Lowered suspension - any thoughts?
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- Mollygrubber
- Lifer
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Lowered suspension - any thoughts?
Hi all...
I'm new to this site, and awaiting delivery of a shiny new R1200R (blue, the fastest color I've been told).
My bike has the lowered suspension kit, and I wonder if any of you have the same, and if so how you find it works? I didn't consider ordering this option initially, but as the only available bike in the shop had it, and it actually felt comfortable for me, I grabbed it!
Great to 'meet' you all, if you're in the Vancouver BC Canada area maybe we could hook up for a ride!
Peter Jowett
I'm new to this site, and awaiting delivery of a shiny new R1200R (blue, the fastest color I've been told).
My bike has the lowered suspension kit, and I wonder if any of you have the same, and if so how you find it works? I didn't consider ordering this option initially, but as the only available bike in the shop had it, and it actually felt comfortable for me, I grabbed it!
Great to 'meet' you all, if you're in the Vancouver BC Canada area maybe we could hook up for a ride!
Peter Jowett
Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
2010 F800GS
Member #741
2010 F800GS
Member #741
- websterize
- Lifer
- Posts: 993
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 4:41 pm
Re: Lowered suspension - any thoughts?
Hi, Peter, I'm new to this site, too, and recently took delivery of an R1200R. I live in D.C., but have you heard of the Daily Rider blog — http://dailyrider.blogspot.com/. Zutter Bug is an R1200R commuter in Vancouver and one terrific photographer. He might also be a good riding buddy.
Bill
Edit: To your first question, I do not have the lowered-suspension option. Happy riding.
Bill
Edit: To your first question, I do not have the lowered-suspension option. Happy riding.
Last edited by websterize on Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bill
Re: Lowered suspension - any thoughts?
I would be interested in this too. I notice that the GS comes with the lowered suspension now and I was surprised that I am now totally flat footed with bent knees on a GS. I always wanted a GS but thought it was a little on the tall side for me.....
2002 BMW R1150R
2004 Honda CBR600RR
2006 Kawasaki KLX250S
2008 Ducati Hypermotard
1996 Ducati 900SS
2004 Honda CBR600RR
2006 Kawasaki KLX250S
2008 Ducati Hypermotard
1996 Ducati 900SS
Re: Lowered suspension - any thoughts?
Congrats on a great choice.
but someone has mis-led you...
Black is the fastest color
On lowering your bike... you can get a low seat, or get a pair of custom shocks, or http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/list. ... gory_ID=80 or http://www.mpsracing.com/products/MPS/ho02.asp
but someone has mis-led you...
is incorrect.(blue, the fastest color I've been told).
Black is the fastest color
On lowering your bike... you can get a low seat, or get a pair of custom shocks, or http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/list. ... gory_ID=80 or http://www.mpsracing.com/products/MPS/ho02.asp
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- Honorary Lifer
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Re: Lowered suspension - any thoughts?
When combined with white pinstripes..parkec wrote:Congrats on a great choice.
but someone has mis-led you...is incorrect.(blue, the fastest color I've been told).
Black is the fastest color
I believe he's ordered the factory lowered chassis bike. So I have a question for him..
On lowering your bike... you can get a low seat, or get a pair of custom shocks, or http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/list. ... gory_ID=80 or http://www.mpsracing.com/products/MPS/ho02.asp
When you get the bike, please do me a favor and measure the distance between the centerstand pivot and the ground with the bike on the centerstand. I believe BMW actually makes a lowered centerstand for use with their lowered suspension. I'd be curious on this dimension.
Then once you do that - I'll be back to you on how to measure the suspension travel - since I'm curious if the factory lowered suspension looses any travel compared to the "normal" suspension.
Don Eilenberger - NJ Shore
2012 R1200R - I love this bike!
2012 R1200R - I love this bike!
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Re: Lowered suspension - any thoughts?
Don:
When I bought my bike from Max's (at your suggestion), I had them install Wilbers to lower the bike one inch (they gave me a deal). Part of the deal was that they had a welder section one inch out of the kickstand and centerstand. They work great! The obvious drawback is that, if I return the bike back to stock, I will need to buy new stands. But, as you say: "I love this bike". I won't have to deal with this issue for a long time.
As for the origional question, I motor along quite nicely on the lowered suspension. I ground the brake pedal every once and a while (lowered pegs), but thats all. Hey--I'm short so I deal with it!
Bill Kenny
When I bought my bike from Max's (at your suggestion), I had them install Wilbers to lower the bike one inch (they gave me a deal). Part of the deal was that they had a welder section one inch out of the kickstand and centerstand. They work great! The obvious drawback is that, if I return the bike back to stock, I will need to buy new stands. But, as you say: "I love this bike". I won't have to deal with this issue for a long time.
As for the origional question, I motor along quite nicely on the lowered suspension. I ground the brake pedal every once and a while (lowered pegs), but thats all. Hey--I'm short so I deal with it!
Bill Kenny
Re: Lowered suspension - any thoughts?
A buddy of mine who is not very tall just bought a lowered suspension r/r and he loves it. I took a spin on it, and it felt pretty good even for my 6 foot plus frame. I think you made an excellent choice. Frankly, being really comfortable on a bike is absolutely the first priority. In fact, I have had four bikes in the last 2 years and I've gotten rid of all of them (except my customized R1200C) becuase they just didn't feel perfect. The last sacrifice to my princess-hood was my R1150R. Even with a raised seat I still didn't feel like the bike was made for me. Since my brother had his eye on it and was willing to pay me essentially what I paid for it myself (less a grand or so) I let him have it.
Anyway, best of luck iwth the r/r. I think you made an excellent decision.
Anyway, best of luck iwth the r/r. I think you made an excellent decision.
Re: Lowered suspension - any thoughts?
deilenberger wrote: When you get the bike, please do me a favor and measure the distance between the centerstand pivot and the ground with the bike on the centerstand. I believe BMW actually makes a lowered centerstand for use with their lowered suspension. I'd be curious on this dimension.
Don,
I have an '09 with a lowered suspension. The measurement from the center of the pin to the bottom of the centerstand is 10.5 inches.
Paul
2009 R1200R
2009 R1200R
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- Honorary Lifer
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Re: Lowered suspension - any thoughts?
Then they did come out with a shorter one. Mine measures 11".. now how to find the PN... have to see if it's on REALOEM..Dauntless wrote:deilenberger wrote: When you get the bike, please do me a favor and measure the distance between the centerstand pivot and the ground with the bike on the centerstand. I believe BMW actually makes a lowered centerstand for use with their lowered suspension. I'd be curious on this dimension.
Don,
I have an '09 with a lowered suspension. The measurement from the center of the pin to the bottom of the centerstand is 10.5 inches.
Just looked.. REALOEM only lists 1 sidestand and 1 centerstand: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=46&fg=10
It does list a short shock for both front and rear..
Don Eilenberger - NJ Shore
2012 R1200R - I love this bike!
2012 R1200R - I love this bike!
- Mollygrubber
- Lifer
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Re: Lowered suspension - any thoughts?
Thanks for all your opinions guys, I feel like I made a really good choice with this one! Picking her up in 2 hours, ooohhh the suspense... I'll post a couple of pictures if I ever stop riding long enough.
Now for the farkling... although my credit card has apparently caught fire ... engine guard seems like a great idea...
** update **
Brought her home safe & sound, scared the shi+ outta me the whole way! It feels really big and ballsy to me, although I haven't ridden in about 9 years ... guess I need some seat time now! Here's a pic, and for the record, blue is the fastest.
ps. thanks for doing the measuring for me Dauntless!
Now for the farkling... although my credit card has apparently caught fire ... engine guard seems like a great idea...
** update **
Brought her home safe & sound, scared the shi+ outta me the whole way! It feels really big and ballsy to me, although I haven't ridden in about 9 years ... guess I need some seat time now! Here's a pic, and for the record, blue is the fastest.
ps. thanks for doing the measuring for me Dauntless!
Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
2010 F800GS
Member #741
2010 F800GS
Member #741