lowering a 1200

[Rambling Rose]

New member here and I have a questsion you all might be able to answer.
I am very interested in acquiring a new factory lowered R1200R bike but I have one issue. I am vertically challenged!!!. I have sat on the lowered bike and I find I am still very tippy toe with 1/2 soles added to my riding boots. I need new boots so will have one inch added to those boots.
My question can you SAFELY further lower the bike by shorter shocks in the front and rear? Or how about lowering the non factory lowered bike a tad lower than the factory lowerd bike by using shorter shocks again the word is SAFELY!!! I just need another 1/2 to 1 inch.
Thanks in advance
Rose

[deilenberger]

Rose,

I haven't seen exactly how they lower the factory lowered bike.. but I suspect it's shorter suspension. When you lower the bike this way, two downsides to it (1) more likely to touch hard parts on cornering since everything is closer to the road (2) it generally reduces suspension travel, giving a harder ride.

There is a 3rd if the sidestand and centerstand aren't modified - both become more difficult to use.

Given the height BMW claims for the lowered model - it sounds as if they lowered it about 1.5" or so.. that to me is the max I would want to try on this bike. I don't think it would be a good idea to try lowering it more with suspension.

What I'd suggest - you get taller. I know that sound stupid - but there are boots made specifically for women (and they now make them for men also..) that can grow you about 3/4". Here are the boots I'm talking about: https://shop.helimot.com/shopdisplaypro ... =yes&bc=no

I'd recommend these over modifying your current boots.. making the toe of the boot taller means it also becomes thicker, which presents a problem with the shifter. BTDT didn't like it at all. I have met a number of women who swore by these boots.

My inseam isn't too big either - about 27".. on a tall day. I've found the R12R just great for me with the suspension lowered 3/4", and my normal boots. If I needed more - I think I'd take the path of the Daytona boots for men rather then try to lower it more.

HTH, I think you'll love the bike once you get to riding it.

EDIT: BTW - when you try the factory lowered bike, make SURE it has the factory low seat on it. The lowered bike with the standard or tall seat just isn't gonna work for you, but I wouldn't put it past a dealer to swap a seat out and put the wrong one on.

[Rambling Rose]

Thanks Don for your suggestions and input. I understand about lowering a bike to much and then "things" drag and the stands don't work well. Also understand about putting soles on ones boot and then making it hard to shift the bike.

I looked at the boots you mentioned but find it hard to pay the price. Kind of pricey. I had a friend sit on the bike also who has her boots with a 1 inch sole on her boots and she didn't seem to notice any problems but not sure she tried to shift the bike. I will ask her. So far I haven't had any problems shifting my F650 with the half inch on my current boots. But something to be careful with.

My shop is not offering a demo ride on the lowered bike but I will have a friend take me out on a non lowered 1200 demo after the holidays. Been a long time since I have ridden an opposed twin bike.

Yes the lowered bike also had the lower seat.
Cheryl

[Dauntless]

I have an '09 factory lowered bike. The owner's manual claims the lowered chassis (with low seat) height is 20mm or .80 inch lower than the standard chassis with a low seat. Mine came with a factory centerstand which is very easy to use. I think the best route for the original poster to do is get the higher boots if necessary and get used to not having your feet planted. If you need to back into a space just put the sidestand down, hop off and walk it in. I wouldn't lower the bike further because the manual already warns about scraping parts with their lowered chassis model.

[enderw88]

New member here and I have a questsion you all might be able to answer.
I am very interested in acquiring a new factory lowered R1200R bike but I have one issue. I am vertically challenged!!!. I have sat on the lowered bike and I find I am still very tippy toe with 1/2 soles added to my riding boots. I need new boots so will have one inch added to those boots.
My question can you SAFELY further lower the bike by shorter shocks in the front and rear? Or how about lowering the non factory lowered bike a tad lower than the factory lowerd bike by using shorter shocks again the word is SAFELY!!! I just need another 1/2 to 1 inch.
Thanks in advance
Rose

Cheryl,
It sounds like you have plenty of riding experience on bikes that you can flat foot. I am also small statured (5'5" 150# 30" inseam) I cannot flat foot my K75 low seat. If both feet are touching I can barely get the balls of my feet down. The only time both feet are touching the ground is in the morning when I am backing down my steep driveway. At stops my right foot is on the brake, and my left foot is flat down. I find this technique very secure and I have the peace of mind know my brakes are actuated but I still have rapid access to the throttle to avoid the incoming text messaging cage monkeys...I think I got this technique from the Noemi pages at http://www.nebcom.com/noemi/moto/sbl.faq.html#tiptoe

[Rambling Rose]

Thanks all for your input.
The only bike I have owned where I was even close to being flat footed was a 800 Suzuki Intruder with a Saddleman seat. Great bike just to small of a gas tank.
With my F650GS which is lowered, with the low seat and half inch on my boots I am on the balls of my feet. Actually I sit better on the new lowered 650 twin then I do on my lowered 650 single. Funny how that works.
I am only looking at the 1200 because it might be my last time to ride a opposed twin bmw. I am not getting any younger or taller (LOL) but I do need to be comfortable with touching the ground. I don't need to be flat footed but real tippy toe is not going to do it. Yes, I can just use my left foot to touch and my right on the brake but sometimes you really do need to touch with your right foot. Excepf for the Intruder I have never been able to sit on a bike and move it around in a parking lot or where ever. I always had to get off the bike and manhandled it into place.

[deilenberger]

Thanks Don for your suggestions and input. I understand about lowering a bike to much and then "things" drag and the stands don't work well. Also understand about putting soles on ones boot and then making it hard to shift the bike.

I looked at the boots you mentioned but find it hard to pay the price. Kind of pricey. I had a friend sit on the bike also who has her boots with a 1 inch sole on her boots and she didn't seem to notice any problems but not sure she tried to shift the bike. I will ask her. So far I haven't had any problems shifting my F650 with the half inch on my current boots. But something to be careful with.

The reason I suggested these boots (and yes - pricey) was they came very highly recommended to me by two female solo long distance riders.. They loved them. I have no personal experience, but the enthusiasm they showed towards these boots was really memorable.

My shop is not offering a demo ride on the lowered bike but I will have a friend take me out on a non lowered 1200 demo after the holidays. Been a long time since I have ridden an opposed twin bike.

Yes the lowered bike also had the lower seat.
Cheryl

You might check around for other shops if there are any in your area... find one which will allow a demo ride on the bike if you agree to buy it if it fits you..

Good luck with it.. I think you might find the R12R isn't as daunting as other BMW bikes when you're a bit on your toes. It seems so well balanced, and you can see where your feet will end up that it certainly wasn't as big an issue for me as on other BMWs.

[deilenberger]

Cheryl,
It sounds like you have plenty of riding experience on bikes that you can flat foot. I am also small statured (5'5" 150# 30" inseam) I cannot flat foot my K75 low seat. If both feet are touching I can barely get the balls of my feet down. The only time both feet are touching the ground is in the morning when I am backing down my steep driveway. At stops my right foot is on the brake, and my left foot is flat down. I find this technique very secure and I have the peace of mind know my brakes are actuated but I still have rapid access to the throttle to avoid the incoming text messaging cage monkeys...I think I got this technique from the Noemi pages at http://www.nebcom.com/noemi/moto/sbl.faq.html#tiptoe

30" inseam? That's HUGE! :-)

And talk about an old friend - noemi berry (now married with children..) wonderful person, great attitude towards riding, and a good e-friend (met in person once..)

[CRazyCam]

A petite lady of my acquaintance used to ride around on what I believe was an unmodified R1150R, and her trick, in addition to the built up boots, was that she had the BMW panniers fitted and carried rocks in the panniers.

I think she refined the system to sand bags later, but you get the picture?

The extra weight brought down the height of the bike, and also put the weight into the kind of numbers that the springs were designed for.

regards,CrazyCam