R1150R Suspension Adjust/Seat Height

[sx200]

I might be bringing up an old discussion but would anyone know if I can lower the suspension to any great degree? The seat height I have leaves me leaning to one side or another when coming to a stop. If there is no adjustment, is there a lower seat I can install? The seat I have is a Sargent seat which I assume is an aftermarket seat. Any advice/help to allow me to enjoy this bike without leaning at each stop would be appreciated. If there is now solution, the bike might have to go as rocking at each stop is not stable and I assume will cause any manner of issues as the weather changes.

Phil

[Zaasu]

Phil,
How much do you estimate you need to lower your bike/seat to allow you flat foot?

[Gonzo49i]

I might be bringing up an old discussion but would anyone know if I can lower the suspension to any great degree? The seat height I have leaves me leaning to one side or another when coming to a stop. If there is no adjustment, is there a lower seat I can install? The seat I have is a Sargent seat which I assume is an aftermarket seat. Any advice/help to allow me to enjoy this bike without leaning at each stop would be appreciated. If there is now solution, the bike might have to go as rocking at each stop is not stable and I assume will cause any manner of issues as the weather changes.

Phil

Contact Sargent. If you ship the seat back to them they can lower it about an inch.

[cbmwgs]

BMW makes a low seat for this bike. Check the for sale items. You can usually get one for under $100. I just sold one for $50. delivered.

[sjbmw]

The Sargent seat, while comfortable, is wider than the stock seat so we lose some toe hold for those if us who are vertically challenged. (28 inch inseam here, with a Sargent seat.)

Your choices are:

1. Get a BMW stock Low seat. (and get ready to cry for the Sargent back after 200 miles, short trips you will survive, but be ready to throw the Sargent back on for an extended road trip)

2. Get new shocks and lower the bike, which I did to my R1105R (lowered one inch) with new Hyper-Pro shocks but you will need to be careful where you park unless you get a smaller kickstand too. The feet grip is excellent, but I do have to choose my parking spots carefully.

3. Master the one toe, one cheek method taught to all German M/C riders. This is what I did for years before I got my new shocks.
Ever wonder why Euro bikes are so tall? To get a M/C license in Germany, it is 4 weekends of training, and everyone that graduates knows how to ride a GS no matter their size. One Toe, One Cheek is a learned skill. Germans are taught, inseam challenged Americans who want to ride anything but a cruiser learn it out of necessity.

Good luck, and welcome.
herb

[georgek]

I have a low stock seat. feel free to pm me. it is sort of tearing at the front edge though, but maybe you can fix that. i'm in nyc.

thanks,
george

[sx200]

Thanks for the great ideas and advice. I believe I need to lower by one inch. If I install the new shocks, does this automatically mean a new kickstand? I do not mind, just the toe and cheek approach is leaving me looking like a novice rider not to mention i really like both feet on the ground. I am more than willing to trade/swap mine for a lower version although I do fear long rides after. Does anyone know which shock I would install if I go that route?

Philip

[wncbmw]

Everything you have been told so far is correct. A couple of things to add FYI.

I have a Sargent now and they said it added 0.85" or so to stock height. I felt like it was a little more but found welcome relief for my knees, so it is fine for me. Before the Sargent on the stock seat, my butt was fine, my knees killed me. If they can lower it, that would be an option for you. Another is to find someone who works on seats to remove some of the foam to lower it for you. I would guess the foam on the Sargent is better than the stock low seat.

Depending on the bike mileage and your riding style, new shocks might be a better option. My stock shocks lost that planted feel at about 25K and replacing them transformed the bike back to the one I fell in love with. Two birds, one stone!

Good luck.

[sjbmw]

+1 New Shocks = New Bike.

I got HyperPros, they were built to spec after a web site questionnaire about height, weight, riding style, and how much I wanted the bike lowered. I love them, they are a great shock. (Purple or Black springs are the choices.)

It's a pricey upgrade, but if you plan to keep the bike for thousands of more miles, it's well worth it.
It will up the resale value some but I don't know by how much.

The other usual suspects are Ohlins and Wilbers.

[riceburner]

Might also be worth re-sculpting the seat to make it narrower, rather than lower.