Lowering Dilemma

[DougE]

I've tried to read all the past lowering posts but would like everyone's thoughts on my situation. I am 5'8" with a 29 inseam and when I'm on the busa, I can only tip toe both legs. I already got the New Image seat and didn't help too much with height issue. I have no issue riding or stopping at redlights.

The only problem I currently have is backing up. I have slipped once almost dropping the bike. In order to back the bike up, I have to get off the bike and move it that way.

Given that only backing the bike up is my issue, would it be worth getting the bike lowered at all? I would like to hear how other shorter riders handle the bike.

 

[Hayabusa4life]

I'm 5'6" with about the same issue, I have manage so far, I do get off to back it up sometimes. I have the lowered seat and I have lowered the bike itself also, but I did it for racing purposes, I do like how it feels now more than before, the only issue I have with the lowered bike is on the twisties I prefer to raise it back up to stock height.


What kind of riding you do the most?

 

[DougE]

I'm 5'6" with about the same issue, I have manage so far, I do get off to back it up sometimes. I have the lowered seat and I have lowered the bike itself also, but I did it for racing purposes, but I do like how it feels now more than before, the only issue I have with the lowered bike is on the twisties I prefer to raise it back up to stock height.

What kind of riding you do the most?

Street riding only and I like to go to the twisties whenever i get a chance. How much did you lower the bike?

 

[Hayabusa4life]

Street riding only and I like to go to the twisties whenever i get a chance. How much did you lower the bike?

For street riding I lower it about 1.5" When I go racing I lower it 3"

 

[Hayabusa4life]

If backing up it's your only issue I wouldn't bother lowering, when I go to a trip to enjoy some twisties I have the bike in stock height and I would get off and push it if I have to.

 

[DougE]

If backing up it's your only issue I wouldn't bother lowering, when I go to a trip to enjoy some twisties I have the bike in stock height and I would get off and push it if I have to.

That makes sense. i appreciate the info.

 

[Hayabusa4life]

That makes sense. i appreciate the info.

No problem, also see if theres any lowered bike you can sit on, maybe a preowned bike dealership or maybe a local gathering (with permission of course, lol...)

Who knows, you might end up liking that lowered feeling, plus you can twist that throttle harder without lifting the front end.

 

[jellyrug]

LOL, this reminds of 2008.

Unfit, fat and stiff I purchased a street legal dirt bike with a 38" high seat height. Besides having a tough time getting onto the bike, my toes could hardly touch the ground. So I went to a shoemaker and had him add two inches to my riding boots. Besides a great feeling being that much taller all of a sudden, that dirt bike made me relook at my life, get back into shape and stretch every day to fix the stiffness.

So today those boots are long gone and I have learnt to lean off the one side of the bike having one leg down at a stop.

You don't have to back up the Busa, just turn it like the picture below:

 

[DougE]

No problem, also see if theres any lowered bike you can sit on, maybe a preowned bike dealership or maybe a local gathering (with permission of course, lol...)

Who knows, you might end up liking that lowered feeling, plus you can twist that throttle harder without lifting the front end.

I know i would like the lowered feeling being able to plant my feet completely. But reading on clearance issues when the bike is lowered really made me think a lot before doing it.

 

[DougE]

Unfit, fat and stiff.

That is me present day. I can manage leaning on the side but backing up is what gets me lol, Maybe I should work on some personal weight reduction first lol

 

[HayaWakened]

I'm 5'6" with about the same issue, I have manage so far, I do get off to back it up sometimes.

+1
My other bike's a VStrom 1000. At 5'8, both feet on the ground is not happening, ever. Lowering such a bike is not a practical option. Learning to manage the bike as it stands is a very practical option.

 

[DougE]

+1
My other bike's a VStrom 1000. At 5'8, both feet on the ground is not happening, ever. Lowering such a bike is not a practical option. Learning to manage the bike as it stands is a very practical option.

Very true. I don't know why i feel embarrassed sometimes when i have to get off the bike to back it up. But it is something I'll get over and continue to manage the bike better.

 

[Hayabusa4life]

LOL, this reminds of 2008.

Unfit, fat and stiff I purchased a street legal dirt bike with a 38" high seat height. Besides having a tough time getting onto the bike, my toes could hardly touch the ground. So I went to a shoemaker and had him add two inches to my riding boots. Besides a great feeling being that much taller all of a sudden, that dirt bike made me relook at my life, get back into shape and stretch every day to fix the stiffness.

So today those boots are long gone and I have learnt to lean off the one side of the bike having one leg down at a stop.

You don't have to back up the Busa, just turn it like the picture below:

View attachment 1633062

That would make it a lot easier

 

[jellyrug]

Very true. I don't know why i feel embarrassed sometimes when i have to get off the bike to back it up. But it is something I'll get over and continue to manage the bike better.

Don't feel bad, that fat girl is pretty heavy.

I struggle sometimes if there is a slight uphill, you are not alone.

 

[Hayabusa4life]

Very true. I don't know why i feel embarrassed sometimes when i have to get off the bike to back it up. But it is something I'll get over and continue to manage the bike better.

I know this feeling very well, but you will get use to it. I have even make jokes about myself while moving it, to make the situation easier...

 

[Notenoughtoys]

I’ll toss my $0.02 in there for lowering - had a similar issue and was glad I went with adjustable lowering links and dropped the front a similar 3/4” with a riser / slid the forks up to suit.
Not too many curves around here that I have to worry about grinding the pegs but it sure does feel a lot more controllable having both feet on the ground when I need it

 

[Walris]

Have lowered sport bikes before.
Severely compromised the handling/geometry. Not good and a safety issue.
(Different if you are drag racing)
Went back to normal height.
Also sold my BMW K1200 GT because it was too damn tall for me (5-foot-9/29 inch inseam) despite lowered seat and factory electronic adjustable suspension. Had a high center of gravity and massive weight, which made it uncontrollable (for me) in parking lots after a couple tip overs and payments to fix/paint the scratches.
This is a safety issue.
My two cents is sell the bike and get something that fits.
Sure this won't be popular, but neither is hefting or repairing fallen and scratched 550-plus pound Busa.

 

[DougE]

Have lowered sport bikes before.
Severely compromised the handling/geometry. Not good and a safety issue.
(Different if you are drag racing)
Went back to normal height.
Also sold my BMW K1200 GT because it was too damn tall for me (5-foot-9/29 inch inseam) despite lowered seat and factory electronic adjustable suspension. Had a high center of gravity and massive weight, which made it uncontrollable (for me) in parking lots after a couple tip overs and payments to fix/paint the scratches.
This is a safety issue.
My two cents is sell the bike and get something that fits.
Sure this won't be popular, but neither is hefting or repairing fallen and scratched 550-plus pound Busa.

Definitely an unpopular opinion and I appreciate a different view on this. Selling the busa would be the last thing that I do.

From the time i first posted, I have bought boots that have a thicker sole which gives me a little bit more reach. I have practiced a lot of low speed maneuvers to get a feel for the bike. I have learned that sometimes I need to get off the bike to move it backwards.

Honestly, the weight of the busa doesn’t bother me at all when riding normally or at stop lights. Just reversing was the issue I was having and I was able to overcome that.

 

[Klutch556]

I'm right there with ya on that 29" inseam broski. A lot of guys say it completely fucks up the bikes handling and makes it hard to corner and blah blah blah... it might... but I honestly just cruise on mine and do some highway runs with buddies. I don't carve canyons and poop. So not dropping my bike when I'm trying to back it up in a parking lot is more important to me. I dropped mine 1.5" rear and 1" up front. I also Got a seat from newimageseats.com and one from saddle man. With the new image I can completely flat foot. The saddle man is close but about 1/2" higher. I actually prefer the saddle man though as it doesn't wear my ass out near as fast. I also notice the issue I had with my feet going numb in longer rides went away with the saddle man. It might have something to do with the channel in the middle of the seat taking pressure off your taint vein. But what do I know, I'm not a gynecologist.

 

[Mythos]

I have a 30" inseam and I'm ok with getting both heels flat and lifting my butt of the seat a tiny bit if I squeeze my legs together and really straighten my knees. It is a bit of a chore to back up siting on the bike and a likely time for a foot to slip. I'll be lifting the tail one inch so I expect I'll be pushing the busa when I need to back up. I'll be tippy toeing it at stop signs.