New SV rider - help and advice please.

Originally Posted by hongman

Out of curiosity how did you lower it? Seat, dogbones, shock, yokes?

For info : mines was lowered when I bought it with different dog bones, front forks pushed up through the yokes, and a lower seat.

with out fettling with the bikes design too much to knock an inch or so out of the height the best thing to do is have the seat rounded off, or have it sculpted to get even another inch out of it. Get a pro to do it though, they make a damn site better job at it than the average joe.

SVKath if you're finding you're a little tense then maybe try doing a route you know well such as your work route, the one to tesco anything thats a couple of miles and gets you out on the bike. If you are familiar with the route you'll relax a lot quicker on the bike, you'll already have the knowlage of the road; positioning/other users/movement etc so you can worry less about other things and concentrate more on yourself. Once you've got that road nailed you'll not struggle anywhere else either HTH

Originally Posted by Miss_Undaztood

For info : mines was lowered when I bought it with different dog bones, front forks pushed up through the yokes, and a lower seat.

I might be in contact with you when I eventually get mine, lol

You'll get used to it. If every time you use the bike, you walk it a few steps, you'll start getting used to the weight. I'm only 5'6 and quite short in the leg.

I remember going from a CG125 to the SV. As I rode off from picking it up, at the end of the first road I very nearly dropped it, the road I lived on at the time was a narrow, steep hill, off another steep hill, getting in and out on the CG was interesting at first, so by the time I got home, I remember thinking it was going to be too much for me. It took a while to get used to having a fairing that was static when the bars were moving too.

I'd now happily have a larger bike. You will get used to it, it'll just take time.

I'd recommend taking up someone offering to accompany you, but maybe start with a low paced, not too bendy bimble? Low speed car park riding might make you feel more unsettled. If you can start, stop and turn ok, just get out riding. Maybe stick to quieter times of the day until you're ready for heavier traffic. Before long, you'll feel happy and comfortable, and wonder what you were concerned about.

[yorkie_chris]

IMO if you are lowering thing do as much as possible to the seat before you start on the chassis.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

IMO if you are lowering thing do as much as possible to the seat before you start on the chassis.

Indeed, it was your opinion I was echoing.

where I bought my bike from suzuki dealer, lowered it for me I'm too sure what they did, I have the parts they took out like a bone shape? I've also had my seat lowered which is much better than before.
Leedsmatt7 I live in liversedge too so your help maybe requested at some point

[Luckypants]

TBH Kath, at 5' 3" you have no choice but to do as your dealer has done, unless you have exceptionally long legs for your height. Don't worry they have done it right and the bike will be fine. Speedy Claire is a little taller than you and has a similar lowering set up. (Longer rear dog-bones, lowered seat, forks dropped 10mm). Her bike rides fine, a bit weird for me due to being so low but cornering and ride are fine. I don't think anyone will call Speedy slow either. So don't sweat about what has been done to your bike, it'll be right.

IMO you need to just get out and practice moving it about, being used to handling the bike will make your confidence rise. You will be confident you can manoeuvre it, won't drop it and be able to park up etc. This in turn feeds confidence into your riding, which added to the fact you are getting out on the bike means you soon get used to the bike.

At 5'3 I hoped I could just get away with getting the seat done, looks like I'll be looking at dog's too

You know what helped me loads frm 125 > 500, was a good night's sleep. Amazing how much a break can do you, I am of the opinion that sometimes too much practise crammed in can actually be adverse.

Well Im 5ft 3" and mines standard.. Thought I might have to get the seat cut out or something but I can happily get both feet down - there not dead flat on the floor like they were on the SV but im not tottering on my tip toes either. I can get enough of my foot down for it to feel safe and secured etc.

Just take it out and see what you think before getting seat cut out or getting the bike lowered etc - you might be surprised!