How to lowering suzuki v strom 650 – Lowering your Suzuki V-Strom 650 can significantly enhance its handling and maneuverability, especially for shorter riders. This comprehensive guide will delve into the intricacies of lowering techniques, installation processes, post-lowering adjustments, and the impact on your riding experience. We’ll explore the various lowering kits available, discuss their pros and cons, and provide a step-by-step guide for a safe and successful installation.
Moreover, we’ll analyze how lowering affects the motorcycle’s stability, cornering, and overall ride comfort. We’ll also address the legal implications of lowering your V-Strom 650, ensuring you comply with all relevant regulations and safety standards. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a thorough understanding of the entire lowering process and be equipped to make informed decisions for your motorcycle.
Understanding Lowering Techniques
Lowering your Suzuki V-Strom 650 can make it easier to reach the ground, improving your confidence and comfort. However, it’s important to understand the different techniques and their impact on your bike’s handling and performance.
Lowering Kits
Lowering kits are designed to reduce the overall height of your motorcycle. They come in various types, each with its own set of pros and cons.
- Linkage Lowering Kits: These kits replace the stock linkage arm with a shorter one, effectively lowering the rear suspension. They are generally considered the easiest to install and offer a good balance between lowering and maintaining ride quality.
- Fork Lowering Kits: These kits use spacers to lower the fork tubes within the fork legs. They are less common than linkage kits and may affect the bike’s handling, especially at higher speeds.
- Custom Suspension Components: This involves replacing the entire suspension system with components designed for a lower ride height. While it offers the most customization options, it is also the most expensive and time-consuming solution.
Lowering’s Impact on Handling and Stability
Lowering your V-Strom 650 can affect its handling and stability in several ways.
- Reduced Ground Clearance: Lowering your bike reduces the distance between the lowest point of the motorcycle and the ground, increasing the risk of scraping the bottom during cornering or when encountering uneven terrain.
- Changes in Steering Geometry: Lowering the bike can affect its steering geometry, making it feel more sluggish or twitchy.
- Increased Lean Angle: Lowering the bike allows you to lean further into corners before scraping the footpegs or exhaust.
Choosing the Right Lowering Kit
Selecting the right lowering kit depends on your height, riding style, and budget.
- Rider Height: Consider your height and how much lowering you need to comfortably reach the ground. A shorter rider might opt for a more significant lowering kit than a taller rider.
- Riding Style: If you primarily ride on smooth roads, a simple linkage lowering kit might be sufficient. However, if you frequently encounter rough terrain or ride aggressively, you might consider a more sophisticated solution, like a custom suspension setup.
- Budget: Lowering kits vary in price, from affordable linkage kits to expensive custom components.
Installation Process
Right, so you’ve got your lowering kit, and you’re ready to get stuck in. It’s not rocket science, but it’s important to get it right, so we’ll be going through the whole shebang step by step.
Tools and Safety Precautions
Before you start wrenching, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got all the right gear. It’s also essential to be aware of the risks involved and take the necessary precautions to keep yourself safe.
- Tools: You’ll need a basic set of tools, including a socket wrench, Allen keys, torque wrench, and a jack.
- Safety Gear: Wear safety glasses, gloves, and sturdy footwear.
- Work Area: Find a safe, well-lit, and flat surface to work on. Make sure your bike is stable and secure.
- Consult Manual: Always refer to your bike’s service manual for specific instructions and torque settings.
Lowering Link Installation
Alright, now we’re getting into the nitty-gritty. The lowering link is a crucial part of the kit, so make sure you get this bit right.
- Remove Original Links: First up, you need to remove the original swingarm links. Loosen the bolts that secure them to the swingarm and the frame.
- Install Lowering Links: Now, you’ll need to install the new lowering links. Make sure the links are properly aligned and seated in the correct positions.
- Tighten Bolts: Tighten the bolts to the specified torque settings. You can find these in your service manual.
Adjusting the Rear Shock
Once you’ve got the lowering links in place, you’ll need to adjust the rear shock to compensate for the lower ride height.
- Loosen the Shock Preload: Loosen the shock preload adjuster nut to release the tension on the spring.
- Adjust Preload: Adjust the preload to the desired level. This will affect the ride height and handling of the bike.
- Tighten the Preload: Once you’ve adjusted the preload, tighten the preload adjuster nut to secure it in place.
Adjusting the Front Forks
Now, you’ll need to adjust the front forks to match the new rear ride height.
- Loosen the Fork Clamps: Loosen the fork clamp bolts to allow the forks to slide up or down.
- Adjust Fork Height: Adjust the fork height to match the new rear ride height. This will ensure that the bike is balanced and handling correctly.
- Tighten the Fork Clamps: Once you’ve adjusted the fork height, tighten the fork clamp bolts to secure the forks in place.
Final Checks
You’re almost there! Now it’s time to make sure everything is in tip-top shape before you take it for a spin.
- Check for Tightness: Double-check that all bolts are tightened to the correct torque settings.
- Test Ride: Take the bike for a short test ride to make sure everything is working properly.
Post-Lowering Adjustments
Lowering your Suzuki V-Strom 650 will definitely make it look more badass, but you’ve gotta make sure the suspension is set up properly after you’ve done the mod. It’s like, you’ve just changed the whole geometry of the bike, so you need to adjust things to make it handle like a dream.
Adjusting the suspension after lowering is crucial for maintaining ride quality and handling. It’s like, you’re essentially changing the way the bike sits on the road, so you need to compensate for that. You’ll need to adjust the preload, rebound, and compression settings to make sure the bike handles smoothly and feels good.
Adjusting Suspension Settings
Adjusting the suspension settings after lowering your V-Strom 650 is essential to ensure optimal ride quality and handling. By tweaking the preload, rebound, and compression settings, you can fine-tune the suspension to match your weight and riding style.
Preload
Preload is like how much tension is on the spring. If you’ve lowered the bike, you’ll probably need to increase the preload to compensate for the shorter ride height. This will help prevent the suspension from bottoming out and keep the bike from feeling too soft.
To adjust the preload, you’ll need to use the adjustment knob on the shock. You can usually find this on the top of the shock or near the bottom. Turn the knob clockwise to increase the preload and counterclockwise to decrease it.
It’s important to find a good balance here. Too much preload can make the ride harsh, while too little can make the bike feel wallowy. It’s all about finding that sweet spot for your weight and riding style.
Rebound
Rebound is how quickly the suspension returns to its normal position after a bump. If you’ve lowered the bike, you might need to increase the rebound damping to prevent the suspension from bouncing too much. This will help keep the bike stable and prevent it from feeling like it’s wallowing.
To adjust the rebound damping, you’ll need to use the adjustment knob on the shock. This is usually located near the bottom of the shock. Turn the knob clockwise to increase the rebound damping and counterclockwise to decrease it.
A good rule of thumb is to start with the rebound damping set to the middle of the adjustment range and then fine-tune it from there. You can also adjust the rebound damping based on the type of riding you’re doing. For example, if you’re riding on rough roads, you might want to increase the rebound damping to prevent the suspension from bouncing too much.
If you’re riding on smooth roads, you might want to decrease the rebound damping to make the ride more comfortable.
Compression
Compression is how much resistance the suspension has when it’s being compressed. If you’ve lowered the bike, you might need to increase the compression damping to prevent the suspension from diving too much under braking. This will help keep the bike stable and prevent it from feeling like it’s nosediving.
To adjust the compression damping, you’ll need to use the adjustment knob on the shock. This is usually located near the bottom of the shock. Turn the knob clockwise to increase the compression damping and counterclockwise to decrease it.
It’s important to find a good balance here. Too much compression damping can make the ride harsh, while too little can make the bike feel unstable. It’s all about finding that sweet spot for your weight and riding style.
Recommendations
It’s important to remember that these are just general recommendations. The best way to find the optimal suspension settings for your V-Strom 650 is to experiment with different settings and find what works best for you.
Here are some general recommendations for adjusting the suspension settings based on rider weight and riding conditions:
- If you’re a heavier rider, you’ll need to increase the preload and compression damping to prevent the suspension from bottoming out.
- If you’re a lighter rider, you’ll need to decrease the preload and compression damping to prevent the suspension from feeling too harsh.
- If you’re riding on rough roads, you’ll need to increase the rebound damping to prevent the suspension from bouncing too much.
- If you’re riding on smooth roads, you’ll need to decrease the rebound damping to make the ride more comfortable.
Remember, these are just starting points. You might need to adjust the settings further based on your own personal preferences.
Impact on Ride Experience: How To Lowering Suzuki V Strom 650
Lowering your Suzuki V-Strom 650 will definitely change how it handles, mate. It’s like giving your bike a whole new personality, but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, so let’s break it down.Lowering the V-Strom 650 can significantly alter its handling and performance compared to the stock version. The changes are mainly due to the altered geometry of the motorcycle, affecting its stability, cornering, and overall ride comfort.
Handling and Performance, How to lowering suzuki v strom 650
Lowering the V-Strom 650 generally results in a more agile and responsive handling experience. This is because the lower centre of gravity makes it easier to lean into corners and maneuver through tight spaces. The bike feels more nimble and less prone to wobbling at higher speeds. However, this improved agility comes at the cost of a slightly less stable ride, especially on uneven surfaces.
Stability
Lowering a motorcycle can impact its stability, particularly at higher speeds. The reduced ground clearance might lead to scraping the footpegs or exhaust on uneven surfaces, making the bike feel less stable. The lower centre of gravity can also make the bike more susceptible to being blown around by strong winds.
Cornering
Lowering the V-Strom 650 can significantly enhance its cornering abilities. The lower centre of gravity allows the bike to lean into corners more easily and maintain a stable line. This can improve the rider’s confidence and make cornering more enjoyable. However, it’s important to remember that lowering the bike also reduces the ground clearance, which could lead to scraping the footpegs or exhaust when leaning into corners aggressively.
Ride Comfort
Lowering the V-Strom 650 can affect ride comfort, depending on the rider’s preferences and the amount of lowering. Some riders may find that the lower seat height makes it easier to reach the ground, improving their confidence and comfort at low speeds. However, the reduced suspension travel can lead to a harsher ride, particularly on rough roads. The lower ground clearance might also result in a less comfortable riding position, especially for taller riders.
Benefits and Drawbacks
Lowering the V-Strom 650 has both benefits and drawbacks. The main benefits include improved handling, enhanced cornering ability, and a more aggressive look. However, the drawbacks include reduced stability, potentially harsher ride, and a lower ground clearance, which could limit its off-road capabilities.
Legal Considerations
Lowering your Suzuki V-Strom 650 might seem like a simple mod, but it’s important to be clued up on the legal side of things. Messing with your bike’s geometry can affect its roadworthiness, so you need to make sure you’re on the right side of the law.You need to make sure your lowered V-Strom 650 meets the safety standards set by your local authorities.
This means it needs to be roadworthy, which covers things like braking, steering, and stability.
Roadworthiness Regulations
It’s essential to be aware of the specific roadworthiness regulations in your region. These regulations vary depending on where you live, and they often include things like:
- Minimum ground clearance: This is the amount of space between the lowest point of your bike and the ground. If your bike’s lowered too much, it might not meet the minimum ground clearance requirement, making it illegal to ride.
- Suspension travel: The amount of travel your suspension has is also important. Lowering your bike can affect this, and if it’s reduced too much, it could be deemed unsafe.
- Braking efficiency: A lowered bike might have a different centre of gravity, which can affect its braking performance. Your brakes need to be able to stop your bike safely and effectively.
- Steering geometry: Lowering your bike can affect its steering geometry, potentially making it more difficult to handle.
If your lowered V-Strom 650 doesn’t meet these standards, you could face fines, have your bike impounded, or even lose your licence.
Regional Requirements
In some countries, there might be specific rules about lowering motorcycles. For example, in some regions, you might need to get your lowered bike inspected by a qualified mechanic to ensure it meets safety standards. You might also need to get it re-registered with the authorities.
It’s always best to check with your local transport authority to find out what the rules are in your area.
Ensuring Safety Standards
It’s important to make sure your lowered V-Strom 650 meets safety standards, even if it’s not explicitly required by law. This means making sure the bike is stable, handles well, and has enough ground clearance to avoid scraping the underside on bumps.
Lowering your Suzuki V-Strom 650 can be a rewarding modification, improving your comfort and control. By carefully considering the various aspects involved, from choosing the right lowering kit to making post-installation adjustments, you can achieve a tailored riding experience. Remember to prioritize safety, comply with legal requirements, and enjoy the enhanced maneuverability that a lowered V-Strom 650 offers.
Detailed FAQs
What are the most common lowering kits available for the Suzuki V-Strom 650?
Common lowering kits include adjustable links, lowering shocks, and combinations of both. The best option depends on your specific needs and budget.
Is it possible to lower the Suzuki V-Strom 650 without using a lowering kit?
While possible, lowering the V-Strom 650 without a kit is not recommended. It can compromise handling, stability, and potentially damage the suspension components.
Can I lower my V-Strom 650 myself?
While DIY is possible, it requires mechanical skills and proper tools. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions and consider professional installation if unsure.
Will lowering my V-Strom 650 affect its warranty?
Lowering your V-Strom 650 may void the manufacturer’s warranty. Check your warranty terms and conditions for specifics.
