How To Lower Motorcycle Seat?

Can you lower motorcycle seat height?

Custom seat manufacturers say the quest to shorten seat height began years ago, stemming from need but also from the desire to “look cool,” especially in the cruiser kingdom. Shortening seat height increases rider safety by decreasing the chance of falling at a stop.

It lowers the motorcycles center of gravity but still preserves ground clearance. And the issue is not gender specific; the scourge of short inseams affects both sexes. Often, the quickest and easiest way to obtain a lower motorcycle seat is by opening a catalog and ordering one. The new seat replaces the stock motorcycle saddle you already own meaning you will have an extra seat at the end of the day.

However, an extensive selection of motorcycle replacement seats exists from which to choose, especially if you ride a cruiser. These seats often lower your reach to the ground. Sometimes they also push you forward, decreasing reach to the brake pedal and shifter.

• The selection of styles (solo or double) and coverings (leather, vinyl, colors and textures) means you add a fashionable touch to your bike while decreasing seat height at the same time.
• There are many aftermarket seats to choose from these days designed to fit specific models of bikes.
• Often, you need not look further than the motorcycle manufacturer itself.

For example, Harley-Davidson offers an extensive line of aftermarket seats for its specific models, and BMW offers low seat options right from the factory. Most times, though, youll look to a specialized seat manufacturer to find what you need. Your motorcycle dealer can point you in the right direction.

Can you adjust motorcycle seats?

Can a motorcycle’s seat be adjusted? –

Motorcycle Suspension Tuning – You’d be surprised how many people are riding around on motorcycles with the suspension set at the stock settings even though they might not meet the manufacturer’s stock aka “average rider’s” weight expectations. It’s not just weight that is a sole concern when it comes to suspension adjustment however, you need to take into account your riding style, type of terrain you typically ride, and how you like your suspension to feel.

Figuring out your suspension preferences is really a matter of experimenting and determining what is right for you. Between sag, spring rates, valving, preload, compression, and rebound, motorcycle suspension can be a bit overwhelming if you’re looking to get really technical. That’s why there are shops and companies that focus solely on motorcycle suspension tuning.

If you are not satisfied with the suspension on your new bike and don’t want to spend the time testing different settings have an expert dial it in for you. If you are purchasing a used bike you should inquire with the current owner what changes have been made to the suspension and if any components have ever been replaced or upgraded.

1. If the bike has a lot of miles and the owner hasn’t done much with the forks or rear shocks you may want to have a professional take a look.
2. New or old, your best bet is to read the owner’s manual for your motorcycle and figure out which part(s) of your suspension can be tuned, where the adjustment points are, and how the adjustments are made.

As stated at the beginning, riding is the best part about owning a motorcycle. Experimenting with different settings and paying attention to how each adjustment affects certain characteristics of how the motorcycle feels and handles in different situations will help you gain a greater appreciation for your bike.

• Most modern sport bikes and dirt bikes come with adjustable front and rear suspension.
• The adjustments you’ll typically find are for compression, rebound, and preload.
• Some bikes may offer all, while many cruisers, entry-level, and budget oriented motorcycles may only offer preload on the rear shock.
• Older bikes will be all manual adjustments with basic hand tools, while many newer, more performance oriented motorcycles may offer different settings that can be changed with the push of a button.

We aren’t going to delve deep into settings and tuning, but we will say that the first thing that you or whoever is working on your bike should do is to make sure the rider sag/loaded sag (the preload adjustment) is set according to your weight. With the sag set accordingly, it will help any compression or rebound adjustments jive correctly.

How many inches can you lower a motorcycle?

3. Install Lowering Links – Many Dual Sport and Adventure Motorcycles have a single rear shock connected to the swingarm via a linkage system. The link arms multiply swingarm movement, allowing for a rising-rate of shock damping. The first movement can be soft for small bumps, then progressively harder for larger hits. Lowering links can be a fairly cost effective way to lower a motorcycle in the rear, costing as little as $70 for a set. (Photo courtesy Devol Racing) Lowering links are able to lower a motorcycle anywhere from a half inch to 2 inches (12.7mm – 50.8mm) depending on the motorcycle and lowering links available.

1. Some companies that manufacture lowering links include Kouba, Devol and Moose Racing.
2. Lowering links can be a fairly cost-effective way to lower your rear end and they are easy to install.
3. Suspension travel is also not affected by installing lowering links.
4. Drawbacks: The linkage system is an integral part of the rear suspension.

Each linkage system is designed to work with specific shock damping, spring rate, ground clearance, etc. When you add longer lowering links, it changes the leverage ratio, which can cause all sorts of problems. You might find that the rear shock bottoms out sooner and feels softer in the last portion of the stroke, or sometimes the effects can be unpredictable.

By lowering the shock position, you also make it more vulnerable to impacts on the trail. Another danger to keep in mind is that you’ve moved the rear wheel closer to the rear fender without reducing suspension travel. This can cause the rear tire to touch the fender on big hits, which can lead to a crash.

Check with the lowering link manufacturer to ensure their lowering links offer enough rear fender clearance for your model.

Can you lower just the back of a motorcycle?

‘ You can lower the rear without lowering the front, and what it does is give the bike more of a chopper effect. But if you just lower the front, you unbalance the bike the wrong way.’ Many bikes can be lowered by approximately an inch in the front fairly easily by modifying or removing the stock preload spacer.

What is the proper height for a motorcycle seat?

The motorcycle’s seat height can seriously influence how confident you are on the bike, especially for beginner riders or if you ride in technical terrain. Some motorcycle types have lower seat heights than others. The average seat height of any motorcycle is 31.6 inches (803 mm).

The lowest motorcycles are cruisers with an average seat height of only 27 inches (686 mm), while the tallest bikes are dirt bikes and dual sports at 34 inches (864 mm). The Yamaha YZ 125 has the tallest seat height of any bike at 38.6 inches (980 mm) and the Harley Softail Slim is the lowest motorcycle at 25.5 inches (648 mm),

Seat height should not be your only consideration when buying a motorcycle, but it will greatly influence how quickly you learn to ride if you are a beginner rider. My short wife learned to ride on a small Yamaha MR 50 from 1979 and within weeks she got onto a 421 lbs BMW 650 Funduro.

If she had started on the BMW, she would have taken that much longer to gain confidence. Before we move on, are you 100% sure your motorcycle is safe to ride? My chain once came off my bike with my wife on the back. To ensure it never happens to you, I’ve written an e-Guide on what to check before each ride and every time you wash your bike.

Check it out below: The BMW F650 Funduro was the only adventure bike that my short wife were able to ride comfortably The only way to know which bike is best for you is to take it for a test ride. Second prize is to at least go sit on all the bikes on your shortlist. That will give you a feel for the seat height and how easily you are able to touch the ground and balance it upright.