Hi gang, has anyone used a lowering kit on their daytona.... umming and ahhhing over it as im a short arse does it affect the bike that much ?
If you lower the rear only then yes it will change the geometry of the bike and not turn as well. To keep the same balance you'd need to raise the forks through the yokes by the same amount but then the rake & trail will be affected too so it'll never be 100% the same. I've looked at doing this before on other bikes but in the end, the manufacturers make them that way and racers don't change them regardless of height so I'd say just leave it. The majority of your time with the bike is riding as opposed to stopped at lights or sitting next to it at a track day. Leave it set up for maximum performance.
Being a Short Ass like myself, I would suggest getting bike suspension set up for your weight, that will almost certainly lower it a little, Boots with heels (yes they make them for men too will also make a big difference. Also It has been stated just loosening the bolts around the triangle section, put weight on the bike and tighten up is also suppose to lower it, though I have not tried this one yet, and tbh not to convinced that will make a lot of difference.
YEP I HAVE! Had a lowering link put on it and the forks were dropped through the yokes accordingly to maintain the steering geometry, also the sidestand had to be cut and welded so the bike didn't sit in a too upright position when propped on the stand. I know people who are vertically challenged like myself say that they cope without having his done but I felt so uneasy with just the tips of my toes down and it made pulling up on anything but the most level of roads or junctions (have yet to find either in my locality) or even paddling the bike around very frought. Now she fits me like a glove and I would recommend spending the £100 or so to anybody (Got my dealer to sort mine - And have the original bits to pass on if I get rid of her) as dropping your baby on her side will set you back a damn site more quite easily!
Mitch, racers change geometries all the time to suit the track they're racing on, and a 1 inch lowering of the rear of the bike does not equate to a 1 inch lowering of the yokes. Mickey...you can always try other stuff first, like having the seat foam sculpted lower, dropping the front as opposed to the back..or do both. Just remember a little goes a long way - my wife was constantly dropping her Speed-Four...few small adjustments and I managed to lower it about 15mm.....she immediately went from tippy-toe to balls of her feet...problem solved.
I'm a short arse too (5'7" - 153 lbs) but I've found the seat height of my 2013 R okay. I did speak to the dealer about this and he advised against it, and during putting in the first 1200 miles I've found it fine.
I didn't mean they don't change geometry, I'm aware that they do but a shorter rider won't lower the bike on the way that Micky is suggesting.
