increase bike height

[eus]

hi there
hello from sunny portugal.
like said before i have a r1150r, that until now i love :-)
except since i am too tall (1.95m) would like to know how to increase bike height. I feel the bike small with me on it.
is it possible to increase height through the rear shock absorver or adjusting driver seat?
thanks for your opinions

[DJ Downunder]

I think the best and easiest way is to fit a slightly longer para-lever arm from the GS.

That will raise the rear slightly and should not effect steering that much.. Others here have done it before.

DJ

[riceburner]

I think the best and easiest way is to fit a slightly longer para-lever arm from the GS.

That will raise the rear slightly and should not effect steering that much.. Others here have done it before.

DJ

Right bike, wrong description DJ, the GS paralever is shorter than the R-R one. (where you been anyway?? Hope you're doing well you mentalist! )

Find a paralever arm from the R1100GS, and a rear shock from a Rockster. Together they'll raise the bike about an inch or two. Well.. they'll give you an extra inch or two GROUND CLEARANCE.

If you want to increase the measurement from footpeg to seat, I'd find a tall saddle (there's three different heights, the R1150R came with the "mid-height" I think).

[ColumbiaBMW]

If you want to increase the measurement from footpeg to seat, I'd find a tall saddle (there's three different heights, the R1150R came with the "mid-height" I think).

I had quite a few people tell me that when I was looking for a taller seat but the only thing I could ever find was a low seat, and a high seat. I called Gateway BMW in St Louis to ask about a middle seat, and they said there is only two seats for the R1150R, the high seat and low seat. Most here in the United States came stock with the low seat, but I found a used tall seat (after months of searching) for only $75. Just keep checking around and you'll be able to find one. Or you could just go straight to a dealer and pay a small fortune for a new one.

[wncbmw]

Sargent's after market seats raise the seat height almost an inch, which provided welcome relief for my knees. I am not tall, just old.

I tried a friends tall BMW seat and while it helped my knees, it was narrower and was brutal on my butt!

[omg1010]

You have several options:

- rear rockster shock
- R1100GS paralever arm
- higher saddle (aftermarket or get it done by some upholstery company)
- ohlins shocks (height adjustable)

You may also have a look at the shocks of the GS as the GS shocks are longer as well (you need to have both (front and rear) ...

Brgds
Oliver

[eus]

thanks for all the feedback guys.

I will have a look at the option of GS shocks... think its the cheapest way to do it.
(with the exception of the new seat)

anybody did this change of shocks, is it plug and play?
what shocks should i look for? gs1100 gs1150 or gs1150 adv?

thanks

[NoRRmad]

Raising the height with a new shock will do nothing for the riding comfort. The seat will go up, but so will the footpegs.

[riceburner]

thanks for all the feedback guys.

I will have a look at the option of GS shocks... think its the cheapest way to do it.
(with the exception of the new seat)

anybody did this change of shocks, is it plug and play?
what shocks should i look for? gs1100 gs1150 or gs1150 adv?

thanks

I'm pretty sure it's a "modular" system - so as long as you don't end up with either of the universal joints at too great an angle you should be ok.

[wncbmw]

NoRRmad is correct. A new shock will not give your legs any more room and you will still feel cramped in the riding position. It will only raise the overall height.

And I would not spend a nickel on a GS shock or any other BMW shock for that matter. If you want to go the shock route, spend your money on a better quality shock with adjustablity and that can be rebuilt.

Still won't let you stretch your legs in the saddle though.

[grwrockster]

Aren't R1150GS footrest hangers longer (i.e. lower) than 'R' or 'Rockster' ones? I know that would normally compromise ground clearance, but if the whole bike is being raised to counteract that anyhow, then wouldn't GS hangers give better leg-room for a tall fella?

[wncbmw]

And his butt will still be sore!

[duegi]

There are medium height saddles out there, IAbeakster has one that I borrowed for a bit. Like Columbia03BMW I kept looking and finally found a tall saddle for a reasonable price, took a while though...

Like most of us I've got a low saddle eating up space on a shelf, anyone thought of a good alternative use for dust gathering saddle?

[sweatmark]

eus-

At your height (6'-4") the Roadster must feel tiny. I'm only 6ft and my Rockster often feels small and cramped.

In addition to the suggestions noted above, have you considered trading your Roadster for R1150GS? The GS will have many of the characteristics you already like about your R1150R, with the big plus of "original equipment" bike height AND seat-to-pegs comfort.

[gregor]

Tiny? Cramped? Our bike is one of the tallest on the market!
All the UJMs look miniscule scale models in comparison to the R1150R.

[wncbmw]

The Roadster is indeed cramped in terms of seat to peg height if you are tall or your knees are ancient and abused.