Lowering an xCountry.

[Drumacoon Lad.]

I can get I my leg over my recently purchased xCountry but would like it lower for comfort. In time I may go as far as replacing the rear shock with a shorter one, but have seen some xCountrys where the front forks have been raised in their clamps. I'm considering this approach as a short term help. Are there any downsides to raising the forks say 30 - 40mm?

 

[mikecbrxx]

I would say that it was a bad idea....just lowering the front and by that amount. It will un-balance the bike. Take it to an expert and talk to them.

 

[Micky]

Is it a black 2007 Xcountry? These are slightly higher than the later yellow ones, so suspension from a later model will fit and lower it ... check on measurements first.

As said, just to lower the front end will alter the handling quite dramatically

There is, or should be, some adjustment on the rear. If you look at the bottom of the rear shock you can see a large nut ... you have about 1/2" of adjustment range. Don't be confusing this with the rebound adjustment wheel which is above the nut I've just mentioned.

Great bikes

 

[Phil-H]

On earlier bikes you can lower the rear on the bottom of the shock, & drop the front forks to match but drop the forks through too much & there is a good chance the front wheel/mudguard will foul or damage the rad when fully compressed......

How's the X Co Mike, all ok I hope up:

Phil


Sent from my HTC Desire S using Tapatalk 2

 

[dean0n0]

Erik of hotrod welding had a shorter shock for sale, looks as good as new,
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=318050
Fit that, then drop the yolks. If you just drop the yolks it quickens the steering, which some prefer, but if you go too far it can get unstable leading to tank slappers and tucking under. The only way you know you've reached that point is when it does it, and chucks you off.......

 

[sidestand]

If you do an X Country search on e-bay, M&P have a rear suspension collar for the 2007 model for around £50 - which they claim is a BMW part & lowers the rear by about 40mm.

Here it is - there's one left !

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130768981075?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619


As for the front, I'd only drop the forks through the yokes by 20-25mm max if I were you for clearance reasons - those rads aren't cheap !

 

[Drumacoon Lad.]

Guys, what good information and so quickly, the Forum at it's best!

OK, you have persuaded me not to drop the front very much as I don't want to destabilise it. I did a long stint in collecting it and was pleased with how stable it was on the motorway in wet and windy conditions and would not want to spoil that.

I'd love to go the Eric route but funds do now allow as I scraped about in just buying it and have to replace the front disc too, damn. It's a new bike to me and when I'm convinced it's a keeper then I may consider Eric's options again.

So I've just ordered the lowering rear collar from the Bay and see how that goes, as mine is the black 07 one, the best looking I believe, though would have liked the ABS that the yellow ones have!

I'll let you know how the collar goes, what it does to the height and how it handles after. Thanks again.

 

[mikecbrxx]

I'll let you know how the collar goes, what it does to the height and how it handles after. Thanks again.

Be aware that you may have to adjust your side stand too. If you lower the bike by 40mm I think its pretty certain the stand will need to be shortened. Another option would be to try and find a side stand off an 09 X-country.

 

[mikecbrxx]

How's the X Co Mike, all ok I hope up:

Phil

Bikes great Phil. I think I posted somewhere that we changed the suspension to the setup off my original 09 model and lowered it further at Hyperpro so the seat height was really low. Wife isn't convinced about the bike yet....very different to her Brutale, but the first weekend trip should resolve that.

She was also struggling with the 17 front sprocket as its the first thumper she has ridden. So I put a 15 on it which improved it straight away..... for her.

 

[magno]

May have a front disc for you. Just bought a secondhand wheel and it should be there when I get home tonight. Will check it out and if ok it will be available.

 

[Drumacoon Lad.]

Thanks for the offer of the disc. I had to go out and order one, but not arrived yet. I'll keep yours it in mind though.... Would you be beleve the GSer guy who sold me the bike, sold it with a front disc so warped you could not use the front brake. I had to ride the bike 250 miles home like that this week. No fun! Apart from that the bike seems fine. Anyway, thanks for the offer.

 

[Phil-H]

Drumacoon, the earlier bikes had optional abs aswell as the later ones.

Mike, yeah, I'm not convinced about the 17t front. In easy going conditions it was fine but felt a bit too much up hills & into headwind, how's the 15t, isn't it a bit revvy on the open road?

Phil

Sent from my HTC Desire S using Tapatalk 2

 

[drimcong]

a few pix

lower the fork a bit.
screw in the "eye bolt" all the way, a different conical disk under the spring makes a change too, as does the shock from chinese xcountries.
or try the lower seat.

lowering = tiefer legen, or tieferlegen

more of it

here are a few pix comparing the 2 bikes from the Geman cousins site.
there is more info on the site as well on the advrider site.

good day best regards
Josey

 

[Drumacoon Lad.]

Thanks to Josey and others for the replies. I've checked my standard rear shock and it seems to be at it's lowest. I'll fit the lowering collar and lower the front a little at the same time. Anyone fitted these lowering collars? Is it a diy job or should I take it to the local bike shop? Will be asking the bike shop to lower the sidestand anyway.

 

[mikecbrxx]

Drumacoon, the earlier bikes had optional abs aswell as the later ones.

Mike, yeah, I'm not convinced about the 17t front. In easy going conditions it was fine but felt a bit too much up hills & into headwind, how's the 15t, isn't it a bit revvy on the open road?

Phil

Sent from my HTC Desire S using Tapatalk 2

Hi Phil and a Happy New Year to all !

The 15 is good for her at the moment. Will go back to 16 for road and 15/14 for offroad when she gets used to the bike.

 

[mikecbrxx]

Thanks to Josey and others for the replies. I've checked my standard rear shock and it seems to be at it's lowest. I'll fit the lowering collar and lower the front a little at the same time. Anyone fitted these lowering collars? Is it a diy job or should I take it to the local bike shop? Will be asking the bike shop to lower the sidestand anyway.

Another couple of things you may find when lowering the bike significantly;

you need to put a stronger spring on to stop bottoming out....e.g when going over speed bumps. I have to be very careful riding my wife's bike now....but I'm alot heavier than her

Less important is that you may need/want to replace the front brake hose with a shorter one.

 

[Drumacoon Lad.]

Thanks Mike, bottoming may be an issue for me when 2 up later in the year, as I hope to use this as a back of the campervan bike. I may be OK solo, I'm 75Kg, or maybe a few more after Xmas.

Is there a stronger spring that you or others have fitted to the standard shock that could be recommended as the shock will need to be dismantled to put in the lower collar?

 

[mikecbrxx]

..... or maybe a few more after Xmas.

Too much of

Is there a stronger spring that you or others have fitted to the standard shock that could be recommended as the shock will need to be dismantled to put in the lower collar?

This is entirely dependent on load so you need to work out your max load (mfs is around 170kgs total) and then speak to an expert. There is no 'one size fits all'. Getting the suspension right on these bikes is critical and not something you should shortcut.

 

[Drumacoon Lad.]

Yes, and the 75kg, plus a few, is a guess, am afraid to check....

But the fact that the stock is set up for 170kg is good news and may be workable even 2 up with a passenger lighter than me.

Do you know if fiting the lower shock collar is a diy or professional job? I assume when it arrives there maybe instructions on fitting, but until I get it I don't know.

 

[mikecbrxx]

Yes, and the 75kg, plus a few, is a guess, am afraid to check....

But the fact that the stock is set up for 170kg is good news and may be workable even 2 up with a passenger lighter than me.

Do you know if fiting the lower shock collar is a diy or professional job? I assume when it arrives there maybe instructions on fitting, but until I get it I don't know.

Not sure its actually setup for 170kgs.... thats just what they say is the max load the bike will take.

As for being a diy job, I have no idea. Never fitten one and I guess the rest depends on your garage setup. Its relatively easy to remove the shock if you can suspend the rear of the bike from the roof on straps. I hav we the luxury of being able to use the facilities at Hyperpro for this. up:

Mike