Lower front end an option?

[Duke999]

I have had my new GS12 for 2 weeks and it goes in for its 600 mile service tomorrow. I am a little short on inside leg length and the GS is mainly used 2 up...we both have our own sports bikes and the GS is the 2 up touring machine. I am finding it a little too low at the back, slow to steer 2 up and a little too tall for me at awkward junctions.

Normally that all points to one thing..drop the forks through the yokes a little and this will lower the bike slightly and speed up the steering. However I am not sure if this is an option on the GS, or how it would impact the handling.

Anyone tried this? Is it recommended?

 

[Bones]

17" front wheel would lower the front by 1".

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I am finding it a little too low at the back, slow to steer 2 up and a little too tall for me at awkward junctions.

The steering and overall handling is improved quite dramatically be winding up the preload nice and high, I generally have mine pretty much on max all the time. However, this will make a significant difference to the seat height - not what you want!

I wouldn't play with dropping the forks as I'm not sure how that would affect the 'funny' front end (I've certainly not heard of anybody doing this).

The most common way of reducing the ride height would seem to be a) low seat and b) fitting after market custom lenght shocks (Wilbers, Ohlins)

HTH
Andres

 

[Mouse]

You can't drop the forks, due to the way they are attached to the rest of the bike

I think the only option is a shorter shock.

 

[Schtum]

The steering and overall handling is improved quite dramatically be winding up the preload nice and high, I generally have mine pretty much on max all the time. However, this will make a significant difference to the seat height - not what you want!

I can only agree with all that. Hence the reason I have a low seat on my bike. It makes a significant difference, not only to the way the bike turns but also, paradoxically, to the stability of the bike as well. The effect of getting more weight over the front wheel must outweigh that of decreasing the trail of the front wheel.

But.....jacking up the preload is really just a quick 'n' dirty fix. It doesn't do much for the ride quality and means that you're running much less than the optimum static sag at the rear. I've been toying with the idea of softening off the front preload and winding some off the rear at the same time......

 

[Duke999]

Thanks for comments...pretty much what I thought ! I struggled to get a decent rear suspension setting and ended up with the preload only a few turns from full which probably doesn't help things. I'll see how I go and maybe go for the lower seat option if confidence is paddling the thing around doesnt increase.

Thanks....

 

[SpyInTheCamp]

Mike - I recently decided to get the screwdriver out and play with the rear shock. I softened it by half a turn to see what happened.

However, a rather enthusiastic ride home via the B709 saw the bike touch down rather easily on the right. With a somewhat disconcerting clang and acommpanying shimmy. The right foot of the main stand was scraped as was the bottom of the U bend part of the rear brake pedal!

I have since changed it back.

Still looking for some solutions.

Kai

 

[Schtum]

Ahh yes but you're just a wee bit heavier than me, ol' chap.....