Need to Raise my Factory Lowered F650GS

[Slablog]

My wife and I bought her a 2007 F650GS factory lowered bike a year ago. Back in November she went into a ditch and the bike hurt her left leg. She has since decided not to continue riding on her own, and has given me permission to convert her bike back to original height or trade it in. I really like the little bike and would rather raise it back up, but not if the cost to do that is more than I would lose on a trade for another one.

Can anyone give me some ideas on what the cost would be to change out the rear shock, front forks, and the side and center stands on this bike?

Were the fork tubes themselves shorter or did they just use shorter springs inside? Can someone enlighten me?

[AKBeemer]

I cannot answer the questions you asked about the suspension, but can tell you of my wife's experience. She also has a lowered 07 GS. After awhile she decided she wanted to raise her riding position on the bike and we bought a Corbin seat for her. We asked Corbin to raise the seat height as much as possible without destroying the lines of the seat. Now with the Corbin seat mounted the seating position on her bike is slightly higher the the standard GS that a friend of ours has. Seat costs about $450.

[cjack]

My wife and I bought her a 2007 F650GS factory lowered bike a year ago. Back in November she went into a ditch and the bike hurt her left leg. She has since decided not to continue riding on her own, and has given me permission to convert her bike back to original height or trade it in. I really like the little bike and would rather raise it back up, but not if the cost to do that is more than I would lose on a trade for another one.

Can anyone give me some ideas on what the cost would be to change out the rear shock, front forks, and the side and center stands on this bike?

Were the fork tubes themselves shorter or did they just use shorter springs inside? Can someone enlighten me?

The fork tubes are shorter.
I would raise the seat since the distance from the stock seat to the pegs is exactly the same on both the lowered bike with a stock seat (instead of the low seat) and the stock bike with a stock seat. The suspension being lower would only have to do with riding in the dirt or maybe a little difference in wheelbase.

[Slablog]

I would really like to have the bike higher off the ground. There is a greatly diminished ground clearance in the turns. I can't even do slow speed sharp turns without dragging my toes.

Today I found on realoemparts list that there are three parts that are used in the front forks that have different part numbers for the lowered bikes and the standard bikes. They are the compression spring, a spacer tube and a part just called a pipe. I'm just guessing, but it looks like I might be able to just change out those three parts on each side to bring it back up on the front. I'm just not certain until I speak with the dealer...or someone here who is knowledgable enough to address this.

I already replaced the low seat with the BMW high seat but it's not a whole lot more comfortable. I like the Corbin idea, but I think I'd still be bothered by the ground clearance.

[cjack]

I would really like to have the bike higher off the ground. There is a greatly diminished ground clearance in the turns. I can't even do slow speed sharp turns without dragging my toes.

Today I found on realoemparts list that there are three parts that are used in the front forks that have different part numbers for the lowered bikes and the standard bikes. They are the compression spring, a spacer tube and a part just called a pipe. I'm just guessing, but it looks like I might be able to just change out those three parts on each side to bring it back up on the front. I'm just not certain until I speak with the dealer...or someone here who is knowledgable enough to address this.

I already replaced the low seat with the BMW high seat but it's not a whole lot more comfortable. I like the Corbin idea, but I think I'd still be bothered by the ground clearance.

Looking at the ETK, that is what it seems...the stanchions drop lower in the fork tube-slider with the new pipe and spacer (and spring).

[1wheelor2]

This is a tough one for me. I want a regular GS, or maybe a Dakar. I've got a lowered model by accident. The bikes in great condition though and it's my first. It would be nice to keep it. I was told that it isn't worth doing the swap by a reputible techy. I don't know what to do. Different fork legs may be in order, a new shock in back, kickstands, and who knows what else. I'ld love to know absolutely so that I can commit to a decision one way or another. I'm sure someone would love to get a good lowered GS, and I bet I could find a regular one somewhere. Does this sound familiar? I'm not the second person with this problem am I.

[BradMotor$%]

I have a lowered 650 and love it. I am 5'10" and as far as I know the difference in ground clearance is 1". Shorten your toes! Slow down on the curves! Raise the seat! Don't get rid of a great bike. I think you just want to buy another bike, go ahead and have two.

[Slablog]

Brad,
We are the same height and I see that we're within 3 months of being the exact same age. This little F650GS runs great. Two things I need though: higher, better seat and some side bags of some kind. If the difference in the regular and the lowered is only 1", I agree I should just live with it. I just seem to have my knees up a tad high compared to my R1150R position. Can the pegs be taken backwards a notch on this bike? Or would that change it too much for standing on the pegs? I'm really spoiled by my RR.:nod