On another note I did a modification to my bike, I put lowering links on The Duchess.
Since last May when I got her I have struggled with her 32 inch seat height and have been seriously questioning my purchase. The reality for me is that I am vertically challenged which poses challenges in some riding situations and bike choices. Most bikes on the market right now are clocking in at a 32 inch seat height and it is a struggle for a lot of female riders of average height.
Riding it was never the issue, but stopping on off camber road surfaces and manoeuvring into parking spaces was precarious at best. I was ballerina toeing the bike and it has resulted in some near misses with the weight/height imbalances. Just call me Tippy.
We ordered the links from UK based Lust Racing and they links lowered the bike by 1.5 inches.
This has been the best thing I have done for me motorcycle Farkle wise. I can now get a solid left foot plant when stopping and I can get the balls of both of my feet on the ground when backing up to park. No more ballerina toeing! Have to say it's pretty exciting to get Farkles in the mail!
11 comments:
Great farkle, functional and makes for a better ride.
Trobairitz - It has improved my love of the Duchess quite a bit. I was thinking of getting rid of her, because I was constantly fighting the height and it just made it not enjoyable. Its 500lbs of heavy and even with an already low centre of gravity it was still an issue. I was worried it would affect the handling and stability, but I am actually pretty impressed, it makes it a smoother ride, and better handling. So pretty happy. Next is a radiator cover and side bags and then I am pretty much farkled out.
always "mo better" when one can firmly plant one's feet while balancing the motorcycle at rest.....
glad you found the solution.
as to being "farkled out", you must look harder.... :)
Charlie6 - I think there is always more room for farkles, its just that there isn't always more room in the wallet or on the credit card :)
My Vulcan has a 26.8" seat height. Makes all the difference in the world when you can easily place both feet on the ground.
Yes Dar! Being able to get more than your toes down is so much better. As you know, it doesn't take much. Stopping at the edge of pavement, even an inch lower on one side while not being ready can be disastrous.
A very good move, know it will be a lot more confidence inspiring.
It seems like most of the bikes that I found interesting were made for tall people. Not me....
So growing wasn't an option eh ;)
Nice that it's done the trick. Interestingly a few of us were out oggling the bikes at work the other day and I noticed that one of the girls at work has the same brand lowering links on her Triumph Tiger Sport.
And oh yes, love getting farkles in the mail...now, what do I NEED next...
Kathleen - i love the lower seat height, but usually it was geared towards a cruiser, don't get me wrong, I had a cruiser for four years, but decided that I wanted a different style of like to ride like a sport tour or or adventure bik bike to ride like a sport tourer or an Adventure bike. Problem was though that they all have ginormous seat heights 31, 32 abd as his as 33. Ugh nightmare for petite riders.
Coop - i experienced a few of those and the constant fighting the weight and height. To deal with the height means having to do cirque de soliel acrobatic movements with sliding on and off, this was killing my back, i was pretty close to thinking about selling her.
Richard - i was really liking the Africa twin and it will never happen.
Andrew I asked for an inch at christmas and it never came, even tried stretching - nothing happened. So we bought the links and cut tge stand. i am really happy,
There's no size like the right size.
Good things coming your way, I think.
Oh, speaking of dirt bikes, Steph Jeavons is in BC. She would be a great guest on Farkle Garage methinks.
David - She has gone up North Kamloops way, so we didn't have a chance to meet and I doubt that she is coming back down this way.
But I am meeting Chantal Powell who is riding a postie bike!
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