1150 Drop??

[journeyquest]

I am new to this forum and i just purchased an 85 GS1150ES. The bike is stock except for a rear fox shock someone installed before me which may have raised it somewhat. I am 5'10" and when i sit on this bike i am on tip toes. The bike feels heavy compared to my GSXR750. I dont want to dump it over. Can anyone tell me the best way to lower this bike so i am close to flat footed? About how much would i have to drop it? I dont want it slammed like a drag bike, but somewhere in between. Thanks

 

[mikerophone]

I'm sure one of the resident suspension efforts will be along shortly to give you some advice. In the meantime, welcome, read up, search and most importantly, post some pics of that beauty! We love photos!

I want an 1150ES one day, have an 83 750ES with 11K miles that I love, but someday I'll find one.

 

[niclpnut]

Fox shocks (twin clickers) are usually adjustable for ride height. You might look into that first.

Ducati 900 shocks are a favorable options when replacing the stock shock. There are quite a few threads on it.

Nic

 

[GSXR7ED]

Welcome

Welcome

Wow...you're 5' 10" and on your tip toes on that bike? I'm interested in how you go about lowering it. I've seen adjustable shocks so you may have to go that route. I've also read about shaving the seat but this bike may not be a good candidate for that.

What year is your Gixxer 750?

Ed

 

[Rob S.]

Wow...you're 5' 10" and on your tip toes on that bike?

Something doesn't seem stock there!

 

[dorkburger]

Welcome

I suspect that aftermarket unit is somehow taller. Im 5'8" ish. Im not completely flat footed on my 1150, but nearly so- enought that I don't feel unstable.
Id love to see a pic and how high the back end sits.
And yes compared to your GSX-R , the 1150 will likely feel like a boat- A big giant fun one.

 

[Guest]

Don't ditch that Fox shock!
one of the nicest units out there, worth half a dozen Ducati take-offs. Priced in the $1000 dollar neighbourhood when new. they don't make them anymore, (just clothing and bicycle stuff now)
it is adjustable for ride height independently of preload. I have one on the hawk. I have a manual somewhere, but you should be able to dig one up online.

 

[journeyquest]

Thanks for all your quick replys. In a week i didnt get one reply on the GSXR forum. The GSXR750 is a 1990 with stage 3 and Yosh race pipe. Very quick and nimble. The GS1150ES is red and white. Only mods i can see are a fox rear shock, braided brake lines and a corbin seat. It appears to be well maintained even though it has 30k miles. Seems to run OK, maybe a little rich? There is a place not far from here called Race Tech that specializes in suspension. I may take it down and see what they can do. I will post pics when i get a chance. There doesnt seem to be much info out there about this bike. I would like to know more about the problems they have and so forth. I am 51 yrs old and remember when they came out and liking them along with the FJ 1200. But i never saw one in person until now. There seems to be quite a few up in Canada for sale. I did ride a friends 1980 GS1100E yrs ago and it was lower to the ground. I dont feel comfortable sitting this high on such a heavy bike.

 

[GSXR7ED]

^^Hey again,

You're in Riverside...I just visited family in Rancho Cucamonga & Alhambra...now I'm back in JAX.

Definitely post pics of both your bikes...here's a nice link to view the GSX-R/750 history: http://www.fitzhughmedia.com/MBF/gsxr750.html

Your's is a nice year...do you have the classic blue/white?

Once you post pics of your GS1150ES, I'm sure you'll get plenty of feedback.



Ed

 

[Guest]

D'oh, he lives close to Race Tech. They should see the problem in a second.

 

[rapidray]

I am new to this forum and i just purchased an 85 GS1150ES. The bike is stock except for a rear fox shock someone installed before me which may have raised it somewhat. I am 5'10" and when i sit on this bike i am on tip toes. The bike feels heavy compared to my GSXR750. I dont want to dump it over. Can anyone tell me the best way to lower this bike so i am close to flat footed? About how much would i have to drop it? I dont want it slammed like a drag bike, but somewhere in between. Thanks

I am near Disneyland & build & race GSs. Call me at 714--356-784 five. I will be glad to help you.
Ray.

 

[GSXR7ED]

I Love LA

I Love LA

Hey rapidray, good to know you are out there in case I relocate to SoCal!

Ed

 

[journeyquest]

Looks like they will only let me post one pic per reply? The GSXR is having the fuel system cleaned along w the chain.

 

[journeyquest]

Not sure the model of the Fox shock?

 

[journeyquest]

Front.

 

[journeyquest]

This is not my bike but this is how low i would like it. Back wheel tucked somewhat instead of daylight. Not sure what was done?

 

[Steve]

Looks like they will only let me post one pic per reply?

If you ATTACH a picture (as you are doing), yes, just one per post.

However, if you upload them to a hosting site (Photobucket, Image Shack, etc.) and paste the links to the images, you can do TEN per post.

.

 

[dorkburger]

Im diggin your bike, and the (very) hard to find case guards. There doesnt seem to be much of any height difference based the the very un scientific comparing of pictures of yours and mine. Maybe yours has a lot of preload and doesnt settle when youre on it?
The other bike you posted seems extra low to to me, especially for being on the center stand.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

That second bike looks stupid low and most likely handles like an elephant in quicksand.

 

[Carter Turk]

You could always drop the forks in the triple clamps, but I think about only 3mm or so before you hit the air adjuster clamps. Might be worth a peek under the for cap to see what the preload setting is at. If the flat head screw is down over an inch, it's set at 3-4 max preload. I would think the Corbin seat is lower than stock, but never seen one in person. Suppose thinner seat foam might be the ticket, aside from checking the sag and ride height as others suggested, on the Fox. Comparing the two bikes you have is like pig, gazelle.