Metisse lowering kit

[mojan]

Has anyone actually installed one of these on an '07?
Lowering Kits for Motorcycles. Wild Hair Accessories. Motorcycle Accessories & Aftermarket European Parts.

My wife likes the sound of it, but is afraid it will compromise the handling of the bike--even though the company says it won't. Just would like to have some first hand reporting before I pop the $$$

Thanks all,
Jim

[reiobard]

Originally Posted by mojan

Has anyone actually installed one of these on an '07?
Lowering Kits for Motorcycles. Wild Hair Accessories. Motorcycle Accessories & Aftermarket European Parts.

My wife likes the sound of it, but is afraid it will compromise the handling of the bike--even though the company says it won't. Just would like to have some first hand reporting before I pop the $$$

Thanks all,
Jim

Sorry, no personal experience, but if you lower the front and rear the same amount you will not change the geometry of the bike, only the center of gravity, which is not a bad thing to have lower...

[OneTrack]

Originally Posted by reiobard

Sorry, no personal experience, but if you lower the front and rear the same amount you will not change the geometry of the bike, only the center of gravity, which is not a bad thing to have lower...

Correct....I'm really, really tempted to do this modification, if only to get some scrape marks on my footpegs so everyone will think I really am a hard core rider after all.

[mojan]

Originally Posted by reiobard

Sorry, no personal experience, but if you lower the front and rear the same amount you will not change the geometry of the bike, only the center of gravity, which is not a bad thing to have lower...

I thought this lowering kit from Metisse is just a link for the shock, which would only lower the back end? How does the front get lowered?

[reiobard]

Originally Posted by mojan

I thought this lowering kit from Metisse is just a link for the shock, which would only lower the back end? How does the front get lowered?

i think you just loosen the frame from the forks and slide it down a bit lower on the forks.

But once again, not from experience.

[zuull]

I am also thinking seriously of doing this and am hoping
someone will do it first.
Email from Wild Hair:
Yes, a 25 mm ( 1 inch ) lowering kit is available.
The price is US$175.00 plus shipping US$20.00.
It is not complicated to install, it mounts between rear shock and shock mount

[FattyLumpkin]

I installed this "kit" on Tuesday. You don't get much for $195 delivered. It is a new end for your rear shock and a plastic washer. It took a couple hours to install. The most difficult task were getting the original end of the shock off and pressing the bearing out of it and then pressing it back into the new end provided. You have to use a propane torch to heat it and a vice. It was a mild pain in the @ss.

The new end is actually less than 1/2 inch shorter than the stock shock end. I think they are saying it lowers the rear end by 1 inch because the rear arm attaches to the shock and when you lower the shock a little it is multiplied by the length of the arm (levering action).

It didn't seem to effect the bike ride or feel at all. The only thing that I really notice is that it is easier for me to back the bike out of the garage now.

I took some pictures of the process. For $195 I was expecting more. The part looks like it should cost 25 bucks at the most.

[wing8872]

I ordered the kit and received it. My dealer just told me that the part that is to be replaced is the same size as the one that is to be removed. I suspect that there is something different about the threads on the end of the spring strut eye but haven't seen the old part so I can't confirm it. If anyone can confirm this, I'd be great full.

The other item I ordered through Wild Hair Accessories is the European lowered seat. It's about 2 cm lower. The model number is ZUB-FZ6SI-TZ-BA FZ 6. It's stuck in customs atm but they assure me it will be shipped soon. As this is not an item normally carried by Wild Hair Accessories, it's a special order.

Not being able to get my feet flat is the most unnerving part about riding my 08 FZ6. Otherwise, I love it. Fun bike

[billm]

Originally Posted by FattyLumpkin

I installed this "kit" on Tuesday. You don't get much for $195 delivered. It is a new end for your rear shock and a plastic washer. It took a couple hours to install. The most difficult task were getting the original end of the shock off and pressing the bearing out of it and then pressing it back into the new end provided. You have to use a propane torch to heat it and a vice. It was a mild pain in the @ss.

The new end is actually less than 1/2 inch shorter than the stock shock end. I think they are saying it lowers the rear end by 1 inch because the rear arm attaches to the shock and when you lower the shock a little it is multiplied by the length of the arm (levering action).

It didn't seem to effect the bike ride or feel at all. The only thing that I really notice is that it is easier for me to back the bike out of the garage now.

I took some pictures of the process. For $195 I was expecting more. The part looks like it should cost 25 bucks at the most.

I don't suppose you'd post those pics would ya, huh?

[mojan]

Originally Posted by FattyLumpkin

I installed this "kit" on Tuesday. You don't get much for $195 delivered. It is a new end for your rear shock and a plastic washer. It took a couple hours to install. The most difficult task were getting the original end of the shock off and pressing the bearing out of it and then pressing it back into the new end provided. You have to use a propane torch to heat it and a vice. It was a mild pain in the @ss.

The new end is actually less than 1/2 inch shorter than the stock shock end. I think they are saying it lowers the rear end by 1 inch because the rear arm attaches to the shock and when you lower the shock a little it is multiplied by the length of the arm (levering action).

It didn't seem to effect the bike ride or feel at all. The only thing that I really notice is that it is easier for me to back the bike out of the garage now.

I took some pictures of the process. For $195 I was expecting more. The part looks like it should cost 25 bucks at the most.

Did you also lower the bike at the front end? I corresponded with Wild Hair, and they said you need to loosen the bolts on the triple tree and push the bike down, and said the distance to push it down would be in the directions.
Was that the case?
Thanks