I could not imagine shaving my seat even if I needed too. The ZX6r seat isn't the most comfortable or cushy, shaving it seems like a painful idea. With the obvious anatomical differences perhaps you will still be comfy. 
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Seat shaving? Vs lowering a bike?
- Thread starter Katt
- Start date
If I were 5'3" and light and not riding super aggressive I'd consider lowering it front and back. Non adjustable links are cheap and easy to install and if the fork can be slid up, that's easy too. If forks need internal work that would be a bother for those not mechanically inclined. 1in. lower front and back is still going to have way more lean angle than any cruiser plus the very real benefit of lower center of gravity. I would investigate that.
daught
Well-known member
This is the problem.
Don't forget the tank pad so you don't scratch it with your jacket
It will at any moderate speed
I did both in order to get better planted with my DRZ400.
For shaving the seat follow sticker above with one additional piece of advice - an electric carving knife is great for shaping the foam.
For the lowering I dropped the triple clamps on the forks and wound down the preload on the rear shock. The "sag" is apparently totally messed up now for my size/weight but I don't find much difference when riding it other than being able to get each foot touching.
For shaving the seat follow sticker above with one additional piece of advice - an electric carving knife is great for shaping the foam.
For the lowering I dropped the triple clamps on the forks and wound down the preload on the rear shock. The "sag" is apparently totally messed up now for my size/weight but I don't find much difference when riding it other than being able to get each foot touching.
I had my bike completely lowered by John Sherrard. It was expensive but worth every penny. He was able to do it so I didn't lose ergonomics, riding modes etc. I have to ride around small speed bumps, but no big deal. My feet are almost flat on the ground. I'm 5'6" with very short legs. It's the bike in my avatar
As someone else mentioned, if you are not too aggressive on the bike (don't plan on any footpeg scraping antics any time soon), perhaps suspension lowering might be the way to go. Maybe check your bike forums to see how others with your bike feel about lowered suspension on their rides. I've read that some bikes might develop a dangerous habit of headshaking. That's not a good behaviour to encourage on a bike.
Another thing to consider... say you lowered your bike and as time passes when your confidence increases, you realize that it wasn't so important after all and you wanted to reverse your mods to get you to back where you are today.
At that point, a lowered suspension is readily reversible. A shaved seat means you have to shell out some cash or at the very least, have some work to do.
Another thing to consider... say you lowered your bike and as time passes when your confidence increases, you realize that it wasn't so important after all and you wanted to reverse your mods to get you to back where you are today.
At that point, a lowered suspension is readily reversible. A shaved seat means you have to shell out some cash or at the very least, have some work to do.
Changing the suspension is a little technical and time consuming IMHO...
Somebody on here may have a used one or a wrecker...play with that seat and leave yours for resale or later use
Check with John at TheBikeYard...I can get it to you when we open up the cottage.
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I have shaved several seats for offroad race bikes used in really gnarly races where the ability to get a foot down (or two) can mean the difference between staying on your bike and dumping it. Having tried a number of methods (cheese grader, hand saw, electric carving knife, and belt sander) I can say that the belt sander is by far the best option in my experience. This is due to the belt sander having curved ends which allow you to taper the edges of your seat more easily and quickly. Start with low speeds (of the belt) because it can quickly remove the foam at higher RPM's.
For reattaching the cover try and borrow am electric or pneumatic stapler. Manual staplers will work and I have used them in the past, but you will generally end up pulling out/tapping in a lot of half inserted staples.
For reattaching the cover try and borrow am electric or pneumatic stapler. Manual staplers will work and I have used them in the past, but you will generally end up pulling out/tapping in a lot of half inserted staples.
If you're willing to risk it, all the power to you.
If something happens, lets say worst case you cause an accident and kill someone, insurance will do everything to get out of it. As soon as anyone happens to notice you've lowered your vehicle and not told them (non disclosure) all medical expenses of anyone involved, vehicular repairs, and the lawsuit from the family of the person you just killed now come out of your pocket. Possibly in the millions. Also, they drop you and it becomes nearly impossible for you to get affordable insurance again. State Farm specifically told me this is something (along with items like a Power Commander) their investigators check for when a claim is filed. They may have been bullshitting me, though. They did say aftermarket exhaust is "probably acceptable" but that it would be a flag to look for additional modifications.
It all depends on what risk you're ok with. Personally I don't risk it. It's like people that give them the wrong address to save on insurance.
Roomie
Banned
So let me drop this on you. A 20 year old car say person x enjoys has 250,000kms on it. Over 20 years it's for sure sagged almost an inch (trust me and I'm not going to get into an argument on if this is possible as it fully is ask any other mechanic) so person x is in said scenario about killing someone. Insurance now has the grounds to not cover them as that could be viewed as non disclosure lowering even if you argue it isnt? Seems rather ridiculous when you're talking an inch at most doesn't it? my car is 6 inches and I get it but an inch they aren't going to argue with you.
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