I have a 2005 r6 raven and would like to lower it. What type of lowering kit should I get and how much will it cost? I've heard that to correctly lower your bike I'd cost $1000, is that true? What are the pros and cons/difference between a $1000 lowering kit and a $150 lowering link? Would lowering it w/ a lowering link affect the factory warranty? I'm 5' 6 and am on my toes when I'm at lights. This is my first bike, any suggestions would be great. Thanks for your time.
Daniel
when I bought my 05, I had it lowered before I took it home. The dealer charged I think around 160 for parts and labor and no it didnt effect the warranty. Now, with the "kit" you are probably replacing the rear shock if I am not mistaken.
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i asked this exact same question.... responses i got were dont lower it! there is a guy that is 5'3" and can ride just fine, u got 3 inches on him, u cna do it too. im 5'9" and i can stand flat footed but perfectly straight legs, almost tip toeing but i could still do it. hints i got were where boots with some thicker soles, shave the seat down a little bit, that would put you closer to the ground, or just get comfortable and deal with it. as long as you can touch you will be fine as long as you can get comfortable with it. and have some decent muscle lol. you will be fine. my suggestion is dont lower it.
Thanks for replying everyone. I really think I need to lower it because I've had a few close calls where I almost dropped my bike cuz of my height (or lack of). I'm 5'6 but it's mostly torso. I plan on riding w/ my girlfriend so I really need complete control @ lights. If I have to I'll spend $$$ to lower it correctly. Any idea of how much i'd cost? Thanks again.
I have to agree with most people try and shave your seat down. If you really want to lower it I have a set of lowering links I will sell you cheap. With those all you would need to do is raise the forks in the triple, not hard either and you should be set. The links have two settings 1&1/2" and 3" lower. Here is a ebay auction with links like I have.
Don't lower it! It's not made to be lowered. I'm 5'6" also, and I have an 05 as well. I'm also on my toes at stops, but I usually have only one foot down, so I just slide over on the seat and I'm flat-footed on that side. I'm also comfortable at stops with both feet on tippy toes, for whatever reason it doesn't bother me as much as it does other shorter riders. I almost never feel like I'm gonna drop it.
When I pack my 105 lb. girlfriend, I can put both feet down flat at stops. I can understand how you might feel at first, but keep riding and just pay close attention to backing up, moving your bike, slow u-turns, passengers getting on and off, etc. Practicing in a parking lot would be good, but be careful of those tight-radius turns (especially right hand turns for me, where its hard to manipulate the throttle.) The only time my height feels like a small hassle is when I'm trying to back into a space. If it's too hard, I just get off and walk it in. I think you just may not be used to everything since this is your first bike. Of course everyone is susceptible to dropping their bike, but the more confident and experienced you are, the less the chance. R6 is my fourth bike, and I haven't dropped it yet (knock on wood). The closest I came is when I almost dropped it while walking it after washing. I was super careful with my first bike (VFR 500) so no drops, CBR F2 got dropped after girlfriend tried to get on when I wasn't ready. GSXR 750 never got dropped despite being higher, fatter and heavier. And now my R6. Shaving your seat, wearing boots, etc., these are all suggestions you should try before lowering.
After 5K miles on my '05 R6 I finally decided to lower it by shaving the seat and bring down front (slide down an inch on the triple clamp) and rear ($99 lowering link) by an inch, now I can tip-toe with both feet. A lot more comfortable in traffic and didn’t find difference riding twisties, but then I’m a NOOB. I still use the stock height at the track though. I thought in doing it this way I got the best in both situations, same ground clearance and handling at the track and comfortable ride in the streets. To make the height change easier I bought a $100 2 TON engine hoist.
see dude, everyone agrees, deal with it. get use to your bike, go to a parkling lot and get use to it, if u want to take your gf on rides u shouldnt be doing that untill you ahve full controll on your bike anyway. and lowering it isnt going to give you that control. and it doesnt make your handling worse from what ive been told by more than one person. lowering is not ment to be done, just get use to it, thats the best thing u can do. i still want to lower my bike too but im not going too.
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