Lowering F800GS

With all due respect if you are thinking of compromising the setup of the 800 (which is already to an extent a compromise bike anyway) by changing things like suspension to get the bike lower, presumably because you have concerns around riding it as is, should you not rather be looking at a different bike more suited to you from a stand over height, weight perspective etc?

See my post here: http://www.bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/are-%E2%80%9Cnovice%E2%80%9D-ride... where I tried to analyse bike choice for beginners from my perspective of someone who still is one, albeit with a bit of riding experience under my tyres.

rgds

Gavin

Use the official lowering kit.  A change in the forks of as little as 3mm can turn the bike from a dream machine into a dangerous dog, if it is not done properly.  

I have had great success without risking my wife's life, by using a lowered seat on the Funduro.

On the East Cape tour, Wayne Fritz rode Chris Dunn's bike out of a tricky spot, and immediately noticed that it was much harder to ride as a result of having been lowered.

Charles, I stand to be corrected but the 800 does not come out of the factory with a lower suspension option - you can get a lowered seat which gets you around 3 cm less standover height

Both versions of the 650 (twin & single) offer a lower suspension option standard from the factory - in addition you can further lower things with a lower seat.

Still doesn't change the weight of the bike which IMO is often more of the problem

rgds

Gavin

He lowered  his bike by doing something to the front forks, new seat and fitted lower foot pegs. I'm 1.81m tall and my toes just make the ground when standing still. I tried his bike out and was able to stand flat foot. Not sure how much this all cost but can't imagine it being cheap.

It's almost trivially easy to drop the forks in the triple-clamp.  But if you do not make the right corresponding adjustment to the back shock, you are fundamentally changing the geometry and handling of the bike.

Bike geometry is done by bike engineers/designers with years of experience and millions of dollars in development grants.  Kippy at home with a spanner is more likely to cause his own premature demise than do a better job than the manufacturer.

So yes, your feet can touch the ground - but there is a lot more that needs to be taken into account. 

Contact Martin(Suspension specialist) from MP Custom valve suspensions. He will know what to do to solve your problem. If you need more have your boots built up by 10mm - contact Barksole in Milnerton.

I lowered my bike successfully without any negative effect.

Cheers

In conjunction with the lower seat I have a progressive spring from Hyperpro on the rear shock absorber which is 50mm shorter than the stock linear spring. To level the bike up the fork tubes are raised through the triple clamp by 12mm.

And whom did you use for those changes?

My point to Lola is that such a change cannot be safely made piecewise at home.  It requires the work of a suspension expert to ensure that the bike remains in balance (front and back) and is safe.  As you point out, a drop at the rear shock requires the correct corresponding drop of the forks - you must not do one without the other.

My suspension was set up by Martin Paetzold of MP Custom Valve in Milnerton. Totally transformed the bike.

I did some research on lowering a Dakkie for me wife so that we wil have identical bikes in the house. At the sand fairies day I looked at 'happy feet's lowered bike and the rake of the fork was visably different to a Dakkie.  She also mentioned that the handling did change for the worse. (dramatically ??)  I did lower the front fork tubes in the triple clamps (approx 30mm) but to be honest I am too inexperienced to tell the difference. My bike also has a lowered seat.  She did the track day and some other tar trips. I also did some trips but also to dof to notice the difference.

We eventually decided to get a 'std' 650GS for Marinda instead of a Dakkie. It is 'just low enough' to be comfortable for her.

What did we noticed.  The standard 'Girlie' 650 does some funny things in a (slow) tight turn.  It is as if the steering 'winds up'.  It requires much more effort to return to straight ahead. Even Marinda noticed that after riding the 'lowered' Dakkie.  I dont know whether it is normal or what on those bikes.  I think it is a castor issue due to the smaller front wheel. The rake between the two bikes also differ by about 3 degrees. Did not go in too much detail w.r.t. the preload on the rear. (boths bikes were unloaded)

My 1 cent

Adie

...for eveyone's input!

Appreciate it.

L.

just ordered -25mm progressive front and rear springs from Hilton www.haywardsuspension.co.za will let you know how that works out when i get it.

Ok finally got them and fitted over the weekend, very happy as I can use the std seat again (low now for sale) and still flat foot while commuting - the ride and feel are much better than stock suspension.

Just do it - money well spent.