Short arse

[Darren]

Finding even the lower seat height a tad too tall on my 2015 CR - to the extent that I dropped it while tippy-toeing in a sloping car park the other day (ouch!).  Any way to drop another 5-10mm in seat height?

[leathers999]

Hi
Try this http://www.lustracing.co.uk/suspension/honda-vfr800x-crossrunner-lowering-kits.html
If the lowest seat won't work then this is probably the best solution.

[Darren]

Thanks - have ordered.

[Greenie]

Hi, it is probably too late if you have already ordered the lowering kit but alternatively you could have the seat modified to reduce height.

I looked into the lowering kit myself but was worried about the effect it would have on the suspension and handling of the bike.

Apparently changing the length of the suspension linkage has an effect on the stiffness of the suspension because the lever action acting on the shock is altered.

There are a lot of differing opinions on the internet but I decided go avoid messing with the suspension if I could get away with it.

At the moment I am just being careful when stopping and shifting myself across the seat to give one foot firmly on the ground with the bike leaning slightly towards the side I have my foot down on.

If you do have the suspension lowered don't forget the side stand will hold the bike more upright so it may be more likely to topple.

Some people recommend shortening the side stand to compensate or you could just use the centre stand to be safe.

Good luck with whatever method you decide on,

Gary

 

[Darren]

Gary -
Thanks for the tips - I imagined there'd be an effect on the bike's handling but I didn't think about the side stand issue.  There's probably a tradeoff there between the bike toppling off the side stand when parked (lowering kit installed) or me dropping it during car park maneuvers (no kit).  If the lowering kit causes a real problem with the side stand I'll look at getting the side stand modified.  Also, I guess having a modified (thinner?) seat could make it less comfortable - and I doubt this could achieve the equivalent of the 30mm reduction in ride height that the lowering kit promises.  The seat height is my major bugbear about the bike so I'm really keen to get it sorted.
Cheers
D

[Greenie]

Yes you are probably right you would not get as much reduction from modifying the seat but they may be able to maintain comfort by removing extra foam then using a gel or memory foam insert.

I actually included the lowering kit and labour to fit it in the finance for my bike but changed my mind and asked them to hold off until the first service.

I think it was going to cost about £90 for labour to fit the kit and lower the front suspension in the yokes.

When the first service was due I decided to live with the height as it was and adjust my riding to compensate.

So far so good but I do have to plan stops using cambers and kerbs to my advantage where possible and leaning the bike towards the most appropriate foot for the circumstances.

It is though, I agree, a risk.

It does give me some problems with my 28 to 29 inch inside leg though. 

I bought a 30 litre Kriega U.S. Dry pack (tail pack) for the back seat because the back box is not big enough for me and found I can not get my leg over it when it is full! I should have bought the 20 litre or some panniers instead!

Another thing some people have done is getting thicker soles put on their boots but that might reduce feel when using the brakes and gear change though.

Let us know how you get on with the lowering kit.

 

[Darren]

Yes, will post how I get on with the lowering kit.  If it doesn't work out I'll try to sell it.  You have exactly the same leg length as me, so I know how you feel!  My problem is that since I dropped the bike I'm very uptight and paranoid about doing it again, which takes some of the fun out of riding.  I snapped the gear lever and bent the clutch lever, which was pretty costly, plus a replacement gear lever was on a very long lead time from Honda.  Elton John-style platform boots might be an option, but I don't think I could carry them off...

[Greenie]

Hi

Sorry to hear about the damage I can imagine how you felt at the time!

One last thing , I got the dealer to lower my seat for me but when I got home I checked it and although they had lowered the rear bracket they had not taken out the 3 spacers at the front.

This meant the seat was too high at the front where I most needed the reduction.

The dealer apologised but to be fair it was the first 2015 Crossrunner they had sold so they were not familiar with adjusting them.

It may be worth a look under your saddle just to check.

It is described in the handbook but not very clearly unfortunately.

 

[Si Click]

I used the Lust Racing lowering kit on my 2011 bike and am very pleased.  Dropping the front forks is essential as well and I have played a bit with the rear preload to give the best combination of ride height, feel and suspension travel.  If anything I have found the handling to have improved, certainly my confidence, and therefore ability to exploit the handling, has improved substantially.

The only downside is that the pegs are now slightly closer and so the odd sportsbike leg position that all early CRs have has been emphasised.  Fortunately my short legs (29" inside leg) are still fairly comfortable, but some people might find this an issue.

[Greenie]

Originally Posted by Si Click

I used the Lust Racing lowering kit on my 2011 bike and am very pleased.  Dropping the front forks is essential as well and I have played a bit with the rear preload to give the best combination of ride height, feel and suspension travel.  If anything I have found the handling to have improved, certainly my confidence, and therefore ability to exploit the handling, has improved substantially.

The only downside is that the pegs are now slightly closer and so the odd sportsbike leg position that all early CRs have has been emphasised.  Fortunately my short legs (29" inside leg) are still fairly comfortable, but some people might find this an issue.

Hi

It is great to hear it has worked out well for you.

I think perhaps the worrier in me may have been swayed too much by the naysayers on the Internet!

I haven't fully discounted the possibility of going ahead with it in the future myself but as I am a heavy guy I need all the suspension travel I can get!