LOWERING SOLUTIONS FOR 2020 GT

[wordsmith]

With the possibility of my returning to the Tracer GT fold (oooh! – don’t get too excited, chums!) I have to address why I moved on from my last GT late last year.

Great machine, good value for money, and all that – but it was becoming increasingly difficult for me to mount the bike (side-stand down) with any degree of dignity: dismounting was equally tricky for me.   As for getting on or off with panniers fitted – might as well ask me to climb Everest, with or without oxygen!

Reasons: old age (now nudging 81yo) which has over time brought with it increasingly stiffening knee, hip, and ankle joints, all of which interferes with easy access.   And – shamefully – I simply cannot do the trick of standing on the left-hand foot-peg and swinging my right leg up over the bike that way.   Maybe practice makes perfect…

My question then is – what solutions proven and tested by others here can I consider to reduce seat-height?   I found the GT seat perfectly acceptable in terms of comfort and support, and would not wish to have it modified in any way, nor purchase another supposedly lower seat lest I leap out of the frying-pan into the fire. 

Aftermarket ‘dog-bone’ suspension linkages have been suggested as one means of achieving some seat-height reduction: can anyone who has gone down this road kindly offer their experiences?   I understand that Yamaha has available after-market dog-bones, and a UK specialist – Lust Racing – seems to have a range of high-quality suspension-lowering components too.

I had excellent K-tech suspension installed on my last GT, and the rear shock could be adjusted in length, which gave me a seat-height reduction of about 10 – 12mm (half an inch) from memory, and also allowed me to flat-foot at rest, so I would probably go this route next time, if only to improve the overall ride quality (which K-tech did in spades).  

Knowledgeable advice seems to say that raising the front fork in the clamps can also lower seat height as it lowers the front of the bike, but is not especially recommended as it can also affect the steering etc.  So, chaps, what say ye?  

All contributions will be gladly accepted.

[Toddtr]

Choose another bike 

[ledruide]

41 minutes ago, Toddtr said:

Choose another bike 

I'm sure he must have considered this option before asking the question !

[Toddtr]

Possibly but how much time and money can you spend polishing a 💩 to get it to your satisfaction? If he’s already had one and couldn’t figure out how to make it into what he really wanted then try another bike, that’s all. 

[roadrash83]

Nothing wrong with owning the same bike repeatedly . I owned 4 Yamaha RD400 in as many years. I would have probably  owned as many RZ350 as race bikes if I wasn't 6'3''. The FJ09/ Tracer platform is easy to love.

'

 

[Toddtr]

That’s called insanity if you thought it was going to get better each time, which is what he wants. I love my bike but it will never be a sport bike, a true cruiser or a dirt bike. Can you make it shorter to fit you? Yes but it comes with sacrifices and it sounds like he doesn’t want to accept them, so choose another. 

[betoney]

5 hours ago, Toddtr said:

Choose another bike 

Unfortunately not many bikes of this style are noticeably shorter, the Versys 650, Honda CB500X, CB650, Yamaha MT07/ 09 are all around 32" tall.   

[duhs10]

@wordsmith We would love to welcome you back to the Tracer fold... I am curious though what is making you ponder a switch back to the Tracer (again) since you recently purchased that R nineT.

As far as lowering the Tracer. The Cheapest route would be lower links (dog bone) and moving the forks in the tree concurrently.

Sounds like you are aware of the options for shocks. Perhaps the shop that fitted you k-tech knows of some options...

[wordsmith]

5 hours ago, Toddtr said:

Possibly but how much time and money can you spend polishing a 💩 to get it to your satisfaction? If he’s already had one and couldn’t figure out how to make it into what he really wanted then try another bike, that’s all. 

Unhelpful.

[Toddtr]

Mans got to know his limitations and I believe with the Tracer you have exceeded yours. My father is 88 and I remember he called me back when he was around 80 to ask if I could come to his house and crank the chainsaw.......no way! If you can’t crank it you sure can’t use it. You said you were having a hard time getting on the bike, maybe it’s time for a trike. Bash away 

[ledruide]

2 hours ago, Toddtr said:

Mans got to know his limitations and I believe with the Tracer you have exceeded yours. My father is 88 and I remember he called me back when he was around 80 to ask if I could come to his house and crank the chainsaw.......no way! If you can’t crank it you sure can’t use it. You said you were having a hard time getting on the bike, maybe it’s time for a trike. Bash away 

I can't wait to see the answers the next time you ask for help on this forum !

[Toddtr]

Pretty sure I will be ok, it’s not the only forum on the planet but I would like to know why what I said bothers you? Maybe you could suggest something to him or just keep on saying stuff like you’ve been doing, you seem to be good at it. 

[Buggy Nate]

Have you thought about the Xsr7/900’s wordy?

[stumpy]

someone's bitter...i'll welcome wordy back to the fold..always has interesting insight to riding with his experience over the years.  just lower it and enjoy wordy.

[ledruide]

27 minutes ago, Toddtr said:

Pretty sure I will be ok, it’s not the only forum on the planet but I would like to know why what I said bothers you? Maybe you could suggest something to him or just keep on saying stuff like you’ve been doing, you seem to be good at it. 

Something like your first suggestion? He ask for solutions proven and tested by others here , since I didn't do anything related to lowering on my bike I don't suggest things to do, that's it!