Shimming vs. lowering forks

[IcePrick]

Greetings,

I've never had a complaint about the XXs handling, probably because I know that it is a huge bike and don't expect any better. After reading the accolades on shimming the rear, I now question my previous attitude toward the handling characteristics.

Trouble is, at 5'7 on a "tall" day, I'm fighting for every little bit of seat height reduction I can find. So I'm thinking of dropping the tree to improve the handling a little and keep my seat height. I understand that this will have an effect on ground clearance, but I hope I can find a happy medium between seat height, ground clearance, and handling.

Any thoughts on how much to try dropping the front? How about a combination of tricks - shim the rear 3mm, drop the front a little?

Thanks for any input!

[Skull]

I have the same problem. I dropped the rear 1" with a lowering link and slipped the forks in the tubes about 1.25" - 1.5".

Oh, and for the record, I wouldn't recommend you do this. I wouldn't recommend anyone do this. If you know what I mean.

[bajjer9]

I was having issues with the stock bars so I purchased VFR bars and that helped a bit. I then installed 6mm shim on the rear and handling was noticeably better. I then dropped the front end of the bike 4mm and the difference was tremendous both in handling as well as in comfort, so much so that I dropped the bars back to stock height with no dis-comfort at all...hell I was even considering putting the stock bars back on too

[Redbird]

Mine is shimmed 6mm in back, dropped 5mm in front with no stability issues.

You see better results shimming the rear because by the time it goes though the linkage it's tripled- 6mm shimm raises the rear 18mm. You'd have to drop the front 18mm to get similar results, but I've heard anything above the 8-10mm range can yeild some weird steering characteristics.

Also, while dropping the front will effect the seat height, it won't be by much. With how far back the seat is on the machine, you'd be lucky to see half of what you drop on the front at the seat.

Shim the rear, drop the front a bit and you can probably shave the difference out of the seat. You'd be able to quicken up the steering a bit and keep the stock height, I think.

[IcePrick]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I've already shaved the seat, so I think I have gained as much as I can there. I can probably stand to shim *a little* in back, and I'll try dropping the front a little... I know dropping the front won't have as much effect on the handling as picking up the rear shock mount, but I'm really not looking to lose any more of the inseam I've gained in shaving the seat.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experiences. I'll let you know what I do and what the results are.

Thanks,

[blackhawkxx]

I have the same problem. I dropped the rear 1" with a lowering link and slipped the forks in the tubes about 1.25" - 1.5".  

I have done this but only a inch in front. I have very little trouble with things dragging. On some bumps while leaned over it might drag but I have stock front springs. With firmer springs, I think it would be OK. And I am not a light weight.