Lowering gs 650

will

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Hi there my wife just passed bike test and would like gs 650 only problem is she is 5ft 1 :augie what is seat height on standard bike ? how much can you lower them :thumb
 
will said:
Hi there my wife just passed bike test and would like gs 650 only problem is she is 5ft 1 :augie what is seat height on standard bike ? how much can you lower them :thumb
Click to expand...

Standard seat height, for the lower seat, is 780 mm.
Have a look on the Chain Gang - http://faq.f650.com/GSFAQs/ as this topic is certainly covered over there.
 
Fit a Kouba lowering link and drop the forks, you'll lower the bike around 2":)
 
Can I assume ...

... you mean the F650GS Single cylinder, as opposed to the later Twin ? As the Scrawny one has pointed out, Kouba links are available for the Single; but not the Twin. Both are available as 'factory lowered' models, which makes them easily accessible for the shorter in stature. Jaq has had both and is comfortable on either, and she's only 4'11" :comfort
 
There a 650 twin with factory lowered suspension and seat in the for sale section:thumb
 
The 650 single is what we are looking at can't find any at local dealers to try :augie
 
will said:
Hi there my wife just passed bike test and would like gs 650 only problem is she is 5ft 1 :augie what is seat height on standard bike ? how much can you lower them :thumb
Click to expand...


I've done this to three 650's. There are a couple of options including the lowering links as Tim mentions above. However it's best to start at the cheap end and go from there as you may well be able to do the nesessary without having to spend any money.

One of the ladies was 5' 1" with a 29" inside leg.

At the front: you need to slide the stansions (the chromed legs) up through the yokes 1 1/2 inches. But not more.

At the back: (with your lady sitting on the bike with it off the stand and upright) using the ride hight adjust ment, loosen the shock so that she can reach the floor with the balls of her feet.

It's worth mentioning here that MX style boots (the imitations as opposed to the real thing) or a military type boot, will make this easier as their sole extends forward of the toes, more than normal boots allowing the rider to put more of their boot on the floor, thus aiding their confidence.

Once you have lowered the bike enough you will need to adjust the damping in order to re-stabelize the shock. This will keep the handeling correct.

You might need to adjust the bars for reach and slacken off the cluch cable a little for finger length. If you get an 04 or newer bike they come with adjustable leavers.

You also need to make sure the bike is fitted with the standard/lower seat. This is normally fitted to the standard 650, but sometimes is substituted with the higher seat normaly fitted to the GS Dakar.

Using this method most short people are able to ride the bikes with ease.

However if this is still too high you can either fit the Kouba links or alternetively the shorter shock fitted to the low chassis version of the 650 (The low chassis version simply had a shorter rear shock and shorter fork stansions. Otherwise it's the same bike). You will still need to adjust the forks.

I knew a lady of 4' 10" who could reach the ground and turn the bars lock to lock on the low chassis 560gs.

If you need any more help just PM me :thumb2


HTH Val.
 
VAL. H. said:
I've done this to three 650's. There are a couple of options including the lowering links as Tim mentions above. However it's best to start at the cheap end and go from there as you may well be able to do the nesessary without having to spend any money.

One of the ladies was 5' 1" with a 29" inside leg.

At the front: you need to slide the stansions (the chromed legs) up through the yokes 1 1/2 inches. But not more.

At the back: (with your lady sitting on the bike with it off the stand and upright) using the ride hight adjust ment, loosen the shock so that she can reach the floor with the balls of her feet.

It's worth mentioning here that MX style boots (the imitations as opposed to the real thing) or a military type boot, will make this easier as their sole extends forward of the toes, more than normal boots allowing the rider to put more of their boot on the floor, thus aiding their confidence.

Once you have lowered the bike enough you will need to adjust the damping in order to re-stabelize the shock. This will keep the handeling correct.

You might need to adjust the bars for reach and slacken off the cluch cable a little for finger length. If you get an 04 or newer bike they come with adjustable leavers.

You also need to make sure the bike is fitted with the standard/lower seat. This is normally fitted to the standard 650, but sometimes is substituted with the higher seat normaly fitted to the GS Dakar.

Using this method most short people are able to ride the bikes with ease.

However if this is still too high you can either fit the Kouba links or alternetively the shorter shock fitted to the low chassis version of the 650 (The low chassis version simply had a shorter rear shock and shorter fork stansions. Otherwise it's the same bike). You will still need to adjust the forks.

I knew a lady of 4' 10" who could reach the ground and turn the bars lock to lock on the low chassis 560gs.

If you need any more help just PM me :thumb2


HTH Val.
Click to expand...

Thanks that excellent we just need to find one now :thumb
 
I have a 29" inside leg and ride a 650GS single.

It is not lowered but has a lowered seat with the front forks lowered and balls of feet on ground. I tried Kouba links and though initially that it was great maneuvering the bike on difficult ground and slopes but I hated it on the road.

I found the handling was completely different and had them taken off after a couple of days touring.

I have put nearly 40KM on the bike and manage fine.

Good luck in getting one.

Cheers

Geraldine
 
Spear Ruler said:
I have a 29" inside leg and ride a 650GS single.

It is not lowered but has a lowered seat with the front forks lowered and balls of feet on ground. I tried Kouba links and though initially that it was great maneuvering the bike on difficult ground and slopes but I hated it on the road.

I found the handling was completely different and had them taken off after a couple of days touring.

I have put nearly 40KM on the bike and manage fine.

Good luck in getting one.

cheers

Geraldine
Click to expand...

Hi wife is 27" inside leg would you still have lowering links incase we need them :thumb
 
Apologies if this question has been answered somewhere elso but cant seem to find it.

Can you fit Kouba lowering links to a factory lowered 650?

Cheers
 
Axel F said:
Apologies if this question has been answered somewhere elso but cant seem to find it.

Can you fit Kouba lowering links to a factory lowered 650?

Cheers
Click to expand...


You can't no. But why would you want to? The low chassis option 650 is sutible for a rider of only 4'10" and a 27" inside leg.

It has shorter rear shock and fork stantions. It still has the same links as the standard bike, so technically you could fit Kouba's links, but you will have no suspension travel left and the rear wheel will be constantly rubbing on the bottom of the petrol tank.

The Kouba links where disigned as a cheep option to lowering the standard 650, bringing it down to very nearly the same as the factory lowered bike.


Val.
 
VAL. H. said:
You can't no. But why would you want to? The low chassis option 650 is sutible for a rider of only 4'10" and a 27" inside leg.

It has shorter rear shock and fork stantions. It still has the same links as the standard bike, so technically you could fit Kouba's links, but you will have no suspension travel left and the rear wheel will be constantly rubbing on the bottom of the petrol tank.

The Kouba links where disigned as a cheep option to lowering the standard 650, bringing it down to very nearly the same as the factory lowered bike.


Val.
Click to expand...

Cheers Val, your filling my good lady with confidence about getting one
 
Axel F said:
Cheers Val, your filling my good lady with confidence about getting one
Click to expand...

That's good to hear :thumb2 BTW don't spend too much time testing it out your self. You'll end up with two of them. :D Or three in our case :augie


Val.
 
will said:
Hi there my wife just passed bike test and would like gs 650 only problem is she is 5ft 1 :augie what is seat height on standard bike ? how much can you lower them :thumb
Click to expand...

It might also be worth getting your wife to try some Daytona Ladystar boots (or something similar) - they are raised on the inside and make it easier to get the foot on the floor.
They can make all the difference between just touching the floor with the toes and feeing confident you have enough of your foot on the floor.
 
moody said:
It might also be worth getting your wife to try some Daytona Ladystar boots (or something similar) - they are raised on the inside and make it easier to get the foot on the floor.
They can make all the difference between just touching the floor with the toes and feeing confident you have enough of your foot on the floor.
Click to expand...



:agree

I wore them for about 2 years and when I replaced them with standard boots, I found the confidence I'd gained meant that I didn't worry about the height of the bike, as I did before.....:):)

Oh, and BTW, I am NOT 4ft 11".....I'm almost 5ft 1"....so boo sux to Paul (oblertone).......:P


:jaq
 
It's not just about lowering the seat, I'm not petite by any imagination but found the seat very wide, by narrowing the seat I found it much easier and quicker to get feet on the floor.
 
FlooFoo said:
It's not just about lowering the seat, I'm not petite by any imagination but found the seat very wide, by narrowing the seat I found it much easier and quicker to get feet on the floor.
Click to expand...

You're right there :thumb2

I did this to Jill's R100GS when she moved up from the 650. I cut the seat base in at the sides and also took 2" out of it's hight. Making it 2" lower and 3" narrower. Along with other mods and adjustments the bike is now 5" lower than standard.

The only real dificulty was keeping the seat looking the same as the standard one.

Another thing worth noting is that the F650GS singles seatcover is bonded to the foam padding. It's probable that you will need to get it recovered once it's been cut.

The big boot thing is well worth it. Jill wares either German army boots or trailie style boots. They both have that extended sole you get on that type of footware, which adds to the confidence.
BTW I don't mean full on motocross boots. They are too stiff to be comfortable in for normal road riding.


Val.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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