Lowering Ninja 650R

[MattCinderey]

I'd like to lower my Ninja if possible, only about an inch or so. The ride height is a little tall for my short legs.

I have a Hornet CB250 - great little bike. The ride height is perfect for me. I'd like to adjust my ninja to the same height.

I was thinking of getting the seat opened up and some padding taken off.

Is there a way to lower the suspension?

Matt.

[KRS1]

You can loosen the fork triple clamps and lower the front. But then the rear will be the same, if the shock is adjustable you might be able to adjust it so its softer and sits lower. If you lower the front like that, the wheelbase will be reduced and tight turns going downhill wont be as stable with a higher probability to slide out, only if you ride fast though.

[BigBikeBKK]

There are a bunch of lowering links available to drop the rear-

They're pretty cheap. Here's one example:

http://compare.ebay.com/like/180576993934?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&_lwgsi=y&cbt=y

[MattCinderey]

Thanks. I'll drop the front forks a bit and also lower the rear with the kit Tony has posted. Thanks for the info!

[KRS1]

Keep an eye on the throttle cable when you do it and make sure it doesnt get caught, or else the throttle can stick open.

Dont loosen the clamps too much or else the front will drop too easily/too far/too fast...push down on the front fender with your foot and pull up on the top clamp if it goes down too far..dont forget to loosen the bottom clamp also.

[BigBikeBKK]

Keep an eye on the throttle cable when you do it and make sure it doesnt get caught, or else the throttle can stick open.

Dont loosen the clamps too much or else the front will drop too easily/too far/too fast...push down on the front fender with your foot and pull up on the top clamp if it goes down too far..dont forget to loosen the bottom clamp also.

Erm... I'd be a bit wary of doing it like this- it's not a wee little CBR150 like what KRS is familiar with. The Ninja 650R weighs ~200 Kg and if you drop it too far it'd be a challenge to lift the bike. I use bike stands when I adjust the forks on my bikes. Use a front stand that subborts the bike under the top clamp and you can easily raise and lower the bike until you get the forks right where you want them.

[KRS1]

Had bigger bikes in another life Tony, not just the 150. If the bike drops too far and he doesnt have stands, the only way to raise it is by tilting the bike on the sidestand lifting the front wheel and doing what i said (unless theres a center stand), forget about pulling it up by the triple clamps using your fingers.

Go slow or else your going to have a very bad day ! Loosen the bottom clamp first just enough , then loosen the top one to control the rate it drops down, and if possible remove the wiring straps securing the cables first to reslack for the new position.

Edited January 30, 2012 by KRS1