Not all that long ago (what's it been, 2 years?) I just started riding again after a couple decades hiatus. The V looked like just the ticket, and I've had great fun on both locally and on trips. Truth be told, I need nothing more than it brings, and it's still more bike than I regularly exercise, but since when did the truth matter?

The one "fact" contributing to my current vision is that I'm 44 years old, with a 20 year old artificial knee and multiple traumatic injuries sustained long ago. The resulting leg problems are starting to cause problems with the tall and heavy V. In fact, parking lot maneuvers (pushing back mainly) have caused me severe pain and nearly caused me to drop the bike a couple of times.

So, to the point. I'm thinking about jumping ship. I've got FZ1 on the brain. A first gen FZ1 to be specific, outfitted with my Givi cases. Much smaller/lower, and though not much lighter in absolute weight, it sure FEELS lighter. And I love the amazing power, though I'll miss the low rpm torque, and likely the touring comforts.

So then I start thinking, perhaps a lowering kit for the rear, drop the triple to match. Then do a gear reduction to drop the stratospheric (theoretical) top speed while getting some more fun factor (already have the PCIII). Maybe a 17T front, plus a couple in the rear?

Then maybe a stiffer front spring and valving.

Of course the main thing is to stop hurting my legs. This mostly come in on our trips, where we are often stopping in areas where there is just no good place to park, getting a bit off balance, having to catch it with my bad leg. I'm 6' even, and I can flat foot both sides with the boots I wear, but just barely. I don't know much about motorcycle geometry, but will this lowering exercises impair the bike's handling?

But of course, I could put a few grand into upgrades, and it's still not going to be an FZ1 (or ZRX, another I've been looking into). So even though I'll be giving up the low rpm and some long range touring, I would gain amazing power for 6k+, better suspension and brakes, better around town blip-ability with less issue for my legs. So maybe I should just do it.

Decisions, decisions. I would probably already have done it, but have been having trouble finding the "right bike", and that got me thinking about what more I could do with this one with less risk of the unknown (lemon, longer term ergonomics, missing the torque more than expected, etc).

Does it make sense to try to move the V into more of a "High Performance" arena, or just move on? (Yes, I know what board I'm asking this on, and expect the obvious slant)

Drop the forks in the legs first...cheap and fast. Makes turn in faster and sharpens up the front end. Moves the weight bias towards the front wheel.

A 43t rear sprocket makes a nice add on especially around town and makes over drive more accessible.

I'm 6' also but I almost never back up the bike while on it. Instead I practice my low speed manuvers so that I don't have to. I normally head into parking spots nose first and u-turn into the space I want.

With your knee you might have problems with a more compact-seating bike. You can lower the vee about 3/4" without too many problems. Unless you go off-road much.

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Current: '03 vee, '07 wee abs, and '01 xr650r.

Past: '73 cb350, xl500, 2x Ninja 600s, Radian 600, and '93 klx650r.

Other toys: '68 Bronco sport, '69 XR-7 Cougar convertible and '41 Teardrop trailer.

Ah, thanks. The knee hurting on trips from being more folded is one of my concerns, but I forgot to mention that (it was sorta wrapped up in the "long term ergonomics" comment).

The "off-road" for me is really more "dirt road", with a few minor excursions into very mild single track to get to "lookouts" and the like. One of my worst knee issues was on a long trip and the result of front wash-out in some dirt that was far looser than it looked. The rest of that day truly sucked, so I tend to avoid such situations. But FZ or DL, doesn't really matter on most of the Fire Roads that make up my very limited off-road excursions, so I don't think lowering will hurt that.

I do fine on the low speed maneuvers, most of the time. Another "bad" even was a single lane u-turn where my wife decided to rubber neck at the wrong moment. Just enough to tip me at the worst point, where I didn't trust myself enough to blip the throttle to pick it up, and had to stiff leg the inside/left to keep from tipping in. It was clearly my fault, and she knows better than to shift around when maneuvering at ultra-low speed anyway, but I don't think it would have been in issue on a lower bike, and that was THE defining event that pushed me over the edge and put me on the trail that led to FZ1 fixation...

So, looks like that's one for 1" lowering links (I haven't seen any for 3/4"), perhaps just over 1" lower in the front? And up 2 on the rear, which I could do without excess expense given I have only about 10k on the current chain. Wouldn't cost too much to try I suppose.

Too be honest it seems like what you really want is an inline four. A vee is never going to be able to compete in terms of hp and top end rush with the bikes you outlined in your post (ask me how I know).

But those bikes will not be able to compete with the strom's long distance comfort , upright seating and aftermarket farkle support. Your writing about different market segments.

That is why I suggest the quick and cheap mods first to see if the vee can accomadate your physical and need for speed.

__________________
Current: '03 vee, '07 wee abs, and '01 xr650r.

Past: '73 cb350, xl500, 2x Ninja 600s, Radian 600, and '93 klx650r.

Other toys: '68 Bronco sport, '69 XR-7 Cougar convertible and '41 Teardrop trailer.

Sounds like you've locked in perfectly on my dilemma. Sure would be nice if I could justify both. Much thanks for your suggestions...

Murphs kits sells 3/4" steel links.

When I have someone on the pylon it can be disconcerting to have them "squirm" but with more seat time (unless I'm tired) you get used to it. But practice low speed manuvers in a parking lot and you will be amazed how fast and smooth you can be, even when someones on the back. It is at low speeds where most riders lose their confidence.

__________________
Current: '03 vee, '07 wee abs, and '01 xr650r.

Past: '73 cb350, xl500, 2x Ninja 600s, Radian 600, and '93 klx650r.

Other toys: '68 Bronco sport, '69 XR-7 Cougar convertible and '41 Teardrop trailer.

Just throwing out there since it wasn't specifically mentioned: If you swap your seat for one from a 650, you'll get another inch lower.

If your butt can handle it and an inch will make a difference (probably, if you're nearly flat-flooting now), it might be the easiest way to get the "lower."

AFA the performance, I'll point this out:
"Truth be told, I need nothing more than it brings, and it's still more bike than I regularly exercise, but since when did the truth matter?"

I had a KLR. In my mind, I was fording streams, climbing over logs, and taking long excursions deep into the woods. In reality, I was only rarely leaving the pavement, and even then it was on what could still be called a "road." I got the Vee because it's better for the riding I DO, not the riding I fantasize about doing. Could be that you already have everything you need, and wouldn't be happier on anything else.

...says the guy who's lusting after several other bikes himself.

Sling a leg over a 1250SA Bandit and see how that fits. Good pillion position, similar rider's leg position to the Strom, lot of low torque, very smooth motor, takes cases OK and can be fitted with a set of higher bars. Good all rounder and handles gravel roads as well. Weighs about the same as a DL650 and feels much the same manoeuvring it around.

steve68:

The seat is a good suggestion. I picked up a Corbin for trips, and it's nice for that, but I hate it around town as it's wider and makes it harder to flat-foot both sides. Based on what I've read, not sure I would like the 650 seat, but a good suggestion.

Like you, I saw myself using more of the (supposed) off-road "Adventure" characteristics. To a lesser extent, the touring features. But reality is that my wife is finicky about when/if she'll do road trips, she's much more likely to do short "around town" trips. So the vast majority of my seat time is just rambling around town solo or two-up. That also figures into my thinking that for net fun, the FZ1/ZRX class bikes would be a better compromise. I also love the ability to float the front tire effortlessly (I don't "walk wheelies"), but still it's not a hard requirement, which is why I'm considering the DL upgrades, if I can just get it to cause less knee issues...

scrivens:

The Bandit was on my list of options early on, but I removed it. Just didn't seem to be that big a shift from the DL, and had more of a "big touring" feel. While it did address some of the issues (like not being so darned tall and top heavy), I felt it didn't go far enough it some of my desirable areas (suspension, brakes, raw power, physical size/feel).

Would it work for me? Sure. But if I'm going to start over with a new bike (and all that entails), I want "more". If I'm not going to go that far, then I would prefer to keep the DL while lowering both height and gearing to give me both the reduction in discomfort AND more fun factor without hassling with switching bikes. And it's that decision I'm wrestling with.

I doubt I will ever have an answer until I have some non-trivial time on both. Will the FZ bent-leg peg position kill all the fun for me? Will the loss of low rpm make my (mostly legal) around town runs less fun? Will a HiPo toy completely kill my touring fun? Will the DL with a few tweaks make the FZ fantasy irrelevant? *Sigh*

At the moment, I'm pretty much leaning toward going up 2 teeth in the rear right away. With the miles on my chain that should be in the right range, and it's cheap. Probably try the 3/4" lowering links, and dropping the forks by the same. Maybe try 1" on the forks too, since some feel it improves things to tilt a bit forward. If that seems to be the right path, but not quite enough, then after a while go with a 16T front, and maybe a 650 (or custom dropped) seat. In the mean time, casually look for that "SMOKING DEAL" on a 1st Gen FZ to come around. Something that gives me a chance to try it with a near guaranteed bailout clause for resale without loss if I don't like it.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions!

I'm going to get slammed, but I'm throwing this out there: Night Rod.

You're not leaving the road. You want something low slung and with plenty of torque. You don't care about top end speed. You're not sure you're comfortable folded up with your knees under you. This fits the bill.

Don't knock it 'till you've tried it.