[kelli]

OK, i know this subject comes up alot, but i'm new to this forum and need some advise.

Would like to know how many of you gals lowered your bike???
~how many of those ride track (race or just for fun)
~how many ride track and trail
~just trail

I'm 5' 4" 140 lbs, 44 yrs old, cant touch the ground except tippy toes... barely, have an 06 CRF250x, have been riding dirt for about 5 years (gave up road bikes, however, have about 17 years of experience on road).

I love my suspension/height on the track, however the height is a tad intimidating when cornering… planting my foot and it's no where close to the ground, that kind of thing. On trails the height is a tad more intimidating and possibly effecting my learning curve perhaps keeping me from advancing quicker.

I don’t want to lose that awesome jumping suspension by lowering the bike as well as the good handling characteristics, although it might make me a better rider. I have also found that i'm riding more trail than track lately, i think because i'm reverting to beginner level... i don't know... getting frustrated

any advise greatly appreciated

.

[befree]

Hi, all,

I'm new to the forum as well, but had to chime in on this post... I am also 5'4", 140-ish, and 41 years old, began riding about 6 years ago (off and on between pregnancies) and until 2 months ago rode an XR200 - a great bike to begin on, but heavy!

I know what you mean about the height thing - when you switch to a new bike, beginner habits take over all over again. I have been riding more track than trails lately, and my very cool husband bought me a CRF250R two months ago. It scared me to death at first because it was at it's full height, and I killed it several times my first time out, stalling it and looking like a dumb old mom who shouldn't be there.

I had the dealer lower it after I found out they could be lowered. (Didn't know such a thing existed until I saw it on this site - thanks!) It made a huge difference in my confidence and ability to touch the ground, restart it, etc. They warned me that I would lose a little suspension, but I'll never be jumping 70 foot tabletops, so I'm ok with that.

If you are feeling hesitant about the bike's height, I would definitely recommend it. It makes it much less mentally intimiating, and I can push the bike around and nearly load it myself now where I couldn't before. To me, that was worth whatever suspension I lost.

Good luck!

[befree]

Well, I'm a little stupid on the details because my husband usually does most (not all) of the garage stuff, but the bike already had an RG3 suspension link on it, and the dealer said they had to have a part machined for the link, so something was changed in there. They also put different fork oil in. Overall, I got about 2 inches off the height, but it made a world of difference in my ability to handle the bike. I can plant a foot in corners now and couldn't before.

BTW - It's very cool to see other women riders my age - they say 40 is the new 30. Go moms!

Barbra



----Show me a woman who asks for a BillyWho Man Funnel for Christmas and I'll show you a happy husband! ---

[Asmith]

Well, I'm a little stupid on the details because my husband usually does most (not all) of the garage stuff, but the bike already had an RG3 suspension link on it, and the dealer said they had to have a part machined for the link, so something was changed in there. They also put different fork oil in. Overall, I got about 2 inches off the height, but it made a world of difference in my ability to handle the bike. I can plant a foot in corners now and couldn't before.

BTW - It's very cool to see other women riders my age - they say 40 is the new 30. Go moms!

Barbra



----Show me a woman who asks for a BillyWho Man Funnel for Christmas and I'll show you a happy husband! ---

Ain't that the truth!!!! (Except she's already got one...)

[BanditX]

I also am 5'4", 139lbs, 42..ugh..I have not done the link yet. I lowered front forks in the tree 1/2 inch and
set sag, I feel I touch the ground good, not flat footed, but comfy. I dont ride much trails, but on the track is
ok. I do more jumps than cornering. I am working on the cornering thing. The link would probably help a little, but I am not bottoming out the 250R yet. I only get about 4 ft of air also...nothing major. It handles pretty good to me like it is. I am more interested in the jet setup next before the link...hee hee....like going FAST!

[crfsonly]

welcome befree. . i thought i was seeing double for a second! you know there are a lot of men that we sell the kouba link to and they have all had great success with them. just a note or two. first, the kouba link does not reduce the travel of the shock. it does however change the "rake" of the bike which brings me to my second point. you must also raise the forks in the triple clamp to compensate for the lowering the rear. once the front and rear are balanced again you will not be able to tell the difference from a suspension standpoint.

good luck...ken

[befree]

Checked the bill on my lowering job by the dealer and it listed the following:

CRF Lowering Suspension Kit
Torco Fork Fluid 5wt
Torco Racing Shock Fluid Light
Machine Fork Cartridges

This is gonna sound stupid, but what are fork "cartridges"? An internal fork part? The forks were not set differently in the triple clamp as far as I could see.

I tossed the idea around of shaving foam off my seat, but I got enough adjustment now that I'm ok, and the seat is already so darn hard, I end up sore in the seat after every practice day. Ouch! A lot different than my cushy old XR.

[befree]

Ah, never mind about the fork cartridge question - I had my question answered!

[kelli]

Hi Ken, I found some info on the lowering link at Thumper talk, apparently, or at least according to this article, it can effect the suspension travel.

===========================================
Having trouble tuning your suspension with a lowering link?

The lowering links increase the leverage, or compressive force, applied to the shock as it travels thru the stroke. The different components that make up the rear suspension linkage are very well engineered and balanced by the factories. Changing any one piece affects the overall function. The lowering link introduces a longer lever arm into the heart of the linkage mechanism, applying greater force to the spring and compression damping circuits. They make the ride more plush initially, and much softer near the end of the stroke. The longer your links are, the more they lower your seat, and the more they affect your suspension.

A bike with a lowering link will be much more likely to bottom out when jumping, and in deep compression G-outs like crossing a wash. The ride gets too plush; the rear end really needs to be stiffened up. The easy adjustments that you can make are somewhat limited. Just adding preload to the spring doesn't change the overall strength of the spring, it only affects the initial stiffness, and can seriously affect steering. A stiffer spring may help, at least it sounds right in theory. But the increase in force applied to the spring isn’t necessarily linear, it varies with different bike models, and it can increase throughout the stroke. So a spring alone isn’t guaranteed to get your good ride back. Adjusting your compression damping will help, but you are limited by the range of the adjusters, which isn’t all that much. You can send your shock off to a tuner, who will take it apart and change the internal shim stack to a stiffer moto or SX like ride. I've spoken with several tuners about this, none of them liked tuning for lowering links.

A lowering link works GREAT for someone who doesn't ride really hard, like a dual sported bike that sees dirt roads and trails at moderate speeds. But they cause your bike to blow through it’s travel when the fun meter starts into the red zone. So, if you have a link and don’t like it, try these things first: Turn in your compression adjusters a lot, high and low speed if your bike has both. And what is your weight, do you have the correct spring to start with? spring rate calculator http://www.racetech.com/evalving/menu/searchdirt.asp From here, you’ll probably need to go at least a couple of steps stiffer. I went from a 5.4 kg to a 5.7 kg, it wasn’t enough.

I couldn’t make peace with lowering links on my Honda CRF or Suzuki DRZ. I removed and sold them. Read this other article about Lowering your seat height http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=379068. If you can’t make your bike ride right with the lowering link, you do have some other options you can try.

[NorCal]

I have a stock suspension 250x. I have considered the kubalink but I am still hoping that my riding ability will eventually match the height of the bike. I do not want to give up any of my suspension. I am 5'4" 150#.

By the way, I am also almost 40 and a proud mom.

[KRCRFs]

We have to agree with ., we've lowered bikes with links (we are both vertically challenged) and by paying the big bucks and having the entire suspension done professionally.

The links work well if you don't use them for more than about an inch. However, the big bucks are worth it. We lowered our 250X 2.25 inches (from 12.25 down to an even 10 inches of travel) and the difference is huge, yet it retains it's factory geometry.

Links work well for general riding but there is nothing like having the real deal!

[Beast Rider]

I guess I have to put my two cents in. I'm 5'4 1/2" tall (but really what matters is the length of your legs.) I ride a 230f weigh 145 and am 56 year old female, I am able to put my feet flat on the ground now that my bike is broken in.

When we talk about bikes and riding abilities we have to understand that the "R" means race and is a very different bike from the "X" and the "F". The weight and the strength of the rider also plays a role, as well as where you ride and how you ride.

I ride with men that like vertical steep hills and technical trails, but when we hit a long flat stretch be it a sand wash or hard lake bed they love to see how fast they can go. ( of course they have bigger and better bikes than I do) I am able to keep up with them (or at least keep them in my sight)

When we ride a trail(not a fire road) I definitely need to be able to put my feet down on turns and in deep sand and then when it comes to a rocky single track that you have to walk through in first gear there is no way you can do that if you have to lean your bike to touch the ground. ( not to mention starting your bike if you can't reach the ground) My bike is heavy and there is a fine line between leaning it to one side and still being able to hold it up.

My opinion is if you ride an "X" or CRF you are a trail rider and need to touch the ground because you never know what the terrain will be. If your a track rider and riding an "R" which is lighter and you can throw it around a little, the track is pretty much the same once you go around a few times you know what to expect so you may be able to ride with just your toes touching. When jumping table tops I think that I would want my suspension working to it's full capacity and would not lower the bike. I would buy a two stroke that is my size.

[learning@48]

Hi. all...

Just reading through all the talk about height. I know I only ride a 150F..(48 yrs old and learning) and only 5'3" and 108lbs.. We put the linkage on my bike and lowered the forks.. WOW what a difference.. I went to a place call Belfair off road park last week and did major trail riding. Couldn't have done it before we lowered the bike. Still mastering the woops but had a great time...Heading back out next week. I want to go on a desert race in April so need all the practice I can get. Happy trails to all... keep safe...Judyalthough I still got my bike stuck...had a great time.

[Sun]

I cant express enough how great it is to see "mature" women riding like myself. I'm not exactly mature (44) but I don't want to say old or elderly either! We need a name for women like us! For some reason I never liked the way Moto Mama sounds. I used to work for a place that always referred to me as their "Moto Mama" and I always pictured a bra less women in a halter top on a chopper looking for some Cougars to jump.
I never liked "Dirt Diva" either. Sound like a high maintenance stuck up bi*ch And I'm not exactly "Moto Chick" I picture 20 and under with that one. And Moto Ho? Is that even a female who rides or rides something other then a bike?

[palmrider230]

I cant express enough how great it is to see "mature" women riding like myself. I'm not exactly mature (44) but I don't want to say old or elderly either! We need a name for women like us! For some reason I never liked the way Moto Mama sounds. I used to work for a place that always referred to me as their "Moto Mama" and I always pictured a bra less women in a halter top on a chopper looking for some Cougars to jump.
I never liked "Dirt Diva" either. Sound like a high maintenance stuck up bi*ch And I'm not exactly "Moto Chick" I picture 20 and under with that one. And Moto Ho? Is that even a female who rides or rides something other then a bike?

How about...Riders...