[R1-Dave]

So it looks like the shock is mounted to the swingarm without a normal linkage so it can only be lowered by installing a shorter shock. My woman still wants to buy her R3 but it's too tall for her little legs. Does anyone have any info about lowering the R3 ? Will it be possible to drop the front an inch and get a shock that's an inch shorter ? I haven't even seen it in person yet to see for myself what can be done. Help please.

 

[Hiltz]

looking for answers as well.

 

[R1-Dave]

After looking at more pictures, it looks like the forks can be raised in the triples. That would fix one end at least. Can anyone confirm this ? A shorter spring on the shock would be a temp solution for the rear, even though it'll mess with the shocks ability to work normally. The seat looks thick enough to remove some material to get a half inch at least. I really want to make this work for her.

 

[Hiltz]

After looking at more pictures, it looks like the forks can be raised in the triples. That would fix one end at least. Can anyone confirm this ? A shorter spring on the shock would be a temp solution for the rear, even though it'll mess with the shocks ability to work normally. The seat looks thick enough to remove some material to get a half inch at least. I really want to make this work for her.

I'm gonna have a good look tonight, maybe some smaller wheels! like a clown bike... HAHAHAHA

 

[YR3]

I'm gonna have a good look tonight, maybe some smaller wheels! like a clown bike... HAHAHAHA

Can easily find those small wheels at the local hardware store
Tires will be dirt cheap too!

 

[Max Aguirre]

anyone have find any solutions?

 

[3th3r]

Because the shock is directly attached to the swinging arm, a shorter shock, custom configured by a motorcycle suspension shop, is the only way to lower the bike. There are no such shocks available "off-the-shelf" that I'm aware of.
Every little bit helps, and a combination of using elevated boots, shaving down the seat, and using lower profile tires (150/60-17), may be enough for some riders, and if so, then suspension mods may not be necessary for them.

 

[Max Aguirre]

Also, I have seen the suspension has different "pre-loads" levels. Have anybody knows how much will decrease if you put it in the minimum level?

 

[Xyzzy]

Also, I have seen the suspension has different "pre-loads" levels. Have anybody knows how much will decrease if you put it in the minimum level?

I don't know if it will sag more in the rear, but please drop the forks an equal amount if the rear does sag or you will have a seriously weird handling motorcycle.

(My guess is most small people don't weigh much so the extra sag will be minimal.)

 

[EcoRider]

You should contact the mechanics that make those ridiculous dragster looks, by taking out the rear wheel by a few feet.
then it can be lowered a lot...

Like att:

 

[xorbe]

I find 30.9" to bit a touch too high on my other bike, which only cost $85 to lower with a link at top of shock + no-cost to slip clamps down front tubes (well, kickstand needs adjustment, $25 for welding or $85 for an adjustable one). Hopefully a cost effective solution pops up for the R3, otherwise the N300 is going to remain king even further for beginners and small light-weight bike lovers.

 

[jazzmin_t]

I got my R3 3 weeks ago and I think I really need to get it lowered. I'm 5"2 and it's my first bike, and I've already dropped it at least 6 times. Losing balance as my feet aren't flat on the ground.

Prior to purchasing it, my dealer told me they'd be able to lower it, but didn't think I really needed to since I could "tip-toe" both my feet. I decided I wouldn't lower it since I rode fine on the Honda CBR125 during my Safety courses. Boy was I wrong. I decided to go back to my dealer since they said they could do it for me and turns out, they lied! They told me that there was no lowering kit out for the bike yet, and there will never be a lowering kit since the links are different in the R3. They referred me to a company that would completely change the suspension for me.

That's not something I'm looking to do, so if anyone else knows of a way to lower the bike WITHOUT changing the suspension completely (as that might also be dangerous), I'd love a followup on this post!

 

[Blueballs]

I got my R3 3 weeks ago and I think I really need to get it lowered. I'm 5"2 and it's my first bike, and I've already dropped it at least 6 times. Losing balance as my feet aren't flat on the ground.

Prior to purchasing it, my dealer told me they'd be able to lower it, but didn't think I really needed to since I could "tip-toe" both my feet. I decided I wouldn't lower it since I rode fine on the Honda CBR125 during my Safety courses. Boy was I wrong. I decided to go back to my dealer since they said they could do it for me and turns out, they lied! They told me that there was no lowering kit out for the bike yet, and there will never be a lowering kit since the links are different in the R3. They referred me to a company that would completely change the suspension for me.

That's not something I'm looking to do, so if anyone else knows of a way to lower the bike WITHOUT changing the suspension completely (as that might also be dangerous), I'd love a followup on this post!

I can't help you with lowering it but boots with a thick sole would help you get a little better footing.

 

[FangShui]

I can't help you with lowering it but boots with a thick sole would help you get a little better footing.

+1 on that. Some Dr. Martens with a 2" heel might do it.

 

[jazzmin_t]

I can't help you with lowering it but boots with a thick sole would help you get a little better footing.

+1 on that. Some Dr. Martens with a 2" heel might do it.

I got myself some TCX sneakers and a 1" insole in it already. Still too short. Plus, I don't really want to limit myself to just one pair of shoes.

Just kinda hoping someone had something to say other than "it can't be done".

 

[FangShui]

I got myself some TCX sneakers and a 1" insole in it already. Still too short. Plus, I don't really want to limit myself to just one pair of shoes.

Just kinda hoping someone had something to say other than "it can't be done".

The problem is that the R3 doesn't use a link type suspension so lowering it is more difficult. It probably can be done, but not without the considerable expense of replacing the rear shock with a shorter one, but there don't seem to be any available yet.

You'd also have to raise the fork legs up in the top triple clamp to keep the chassis geometry the same so it wouldn't handle badly/dangerously.

Shaving the seat foam down isn't really an option because it's already very thin, so you wouldn't gain much at all doing that. Maybe 1/2" or so.

A narrower seat might gain a bit by allowing your legs to have a straighter angle to the ground but, again, no one makes them yet because the bike is a brand new model.

In time there should be options for lowering that would solve the problem. For right now there just aren't any good options!

 

[Mase]

Ok. I know this isn't cheap, and I don't know if it would work, but this Ohlins shock states that it has adjustable height (found this shock in another thread). Question is what the range of adjustment is. If it can be adjusted shorter than stock, then here is your answer. You'll get a sweet rear shock as a bonus. Might be worth an email to someone to find out.

https://www.ohlins.eu/en/motorcycle/shock-absorber-Road-Track-YA-467--4988/

 

[t-rav_12]

This shock is cheapest through KD Project Racing. To have it shipped outside of Thailand you must email Anutad Vongchant directly. He quoted me 21,300 baht, which converts to $632.02, shipped to Missouri, USA. That's a smokin' deal on a great shock.
Ride height is adjustable, but I'm not positive that it'll allow you to lower the bike.

 

[AJ Nin]

They also shave seats to lower the seat ht. a little. The back of the bike which is the highest point would still be just as high so it probably wouldn't be any easier getting on and off of, if that is also an issue. Upholsterers shave seats and there will likely be someone around that dealers use if you call. They remove the staples, take off the covering, cut away part of the foam and replace the covering. Keep watching the Corbin site too. They are the big name in after-market seats and make lower seats for a variety of bikes. I absolutely agree you need the bike lowered. This thing of only being able to touch with your tip toes will cause you to drop the bike...backing out, stopping on a slope, putting your toe down on loose gravel and it slides out. If I can't flat foot a bike, I don't buy it.

 

[Maven]

Just putting it out there.. I'm also in search of a shorter shock that can be adapted to fit. I'm fairly tall.. I can get both feet on the ground mostly...and I still would like it to be lower. I don't want to F up the seat by 'shaving' it or any of that other nonsense(there isn't much to take off if you really look, honestly). I also think it would look quite nice being lower.. so from a style perspective... I'd like to see 1 inch. I don't plan on racing this thing or being a 'Street-Rossi' with it... I did some rough measurements to see if the rake and trail would still be OK... it would be. I'm thinking there must be an ATV shock out there that is a little shorter... the width of the eyes on each end doesn't really matter I suppose as long as the diameter is at least as big as the current bolt size.. Everything else can be fixed with some machined spacers..

The search continues...