Honda Low Seat and Lowering Kit

[markieboy]

Have now picked up new CT, i am 6ft but since having bike lack confidence in putting feet down i seem to only be able to touch the floor on tip toes, is it because i am getting used to it or have others had same problem.  I am looking into the Honda low seat if they still exist and also a lowering kit so that i can get my feet flat on the floor and a lot more confident.  Can i have some feedback please on what others have done

[DE65Y]

At 6' you shouldn't really have a problem unless not much of your height incorporates your legs!
I'm 5'8" with a 30" inside leg and I was on my tip toes.
I found the weight and height of the bike when coming to a stop very disconcerting, especially if I didn't aim to stop in the wheel tracks at junctions
to drop the bike a little lower.

It might be worth making sure someone hasn't fitted a jack up kit.

[Hartley]

I agree with De65y, id would have thought at 6ft youd be ok. Is the bike brand new Markie? If the rear preload is wound up to max you maybe able to back it off to help.

 

[Fastvan61]

Hi markieboy I'm 6' and agree I didn't feel confident on the bike (standard height) when stood still especially 2 up. Even on the balls of my feet any gravel on the ground made me nervous. So I've lowered it 20mm with a lowering kit and dropped the front 10mm. I got a lowered seat but that made the leg angle to the pegs and levers uncomfortable.  I've gone back to the original seat but had it modified with a memory foam insert, although I've yet to test the comfort of that over a long distance ride due to the restrictions. If you're not worried about ground clearance give the lowering kit a go but the centre stand will be difficult to use assuming you have one. I took mine off and made a shortened side stand as the standard one holds the bike too upright after lowering. Picked up a cheap second hand side stand on eBay and local bike shop sorted the welding. Hope that helps

[DE65Y]

If you buy a lowering kit it would be a good idea, using a 'post it' note, cut a triangle and stick it on the bike plastics roughly under your bum.
Take a measurement to the ground as a reference before and after fitting the kit that will then give you a good idea how far you have to drop the forks.

The reason I say this, is because I bought a set that was supposed to drop the bike 25mm ish. But I went from tiptoe to flat foot, definitely wasn't 25mm!
I didn't like what it did to the bike, so using the originals and the ones I bought, I fabricated two different inbetween size brackets from which, having selected the best one
I've had them made out of stainless. These are now fitted and waiting to be tried.

Another alternative you can try, if you check out the adventure style boots, some come with a thicker sole. I bought a pair, 1/2 a size too big then slipped an insole in.
Together, I think I possibly gained about 10mm. Doesn't sound much but it all helps.

[markieboy]

Many thanks for all the replies, it has given me a few things to think about but i think 1st option may be the lowering kit and have the centre and side stand altered and see what happens i can always reverse things if they dont work out

[DE65Y]

Originally Posted by markieboy

Many thanks for all the replies, it has given me a few things to think about but i think 1st option may be the lowering kit and have the centre and side stand altered and see what happens i can always reverse things if they dont work out

If you feel that you may decide to reverse anything you do, then consider, when they are available, buying pre owned stands to modify, rather than to try to return the modified back to standard.

[markieboy]

DE65Y was aware and have sorted side stand already, but thanks for the advice