for those who have lowered...
 

Hello, I don't have an SV yet, but I want to get one within the next year or so. I know that in addition to shaving the seat down, I will need to lower it at least some, via dogbones or ride height adjusters.
Was wondering if anyone who has already done this, could confirm for me that the bike still rides and handles pretty well? That it doesn't drag things, ridden semi-fast but not superfast?
Or?
Do things get really gnarly?
My suspicion is that the bike will ride very well even lowered up to say 2 inches, but I was wondering if anyone could confirm this for me.
I hear so much from doomsday nay-sayers who go on and on "thou shallt not lower" but really - if it means the difference between having this bike and otherwise being forced onto a cruiser, I'd rather give up a bit of handling than be stuck on a cruiser, which handles lousy anyway.
However, if someone could give me their before and after impressions - I would greatly appreciate it!
I would also slide the fork tubes up through the triple trees (yokes) as well.
Thanks so much!
:D
Em
'79 Yam XS650
Florida

reply
 

have my boyfriends then he won't kill himself on it lol :lol:

Re: reply
 

that was the GF ellen, as u can see she didnt take too well after my BIG accident!

re: for those who have lowered...
 

Hi you two, sorry to hear about the accident.
Do you think it might have been related to having lowered the suspension?
thanks, and, hope you are healing well.
Em

Hi, my wifes bike has the longer dog bones which lowered the seat height by 10mm so I dropped the forks through the triple clamps about 12mm an it rides great.

A lowered SV rides OK, the important thing to do is to lower both ends as equally as is possible, otherwise it won't steer properly. At the rear particularly there are a number of people who have set the preload down to a low setting, whilst this does lower the bike, it also means that the rear suspension isn't working right, better to change the suspension links and set the shock right.

Being under 5.2" my SV has very definitely been lowered. I've got the longer dog bones, the lower seat, the lower preload setting and the forks have been dropped. I haven't ridden any other bike except the SV and for me it handles fine. Other riders, experienced riders, have ridden my bike and have said it handles fine.

HTH

Thanks everyone for your responses. They have been helpful.
Kate! I would LOVE to see your bike. I would love to sit on your bike actually...but anyway....
is there any chance I could see a pic of your bike, lowered?
The way you describe your mods would be similar to what I would need to do. I am 5'3", but, unfortunately, short of leg.
:(
Not the best way to be!
A fellow I know in Canada says its called "ducks disease"? does that ring a bell??? He says thats an English expression. Guess it refers to a butt low to the ground, lol.
I just call it Donald Duck disease.
Anyway, would love to see a pic if its possible.
Thanks everyone.
Em

I've also had mine lowered same spec, and it rides lovely.

Hubby did it like this

I'll see if I can get a pic of mine and Kate's side by side.