Has anyone lowered an R1150R by replacing both shocks?

Loree · Post by **Loree** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 8:36 am

I'm 5'2" and the dealer says after market shocks can lower the bike by 2". Has anyone done this? How did it affect the handling? Any information would be great.

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 9:20 am

I remember someone doing this or knew someone who did it and it did effect handling..in a bad way...You'd be better to use thicker soles on your boots..

I've also heard of people cutting down those two plastic things under the seat to allow it to sit lower..maybe only 1/4" to 1/2" but it's noticeable (apparently).

DJ

mad1150 · Post by **mad1150** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 9:59 am

And also "justbeeming" said she had her seat customized to reduce the seat width so your legs aren't splayed out as far when you stop.

BMW also has a low seat option for the R1150R, but that only drops it down an inch and a half, if I remember correctly.

PA R1150R · Post by **PA R1150R** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 1:25 pm

I really had to lower my wife's R1150R, so she could flat foot it, to make her comfortable.

We started with the Wunderlich "low" seat which is quite a bit lower than the BMW "low" seat (by about 1.5" if I recall). It's also beautifully finished and very comfortable.

Then, we ordered a set of Works "low" shocks with spring rates appropriate for my wife's weight. The BMW hydraulic preload adjuster was removed from the stock rear shock and transferred by Works to their rear shock. After the Works shocks were installed and with the hydraulic preload adjuster set to normal (the red line), we adjusted the preload (sag) at both ends using the threaded collars to get the desired seat height. The normal range of the hydraulic adjuster allows her to further lower the bike for nasty footing conditions (like wet grass) or increase the preload to compensate for heavier loads or riders.

The handling balance is good. Bottoming has not been an issue. My wife doesn't ride it hard enough to scrape the pegs, and the bike still works well with heavier riders or loads (just add a little preload and rebound damping at the rear). I'm impressed with the quality and performance of the Works shocks.

Jon

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 4:54 pm

Thanks for that info Jon...and welcome...Do you know what the seat hight ended up being once all the lowering was done?

DJ

PA R1150R · Post by **PA R1150R** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 7:36 pm

DJ Downunder wrote:Thanks for that info Jon...and welcome...Do you know what the seat hight ended up being once all the lowering was done?

DJ

The R1150R is on the lift waiting for a set of new tires to be mounted. As soon as the wheels are reinstalled, I'll measure and post the seat height.

Jon

Loree · Post by **Loree** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:39 am

I've ordered a set of shocks from Wilburs and I'll post the handling results later this summer. We still have snow on the ground here in central Ontario

I have scrapped the pegs on my SV650S, so I hope the handling is not significantly reduced.
Where did you buy the Wunderlich seat from? There doesn't seam to be any North American distributors.
I pick up my "new-to-me" RR on Friday. Loree

PA R1150R · Post by **PA R1150R** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 5:14 pm

Loree wrote:Where did you buy the Wunderlich seat from? There doesn't seam to be any North American distributors.
I pick up my "new-to-me" RR on Friday. Loree

Click here http://www.bmwscruz.com for Wunderlich distributor. Got my wife's seat from a local stocking dealer http://www.trans-amcycles.com.

Jon

PA R1150R · Post by **PA R1150R** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:00 pm

DJ Downunder wrote:Thanks for that info Jon...and welcome...Do you know what the seat hight ended up being once all the lowering was done?

DJ

Unladen seat height with Wunderlich "low" seat, Works "low" shocks, no luggage and hydraulic preload at normal (red line) is 28.5". Backing off the hydraulic preload completely will lower it another 1/4-3/8".

Jon

Post by **mcollect** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 5:06 pm

Loree you will love the Wilbers they handle way better then stock and the lowering will not effect handling! I haven't scraped the pegs yetThat is what I did; therefore don't need the lowered Corbin.

Lobby · Post by **Lobby** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 9:42 pm

Sure!

I did this for my wife's R1150R. Used Works Performance shocks to lower it 1 inch, then the BMW low seat to effectively lower the seat by another inch.

Made the bike pretty low, yet the shocks were good enough to make the bike behave well.

PS, I've got a set of Wilbers 2 inch low shocks which I could sell.. Sorry if spam isn't allowed here.

Lobby · Post by **Lobby** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 9:46 pm

Oh, I also lowered the side stand and center stand.

No problemo.

Of course, the seat height is markedly lower when one sits on it.

Loree · Post by **Loree** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 6:42 am

How did you lower the side and centre stands? I will have to do this as well. I have already ordered a set of low shocks, although I may be able to cancel the order. How much do you want for your pair? I had ordered Wilburs, but got caught in the crossfire between Wilburs USA and Wilburs Germany - I have a set of HyperPRO shocks on order.

I have a low seat already. Thanks for the information.

Post by **frozennorth** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 1:24 pm

Hey Loree:

Mrs. North's inseam is about 26 - 27". We picked up a BMW low seat for her R then had the local upholstery place go to work on it. They took out some of the padding on the side and also reworked some of the plastic side edges near the front of the seat to make it a bit more narrow. With her riding boots, she's flat footed at the front of the seat.

Much cheaper fix than shocks if your inseam is about the same. You can pick up a used seat for around $75. The upholstery place chared us $120. to rework the seat. Mrs. North says the comfort has not been affected, in fact, she thinks it's a little more comfortable as it is a bit more narrow.

Cheers

FN

Lobby · Post by **Lobby** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 11:03 pm

Loree wrote:How did you lower the side and centre stands? I will have to do this as well. I have already ordered a set of low shocks, although I may be able to cancel the order. How much do you want for your pair? I had ordered Wilburs, but got caught in the crossfire between Wilburs USA and Wilburs Germany - I have a set of HyperPRO shocks on order.

I have a low seat already. Thanks for the information.

Trial and error, Loree. I have a body shop guy who custom paints motorcycles on the side who's done some work for me.

Well, he also welds.

I left the R bike with him with the Works low shocks already installed, and he started on the side stand, cutting and welding till he got it right. Once the side stand was ok, he started on the center stand.

Wasn't cheap. About $300 for everything, including the paint.

I can probably measure if you want.

Oh, the Wilbers shocks were a mistake buy. A dude on Ebay was selling Wilbers for an 1150R but didn't describe they were low shocks. I won the bid, and was shocked to find they were low. We've had screaming matches over email about this, but I've settled down now.

$660 is what I paid for them. Pay that and I'll ship to CONUS.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223236

I hope I don't get in trouble with the mods for this response. Sorry if I have. I just haven't gotten around to putting this ad in your Classified Section.

Post by **OU812** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 11:16 pm

really

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