TR650 Lowering Options

Thanks for the input. Lowering links are used all the time - if not the way to go, then why?

Since you have the lowering ring, have you noticed a stiffer ride at all?

No it is not stiffer nor softer, it is the same.

I can not compare with a lowering link, for me the lowering ring works fine.

Regards, John

If I get how the lowering ring works ( I haven't seen one actually installed but it looks like all it does is rteduce the preload) the ride HAS to be softer. Now mostly shorter people are also lighter so it may get them back to where it needs to be in terms of intiial travel but the spring rate will still be the same only the initial break free load will be lower. If the rider is short ( legged) and heavy , the preload will be very soft and the bike will be already a fair way into its travel. Bike will wallow a fair bit and bottom easier ( as Sally's ktm is currently until I can get the Kouba link that I finally got, mounted ).

Hey! I resemble that remark.

Yup me too Bill. A 29" inseam makes every bike a tall bike.

Yup, same here (~29" inseam). It seems like I'm tippy toe on dang near every bike, 'cept cruisers........ but I just can't go there.

As per special request by CatskillBill:

http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/seats.31148/page-7

Same 29" inseam here too. Been following this thread to decide which way to go to lower the Terra and retain the SWMotech center stand. It's very difficult, not to mention dangerous, to tippy toe in Manila traffic.

So with that seat can you flat foot? Or, perhaps get onto the balls of both feet?

Totally flat foot. But I stick to the pavement. Don't know what an off camber trail would be like but the bike isn't top heavy anyway

Thank you for posting that, by the way.

Shock Treatment lowered my Terra, OEM spring rate is 10.3 kgs, new spring was 10mm shorter & 9.8 kgs, what a difference it made, vast improvement

Hi, where you get that 10mm shorter & 9.8 kgs spring? Is that someone bikes spring?

No need to lower the bike.

This approach may work..

http://www.bradfordshoes.com/add-tech.php

Terry Hay at Shock Treatment, also lowered my Terra - was perfect for my Birdsville adventure

This is a little unconventional but it's been a great help and I feel even better on this bike: There's a quality cobbler near me. I had them put a more rugged vibram sole on the bottoms of my "adventure" boots - AND I had them add an inch of lightweight but very firm FOAM filler between the bottom and my foot (don't know what that part of a shoe is called!) Anyway, I really got a great lift from it, no change in shifting or breaking, no balance issues, any extra weight is hardly noticable. Any good shoe repair should be able to do this for you. And there are different thicknesses, if you only want 1/2 inch I'm sure it will still make a difference. The cobbler told me he's seen a few motorcyclists coming in for the lift lately. LOVE the difference. ...and no, it doesn't look completely dorky...... just a little bit.

Just installed Seat Concept's LOW version seat on my Terra last night. The relative height difference in the "butt" area appears to be around 1/2" and the new seat profile provides a deeper pocket for the rider. (I also measured drop in the lowest, narrow area of the seat and it is a tad less than 1/2"... sorry no pics of that). The new cover floats above the foam in this area so there is more drop than shows in the picture.... maybe another 1/4".

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The missing photos...