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Motorcycle news : General news
You are looking at: Home : Motorcycle news : General news

BMW launches lowered suspension on new models

Good news for shorter riders as BMW offers factory option on F800S, F800ST, R1200R, R1200RT, F650GS and top-selling R1200GS

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Posted: 8 August 2008
by Visordown News

BMW has become the first motorcycle manufacturer to launch a range of models that can be ordered with lowered suspension – to provide customers with lower seat height options.

Feedback from female, novice and shorter riders confirmed that controlling a machine can be difficult at slow speeds, especially when riding motorcycles with a higher seat height. BMW Motorrad already offers a lower seat as a factory-fit option for most of its models (at no extra charge), but some riders require their seat to be lower still. Motorcyclists feel more secure when they are able to place their feet firmly on the ground, especially under stop-start conditions. BMW’s new lower suspension bikes will ensure that more riders are able to do this - naturally, comfortably and safely.

As an example, the lowered suspension option currently available on the F 800 S and ST bikes, reduces the seat height from the standard 840mm to 760mm. This option was launched in 2007 and a staggering 45% of BMW customers have since taken advantage of this opportunity when ordering their new machine.

The six models that can be ordered with lowered suspension are: the sporty F 800 S, its sports touring derivative the F 800 ST, the ‘naked’ R 1200 R roadster, the top selling R 1200 RT touring machine and the new F 650 GS and R 1200 GS enduros.

All of the BMW factory-engineered lowered suspension bikes come with a low seat, but the actual lowering modification from the standard machine varies from model to model. Bikes such as the F 800 ST come with a shorter rear shock absorber and front forks which have been lowered through the yokes. Boxer engined models, such as the R 1200 RT and R 1200 GS, achieve the lower positioning by adding a shorter strut to the front and rear shock absorbers. The Telelever settings have been changed.

For further information on seat height reduction, or the range of BMW Motorrad motorcycles that will feature this option, please visit www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk, or visit your local BMW Motorrad dealership.


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Discuss this story


Julesb

With a population in the UK that seems to be getting taller, this seems an odd way to go.

When are manufacturers going to "cater" for taller riders to increase the seat height?

The BMW move is part of an ever increasing trend in shrinking bikes for shorter folk.

Even Honda are at it making the previously quite tall Transalp shorter.

But I guess riders like me are a minority of a minority

 Jules 6'4"


Posted: 08/08/2008 at 19:40


FatBoyTim
good news for the umpalumpa's then

Posted: 08/08/2008 at 19:42


Hairy Ben
Julesb wrote (see)

The BMW move is part of an ever increasing trend in shrinking bikes for shorter folk.


But BMW aren't shrinking bikes. They're just offering shorter kits for existing normal sized models. They're pretty good with that sort of thing anyway, a lot of their models already come with adjustable seats. (Not that I've ever managed to get the seat to latch properly on it's high setting on the GS, but that's by the by.)

Can't speak for Honda though.


Posted: 08/08/2008 at 19:49


RiceBurner
Julesb wrote (see)

With a population in the UK that seems to be getting taller, this seems an odd way to go.

When are manufacturers going to "cater" for taller riders to increase the seat height?

The BMW move is part of an ever increasing trend in shrinking bikes for shorter folk.

Even Honda are at it making the previously quite tall Transalp shorter.

But I guess riders like me are a minority of a minority

 Jules 6'4"

Most BMWs are on the tall side as standard - at 6'4" you're pretty much "average" height for the GS or GSA.

BMW are addressing a demand that has been there for years.


Posted: 08/08/2008 at 22:08


Abel
RiceBurner wrote (see)
Most BMWs are on the tall side as standard - at 6'4" you're pretty much "average" height for the GS or GSA.

BMW are addressing a demand that has been there for years.

TBH I find GSes quite cramped for leg room, and as you know I am not tall.

Most tall people tend to fit lower pegs and aftermarket seats on them as the seat to peg distance is tiny, especially when you consider how tall the bleeding things are.

Good move from BM IMO tho. There's some bikes for tall people out there, but sod all for shorties. My missus can literally fit on ONE bike without modifying it, and there aren't many good NC3s left.


Posted: 09/08/2008 at 00:48


Klisatez

Thanks BMW. In the United States, the current average height of an adult man is 5 feet, 9 inches, and for an adult woman, it is 5 feet, 3 inches, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the Netherlands, though, men average 6 feet tall while the average woman is 5 feet, 7 inches, according to the Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands.


Posted: 09/08/2008 at 03:50


alan butler
I think this is about time,i am 5ft 9 in and find most modern bikes too tall in the saddle.Can we please have decent front mudguards as well?

Posted: 09/08/2008 at 05:08


eojmo

They should be able to sell more GSs to short arse riders now.I knew a shortish bloke who who bought a GS, and the first day he stopped on a hill with a steep camber, the bike leaned,his leg could'nt touch the ground,over the bike went and smashed his tappet cover.He sold it a week later and for something lower.


Posted: 09/08/2008 at 14:05


Graeme Sutherland
Klisatez wrote (see)

In the Netherlands, though, men average 6 feet tall while the average woman is 5 feet, 7 inches, according to the Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands.


Yes, the Dutch can be bloody tall. I'm 6'4", and some of them make me feel short.

Posted: 09/08/2008 at 22:58


P050429X

I worked with the Dutch Marines a few times and they were all really tall. I'm about 5'9" and thats not far off average for British Marines.


Posted: 09/08/2008 at 23:09


R1 loon
I'm always mashed off my head when in Holland, so I can't say I've noticed

Posted: 09/08/2008 at 23:23


Big Nige

The Dutch are among the most miserable sods I've ever worked with and yet seem quite cheerful in their own country.

.

.

.

.

. 

Oh.


Posted: 09/08/2008 at 23:38


glencoeman
It's about time that a bike manufacturer got to grips with the problem of high seat heights. You would not get a car manufacturer  missing out on selling to a high proportion of prospective buyers because they could not reach the pedals!

Posted: 12/08/2008 at 16:46


Michael Wilkinson

Even the cheapest cars come with adjustable seats and steering columns.

Low seat options are indeed needed but so are handlebar and footrest adjusters.

Bike manufacturers do not cater for their riders comfort at all,you need to look at aftermarket suppiers for anything remotely connected with rider comfort .

The K1200R is the first BMW Ive ever had that I can reach the floor with both feet and Ive always had the low seat option in the past


Posted: 12/08/2008 at 18:26


saintuk

Seat height has always been an issue for me, I'm 5' 8" and the problem comes from being short in the leg and wide in the thigh, anything with a wide seat will push my legs out to the side. I can ride anything just fine, but like to be able to put at least one foot down when I come to a halt (without sliding off the seat)

I love sports bikes but it's hard to find one that fits, one of my early bikes was an Honda VFR400 NC30, which was quite comfortable for me. Currently I ride a Yamaha YZF750R '97 which has about the shortest seat height on a sports bike from that era.

A few centimetres makes all the difference, most of the 600's are set at around 820mm, my bike is about 795mm. So it's either get a shorter bike or wear platforms, which are not back in fashion just yet!


Posted: 12/08/2008 at 19:02


Hudson
I too am challenged in the height dept, i am 5ft 7'' and find the low seat height on my CBF600 really good, i was very surprised when i sat on the new K8 GSXR750 how sensible it was, i could get a lot of my foot (feet really) down on the floor, and it was comfy as well, quiet impressed.

Posted: 14/08/2008 at 18:45


clagg
It's about time really as some of the newer bikes are meant for taller people, ignoring us short arses.

Posted: 14/08/2008 at 19:09


Coot

I just got a 2008, R1200RT, factory lowered.

I think they got a lot of the lowering by taking the padding out of the seat.

I'm going to try to find an aftermarket seat that's more comfortable without adding too much to the height.

Good luck!


Posted: 02/09/2008 at 23:05


wavydave
fucking cabbage cutters

Posted: 02/09/2008 at 23:07


Red Dwarf
Tried to buy one from Rainbow, but was told none available as there is a new RT out next year.Anyone else come across this? My present RT is too tall in traffic and gravelly biker cafe car parks.

Posted: 10/04/2009 at 16:29


Alan Robinson

Has anyone bought the RT with lowered suspension?

I've got a F800st in lowered kit. Apart from not having a centre stand it's a great bike; so I've bought a centre paddock stand from BMWmotorbits.

I Can put both feet down and feel safer for it. makes moving into neutral from 2nd and coming to a stop safer as there's no shuffling etc.

I'd love an RT . I'm a 5'5.5" short arse, Long body short legs.


Posted: 04/08/2009 at 21:26

Talkback: BMW launches lowered suspension on new models

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