Yamaha TRX850 Enthusiasts Forum

I know everyone talks about jacking the suspension up by 10mm using longer tie bars will help improve the handling of the TRX, but what would happen if the suspension was lowered by 10mm (coupled with lowering the yokes etc)?

Before anyone says anything else, I'm thinking out loud here... the back story to the query is that SWMBO used to ride a lowered CB550/4, and although she's given up riding bikes, she keeps mentioning (half jokingly?) that I have 2 that she can't touch the floor on.

If I were to lower the suspension by 10mm (or so):

How would it affect the bikes handling?
Would I need to raise/lower the yokes, and by how much?
Anyone know of anywhere that makes lowering kits that will reduce the seat height by about 10mm?

Ta very glad.

Skybone wrote:I know everyone talks about jacking the suspension up by 10mm using longer tie bars will help improve the handling of the TRX, but what would happen if the suspension was lowered by 10mm (coupled with lowering the yokes etc)?

Before anyone says anything else, I'm thinking out loud here... the back story to the query is that SWMBO used to ride a lowered CB550/4, and although she's given up riding bikes, she keeps mentioning (half jokingly?) that I have 2 that she can't touch the floor on.

If I were to lower the suspension by 10mm (or so):

How would it affect the bikes handling?
Would I need to raise/lower the yokes, and by how much?
Anyone know of anywhere that makes lowering kits that will reduce the seat height by about 10mm?

Ta very glad.

Yes

It wouldn't affect the handling too much if you keep the attitude of the bike vaguely standard by dropping the front 10mm as well- lots of people drop the front by up to 20mm or so (I did) anyway so it's not like it's a massive no-no or anything. Watch out for the sidestand, it might end up being a tad (10mm?) too long, making parking the bike up an exercise in forward planning.

Is that dropping the forks by 10mm OVER the "standard" 18.5mm or from the top top of the fork leg?

The forks are currently at 19mm through the yokes (couldn't find a ruler that did half mm! ).

Good point about the side stand, hadn't thought of that one. It currently has a 4XV R1 sidestand, which is about 20mm longer than the standard 4UN item, if I did lower it, I could just put the old sidestand back on.

Don't suppose you make lowering connectors do you Kayla?

Skybone wrote:Is that dropping the forks by 10mm OVER the "standard" 18.5mm or from the top top of the fork leg?

The forks are currently at 19mm through the yokes (couldn't find a ruler that did half mm! ).

Good point about the side stand, hadn't thought of that one. It currently has a 4XV R1 sidestand, which is about 20mm longer than the standard 4UN item, if I did lower it, I could just put the old sidestand back on.

You can drop the forks more than 10mm over the standard 18.5mm or so, I seem to remember I had mine dropped quite far with a 20mm lift on the back to try and make the bike feel better for me.

Don't suppose you make lowering connectors do you Kayla?

Yes How low do you want to go?

Kayla wrote:You can drop the forks more than 10mm over the standard 18.5mm or so, I seem to remember I had mine dropped quite far with a 20mm lift on the back to try and make the bike feel better for me.

Nice one, good news (just got to remember about the sidestand though! ).

Kayla wrote:Yes How low do you want to go?

Now there's a question... (where's the "raised eyebrow" smilie? ).

I reckon that 10mm lower should be enough, as when she sits on the standard bike, she can just get her toes on the floor but needs that bit more to be confident. The 10mm should be enough to get that confidence I think (dangerous I know!).

I'll consult with the boss when they're back and may well be in touch in the not too distant. Thanks!

Just get her to ride in stiletto's

I've been trying to get her to do that for years, with little success so far...

But that might be slightly off topic...

I just measured the height to the frame under the riders seat with the YZF dogbones in place (yzf 170mm long to hole centres) and then placed the intermediate ones I have at 175mm and there was about 15mm difference in height. (std trx at 180mm would be around 30mm lower) So there could be a possibility if you went the other way with a longer 190mm dogbone this may drop the seat height by around 30mm ... But I cant confirm that as I dont have any that length...