Forgive my ignorance ( or not) but what is the actual difference between a standard and a factory lowered gs?
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Lowered R1250gs
- Thread starter de crowe
- Start date
Lowered front & rear suspension - 30mm
Lowered side & centrestand
At time of purchase - free
conversion using oe parts (new ) about 4-6k
Lowered side & centrestand
At time of purchase - free
conversion using oe parts (new ) about 4-6k
The ride height is lowered as the suspension travel is reduced. The actual difference in seat height is a combination of reduced suspension travel and (in most cases) a lower seat (basically it has less padding).
If you're going to use the bike on proper off-road, you'll probably miss the suspension travel. On road, you don't generally need it.
My current bike is a lowered one, and previously I had a regular one for 25,000 miles. For me, the lowered bike is easier to manage, easier to get on and off, and (obviously) easier to get feet on the floor.
In total the lowered bike/lowered seat is 50mm lower than the regular bike/regular seat, but there are plenty of variations in between (2 seat positions, 3 seat thicknesses etc).
If you're going to use the bike on proper off-road, you'll probably miss the suspension travel. On road, you don't generally need it.
My current bike is a lowered one, and previously I had a regular one for 25,000 miles. For me, the lowered bike is easier to manage, easier to get on and off, and (obviously) easier to get feet on the floor.
In total the lowered bike/lowered seat is 50mm lower than the regular bike/regular seat, but there are plenty of variations in between (2 seat positions, 3 seat thicknesses etc).
Thank you for that. I am interested in a rally sport 1250 currently for sale , with very little likelihood of taking it off road.
Can the bike bike be un lowered or is that some financial fantasy I wonder? Thank you for your replies . I am currently riding an F850 GS rallye sport which is taller than a standard 1250 I believe.
By the way, this is a useful guide to seat heights...
https://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/en/models/seat-height-overview.html#/section-adventure
https://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/en/models/seat-height-overview.html#/section-adventure
Thank you
£3k for touratech suspenders - whatever height you like as there is nothing other than the seat to consider in the low/normal/high conundrum.I think "un lowering" a lowered bike would cost a fortune. Buy what you need, not what is in front of you.
NeilCol
Registered user
I’m 5/9. Medium built fella.
I’ve had a 1200GS 2011 and was on tip toes with both feet on the ground.
Quickly learned I could easily get flat foot and controlled by just sliding my arse to the necessary side very slightly and never an issue.
Just got a new GSA. Doesn’t feel any taller than my last GS, is lighter (bizarrely) to manoeuvre about and as easy to get one foot flat on the floor and still keep the bike upright.
So unless you are under 5/8….or maybe getting on towards 70, I’d personally stick to a standard height bike and adapt a little.
I’ve had a 1200GS 2011 and was on tip toes with both feet on the ground.
Quickly learned I could easily get flat foot and controlled by just sliding my arse to the necessary side very slightly and never an issue.
Just got a new GSA. Doesn’t feel any taller than my last GS, is lighter (bizarrely) to manoeuvre about and as easy to get one foot flat on the floor and still keep the bike upright.
So unless you are under 5/8….or maybe getting on towards 70, I’d personally stick to a standard height bike and adapt a little.
A maximum of 50mm difference in seat height, the standard GS being 850mm. As above it's a combination of 20mm lowered suspension and the low seat. At 1 stage if you placed an order for the factory lowered bike (I've had 3 so far) you got the seat too without a choice, but later models you could have the factory lowered suspension without having to have the low seat so check out which it is. @Dean0 on here is a suspension expert who repairs and services the esa units so he might be able to swap the low springs for standard ones if needed.
Height has nothing to do with feet down, its your inside leg and arch that are the determining factor
Why? Does everyone need all that suspension? Most GS's are road bikes.
I had a loan bike from BMW (GS1200) as mine had engine issues for a trip to Spain , it was a lowered bike compared to my standard bike , now it felt great but had to run the suspension at full height as the pegs touched down too easily , so may be worth a thought as others have said , maybe adapt to the standard bike if you like to push a bit.
NeilCol
Registered user
Ok…5/9…legs proportionally to the body, if anything maybe a bit shorter in the leg.
Size 7.5 shoe….smallish feet….in fact my feet are said at Altberg to be “duck feet” and as wide as they are long.
I don’t consider myself to be long legged, so made my point.
I personally don’t think it to be needed for anyone of average height and above, and certainly not at an extra cost.
The bike is designed and tested at standard height, and adjusting lower will mean a difference in the distribution of the weight and balance of the bike, so I just think if you can manage standard set up you should stick with that.
It is also worth mentioning that lowering done by using OEM parts (short shocks and soft springs ) the bike can go very low and pegs will scrape the floor.
When lowering any bike stiffer springs should be considered (they work in the whole wheel travel range. )
Dynamic sag when riding under cornering G force or acceleration is a lot smaller which helps to keep the pegs off the ground when pushing hard.
OEM or aftermarket suspension can be lowered to any height from -15to-70mm if anyone ever needs GS that low.
Ground clearance and other sacrifices come with it.
Swing arm level sensors can be calibrated so auto leveling setting works properly! Custom stands need to be made to suit.
Conversions are done using aftermarket shocks like Tractive 46mm piston (or Touratech) (Wilbers if someone is looking for a downgrade)
Tractive can be built to any spec! From +25mm to -70mm comes with appropriate spring to rider weight and damping unlike factory shocks that lack low speed rebound damping and make Road dynamic ESA setting on R1200GS( from 2017 auto level models) and R1250GS unusable for most riders.
I would always go for low seat and long travel suspension first if that's not an option when lowering less is
Lowering using OEM shocks 700-900?
Lowering using road range of TracTive excite 46mm shocks (emulsion no external reservoir) and rear shock conversion about 1500
Tractive with external reservoirs 46mm shocks HS LS adjusters (rear shock converted using Exchange where OEM spring preload adjuster is reused about 2300
Tractive or Touratech plug and travel was mentioned above complete set of about 3000 and this is the same performance as the one above but hydraulic preload adjuster comes in the box to make it work out of the box.
If you have any technical questions regarding suspension please ask.
All the best Luke
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When lowering any bike stiffer springs should be considered (they work in the whole wheel travel range. )
Dynamic sag when riding under cornering G force or acceleration is a lot smaller which helps to keep the pegs off the ground when pushing hard.
OEM or aftermarket suspension can be lowered to any height from -15to-70mm if anyone ever needs GS that low.
Ground clearance and other sacrifices come with it.
Swing arm level sensors can be calibrated so auto leveling setting works properly! Custom stands need to be made to suit.
Conversions are done using aftermarket shocks like Tractive 46mm piston (or Touratech) (Wilbers if someone is looking for a downgrade)
Tractive can be built to any spec! From +25mm to -70mm comes with appropriate spring to rider weight and damping unlike factory shocks that lack low speed rebound damping and make Road dynamic ESA setting on R1200GS( from 2017 auto level models) and R1250GS unusable for most riders.
I would always go for low seat and long travel suspension first if that's not an option when lowering less is
Lowering using OEM shocks 700-900?
Lowering using road range of TracTive excite 46mm shocks (emulsion no external reservoir) and rear shock conversion about 1500
Tractive with external reservoirs 46mm shocks HS LS adjusters (rear shock converted using Exchange where OEM spring preload adjuster is reused about 2300
Tractive or Touratech plug and travel was mentioned above complete set of about 3000 and this is the same performance as the one above but hydraulic preload adjuster comes in the box to make it work out of the box.
If you have any technical questions regarding suspension please ask.
All the best Luke
Sent from my SM-G780G using Tapatalk
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