[tho9504]

Hello,
I plan on getting the GSX1000GT next month. I am only 5'6" in height (140 lbs) and wanted to see if anyone else here have lowered their bike? i wanted to lower it by an inch, so i could flat foot it. i know it already has a low seat height of 31.9" (810 mm). My current bike (2012 Yamaha FZ6R) have a seat height of 30.9" and i could flat foot that one.

Also, how is the handling of the bike on highways? Is there a lot of wind buffeting?

Thanks in advance,
AL

 

[Scrubby13]

I'm 5'8" so roughly similar height and I haven't noticed any buffeting at all. Take this with a grain of salt though because I rode a naked bike before this one so anything will be an improvement over that for me.

 

[tho9504]

Thanks. Is the bike top heavy? or is the weight distribution towards the bottom and easier to balance?

 

[Scrubby13]

I find the bike incredibly well balanced, even at slow speeds and stopped. My other bike ('02 SV 650) is WAY more tippy than the GT moving it around in the garage and at stoplights, and that's a smaller and lighter bike. I'm guessing we have similar inseams and while I can't flat foot the bike I've had zero issues being able to balance on my toes and/or flamingo.

 

[CPCNY]

There's no need to lower the bike. Just lean on the left foot when stopped. You'll get used to it. I'm short also (5'-8"). My other bike is a KTM 890 Duke R and has a 33 inch seat height. Not an issue.

 

[tho9504]

There's no need to lower the bike. Just lean on the left foot when stopped. You'll get used to it. I'm short also (5'-8"). My other bike is a KTM 890 Duke R and has a 33 inch seat height. Not an issue.

How do you back it out of the garage or slight hill? I have not sat on the bike yet, so don't know what the height is compared to my legs. But if i am on my tiptoe, then i would be probably more inclined to lower it an inch in the back and 0.50 inch in the front.
figured if i am spending close around $14k on a bike, then i want it to my exact specifications but i probably will check it out within few weeks at the dealership to see if i even need it.

 

[FreePenguiny]

Wear boots

 

[CPCNY]

How do you back it out of the garage or slight hill? I have not sat on the bike yet, so don't know what the height is compared to my legs. But if i am on my tiptoe, then i would be probably more inclined to lower it an inch in the back and 0.50 inch in the front.
figured if i am spending close around $14k on a bike, then i want it to my exact specifications but i probably will check it out within few weeks at the dealership to see if i even need it.

I push my bike out of the garage. Lowering the bike an inch you still won't be able to flat foot it. I've never flat footed any sportbike I've had. Don't care if I could. Plus it adversely affects the geometry of the bike (handling). However, it's your bike and money so do what you want.

 

[Pastafasool]

Hello,
I plan on getting the GSX1000GT next month. I am only 5'6" in height (140 lbs) and wanted to see if anyone else here have lowered their bike? i wanted to lower it by an inch, so i could flat foot it. i know it already has a low seat height of 31.9" (810 mm). My current bike (2012 Yamaha FZ6R) have a seat height of 30.9" and i could flat foot that one.

Also, how is the handling of the bike on highways? Is there a lot of wind buffeting?

Thanks in advance,
AL

I lowered it with

Hello,
I plan on getting the GSX1000GT next month. I am only 5'6" in height (140 lbs) and wanted to see if anyone else here have lowered their bike? i wanted to lower it by an inch, so i could flat foot it. i know it already has a low seat height of 31.9" (810 mm). My current bike (2012 Yamaha FZ6R) have a seat height of 30.9" and i could flat foot that one.

Also, how is the handling of the bike on highways? Is there a lot of wind buffeting?

Thanks in advance,
AL
[/QUOTE

Hello,
I plan on getting the GSX1000GT next month. I am only 5'6" in height (140 lbs) and wanted to see if anyone else here have lowered their bike? i wanted to lower it by an inch, so i could flat foot it. i know it already has a low seat height of 31.9" (810 mm). My current bike (2012 Yamaha FZ6R) have a seat height of 30.9" and i could flat foot that one.

Also, how is the handling of the bike on highways? Is there a lot of wind buffeting?

Thanks in advance,
AL

I lowered it about 2" in the rear with T-Rex triangles and lowered the front in the fork tubes about 3/4". It still handles great for me. I also have the touring shield with a Puig deflector and it's very decent.

 

[tho9504]

I lowered it with


I lowered it about 2" in the rear with T-Rex triangles and lowered the front in the fork tubes about 3/4". It still handles great for me. I also have the touring shield with a Puig deflector and it's very decent.

Thanks for the feedback.
Did you had to remove the front headlight fairing to lower the front fork tubes or were they accessable without removing anything?
Also for the t-rex, did you had to remove the exhaust or is it readily accesible? Thanks. just wanted to see if i do have to lower it then how much work was involved.

 

[Pastafasool]

Thanks for the feedback.
Did you had to remove the front headlight fairing to lower the front fork tubes or were they accessable without removing anything?
Also for the t-rex, did you had to remove the exhaust or is it readily accesible? Thanks. just wanted to see if i do have to lower it then how much work was involved.

There was room to lower tubes and use a torque wrench without any problems. The rear triangle swap was a two man job but I struggled to do it myself. One issue was the loose needle bearings that can fall out after removing the bolts and the sleeved spacers they go through.

 

[tho9504]

Thank you for answering my inquiring. i am looking at the T-REX triangles and it seems like quality product based on thickness. But i noticed that the holes are drilled so close to each other. I am assuming you did not have any quality issues based on you replies above.
Did your suspension bottom out ever if going over potholes?
Did you had to change the kickstand after lowering it? i know the lean angle changes and the bike is more upright on the kickstand once the bike is lowered.
I also found another company in UK (Lust Racing) that have the triangle for GSX1000. That one only has 1 fixed hole for 1.6".

 

[Pastafasool]

Thank you for answering my inquiring. i am looking at the T-REX triangles and it seems like quality product based on thickness. But i noticed that the holes are drilled so close to each other. I am assuming you did not have any quality issues based on you replies above.
Did your suspension bottom out ever if going over potholes?
Did you had to change the kickstand after lowering it? i know the lean angle changes and the bike is more upright on the kickstand once the bike is lowered.
I also found another company in UK (Lust Racing) that have the triangle for GSX1000. That one only has 1 fixed hole for 1.6".

No problems yet. (5000+ miles).I'm 200lb and have never bottomed it out. The exhaust didn't have to be touched.

 

[Pastafasool]

No problems yet. (5000+ miles).I'm 200lb and have never bottomed it out. The exhaust didn't have to be touched.

.. and yes I bought an adjustable kickstand and it works fine.

 

[West Coast Suzuki]

Suggestion: The stock seat is wide in the front. I'm sure you could have the foam reshaped and recovered or find one of the aftermarket companies that will sell you a custom seat. A lot less expensive and no handling issues with that. I have 8500+ miles on my GT+ and it not only handles great, but is comfortable enough for long distance trips (I rode 3000 miles in 10 days last summer and was fresh as a daisy every day). I ditched the stock seat before the first month I had it, because it made me soar after a 1/2 day in the saddle. I am tall, so it wasn't a design issue, just the gushy wide front foam made it feel taller and made my ass stick to the seat with the stock rubbery material and foam. A friend of mine who has a GSXR1000 just bought a Corbin seat a couple weeks ago and he ordered it shorter than stock and loves it. The foam is harder and narrower in the front. Maybe they have one for the GT by now? As far as the windscreen goes, I thought the stocker was too short and bought the touring version. I sent it back the next day, as the wind buffeting and force was horrible. Better solution is get a quiet helmet. I have a shelf full of helmets. 2 recommendations for quiet ride, all day comfort: Shoei RF-1400 (you can tweak the pads thicker or thinner if you have any issues, and a Schuberth C3 Pro (modular). Both are amazingly quiet, and both have pinlock shields which are a total lifesaver in the winter months from fogging up and having to lift your shield all the time. My Shoei RF-1100 and my Arai Corsair X (both loud and windy, need earplugs and music) The stock windscreen is actually very aerodynamic, and I don't have to crouch down to go fast and break the wind.

 

[chazF]

Hyperpro makes rear springs that will lower the ass end. I have been riding on the standard height springs which I love. The progressive wind transformed the rear end. Good luck...Hate to see you guy a harley with a 28 inch seat height and miss all the fun!

 

[Scrubby13]

I ditched the stock seat before the first month I had it, because it made me soar after a 1/2 day in the saddle.

Just curious, what seat did you go with?

 

[West Coast Suzuki]

Just curious, what seat did you go with?

I went with the Suzuki Styled seat (which when it first came out, it was called the "touring seat" but they changed the name midsummer of last year. When I got it I was sceptical, but my 3000 mile vacation ride made me a believer. If you are considering a Harley as an alternative, I have a 2021 Road King Special with legend cartridge forks and RWD shocks and a custom windscreen for sale, that I just have no desire to ride anymore, because my Suzuki GT+ is so much more comfortable, fun, light, handles better, and costs virtually nothing to maintain. I would never go back to the stock tires on the GT but because they just don't last, and don't instill enough confidence, and frankly, when I took them off, I could not believe how thin they are. Currently, I have Michelin Road 5 GT's on my bike, because they were in stock at my local tire store. For more straight line touring with light to minimal rain, and filling up the bags on a semi regular basis, I think you can't find a better choice. If you ride more agressively, and don't ever carry a passenger, and use your bike as a double duty sport bike and touring bike, I would get the Michelin Road 5 regular tires with the rear as a 190/ 55 instead of 190/50 because the profile is more rounded and they turn in better. If I were in an area of the country or in another country where wet weather is common, I would personally move up to the Road 6 series, which has more water grooves (which is safer, but has less rubber contact surface on the edges of the tires for high speed cornering. I have 3 Suzuki 1000's and have all 3 of my bikes iwth the 3 tires I am giving you an evaluation on, so this is rear world evaluation, not BS based on paid for reviews.

 

[Bruce00]

Since Iam also 5-6 and have had my GT+ for 2 months, I'll give my 2 cents......

At first I was worried about the seat height, but after 2 rides (150 miler, followed by a 100 miler) Ive discovered that just leaving my right foot on the brake and only using my left foot has resolved any worries I had. With the bike being so light it has become a piece of cake and haven't given the seat height a second thought.
I did order a set of Voigt pull back riser a few weeks ago, with an estimated shipping date of 3/15. They did a run of them, as I received a shipping notification this morning, so I assume they are in stock now.
I personally recommend just riding the bike a few times before you commit to changing anything

 

[Uncle]

I personally recommend just riding the bike a few times before you commit to changing anything

I agree and being another short guy also agree with a previous comment regarding boots. Look at some with a thick sole, maybe an adventure type or simply some Doc Martens.
My bike is standard height and so far no feet down issues... but I am careful how and where I park.