lowering ride height

[Tippy]

As a very very short guy, I intalled modified Ohlins on my 1100RT, and modified the seat to get the ride height to 29", which is the max height I can manage and have both tippy toes planted. This was a major hassle, involving modifying the side stand, as well as the shocks, and the expense was not small. I was very disappointed when the R1200Rt arrived with a ride height that increased .4 inch to 30.7. Since I have no choice but to try to do the same again, but droppin the height even more to get to the magic 29", I am wondering if anyone has done something like this on a 1200?

[Jim VonBaden]

It may help that the 1200 has a narrower seat. So you may not need it to be no more than 29".

 

I am 5'8" and have a 28" inseam, and I ride an R1200GS with Ohlins which makes it taller than stock. I use a Sargent low seat, but am still on my toes.

 

 

 

Jim

 

PS I really don't usually look so goofy.

[Paul Mihalka]

There is a BMW low seat option for the R1200RT. The seat is lower and narrower. That would be a starting point. The R1200RT is lighter and handier than the R1100RT, so being flat footed is less important.

 

Jim, I'm not so sure about your statement. Remember, I know you!

[Highway41]

Lowered the ride height of my RT by 1" with Wilburs and also had Sargents recover the low seat option. With my 30" inseam, this moved me from tip toes to both balls of my feet on the ground. Did cut about an inch off the sidestand but left the center stand as is and it takes some effort to get it on the center stand. I use a board under the front tire in the garage to make it easier to use the center stand.

See ya. Bill

[Jim VonBaden]

There is a BMW low seat option for the R1200RT. The seat is lower and narrower. That would be a starting point. The R1200RT is lighter and handier than the R1100RT, so being flat footed is less important.

 

Jim, I'm not so sure about your statement. Remember, I know you!

 

You mean the narrow seat part, or the goofy part?

 

Jim

[neil_wilcox]

Hi Tippy,

I lowered my 2005 RT by installing Works Performance adjustable shocks which allowed me to screw the adjustment down and lower the bike 1" front and rear. I left the center stand stock and probably should have shortened the side stand, but if I am careful where I park, I can get by for now. The bike just stands a little more vertical. I have a 29" inseam, and with the low saddle in the lowest position, 3/8" Vibram soles added to my riding boots, and the new shocks, I can easily place both feet flat on the ground whenever I stop. The cost of the shocks was $1400 CDN. The handling is great, but then I'm not a wannabee racer anyway. Hope this helps.

Neil

[gettysburg]

There is a BMW low seat option for the R1200RT. The seat is lower and narrower. That would be a starting point. The R1200RT is lighter and handier than the R1100RT, so being flat footed is less important.

 

+1 regarding the 1200RT's narrower seat and lighter weight.

 

I was given a loaner 1100RT while my bike in for service. The seat on the 1100RT spread my legs further apart; effectively making my inseam even shorter. When I got my 1200RT back, it almost felt like a cruiser compared to the 1100RT.

[sjn7708]

wunderlich makes a very comfortable low seat that comes in just below the bmw low seat which is uncomfortable in my opinion. Lowering more than an inch is difficult due to fairing. I am 5'6 and have a 28inch inseam and could ride the RT with the Wunderlich seat, but it is still top heavy.

I lowered a GS because it has no fairing to worry about. I dropped it 3 inches using Wilbers shocks, shortened center and sidestands, with no degradation in ride quality and an improvement for the front. Of course I dont do much off roading but it still handles gravel ok. For wind protection, I added the aeroflow 1/2 fairng and aeroflow aeroguards lower fairings (for colder weather). It provides almost as much wind protection as an RT but is lighter and lower. No radio, no ESA, no cruise, but I do have highway pegs attached to the engine guards. I can also use a corbin seat and still fit cofortably on the bike. Corbin seats and Mayer or Russels will tend to raise the effective seat height a bit, but by lowering the bike I have my choice of any of these seats. I couldnt lower the RT enough. Even the gold wing has a lower seat height and lower center of gravity than the RT and therefore feels easier to maneuver at low speed.

[TomfromMD]

Even the gold wing has a lower seat height and lower center of gravity than the RT and therefore feels easier to maneuver at low speed.

Which GoldWing is easier at low speeds? I rode GWs (1100, 1200 & 1500) for 25 years before buying my R1200RT, and while they were great bikes for 2 up touring, they really sucked when riding below 15 mph. You can't hide the effect of the 150 to 300 lbs. extra weight of any Wing over the RT at parking lot speeds.

[JustKrusen]

You really need to try an 1800. It feels like a much smaller bike than the 1500. The 1500 can not even compare to the 1800. Power, brakes and handling are just so much better on the new model. With just a little practice it's very easy to handle at slow speeds. I can do the ERC box within the 20' limits on either of my bikes. It'll also scream through the twisties!

[LuckyLeif]

Isn't there a potential safety issue when decreasing shock height? It would seem that lowering bike height would decrease the bike's cornering clearance, increasing the probabilities of dragging pegs, boots, stands, cylinder guards, etc. In my riding I noticed increased parts dragging on several previous beemers just by altering the shock settings on OEM shocks.

[Paul Mihalka]

Isn't there a potential safety issue when decreasing shock height? It would seem that lowering bike height would decrease the bike's cornering clearance, increasing the probabilities of dragging pegs, boots, stands, cylinder guards, etc. In my riding I noticed increased parts dragging on several previous beemers just by altering the shock settings on OEM shocks.

Yes, it will decrease cornering clearance, but it will still have more than many-many other bikes. Depends how you like to ride.

[sjn7708]

1800 has much lower center of gravity than 1500 or earlier

[sjn7708]

obviously lowering any mike decreases ground clearance, but my riding style is very non aggressive, so it has never been an issue for me. (I dont think Ive ever scraped anything, to tell u the truth)