last year with some fella that had a full loaded spec sized gsa and he was the same height as me ,but he had years of experience on motocross bikes the comment from the other guy about harder rides etc with the shorter spring rate etc i cant comment
enjoy
Attachments
Thanks guys, please keep your comments coming!
This sounds promising and concurs with what the salesman advised, so can anyone confirm that the lowered bike has a worse ride than the standard bike?
This is a great forum!
A little difficult to do if.
A: you cannot feel safe on the full fat
B: test ride the lowered
Based on the old 1200, I made the decision to order the lowered system, the full fat is just a stretch too far for comfort on an incline, I found that sideways on a slope I struggled to pull the bike straight and retract the side stand. As the dealers aid they would not be getting a lowered test model in, they said I could try the lowered when it arrived and if not happy re order a full fat if it fit.
Does it feel uncomfortable with the lowered system, no not to me, happy as sandboy and feet positioning is perfect. A number of people have commented how high it is and are surprised when I hop on.
Having sat on the LC full fat, have to say it still feels to high for safety for my liking.
Hi Guys,
I'm 5'8" and inside leg of 29" and I found the standard too tall. I tested with a lower seat and initially though I was changing the suspension to Soft to give it a bit more sag as I approached traffic lights and was anticipating that they were going to turn red lol
After about 15mins I found I could get most of my foot down by slightly leaning the bike when stopped and the suspension set back to Normal. So I think it takes a bit of time to get used and confident in riding a tall bike.
I decided against the lowered suspension for the one I ordered, as I thought it would compromise the ride hide...which is part of the appeal of the GS
I'm 5'8" and inside leg of 29" and I found the standard too tall. I tested with a lower seat and initially though I was changing the suspension to Soft to give it a bit more sag as I approached traffic lights and was anticipating that they were going to turn red lol
After about 15mins I found I could get most of my foot down by slightly leaning the bike when stopped and the suspension set back to Normal. So I think it takes a bit of time to get used and confident in riding a tall bike.
I decided against the lowered suspension for the one I ordered, as I thought it would compromise the ride hide...which is part of the appeal of the GS
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