Customization

[ersigh]

Who has done stuff to their bike to make it easier to reach the ground?

When I had my SV and was still feeling a bit shakey I had my seat thinned which helped a lot. Now that I've gotten more experience I feel completely confident ... it also helps that I have better clearance on my r1 then I did on my sv.

[ST_Lisa]

I have done some. There are several things easy to do:
1) lower the seat by having a custom seat maker un"stuff" it.
2) lower the suspension either by changing the suspension links, shortening the shocks or changing the spring to a shorter spring. These are all dependent on your bikes configuration.
3) buy boots with thicker soles (LOL) like several made by Daytona that are really good.

Lisa

[ro-monster]

My DR650 came from the factory with an optional lowering kit that reduced the seat height from 34.5 inches to about 33 inches. I had to have that installed before I could ride it home from the dealer, as my feet were nowhere near the ground. With the lowering kit I can just tiptoe both sides, although I normally slide off to the side a bit and put one foot down instead.

Years later the seat cover wore out and at that point I had a small amount of foam removed while it was being recovered. I’m kind of sorry I did, though. The bike isn’t any easier to ride but the seat is now less comfortable; instead of being rounded it has squared-off edges that tend to dig into my inner thighs.

[Alayna]

I'm 5'0 and Ive learned to one foot it a lot.. but stopping on off camber roads was a disaster sometimes!! when the ground was lower than you anticipated!!! YIKES!!!
On my SV.. I modified the seat by replacing the foam with closed cell foam 1/2in thick.. very easy to do yourself.. but still i had to have 2 inch platforms added to my riding boots.. they looked crazy but you get used to them..

Then I had adjustable dogbones put on that lowered it 2 inches and I got Daytona boots. Those didnt help as much in heighth as I thought they would, but a great riding and track boot for sure!!!

[holly]

Years later the seat cover wore out and at that point I had a small amount of foam removed while it was being recovered. I’m kind of sorry I did, though. The bike isn’t any easier to ride but the seat is now less comfortable; instead of being rounded it has squared-off edges that tend to dig into my inner thighs.

So Ro, did you just have your seat shaved & no hi-density foam put in? I'm thinking of having this done when I get my SV650S. I've heard others having good luck with the hi-density foam like Ersigh. Do you think that would have made a difference in the comfort?

My other option is to get a Corbin seat and replace the stock one. Has anyone done this? I only need to gain 1/2-1" to be on the balls of my feet (rather than just the toes) and they said they could get that without a problem by shaving and narrowing the seat. Will take 3 weeks to get (& mucho $$$), but hopefully it would be better than the stock seat in long rides.

[ro-monster]

So Ro, did you just have your seat shaved & no hi-density foam put in? I'm thinking of having this done when I get my SV650S. I've heard others having good luck with the hi-density foam like Ersigh. Do you think that would have made a difference in the comfort?
Yeah, they just shaved about half an inch, with no other modification. I don’t know if high-density foam would have made a difference in comfort. The seat doesn’t really feel less padded now, it’s just a different shape. Does Suzuki still make the gel seats that you can use to replace the stock seat? I’ve heard those were more comfortable as well as being lower.

[ersigh]

So Ro, did you just have your seat shaved & no hi-density foam put in? I'm thinking of having this done when I get my SV650S. I've heard others having good luck with the hi-density foam like Ersigh. Do you think that would have made a difference in the comfort?

My other option is to get a Corbin seat and replace the stock one. Has anyone done this? I only need to gain 1/2-1" to be on the balls of my feet (rather than just the toes) and they said they could get that without a problem by shaving and narrowing the seat. Will take 3 weeks to get (& mucho $$$), but hopefully it would be better than the stock seat in long rides.

I didn't use high density foam. I just had the stock seat thinned. I have enough built in padding that the thin seat wasn't an issue. ;)

If you can touch both feet down, even if it's only the toes, why do you want to shave your seat? My issue with thinning my seat as that it changed the bikes ergos, I got used to it but it was never the same hanging off because my arms were a bit more stretched thus a bit harder to keep loose.

Corbin seats are nice. The few people I know who have put the money into it, swear by them.

[holly]

Does Suzuki still make the gel seats that you can use to replace the stock seat? I’ve heard those were more comfortable as well as being lower.

Hi Ro,
Yes, Suzi still makes a gel seat & I'd heard they were lower too. Haven't heard how much lower. Some seat manuf. (like Corbin) don't like gel, but a guy at work likes his. I'm not sure how I'd like it or how it would hold up over time.

Interesting that it was the shape after having your seat shaved that didn't work. That's what I'm a little afraid of & the thought of having someone cut into my brand new seat is just plain scary. Yesterday I found directions for just inserting a 6"x4" piece of firm therma foam into the seat. Sounded easy & the guy said it really helped with comfort. Wouldn't help with height, of course.

Thinking more and more that I might give the stock seat a chance, before ordering anything. I'll have a 4 hour ride home, so that's a good time to try it out for height & comfort. If the comfort's not there, I could also order a stock Corbin and see if I really need it lower. They'll reshape it if needed for just the cost of shipping.

Did you ever have any long (4 hr +) rides on your SV before you had the seat shaved, and how was the comfort?

[holly]

If you can touch both feet down, even if it's only the toes, why do you want to shave your seat? My issue with thinning my seat as that it changed the bikes ergos, I got used to it but it was never the same hanging off because my arms were a bit more stretched thus a bit harder to keep loose.

Hmmm... hadn't thought about the reach. Did you have the SV or SVS? Like I told Ro, I'm thinking I should give the stock seat a chance. No reason to fix it if it ain't broken. And I have the advantage of 10,000 miles handling a heavier bike that's only slightly lower than the SVS.

Thanks for your help.

[ersigh]

Hi Ro,
Did you ever have any long (4 hr +) rides on your SV before you had the seat shaved, and how was the comfort?

The SV seat is probably the thickest motorcycle seat I've ever sat on. I rode that bike EVERYWHERE before I got it thinned and didn't have a lot of issues with my butt hurting. Try riding a honda ... yikes, talk about painful.

[ersigh]

Hmmm... hadn't thought about the reach. Did you have the SV or SVS? Like I told Ro, I'm thinking I should give the stock seat a chance. No reason to fix it if it ain't broken. And I have the advantage of 10,000 miles handling a heavier bike that's only slightly lower than the SVS.

Thanks for your help.

I had the SVS. I think giving it a try is a great idea. Worst thing that happens is you are able to make an educated decision without doubts. :) If you are used to a heavier bike, it's my guess that you'll get used to the sv pretty quickly. I've just gotten used to pushing the bike backwards with my hands and then getting on the bike, even though I can *almost* flat foot it on my current bike, I feel a lot more secure doing it that way. I get teased sometimes but a quick show of the middle finger usually solves that. ;)

[holly]

I've just gotten used to pushing the bike backwards with my hands and then getting on the bike, even though I can *almost* flat foot it on my current bike, I feel a lot more secure doing it that way. I get teased sometimes but a quick show of the middle finger usually solves that. ;)

So the vision I get is you hopping on over the tail of the bike (like in those old Western movies over the back of the horse). :tongue Think I missed something there... Sounds very interesting. Details, details.

[ersigh]

So the vision I get is you hopping on over the tail of the bike (like in those old Western movies over the back of the horse). :tongue Think I missed something there... Sounds very interesting. Details, details.

Hmm. No, I just push the bike backwards leaving the kickstand down and when I'm done pushing I put the bike back on the stand and get on like normal. :] The western style sounds like more fun. yeehaw! :lol

[b1tesize]

i jsut got lowering links...i had them lowerd about 3 inches when I first started, but once I got comfortable the bike is only lowered an inch now.

[YammiGirl]

I have had mine lowered... I was considering the Corbin Seat, but with the new links, I am flat footed and as a newer rider, it has definitally helped my confidence level.

[holly]

This thread is getting a little old (like me:confused: ), but I ordered a lower seat from Oneida Suzuki for my SVS and it's great. My S&H almost cost me as much as the seat cause I paid an extra $20 to get it to me quickly for a long trip. It feels more comfortable than the stock, and I'm not sure I need to have hi-density foam put into it for comfort. I think I need an 8 hour ride to visit my girlfriend at Mt. Rainier to find out :lol

Holly
OR coast
2005 Suzuki SV650S

[kawasakipokey]

I used lowering links on my EX and I'm pretty close to the flat foot stage. I have almost tipped a couple of times and was actually able to regain my footing, which would have been a fall before the lowering. I noticed too that sliding forward more, rather than sitting back on the seat helps with my control/balance. I am a bit leary about thinning or shaving my seat in case I get it wrong, i don't want to be sore. Unfortunately, I think us shorties are just going to have to deal with the cards we were dealt and work it out the best way we can. I love the sport bike, I don't want a cruiser, although I can flat foot a lot of them.

[Luna C]

How tall are you? I love sport bikes, too, and am just under 5'2". I started on the Ninja 250 without lowering it, worked up to the Suzuki GS500F, and then the SV650S (with a seat 1/2" lower than the stock seat). I've found I have to be on the balls of my feet to feel secure.

Of all my bikes the Ninja 250 was (by far!) the easiest to drop. It was really unforgiving if I hit the brakes with the handle bars anything but perfectly straight. If you move up to another bike, you might find the same thing.

How narrow the seat is makes a big difference on how high a bike feels, too - not just the seat height. The new Suzuki GXRs feel the same height as the GS500F to me, but are suppose to be higher.

Welcome to the group!

Holly in Oregon
2005 SV650S

[kawasakipokey]

I'm 5'1" (barely). That makes most any bike I ride somewhat of a challenge. I prefer a sport or sport tour style bike. I haven't been able to get myself sold on the cruiser style as of yet, but I see a few that I like, just not for me. I would like to move up to a newer 500or a 600, maybe even a 750, but the height is an issue. I think I would need to be on something with a 26"-29" seat height, and that is hard to find in the bigger bikes. Most of the newer bikes have the cowling and fairings that would drag if I lowered them where I need to be, so what can ya do! I don't have any plastic on the bottom of my bike, so I don't have that drag problem, but I do like the look of the plastic better than naked.

[Luna C]

[quote=kawasakipokey]...need to be on something with a 26"-29" seat height, and that is hard to find in the bigger bikes. Most of the newer bikes have the cowling and fairings that would drag if I lowered them where I need to be[quote]

Don't give up on your dream. I suspect there are several choices that can be lowered without dragging. If you're interested in a Suzuki, check the svrider.com group, because I suspect someone has lowered their SV650S with the added lower fairing. They're great about answering questions there-very active group. And look for other groups of anything you might be interested in.

Have you checked out the Short Bikers List? They are helpful and already have some lists of bikes for us shorties. Just Google it.

Good Luck!
Holly