It’s not easy to be a short rider on a big and heavy motorcycle, especially on a tall off road / adventure bike! I get it, even me, who is the complete average “Joe” who weighs almost like a baby elephant (82 Kg / 13 stone), and as tall as a 182cm (71Inches) tree – still struggling at times to reach the ground! Struggle is real sometimes, and if there is an option to fit a lowering kit on a bike – most likely I will, and I have in the past.
But here are a few things that I have learned the hard way and want to share with the lot, as knowing them might save a few unexpected, horrible if not expensive, surprises!
What lowering links (dogbones) do?
Just to be clear, lowering links (or dog bones as some call them) do nothing but change where a rear wheel is when rear suspension is fully extended as well as fully compressed. Meaning that if on a standard bike there’s a gap of 21cm’s between rear wheel and lets say mudguard, when rear suspension is fully extended, with lowering links of -2cm that gap will be reduced by 2 centimetres. Rear suspension travel distance stays the same though…. Can you see the problem there yet? Keep reading!
What are the pros of lowering links?
Well, they do what it says on the tin – they lower the bike, no doubt about it, and cost peanuts in most cases and are easy to swap. Perhaps that’s why it’s one of the most popular way to lower the bike.
What are the cons of using lowering links?
Erm…let’s just say that there are few things to consider!
- Installing the lowering links is not enough. Front end has to be dropped by a similar distance too in order to maintain original bikes geometry.
- Lowering the front end to restore bike geometry (by dropping forks in or shortening spacers within forks) might cause the front wheel to rub against radiator or other bits.
- In general, lowering the bike brings its belly closer to the ground as well as suspension linkage, and that means that it will be easier to smack that bottom somewhere on the rock as well as more wear on linkage bearings as those will suffer more while riding around on the mud (dragging on stuff normally it wouldn’t).
- Chain slack will be different from what it says on the workshop manual. (less if the bike was lowered, but to be sure best is to set the slack before changes, and after changes measure again and use that as a new guide).
- If lowered too much, (riding overloaded or on too soft springs will do the same), the chain might start rubbing against a chain guide in a spot where it normally wouldn’t (very front end of the swingarm, underside), working its way through the chain guide and eventually damaging the swingarm itself. Happened to me, happened to others too! I was lucky to spot that early enough, and replacing just a chain guide was enough! But here is a picture of extreme case from rtwPaul, whose chain chewed up his swingarm all the way to the bearings!
- After lowering the rear end (and front), the side stand most likely will be too long – the bike will not lean as much on it as it used to and will be very easy to tip it over, if not impossible to park on the side of the trail!
- And probably worst of all – if motorcycles rear wheel is 1cm away from the mudguard / tail / number plate (or whatever) when rear suspension is fully compressed on standard links – if lowering links for -2cm are installed, means that rear wheel will run against the mudguard every time suspension is fully compressed till it worked its way in by 1 cm or shaved 1 cm off the wheel, or both!
And the mosts annoying thing is, that it can be not only wheel rubbing against mudguard it can be rear brake calliper or swingarm that will be rubbing against the exhaust, it can be subframe that is in a way, it can be even rear shocks gas cylinder thats that close to the swingarm that will be bashing against each other – like I found on one of my bikes!
What are the Alternatives to motorcycle lowering links (dogbones):
There are few ways to adapt bike to the rider’s height, some are even cheaper than lowering links, especially if the rider doesn’t mind a bit of DIY, some – very expensive! Here are few:
- Custom seat or OEM seat with shaved off foam! DIY would cost nothing.
- Boots with platforms! Funny not, I had to include that!
- Most Expensive Option – visit to a suspension specialist to make some changes to OEM shocks or aftermarket socks!
- Most Transferable – Embracing your height and Learning how to deal with it! Look at the picture below!
Explore More!
A list of posts about Bike Maintenance and General Modifications that might be Interesting to know!
General Modifications:
- Throttle Tamer Mods (4 ways to tame your horse!)
- Projector headlight conversion from right side road traffic to left and vice versa.
- How to make your own Exhaust or how to modify an existing one.
- Power Commander (PCV) and Thoughts on it.
- Brake Snake / Pedal Anchor – why and how!
- Lighter Clutch Mods:
- How to make motorcycles Cable Clutch lighter! (Part 1/3)
- Cheap ways to make your motorcycles clutch lighter! (Part 2/3)
- How to make a Hydraulic clutch lighter on your motorcycle! (Part 3/3)
- How to make Custom Clutch or Throttle Cables – Easier than you thought!
- How to make clutch lever lighter (Yamaha XT660Z Tenere Specific)
- Rear Suspension and Drive-Train:
- How to extend the life of Cush-Drive rubbers.
- The dangers of motorcycle lowering links, Important things to know!
- How to swap rear shock spring with no special tools!
- The Best Motorcycle chain lube!
- How to set motorcycle chain slack when suspension is not standard?
- How To Remove Stubborn And Hard To Reach Chain Adjuster Bolt
- The List of Most Useless Adventure Motorcycle Mods And Bling!
- Dangers of the lowering kits (things to know before Lowering your Bike!
Bike Maintenance:
- How to pass MOT the first time – every time!
- How to Maintain your motorcycle Locks (works with all locks!)
- Best Suspension Bearing Grease!
- What grease to use on your motorcycle?
- How to shorten Life of your wheel bearings! (Or what not to do to them!)
- Why should you grease your bolts! (And not only Bearings!)
- What is the best Chain Lube for your motorcycle?
- How to buy used Motorcycle – Free Guide.
