Your actual seat height after mods

[Hostilemonk]

Hi all - first post here - am almost about to lay my money down on a V-strom. Havent made mind up between a 650 ($Aus10k) or 1000 ($Aus14k). Main issues of doubt - fuel consumption and seat height, and roads I'll cover. :?:

Roads - anything up to 1000Km (600Miles) before I hit dirt on some trips (others can be 1 km) - but will be doing longish distances before hitting dirt on some trips. Will not be doing much more than poor dirt roads/tracks (no hard core dirt). I'll be riding 'moderately' fast :shock: but am past the dirt tracking days :roll:

Fuel consumtion the 1000 seems heavy on fuel to me - no better than a 1500cc cruiser - and I'll need extra range, min 450Km (270mls).

Seat height - the real issue!
Being a vertically challenged person at inseem of 29" the 650 fits better but is still a touch high. The 1000 is obviously higher, a claimed 20mm.

From my reading of various V-strom lists, especially here, seems that there are a few ways to reduce height for both eg. different links for suspension from 3/4" to 1-1/4", shaved or new seat, removing the rubber blocks under the seat and maybe others. (an aside - do these mods affect warranty?)

My question - some of you seem to have modified your bikes to reduce the seat height - what have you got the seat height down to (actual measured height) and what have you done to get it there? Any real handling suspension issues emerged for you?

I am a 'relatively' experienced rider (45 years) with road race, MX, enduro's, speedway, etc. This will probably be my last cycle and need to make the choice a good one. I'm leaning slightly to the 1000 IF I can get the seat height down to about 800/810mm without affecting handling.

By the way - this list has provided me with some great info - thanks to you all :mrgreen: :D

and thanks for any responses.

HM

[Just Bill]

How short can you be? I have a 27.5 inch inseam and handle a stock 650 just fine. The only seat height difference in the 650 and 1000 is the seat itself. You can put a 650 seat on a 1000 and reverse the advantage. I have a 650 with the gel seat and it is one inch taller so the same height now as the 1000. With that set up, I cannot back the bike while on it, at all.
I added the Kouba link (1 1/8 inch lower) raised the forks about 3/4 inch and love it. Handling is fine and I can touch down quite well and manage the bike. Remember, the 650 is about 40 lbs. lighter with a lower COG and is easy to handle at stops. I doubt your legs are a short as mine. :>) I would try not to lower it if you want to ride dirt roads and gravel (though I do on mine with no problems yet).

I have NO regret about buying the 650. None. It is fast enough and lots of fun. 50+ mpg and sooo easy to ride. If I were in your situation, I would by the 650 again. Only if I expected to ride many, many miles in long, long days on the super slab two-up would I go for the 1000 and then not by a big margin. The 1000 is a great bike, but that is just my 2 cents.

Just Bill

[dodi]

Can you explain what type of off road riding that you have done. Your post mentioned you wouldn't want to lower the bike if you are planning to ride some dirt and gravel , yet you mention you haven't had any problemswith your lowered bike. The reason i ask is because my inseam is 27" and my bike is lowered over 2.5" with extended dog bones (links ) My front forks have also been raised a bit. Bike runs and handles great for me and I am comfortably on balls of my feet. I have been riding a bit on gravel parking lots etc......do you have any tips or recommendations for ridng on fire/dirt /gravel roads....remmember my bike is real loooooowww.

[mokusbajusz]

Fuel consumtion the 1000 seems heavy on fuel to me - no better than a 1500cc cruiser - and I'll need extra range, min 450Km (270mls). You can easily achieve that range with the 650. I think with moderate throttle-control almost the same result can be achieved with the 1K. For both Stroms you can get detailed info on mpg here (http://stromtrooper.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5901).


My question - some of you seem to have modified your bikes to reduce the seat height - what have you got the seat height down to (actual measured height) and what have you done to get it there? Any real handling suspension issues emerged for you?
Lower by 15-20 mm. How? Have a look here (http://stromtrooper.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5669).

I'm leaning slightly to the 1000 IF I can get the seat height down to about 800/810mm without affecting handling.
IMO if you want to flatfoot without affecting the handling the only way is "playing" with the seat. Installing lowering links does have impact on suspension geometry -> thus on handling (even if front forks raised as well). Also you loose some ground clearance which could be a problem in your case.
But remember, cutting from the foam of the stock seat may generate comfort issues...

Good Luck,

an other shorty stromer

[RockyMtnRoadRash]

I'd say do the 650. You have some more serious dirt needs, and you're concerned about fuel mileage. That to me says 650. You didn't specifically request any kick-in-the-pants power application, didn't mention passengers, and don't sound like you need a hooligan bike. That to me says no particular need for a 1K. (I've said it before: the 650's a fast bike, the 1K's good if you like your arms torn out of their sockets like some of us :twisted: )

FWIW I ran into BikerSanta as he was crossing the country on his 650. He's one of those guys who uses sportbikers for slalom pilons in the twisties on a goldwing. He's owned tons of bikes and rides tens of thousands of miles a year. His comment: "Now that I've ridden the 650, I'm never going back."