jfc230607

[jfc230607]

Hello!

I just bought a 96 r1100gs.
a beautiful bike . I'm new to the Bmw world but have always wanted to experience this bike.

I stand 5'8" and the weigh 150.. a big bike for a small guy...any way i need to find a way to lower the suspension some how so that i can get as near to flat footed as i can. The seat deal is not the complete answer...what's up with the suspension?? can it be lower and how to do it and approximate cost... thanks for any insight.

jfc230607

[BMorleyW]

I know you're asking about suspension but don't ignore the seat. We had a seat maker come to our last club meeting in early April (Rocky Mountain BMW Riders) and he talked about this very topic. A good custom seat modification could gain you several inches of inseam and that's certainly nothing to sneeze at. At just under 6 feet I still can't quite sit flat-footed on my 1150 RT. I have never figured out why BMW doesn't make a lower version of their bikes. Gees, the women I know who are 5'3 or 5'4 are almost prohibited from considering a BMW because of the high inseam needed. I think I heard the new GS-800 was somewhat lower, anyone have experience with this? Steve

[bikerfish1100]

Wilbers, Ohlins and likely other aftermarket shock manufacturers will build short length shocks for ya. pricey, but you get the drop in ride height and a fantastic improvement in suspension performance for the same coin.
try searching on "short shocks" or similar- it's a common question.

[PGlaves]

The suspension struts on an R1100RT will bolt on the same vintage GS and lower the bike.