Is lowering a bike safe?

PinkNinja81 · May 5th, 2009, 09:39 PM

Hi everyone, so I just got my very first bike!! yay! I'm 5'1" and I can put my left foot down flat, however the bike has to lean as far over as it would if it was on the kickstand. I already dropped it yesterday after having it for only one hour! heartbreaking it was!

I've been told I can have it lowered which I know would give me more confidence, but I've also heard lowering it can cause problems, has anyone had experience with this? I'd greatly appreciate any advice!

Thanks!

Verus Cidere · May 5th, 2009, 09:51 PM

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=18193

I was a participant in this thread a little while ago. I may have been wrong on pretty much everything I said, but I learned from it. I hope it answers your question.

Oh, by the way, welcome to the board. Make sure to head over to the new member's forum and tell us a little about yourself.

tlhamon · May 6th, 2009, 07:35 AM

If you go to other forums, they make it sound like you are signing a death warrant. I lowered both the front and rear 1 inch (I'm only 5'2") and the bike doesn't feel any different handling wise. I DO feel more confident having my feet on the ground when I stop. That was my, and I'm guessing your, issue. The only thing you may have to do is adjust the preload on the rear shock if you know you will be taking big bumps. I haven't had my bike bottom out yet, so I haven't adjusted mine.

Apex · May 6th, 2009, 10:26 AM

I haven't looked into lowering a bike, since I have a 34" inseam, I normally have no issues reaching the ground.

I know you have to be careful about how you lower vehicles. In my old Mustang, I swapped to Steeda Springs all the way around. I learned real quick that I was needing to upgrade my shocks because the lowered suspension altered the shock throw. This started to cause the shock to age prematurely and occasionally bottom out before the suspension did.

I am not saying the 250 would have this issue, but it is something to be aware of. Needless to say, I do not suggest cutting a spring in order to lower it since the spring rate would not be able to handle the forces any longer. Smaller, stiffer springs would work. I suggest new springs all the way around, new rear shock and new fork oil.

I will be looking into new suspension if I decide to make this bike a track bike. I at least need to upgrade the front end to reduce the diving effect (maybe new oil would do that).

Just make sure you lower it both in the front and back. If you just do one side and not the other, you can seriously alter the handling characteristics of the bike in a very negative way.

kkim · May 6th, 2009, 10:46 AM

lower it an inch... you'll be fine.

girlygirl69 · May 6th, 2009, 02:53 PM

im 4'10" and mine is lowered and its much better.

noche_caliente · May 6th, 2009, 04:01 PM

I am also much more confident with mine lowered - I even did a DIY for it

Just be sure that you lower the front and the rear at the same time to keep the geometry as close to the same as possible.

ManyCavies · May 6th, 2009, 04:10 PM

Welcome

My bike is lowered an inch.

Daeldren · May 6th, 2009, 06:15 PM

Personally I believe in leaving the stock height on sport bikes due to the fact that you do effect the performance by lowering it. 1" like everyone said, is the general rule without effecting the handling too much. However keep in mind that Im 5'2" and I was riding a stock R6S without problems except for backing it up, I usually just hopped off and pushed it back. I'm surprised that you would need to do that to a 250 though as I can almost flat foot it at my height with my boots on plus its a light bike and is not that hard to keep stable with one foot. But if it makes you feel more comfortable then I agree don't go anymore than an inch.

TnNinjaGirl · May 6th, 2009, 06:16 PM

Ya, but you dropped it at least once, Ken.

Daeldren · May 6th, 2009, 06:47 PM

Hey, it was still rideable

zail · May 7th, 2009, 05:55 AM

Hi there! I'm 5' and manage my ninja unlowered with the preload on lowest setting (I only ever get the ball of my foot down on one side but hey!... Other vertically challenged people I know swear by Daytona Ladystar boots which have a built up sole and may provide a good solution for you? Don't know if you can get thet model in the US but I'm sure there must be something similar? However, I would advise you to try before you buy as they tend to be expensive and although a lot of people I know like them I have never got on with them as they won't fit under the gearshift well (although I could get it altered) and they reduce the sensitivity in my feet as the soles are so thick!

May 5th, 2009, 09:39 PM	#1
PinkNinja81 ninjette.org newbie Name: Jenna Location: London, ON Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): Soon to be a Ninja 250! Posts: 1	Is lowering a bike safe? Hi everyone, so I just got my very first bike!! yay! I'm 5'1" and I can put my left foot down flat, however the bike has to lean as far over as it would if it was on the kickstand. I already dropped it yesterday after having it for only one hour! heartbreaking it was! I've been told I can have it lowered which I know would give me more confidence, but I've also heard lowering it can cause problems, has anyone had experience with this? I'd greatly appreciate any advice! Thanks!

May 5th, 2009, 09:51 PM	#2
Verus Cidere ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Michael Location: Southern NM Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '91 Honda CBR600 F2 Posts: A lot.	http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=18193 I was a participant in this thread a little while ago. I may have been wrong on pretty much everything I said, but I learned from it. I hope it answers your question. Oh, by the way, welcome to the board. Make sure to head over to the new member's forum and tell us a little about yourself. __________________________________________________ 1991 Honda CBR600 F2, White/Gray, D&D slip-on exhaust, tail integrator, gel grips, Custom undertail.

May 6th, 2009, 07:35 AM	#3
tlhamon ninjette.org member Name: Thomas Location: Traverse City, MI Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): None Yet Posts: 183	If you go to other forums, they make it sound like you are signing a death warrant. I lowered both the front and rear 1 inch (I'm only 5'2") and the bike doesn't feel any different handling wise. I DO feel more confident having my feet on the ground when I stop. That was my, and I'm guessing your, issue. The only thing you may have to do is adjust the preload on the rear shock if you know you will be taking big bumps. I haven't had my bike bottom out yet, so I haven't adjusted mine. __________________________________________________ It's not worth doing if you aren't completely stressed out about it.

May 6th, 2009, 10:26 AM	#4
Apex Livin' the Minimoto Life Name: Mark Location: Riding around in TX Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2022 Honda Navi, 2018 Z-125 Pro Posts: A lot.	I haven't looked into lowering a bike, since I have a 34" inseam, I normally have no issues reaching the ground. I know you have to be careful about how you lower vehicles. In my old Mustang, I swapped to Steeda Springs all the way around. I learned real quick that I was needing to upgrade my shocks because the lowered suspension altered the shock throw. This started to cause the shock to age prematurely and occasionally bottom out before the suspension did. I am not saying the 250 would have this issue, but it is something to be aware of. Needless to say, I do not suggest cutting a spring in order to lower it since the spring rate would not be able to handle the forces any longer. Smaller, stiffer springs would work. I suggest new springs all the way around, new rear shock and new fork oil. I will be looking into new suspension if I decide to make this bike a track bike. I at least need to upgrade the front end to reduce the diving effect (maybe new oil would do that). Just make sure you lower it both in the front and back. If you just do one side and not the other, you can seriously alter the handling characteristics of the bike in a very negative way. __________________________________________________ --- My IG Page --- My FB page! --- 2022 Honda Navi && 2018 Z-125 Pro

May 6th, 2009, 04:10 PM	#8
ManyCavies ninjette.org sage Name: Crissy Location: Indio, CA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): . . . . . . . 2000 Suzuki Intruder VS800 "Suzi", 2008 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 "Yoshi" Posts: 507	Welcome My bike is lowered an inch. __________________________________________________ GO GREEN!! GOT MY PINK ON!!

May 6th, 2009, 10:46 AM	#5
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	lower it an inch... you'll be fine.

May 6th, 2009, 02:53 PM	#6
girlygirl69 ninjette.org member Name: Charlene Location: Grimsby, Ontario Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: 21	im 4'10" and mine is lowered and its much better.

May 6th, 2009, 04:01 PM	#7
noche_caliente ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kim Location: mundo de ensueño Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.	I am also much more confident with mine lowered - I even did a DIY for it Just be sure that you lower the front and the rear at the same time to keep the geometry as close to the same as possible.

May 6th, 2009, 06:15 PM	#9
Daeldren two wheel addict Name: Kenneth Location: Simpsonville, SC Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 94 xlh 883, 1984 kawi gpz money pit Posts: 556	Personally I believe in leaving the stock height on sport bikes due to the fact that you do effect the performance by lowering it. 1" like everyone said, is the general rule without effecting the handling too much. However keep in mind that Im 5'2" and I was riding a stock R6S without problems except for backing it up, I usually just hopped off and pushed it back. I'm surprised that you would need to do that to a 250 though as I can almost flat foot it at my height with my boots on plus its a light bike and is not that hard to keep stable with one foot. But if it makes you feel more comfortable then I agree don't go anymore than an inch.

May 6th, 2009, 06:16 PM	#10
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	Ya, but you dropped it at least once, Ken.

May 6th, 2009, 06:47 PM	#11
Daeldren two wheel addict Name: Kenneth Location: Simpsonville, SC Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 94 xlh 883, 1984 kawi gpz money pit Posts: 556	Hey, it was still rideable

May 7th, 2009, 05:55 AM	#12
zail ninjette.org member Name: zail Location: Bristol, UK Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250r Posts: 156	Hi there! I'm 5' and manage my ninja unlowered with the preload on lowest setting (I only ever get the ball of my foot down on one side but hey!... Other vertically challenged people I know swear by Daytona Ladystar boots which have a built up sole and may provide a good solution for you? Don't know if you can get thet model in the US but I'm sure there must be something similar? However, I would advise you to try before you buy as they tend to be expensive and although a lot of people I know like them I have never got on with them as they won't fit under the gearshift well (although I could get it altered) and they reduce the sensitivity in my feet as the soles are so thick!

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