2025 DCT - I lowered the bike and raised the bars
- Thread starter Billo
- Start date
Woodaddict
Site Supporter
I see this from UK NT1100 site. I just joined too. On the NT700 some riders cut and welded the side stand when lowering the bike, helped keep same lean angle. But its a bear to put on center stand, from this lowered postion. I don't have to lower any bike, I'm 6' 1"
By laws of physics, the bike only drops to left or right, never both at same time, so you probably don’t need to have both feet on the floor at same time, just be quick enough to guide or guess the side where it will drop .
Pet peeve of mine. You shouldnt have to back the bike up on a 3/4 " thick piece of wood to get it on the centre stand . I had to carry one on my Kawasaki C10. And I was 6 ft 2 inches. There is no reason on earth that bike couldnt have had an adjustable centre stand. Other than Lawyers. You have a pad with a bolt on it and a castleated nut, or jam nut, or ? that screws into the down leg of the stand. Screw in the pads to match the final rear end height...the height the rear tire is off the ground enough, and safety wire/cotter key/? the jam nut in place. In production, It would have cost less than $10...cheep insurance against loosing balance and having the bike take a nap. Several bikes are / were sold with different frame heights (Triump) but only one centre stand available.
I am now 6ft 1 in. I can flat foot most bikes, but there are alot of street scramblers/wanna be dirt bikes like the XT Vstrom with high seats. The problem is when they are loaded for touring, or not, is throwing your leg over that tall seat. Somehow we made it through the 1960s-1990s without ridiculas tall seats.
You can choose the side it falls to by counter steering a tiny bit at the last moment before stopping. You never HAVE to have both feet flat footed. 5' 5" 28" inseam here. I've raised a few bikes with suspension and/or seat upgrades but never had to lower one yet.