Need to lower GS to high

[monster]

Hi all, I'm new to this site.
Can anyone help me I have a GS1200 Adventure and its a bit high for me, I love my bike but I need to lower it.
I have been back to Coopers the BMW dealer and they don't really care
One of the problems with this bike is it has fitted ESA so I don't think that I can just replace this with new shocks, I have a low seat already so if anyone has any other ideas please let me know.

 

[JJH]

make sure that the setting is rider only. How much are you looking to lower it ? JJH

 

[JJH]

and welcome JJH

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I find it inconceivable that your dealer doesn't want to help you out with this? After all 'you' are the customer and they will be taking even more money off you by sorting this out for you. I'm not familiar with the ESA system but as the lower GS1200 comes with ESA as well I'd have thought it was simply a case of the dealer supplying & fitting GS1200 shockers?

FFS it can't be too difficult for the dealer to sort this out for you surely?

 

[Vern]

Have you tried looking at other models rear shocks,like the RT and R as I think the might be shorter.They are on the 1100 and 1150

 

[monster]

make sure that the setting is rider only. How much are you looking to lower it ? JJH

I'm looking to lower by 25mm to 75mm this will be great, I can get my foot on the ground but if the camber is wrong I have to lean the bike over and its heavy.
One of the things is the ESA system if i change the rear shock what will this do to that ? As its a part of the on board system and can I just change the rear shock ? Or will this effect the whole of the electrical system on this bike

 

[SMB]

Might it not be a good first step to contact a suspension firm that can rebuild shocks? Surely they could put on different springs (shorter / different spring rate) achieving the desired drop in height, still leaving you with the ESA. You would still have the original bump stop on full travel. This would reduce the effective suspension travel, ala the lower framed bike (which I have). As I understand it you cannot have an original lowered frame bike with ESA from good ole BMW.
You will probably have to alter the main stand and maybe the side stand, however the bike does lean a long way on the side stand and so may stand upright.
This might well muck up the 2yr warranty, but the original springs could be put back on the shocks if you have a major problem.

 

[MattW]

Sell it and bu a GS?

 

[monster]

Might it not be a good first step to contact a suspension firm that can rebuild shocks? Surely they could put on different springs (shorter / different spring rate) achieving the desired drop in height, still leaving you with the ESA. You would still have the original bump stop on full travel. This would reduce the effective suspension travel, ala the lower framed bike (which I have). As I understand it you cannot have an original lowered frame bike with ESA from good ole BMW.
You will probably have to alter the main stand and maybe the side stand, however the bike does lean a long way on the side stand and so may stand upright.
This might well muck up the 2yr warranty, but the original springs could be put back on the shocks if you have a major problem.

Do you or any one else no of a company that could alter the rebuild the shock or replace the spring

 

[MattW]

Do you or any one else no of a company that could alter the rebuild the shock or replace the spring

and replace the side stand

and replace the centre stand

and recalibrate the ESA (is that even possible?)

 

[JJH]

I would not get into changeing springs and such I see you have a low seat you can get this lowerd more by a spelalist and this should give you the inch or 2 that you are looking for. Also if the bike is new to you it might be a good idea to try for another few weeks and you might find that u are able to manage when you have more miles up.JJH

 

[monster]

Sell it and bu a GS?

I thought of that, but the money I will lose well lets not go there with that one, the bike only done 200 miles !! so I would like to do more than that before I sell it

 

[SMB]

Do you or any one else no of a company that could alter the rebuild the shock or replace the spring

If you use the search button, I am sure that you will find companies that others have used.

 

[Ali-bear]

Get hold of a piece of wood about 2 by 4 inches cross section. Saw off two lumps about 10 inches long. Glue to the bottom of your riding boots.

Either that or buy a bike that isn't quite as tall as the GSA.

Sorry if that sounds a bit blunt.

I expect imminent Dahoumination ....

 

[NorthernBoy]

Do you have the low seat set at its lowest setting? I know that it sounds obvious, but it's worth checking.

Next step is probably to get the seat altered by an aftermarket seat maker, or to buy a replacement. If you can get it narrowed a bit, then that can make quite a difference.

And, despite the fact that you probably find the comment about sticking wood to your boots to be facetious, you could seriously consider getting some boots with a thicker sole. If you are riding in thin-soled racing boots, then swapping to a pair if seriously thick-soled motocross boots may help. If you go one size up from normal, then you can fit an insole, too, which again will extend your reach.

Also, you are going to find that you do get used to it a bit. I dropped my first GS a couple of time when doing a u-turn, when I needed to get my foot down quickly, and mis-judged it. Now, though, I am perfectly comfortable.

I know that you do want it lowered, but that is a reasonably serious route to go down before you've tried other things. As others have mentioned, you'll need the side-stand and main stand changed, you will have messed with the ESA, and you will very likely end up having changed the geometry.

If you really do want to get the bike lower, then possibly another route to consider is to get tyres with a smaller rolling radius. Again, if you can find something different, you can likely get 20-30mm improvement there alone.

 

[RudyT]

These Daytona boots are specifically designed to raise the heel by close to an inch and toes as well. Wort to try along with other things suggested by NorthernBoy.

 

[MattW]

You've either bought a bike which either you haven't got used to yet, or which is genuinely too high for you.

This does beg the question 'why did you buy a GSA in the first place?' - didn't you try it first? It's an expensive purchasing decision to spend £10k + and not even know if you can ride it properly.

That said, for whatever reason, you've got it and have to do something about the height issue. Options:

Expensive option, sell it / chop it in for a GS (or even a non-GS if it'll be a better bike for you).

Slightly less expensive (but still bloody dear) option, replace shocks for non-esa short versions or ESA short versions if they're available (possibly from a different ESA equipped model - I'd imagine this would need a dealer re-programme of the ECU, if it's possible at all) and get the seat lowered together with the stands etc. However, you'd still have a tall heavy bike and short legs, just not quite as tall as before. Shorter springs may be an option instead of changing the shocks, but it would probably still need an ECU reprogramme if this is even possible.

Cheapest option - do everything you can about the seat and learn to live with it. As others have said, look into lower profile tyres and special boots. Many 'less than tall' people ride GSA's - just depends if its an acceptable compromise for you.

All the above (apart from the first option) is basically trying to turn your GSA into 'not a GSA' - if you can live with that then it's down to how much you want to spend

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

At 200 miles my view is you havn't given yourself time to get used to the bike. Anticipating stops and moving your *rse around soon compensates for lack of height. I have the same bike and was initailly concerned, but 3K later it's great, but always needs respecting.

I was discussing this with another owner who is even more vertically challanged than me and he did the off road skills course on a GSA. Again he used confidence and anticipation.

Oh - another cheaper alternative - thicker soles on the boots

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Here's what the KTM Adv Bike Riders do


This should to the trick.......................you may get your knees down as well

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I thought of that, but the money I will lose well lets not go there with that one, the bike only done 200 miles !! so I would like to do more than that before I sell it

I'll offer you £9000 for it (as long as it's a red one)