Author Topic: Tell me about lowering this beast  (Read 7817 times)

Dane1960

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Tell me about lowering this beast
« on: April 05, 2014, 10:17:49 pm »
One of the first mods I will be doing is lowering the bike. I have a 30" inseam so a bit tall for me.  Any thing special I should know about this bike?

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Tmblwd

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Re: Tell me about lowering this beast
« Reply #1 on: April 08, 2014, 12:41:23 pm »
I did mine with a Kouba link and dropped the forks in the triple clamps 3/4" worked out great. I reset the sag on the rear shock after installing the Kouba link

coarsegoldkid

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Re: Tell me about lowering this beast
« Reply #2 on: April 08, 2014, 03:39:35 pm »
You might run into trouble with a Kouba Link unless you ride only pavement or rather smooth dirt roads.  The link due to it's longer lever arm essentially softens the shock spring everything else being equal and may also give a bit more travel.  It feels good.  So depending on your weight with the stock spring and preload adjusted the rear tire may contact the underside of the tank.  Mine did with the 1 -5/8 inch link over a rough weekend in Death Valley.  I tried a 1" link but didn't stay with it.  I decided against a chance meeting between the tire and tank.
I now have the shock modified by Super Plush reducing the overall travel 1 inch.  For the front raise the forks up in the triples.  In the next life hope your parents are taller.

Tmblwd

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Re: Tell me about lowering this beast
« Reply #3 on: April 08, 2014, 05:37:36 pm »
It sure would help if I could shrink it in the dryer about ten percent. I haven't had any contact issues,with the 1" link out in the Oregon high desert, but then again I'm a light weight!

Dane1960

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Re: Tell me about lowering this beast
« Reply #4 on: April 08, 2014, 06:01:10 pm »
Guys thanks for the information, good to know I'm about 215lbs. May need a heavier spring if the stock shock can take it. I think KTM talks about a heavier spring available, I think I saw it in the manual.
Whats the cost on the shock mod?

mcrider

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Re: Tell me about lowering this beast
« Reply #5 on: April 20, 2014, 07:49:23 am »
My first mod was a 1" Kouba link.  Have not had any trouble with it..
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BUMMERS

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Re: Tell me about lowering this beast
« Reply #6 on: June 11, 2014, 07:18:27 pm »
I have a 31 inch inseam, and put on an inch and five eighths link. Still too tall for slogging through the woods. Got thicker shoes, and next will be going from the 140 80 tire to a 130 80. This should at least get the balls of my feet down instead of just the toes. Hate to admit how many times I dropped it just trying to get the stupid kick stand up! do not believe your dealer when they tried to tell you it's not necessary to shorten the stand. anybody trying what the manual says, and just remove the seat & under covers to lift the  shock out and adjust it?
« Last Edit: June 11, 2014, 07:20:41 pm by BUMMERS »

mcrider

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Re: Tell me about lowering this beast
« Reply #7 on: June 12, 2014, 09:16:01 am »
Have Seat Concepts redo your seat. It will lower additional ?? mm.  Cut the stand off.  I have the 1" link & cut 1" off.  You may need to do more.

You do not need to take the shock off to adjust.  Loosen the top tank bolts & remove the bottom.  Lift up the tank.  Spray the shock threads with WD40 before moving the adjuster ring. The threads gald easy.
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kingrj

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Re: Tell me about lowering this beast
« Reply #8 on: June 25, 2014, 07:56:59 am »
I put on the LOW Seat Concepts seat and that got me about 1/2" then installed the 1" Kouba link and left forks in stock position.  I can now get balls of both feet down..I have a 29" inseam..

Adanista

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Re: Tell me about lowering this beast
« Reply #9 on: July 13, 2014, 12:54:42 am »
.....remove the muffler from the header pipe as well.

syzygy27182

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Re: Tell me about lowering this beast
« Reply #10 on: August 25, 2014, 08:23:16 pm »
Have Seat Concepts redo your seat. It will lower additional ?? mm.  Cut the stand off.  I have the 1" link & cut 1" off.  You may need to do more.

You do not need to take the shock off to adjust.  Loosen the top tank bolts & remove the bottom.  Lift up the tank.  Spray the shock threads with WD40 before moving the adjuster ring. The threads gald easy.


I have a 2014 690 Enduro R. I'm trying to access the shock to adjust the spring preload right now, in fact.

I tried using this technique, but I can't get the tank to lift up more than a few inches, which doesn't give me enough room to get to the shock.

The problem as I'm seeing it is: the battery bolts are hitting up against the airbox cover as I try to pivot up the tank. So in addition to the steps quoted, I think you also have to remove the airbox cover. Is this something specific to the 2014 model?

syzygy27182

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Re: Tell me about lowering this beast
« Reply #11 on: August 27, 2014, 10:35:11 pm »

I have a 2014 690 Enduro R. I'm trying to access the shock to adjust the spring preload right now, in fact.

I tried using this technique, but I can't get the tank to lift up more than a few inches, which doesn't give me enough room to get to the shock.

The problem as I'm seeing it is: the battery bolts are hitting up against the airbox cover as I try to pivot up the tank. So in addition to the steps quoted, I think you also have to remove the airbox cover. Is this something specific to the 2014 model?


Update: so I didn't have to remove the airbox after all.  I merely filed down the corner of the airbox that was blocking the front right battery bolt bracket. Only had to be filed about 1.5mm.

Mission accomplished.

Rusty Shovel

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Re: Tell me about lowering this beast
« Reply #12 on: April 15, 2015, 10:26:35 pm »
Good Tip!
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rednipj

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Re: Tell me about lowering this beast
« Reply #13 on: April 16, 2015, 01:23:20 pm »
I got a good deal on a '14 with 330 miles on it. The previous owner put the 1-5/8" lowering link on, at 210lbs I also had a problem with the tire rubbing the gas tank. I just took it off yesterday. I haven't had a chance to ride it in stock form yet. I was tippy toes with the link. I might have to look into the 1".

ShakeWell

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Re: Tell me about lowering this beast
« Reply #14 on: April 16, 2015, 02:16:22 pm »
I got a good deal on a '14 with 330 miles on it. The previous owner put the 1-5/8" lowering link on, at 210lbs I also had a problem with the tire rubbing the gas tank. I just took it off yesterday. I haven't had a chance to ride it in stock form yet. I was tippy toes with the link. I might have to look into the 1".

Welcome to the forums and congrats on getting a deal on your '14! Everybody has to dial their bike in to suite their needs and the 690 has enough options to satisfy most it seems.

So the 1-5/8" will enable the back tire to hit the gas tank unless you shorten the stroke of the shock? However, the 1" link doesn't shorten the travel nor cause tire to tank rubbing? Just making sure I'm getting this right as a buddy of mine has a 29" inseam and I'm starting to talk him into a 690 if we can get the seat height a little more reasonable.
2014 690 R, Rekluse, PowerCommander V, Rottweiler Intake, FMF, Scott's, Renzacco Seat, HDB handguards, MGTec levers, full sas removed, Pivot Pegs