[rastaman]

I have replaced the rear shock with the Vstar shock, That lowered the bike 3"s...I have removed all the sponge from the seat. my wife is 5'1"...and her toes still dont touch. now what? I am thinking of taking a pair of her boots to the shoe maker and seeing if he can add an inch. Failing that I might just end up with a TW for sale (i dont need 3 bikes),,or at least I will have a real nice Vstar shock for sale...I think...unless someone has another idea.

I have not lowered the front forks,as I dont think that would affect the seating height, just the handling...am I correct

 

[qwerty]

It will help. Platform boots are a good idea, and more common than one would think.

 

[goldenhtr]

It's my understanding that you want to lower the forks the same amount that the backend was lowered. I'm surprised that she can't touch even with her toes? My wife is 5'1 1/2 and she rides the TW just fine stock. Though she would prefer it lowered a little. Her boots do have a 1" sole on them. Remember she doesn't need to flat foot it on the ground. Is she a new rider? If she is just take her to a big parking lot and let her loose. I'm sure she will get the hang of it.

 

[TW2007]

I have replaced the rear shock with the Vstar shock, That lowered the bike 3"s...I have removed all the sponge from the seat. my wife is 5'1"...and her toes still dont touch. now what? I am thinking of taking a pair of her boots to the shoe maker and seeing if he can add an inch. Failing that I might just end up with a TW for sale (i dont need 3 bikes),,or at least I will have a real nice Vstar shock for sale...I think...unless someone has another idea.

I have not lowered the front forks,as I dont think that would affect the seating height, just the handling...am I correct

Due to vertical challenge issues I have for years have had to get my boot adjusted about 1/2" (the lighter colored material in the sole).



You may have to do some tweaking of the brake and or shift lever but it is a viable option.

 

[rastaman]

It's my understanding that you want to lower the forks the same amount that the backend was lowered. I'm surprised that she can't touch even with her toes? My wife is 5'1 1/2 and she rides the TW just fine stock. Though she would prefer it lowered a little. Her boots do have a 1" sole on them. Remember she doesn't need to flat foot it on the ground. Is she a new rider? If she is just take her to a big parking lot and let her loose. I'm sure she will get the hang of it.

Yeh I know, I was so disappointed at first that I didnt even want to go to the trouble of lowering the front. Now the more I think about it I think it might actually help make the bike lower. She is a brand new rider, only one day at the MSC and had a down off of a honda rebel...so she is kinda timid. I am going to lower the front, if that doesnt work..off to the shoe shop..heck might even go to the shoe shop either way. Because right now there is no sponge on the seat.

I cant believe your wife rides a stock TW..is that what she learned to ride on?

 

[rastaman]

It will help. Platform boots are a good idea, and more common than one would think.

The ones we have looked at look so cumbersome...I would think it would make shifting difficult. But we are still looking. Yeh and they usually have those god awful heels

 

[lizrdbrth]

You can only lower the front as far as the handlebars will allow. But it will help to quicken the steering a bit, which may in turn help make the bike feel a bit less cumbersome.



If you've already lowered the rear 3" you can take the forks all the way to the bottom of the bars safely. Just make sure both tubes are at equal heights.



Not much else you can do. Built up boots create their own set of distractions for new riders, IMO.



I find the hard part is giving them enough seat time to gain confidence, rather than modding the bike. In most cases the height issue vaporizes with seat time. This is already one of the lowest bikes around.

 

[RisingSun]

how much lower do you need to go?

 

[rastaman]

how much lower do you need to go?

Right now I think 1 inch would make her toes touch, and thats with just a towel on the seat base...no cushion.

 

[RisingSun]

There are two more ways left I can think of. One is to take the spring off the shock and cut off a couple of inches off the shaft. Re-tap it and re assemble it.

 

[qwerty]

Relatively easy to drill a lower hole for the shock, but 3 inches is getting really short on suspension travel already. Drop the forks will gain almost an inch at the seat.



Built soles take some getting used to, but many vertically challenged people ride with 2-3 inches of soles. Different shifting, yes. Difficult or impossible, no.



My first wife was 5'2" and rode a CB550 on the street. People ride dirt bikes with 37-inch seat heights all the time. At this point, sounds like she simply needs to learn to ride. Respect her aversion--it is a healthy fear. Get her ATGATT and to a big paved lot and turn her loose. A little confidence goes a long way.

 

[rastaman]

YEH.....got it....After lowering the front shock 3" and with her in boots with 3/4" sole she can touch on the ball of her feet....with the stock seat...OH Yeh ..life is going to be good at the homestead tonight



One problem...the kick stand is too long now. I hate to cut it..so I will be hunting for one to modify....(just in case she gives up riding)...anyone have a kick stand they want to get rid of??



Thanks for all the help guys...sorry I was such a dud not lowering the front before I posted.

 

[qwerty]

WOOHOO!!! The couple that rides together picks each other up.

 

[Mad Mac]

One problem...the kick stand is too long now. I hate to cut it.. ...(just in case she gives up riding)...

You have probably already solved this problem by now, but for future reference, something like a Bernzomatic torch can be used to heat the kickstand and bend it outward. Remove the kickstand from the bike first. Clamp it in a vise. Heat it up where you want to bend it until it starts to turn red. Put a pipe over it to bend it. Later on, it can be bent back if the bike is restored to normal ride height. On a V-Max I lowered almost two inches, I bent the kickstand into a mild "S" shape.