Lowering a 1996 R100GS Paris Dakar

[Paul Gardner]

I have recently bought a lovely R100GSPD and think it is the D's B's.

The only problem I have is that although I am 6' tall my height is in my back and not my legs, so feel unsteady especially backing out of my garage as my feet only just reach the ground.

My local BMW dealer says that I could lower the rear of the bike by fitting an R100GS rear shock. Has anyone else tackeld this problem with success?

Any advice would be welcome.

Cheers

Paul

 

[Kenny]

I'm almost sure that the PD and a standard GS para are the same shocks. Is the shock set on the highest setting?

A R100R is about 2 inches shorter but this totally bollixes the front end. Give it a little time and everything may fall inline together

Looks a nice bike and welcome aboard

 

[Ogmios]

I'm almost sure that the PD and a standard GS para are the same shocks. Is the shock set on the highest setting?

A R100R is about 2 inches shorter but this totally bollixes the front end. Give it a little time and everything may fall inline together

Looks a nice bike and welcome aboard

eh?
not one mine it dont - but then i've never had owt else as the previous owner was a petite wumman and fitted a one of those to combat her ...er.... petiteness (short arsedness )

Give it a little time and everything may fall inline together

is a good idea.

 

[Benjamin M]

Give it a little time and everything may fall inline together

Looks a nice bike and welcome aboard

Agreed.


Too high??

Tell it to Gaston..

Probably more confidence than anything else.

 

[fayeslane]

I'm of similar dimensions and go OK on my PD even with an Air Hawk on. As previously suggested ride it for a while before making changes. If you do decide to modify things, make a change then test the effect -one thing at a time so you can identify what works.

 

[VAL. H.]

The GSPD and GS both have the same shock. The R100R has a shorter shock 'about 1 1/2 inches.

Fork Yokes can be slid down the stanchions to a maximum of 1 inch, as the speedo housing gets in the way.

I lowered my other half's 1992 R100GS by about 5 inches at the seat. She's 5'3" BTW

If you're attending the Airhead weekend next 'err!' weekend http://www.ukgser.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=365
you're welcome to have a close look at the bike.


Val.

PS: There is a distinct shortage of R100R rear shocks in the UK

 

[peepingtom]

im sure the dealer is talking bollox as i too am sure the standard gs and the pd have the same shock. personally id look at taking an inch off the seat maybe?
it will be cheaper and easier to do than suspension lowering. do a search here for it, there will be plenty who will have done it their own bikes

very nice bike too

 

[pikeydave]

Was that you chatting with Wally at CW's yesterday then?

 

[BillN]

If you lower the (shock) Bike - you should change the centre stand or you will find it difficult "get it up"

Maybe also side stand - but it looks like you have a Brown side stand

 

[brassmonkey001]

it looks like you have a Brown side stand

Well he did say it made him a bit nervous...


Paul, why don't you push it out of the garage instead of paddling it? I almost always get off mine to move it backwards.
R100R shock on mine and it's not bollixed BTW...

 

[fayeslane]

Any advice would be welcome.

Cheers

Paul

High heels?

 

[Paul Gardner]

Was that you chatting with Wally at CW's yesterday then?

That was me, yes. I took the bike to show him and he was impressed.

Paul

 

[Paul Gardner]

Well he did say it made him a bit nervous...


Paul, why don't you push it out of the garage instead of paddling it? I almost always get off mine to move it backwards.
R100R shock on mine and it's not bollixed BTW...

I have no room to turn the bike around so have to come out backwards between campervan & car. Yes I know , too many toys !

My drive slopes down to the road and the road also slopes down as well, so the double downside leaves me vulnerable to dropping the beast. I will look for an R100R shock.

 

[Womble]

Is there literally no room to turn it around? I've used a bike turntable mat (http://www.driveawaymat.co.uk/) in the past and they work really well.

 

[pikeydave]

That was me, yes. I took the bike to show him and he was impressed.

Paul

I was the other Airhead parked up out front, blue frame Dakar tank. Another option for your height prob could be a Fournales air shock.

 

[VAL. H.]

I was the other Airhead parked up out front, blue frame Dakar tank. Another option for your height prob could be a Fournales air shock.

Second hand shocks are the ones that are difficult to find. New ones are also available.

Don't worry about the stands. The main stand will be a bit more difficult, but not that much.
The side stand won't be a problem at all.

Heres a couple of pics of Jill's 100GS, that show it on the centre stand and of how much I lowered the forks.


Val.

 

[Paul Gardner]

Second hand shocks are the ones that are difficult to find. New ones are also available.

Don't worry about the stands. The main stand will be a bit more difficult, but not that much.
The side stand won't be a problem at all.

Heres a couple of pics of Jill's 100GS, that show it on the centre stand and of how much I lowered the forks.


Val.

Thanks everyone for all the good advice. I will look at fitting an R100R rear shock and lowering the front forks a tad.

Cheers

Paul

 

[Beemerboff]

I am 6 feet and have a 30" inside leg , so I know the problem too.

Shocks are hard to find and expensive - lowering and narrowing the front of the seat is much cheaper - I used a custom seat cover from North West Classic Seat Covers on Ebay , and sanded the foam down with a palm sander. Cost 5% the price of the shock and looks as good as a custom seat..

The suspension may be set wrong too - try the lowest preload and 80 % of the damping at the back, and dropping the front as far as you can through the clamps.
A different size rear tyre also helps - I dont think a over sized rear helps handling one bit, so at next change look for a low 120 - they are not all the same size.

These changes got me from -just tip toe to- feet flat on the ground, for around $70-

 

[Paul Gardner]

I am 6 feet and have a 30" inside leg , so I know the problem too.

Shocks are hard to find and expensive - lowering and narrowing the front of the seat is much cheaper - I used a custom seat cover from North West Classic Seat Covers on Ebay , and sanded the foam down with a palm sander. Cost 5% the price of the shock and looks as good as a custom seat..

The suspension may be set wrong too - try the lowest preload and 80 % of the damping at the back, and dropping the front as far as you can through the clamps.
A different size rear tyre also helps - I dont think a over sized rear helps handling one bit, so at next change look for a low 120 - they are not all the same size.

These changes got me from -just tip toe to- feet flat on the ground, for around $70-

Thanks for the suggestions, I will look into them as well.
Cheers
Paul

 

[bustupbiker]

I don't understand whats going on here as I also have a 1200gs
now this bike i had to have the low seat on it, ( 29" inside leg ) but
my 100gspd i find fine in standard set up.