Lowering the KLR for my 5'1"wife

[Northwest Cajun]

I'll be lowering my 08 KLR 685 to fit my 5'1" wife. It already has the corbin extra low seat and I have 2" Kuba lowering links on the way. I plan on pushing the forks up 3/4"-1" also.
If she's still not comfortable on it, we will resole her DS boots w/1" spacers and a good lug sole. Then I guess it's a custom shock rebuild? We are trying to avoid getting a new BMW factory lowered G-650gs but will if need to.

Has anyone done this much suspension modification to their KLR and if so, what is the seat hight with the corbin seat and 2" links installed? Our goal is 30"

This is her on her 1.5" lowered Super Sherpa. She likes the bike but doing 2500 miles on a 9 day DS trip around Utah this summer just won't cut it.

[Pantah]

I had a freind do that plus installed a Recluse clutch. All of a sudden the seat height wasn't such an issue anymore. The Recluse turns the tranny into an automatic of sorts. No more clutch work in parking lots, driveways or intersections on a grade.

[greer]

Before you jump into this, would you consider a DR650 instead? The DR weighs a good bit less at 360 lb wet, and it'll feel and handle much more like her little Sherpa. I've dropped my DR per the factory method along with sliding the forks and adding 1.5" lowering links. I can measure seat height if you like.

Sarah

[Northwest Cajun]

Beings that the KLR is paid for, suspension work (links or shorter shock& fork)would be done before going out and buying another bike. Whatever that might be. But please measure yours to see how low it is. It's more info on options and we could look at that instead of a BMW. A lower DRZ 400 (with suspension work) would be on the table too, I guess.

Thanks!

[greer]

33"

Sarah

[cjw]

i would not use the lowering links and would do all lowering by internally modding the suspension units themselves.

you will probably need stiffer springs after lowering to prevent bottoming the reduced travel units.

[Kommando]

Originally Posted by greer

33"

Sarah

I'd have figured at an inch or 2 lower. The stock height in the lowered position is listed as 33". The sliding of the forks and the lowering links should have taken it down to 32" or lower. The seat can still be lowered 1-2" too.

[Kommando]

Originally Posted by Northwest Cajun

Beings that the KLR is paid for, suspension work (links or shorter shock& fork)would be done before going out and buying another bike. Whatever that might be. But please measure yours to see how low it is. It's more info on options and we could look at that instead of a BMW. A lower DRZ 400 (with suspension work) would be on the table too, I guess.

Thanks!

The DR-Z400S is taller than the DR650SE. Many 250s are even taller than the DR.

[bomber1965]

Don't forget tire choice, side wall heights vary widely.

Has anyone gone so far as swapping out rim sizes?

[marc11]

Progressive offers a shock 1 inch lower than stock. That with some modest lowering links and your seat should get you very close. Its the forks I would be concerned about. Not sure how much you can drop them.

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