The Straight Poop on Loweking Kits

I too need a lowering kit for my 6th Gen. What is holding me back is questions about how changing the ride height will affect the handeling dynamics.

IMHO the boys at Honda R&D are right up there with The Almighty as far as being creative geniuses. Therefore I'M loathe to perform elective surgey on Mr. Honda and mines motorcyle.

My $64 question - does lowering the bike affect sttering or stability in any way, at speed or otherwise? If so how?


THX,

MAC

 

I have not lowered a 6th gen but have done a few 600 for the height impared.
you will spend some time raising the forks to get the bike dialed in but will be back to normal handling after a few days of messing w/ the forks.
kick stand needs to be cut down as well and ground clearance will be an issue on the 6th gen, poss remove centerstand and cat conveter.

 

I wonder where the sticky is for this model... seems to be an ongoing change...

 

oh if you are not looking to drop the bike alot try to raise forks.
I installed a 19mm tail riser and raise forks 3/8" and bike really handles much better now. lower side wall on tires will lower a bit as well
so maybe try to raise the forks 1/4" - 3/8" and see if you can touch the ground better and you will get quicker steering as well w/o any ill effects on stability.

 

LOL! You've just gotta love VFRWorld,where EVERY day is Groundhog Day.

Search is your friend MiddleAgeCrazy,this question has been beaten to death.

In the VFR General Discussions forum you'll find a post by forum member Sneaky291 titled "A Call to all Short Riders!" In it I outlined the benefits and "how to" of lowering the 6th gen. VFR.

Also in the VFR General Discussions forum you'll find a post by forum member Computerdeals titled "Shortening the kick stand" In it I again gave a brief outline of lowering the bike,and I also sent along a pic and a "how to" to shorten the kickstand.

The only problem that I ever encountered by lowering the bike was when I installed a set of peg lowering blocks from Larry over at Busy Little Shop. Those peg lowering blocks lower the foot pegs an additional 1 1/2 inches in the rearsets to give you a bit more leg room. With the bike already lowered 35mm at the rear axle with the Thurn Motorsports lowering triangles,and the forks raised 10mm in the triple trees,it made it excessively easy to grind the edges of the footpegs during aggressive cornering. So unfortunately those peg lowering blocks had to be removed.
Don't get me wrong here,those peg lowering blocks are an excellent product IMHO,but they don't work quite so well if your bike has already been lowered like mine has. If you lower your bike and use just the unmodified stock rearsets,you should have no problems at all with grinding any hard parts. Unless of course you're a hell bent for leather,backroad burning knee dragger. In that case I would suggest that you remove your centerstand. Hope this helps you with your decision. Good Luck Mac.

 

I lowered my VFR with the Sigma Cycles lowering kit including side stand. The quality is exceptional. I have not had it out to ride yet as the weather here sucks. At least at a stop I can now flat foot where before before I was on my toes!

 

Thanks fellas. I know this subject may have been beaten to death but what concerns me most is changing the handeling characteristics of what I believe to be the most developed and researched bike on the planet.

I'M having trouble getting what is the right feeling from the suspension. Old school me is used to a little sag and to feel it working in the bumps. My new Gray Goose seems to ride on rails with little or no input from the suspension. I weigh 185-190.

 

Ditto above; My kit from Ron at Sigma Cycles for my Gen5 turned out really good. I can't be happier about it.