Help lowering an 04 SV650

hello everyone...

wonder if someone can give a little help here..
Last year my OH got an 04 SV650S, she passed her test just before Xmas and is now coming out on ride outs with me..

She's doing fine, but would probably help a bit more with the confidence if the SV was a tad lower...
has anyone done it? what have you done?

I've seen these on ebay, which are easy to fit, just replacing the dog bones..
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LOWERING-KIT-S...1%7C240%3A1318

but has anyone here done it? if you have, did you also drop the forks? if so.. how much did you drop them?
or should I just not worry about the forks?

cheers!!!
JP

[fizzwheel]

Longer dog bones will drop the rear, but IMHO its best to drop the forks a little to. But dont do more than 10mm.

My other halfs SV has been lowered with longer dog bones. But I think a better mod is to get some foam cut out of the seat, rather than mess about with the suspension.

Having the back end lowered does make the bike feel different to ride well it does to me anyway.

Be careful buying dogbones off ebay make sure that they are made of a suitable material. You can get offical ones from your Suzuki dealer, which is what my other half did and they fitted them for her as well.

Ok, thanks for the tip..
when you say the ride feels different, how do you mean? better or worst?

I think if I lower the rear I'll have to drop the front, ideally the front should always be lower than back so it turns in quicker, if I only drop the rear...then front and rear would be at same height.. (or roughly the same)..
maybe if I drop 25mm on the back, I should drop 25mm on the front? so it matchs? errm.... not sure if it would work like that..

Do you know how much suzuki charged your OH just for the dog bones?

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by [JP]

when you say the ride feels different, how do you mean? better or worst?

Worse, feels lower at the back even with the front forks dropped and the steering feels slower.

Also its not as stable on the side stand as a standard bike is as the bike sits more upright and its more prone to rolling off the stand.

Originally Posted by [JP]

maybe if I drop 25mm on the back, I should drop 25mm on the front? so it matchs? errm.... not sure if it would work like that..

Umh... I was always told never to go more than 10mm or so with lowering the front. But like you I'd want to keep the front and rear ride height the same. Otherwise its going to feel like a tractor.

Originally Posted by [JP]

Do you know how much suzuki charged your OH just for the dog bones?

I've got no idea, I dont think it was to expensive though. Shes not here at the moment to ask sorry...

If you other half isnt struggling to get her feet down, then personally I'd leave it alone and let her build her confidence up. Or get the seat cut. Liz has said several times now she would like to put the SV back to standard by refitting the standard length dogbones.

mmhh... alright, see what you mena..

do you know roughly how much it cost to get a seat sculpted?
had a quick look on google but can't even find a company that does it.. lol

[fizzwheel]

Seems like Suzuki do one, but I'm not sure how update the info in this post is

http://forums.sv650.org/showpost.php...49&postcount=6

[Shellywoozle]

I have some dogbones if you want £11 what I paid for them, brand new still in package !

Originally Posted by [JP]

mmhh... alright, see what you mena..

do you know roughly how much it cost to get a seat sculpted?
had a quick look on google but can't even find a company that does it.. lol

I might know of a sculpted seat that maybe the owner would swop for a standard one - what year was yours ?

Spokey

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Spokey

what year was yours ?

An 04, says so in the first post

Originally Posted by Spokey

I might know of a sculpted seat that maybe the owner would swop for a standard one - what year was yours ?

Spokey

Yeh, it's an 04..
you are not far from me either as I'm in Newbury, so let me know..

cheers!

Shelly, thanks for the offer, but after fizzwheel feedback on the handling I think we are going to start on the sculpted seat and then see how it goes...