lowering a duke 690

[vrooooom]

hi guys. i recently saw a 2011 duke 690 and i like it.... really like it. the problem is i'm only 5'5" and my feet are not touching the ground. i heard that one can loosen the rear shock a little and the front fork can also be moved totally lowering the bike by about 1". is this true? is there anything i can do to bring it down even more?

the ducati 696 fits me perfectly in terms of ride height but the duke just looks so much better.... and less money. suggestions fire away!

[kopfjager]

Originally Posted by vrooooom

hi guys. i recently saw a 2011 duke 690 and i like it.... really like it. the problem is i'm only 5'5" and my feet are not touching the ground. i heard that one can loosen the rear shock a little and the front fork can also be moved totally lowering the bike by about 1". is this true? is there anything i can do to bring it down even more?

the ducati 696 fits me perfectly in terms of ride height but the duke just looks so much better.... and less money. suggestions fire away!

Just learn to 1 foot the bike. I can put both feet down on my Ducati, but I
have to 1 foot (motocross style) my DUKE. No issue.

[vrooooom]

Originally Posted by kopfjager

Just learn to 1 foot the bike. I can put both feet down on my Ducati, but I
have to 1 foot (motocross style) my DUKE. No issue.

i've been thinking about that but how does one bring the side stand up when you're on one leg only? get on the bike.... shift to the right foot then flip the side stand before shifting back to the left foot? i think i'll be paranoid to fall in traffic.

[Sidewinder]

Not to be a smart *** but how else would you put the kickstand up without putting your right foot down first?

I cannot think of a time I ever have both feet on the ground even though I can flat foot both of them.

[Clay]

I don't know much about these, but another member forwarded me this link:

http://koubalink.com/KTM%20690.html

This looks like a good solution to the problem. Has anyone actually tried them?

Unfortunately it doesn't work for the Duke... Maybe they will make one?

Here's another link: http://koubalink.com/KTM.html

The sidebar lists the 690 Duke...

[streakerbill]

I'm a little under 5 - 10 but kind of short legged. I bought a Corbin seat that lowered me a little (bought the seat more for vanity than lowering) but I can only tip toe both feet at the same time. I guess I agree with sidewinder in that I seldom have more than one foot off the pegs
My 2 cents worth

[Clay]

Streakerbill,

I suspected the Corbin seat might provide a lower seat height. Would you mind commenting on the comfort of the seat? IMO it looks good, but maybe a little like a plank. Corbin is know for making firm seats.

Thanks a mil,

Mike

[kopfjager]

Originally Posted by vrooooom

i've been thinking about that but how does one bring the side stand up when you're on one leg only? get on the bike.... shift to the right foot then flip the side stand before shifting back to the left foot? i think i'll be paranoid to fall in traffic.

That would be correct. If you know someone who has a dirt bike you could practice on, that would help.

Back to your original question, yes the bike can be lowered. I prefer to 1 foot it though.

[streakerbill]

I got fired up on Corbin seats when I had my DR 650. I thought it was GREAT!!!
Then when I got this it was like a Board. I pissed and moaned long enough that they took it back and put different foam in it. It is plenty OK now. We go down into the Smoky Mts a couple of times a year and violate. Longest day so far is 386 on GREAT roads. Usually 900 to 1,000 miles in 3 to 3.5 days, and I get along fine with the new foam.
One of the guys rides an XR 650 with the standard seat. He is tough. But he and some guys have also finished the Baja 500 and 1,000 so maybe he just doesn't know any better.

[Sidewinder]

Originally Posted by streakerbill

Longest day so far is 386 on GREAT roads.

Pshh, I've gone over 400 miles on the stock seat a couple times!