So I'm looking at getting a second bike soon and am wanting something fairly nimble that turns better than a V-Rod. Can anyone share some options for lowering the XR1200? I have a 29" inseam.

Thanks

 

There are no options for the forks but any shorter rear shock for a Sportster should work. Progressive makes a few but I have to say.......

.......lowering an XR will remove on of the big advantages of the bike. Why not just find a nice Roadster?

 

Or just buy longer pants? Lol...just kidding man. My wife learned to ride on a Buell and we looked at getting her an XR1200 but she was too short. That bike is that tall by design. You lose alot of the reason for it by lowering the center of gravity and decreasing the lean angle.

I'm sure it can be done though. Maybe buy an older Sportster and get a Rich Phillips kit for it?

 

You could always try a set of lowering links mechanically keeps the suspension the same just lowers the rear end of the bike. You could also look into the progressive lowering springs for the forks I don't know if they make any of this for an Xr1200 though. Another thought is a thinner seat I know you can get neoprene seats that are a bit thicker than race seats for a little more comfort.

 

Lowering the bike will seriously affect the handling and cornering capabilities.

 

There are options for the forks. Progressive (and others) make shorter springs for them also. If you put shorter shocks on and set them at a stiff rate your lean angle won't be that badly affected. My experience with Sportsters is that they have a higher center of gravity than the big twins and therefore may not feel as nimble as you would like them to.

 

Lower an XR !!! Thats sacrilegious,,, You have Got to be kidding,,

Somebody escort that man out behind the paint shed and shoot Him,,,lol

 

My experience with Sportsters altho limited to the one I have and love
Is that they handle just fine and are quite Nimble,,If,,

Ya take the time to really wring one out and get Into It.

 

Progressive makes NO fork springs for the XR and XL springs cannot be used because of the inverted forks nor can one use the springs for the VRSCR as the weight is different.

Have ANY seat time on an XR1200?

Don't waste a great bike by lowering it. Go find yourself a XL1200R.

 

Rather than hack away at an XR to lower it, I'd look into finding a used XL1200S. From what I've read, this is the sportiest sportster until the XR came along.