Lowering links work but change the suspension action usually softening it, this is ok if you are lightish, shaving the seat its good too and fairly cheap, (take off the seat and experiment in the garage! but if you are going to keep the bike the best way is to get the shock shortened.
I bought my 400EXC with a rear shock that had been professionally shortened by Justin Gibbs - that lowers it by about 30mm and it handles just fine plus you get the comfort of a full blown ktm seat...
I bought a 450 EXC and as I'm 5ft 6inch tall, I had no chance on reaching the ground with the way it was set up, I weigh in at around 10 1/2 stone so was able to slacken off the rear suspension a bit, then I bought handle bar risers which allowed me to let the front forks through the triple tree by about 30mm and then I bought the ktm low seat which also reduces the height by 20mm, now I can reach the floor and the bike still handles as it should, the only problem I can honestly report is now its difficult to see the digital speedo when sitting on the seat as the bar risers have raised the handle bars enough to block the view (its fine when standing).
I've got someone looking at the seat on Tue - She renews all the old foam with softer, for more comfort and hopef I'll sink further into it. I'm only 5' 6/7" ish myself mate , and feel a bit vulnerable on it and defo wouldn't be ideal for green laning as it is. Where did u get the C spanner to lower the suspension? Cheers for info!
As already said, let Justin set the bike up properly for you. I thought i knew suspention till he did mine for me. (other spanner monkeys are availible)
Once thats done get them bars raised, if you stand on the pegs and your bent over the bars are too low! you cant see where your going if your bent double trying to hand on.
I first did this on a XR400 a few years ago it tottaly changed the bike and could never go back to that now.
I agree, if your not sure on what your doing get a professional to set it up, I would also recommend Justin Gibbs, he does alot of work for people on here and comes highly recommended, I had the dealership set mine when I bought the bike (not that I would have done anything different, I just figured if I was buying the bike from them the least they could do is make it ridable for me), as for the spanner, I do have one, I was fortunate that my bike came with the original ktm tool bag.
-- Edited by Gripper on Sunday 18th of September 2011 01:01:50 PM
-- Edited by Gripper on Sunday 18th of September 2011 01:39:17 PM
I don't think I live to far away from you, if you wanted I could pop over to you so you can try my ktm out for size, I live just on the Plymouth side of the tamar bridge, right near the river.
Get the Gibbs man to lower the suspension is my best contribution, I weigh 102kg's and the suspension seems unaffected by shortening it has certainly never bottomed out
-- Edited by PeterBc on Monday 19th of September 2011 08:24:06 AM
but can only just reach the ground with one foot (toes) yes - I'm a short ass!! haha.
