Topic: K4 too high

[BazF]

Gents, another little problem I have.
With the stock seat I have no chance of reaching the ground (short ass). I lowered my spare seat by 2 inches and still have to 'tippy toe' to reach ground.
Not very confident when stopping. Anyone else have this problem, and how did you fix it?. Shorter shockies, slamming?
Strange, I rode cb750 in 1969 and had no problems like this.

[Don R]

 You can slide the fork tubes up through the triple trees an inch, shorter shocks are available or the old stand by, lowering blocks. Possibly lower profile tires. You'll want to keep the same drop front and back to minimize changes in handling. Watch the header to front fender clearance also.

[Gordon]

Seat width has a lot more to do with getting your feet on the ground than a lot of people realize.  If you take some foam off the seat where it hits your inner thighs you'll be able to point your legs more straight down rather than out wide and then down. 

[PeWe]

motorcycle plateau boots?

[Stev-o]

Why do you feel the need to have both feet on the ground? I don't....

[kerryb]

I can't get both heels on the ground unless i'm wearing my cowboy boots, but then the crocodile bumps make me miss shifts, so I wear sneakers.  You'll get used to it.  Oh, and push it around the garage while off the bike,  and park so you don't have to back up hill!  As I said, you'll get used to It.

all part of the adventure...

[Rocky2010]

Never understood why they made the seat height so high on Japanese bikes.

[Jimray23]

Never understood why they made the seat height so high on Japanese bikes.

Yea my dad is sorta short round fella that rides a hog, he was going to ride my kz1000 1 day and have me ride his (he wanted me to buy the hog) anyway he couldnt even get on it.

Jimmy
1979 kz1000 ltd

[Duke McDukiedook]

motorcycle plateau boots?

Platform boots is the answer. With goldfish.

[markreimer]

I wouldn't worry about having both feet on the ground. My other main ride is an XR650L. it is basically a horse. There is no chance I get both feet on the ground. Even one foot on my toes is a challenge, and I'm over 6 feet tall! It's nice to be able to plant both feet, but not necessary.

I would be concerned with ground clearance if lowering the bike. I know many do it, but I've already dragged my pegs and exhaust, and smacked my oil pan on a speed bump, on my '74 cb750 without riding like a hooligan. If it was dropped even more I think you'd start smacking stuff a lot more often. At best, you'd damage your bike. At worst, maybe loose control.

[martin99]

I tend to stop at lights and junctions with my left foot on the ground, the right foot covering the brake pedal, and don't give it a second thought. With a pillion though, I'm a little less confident in my balancing abilities and am glad my legs are long enough to put both feet on the ground, especially when your passenger decides to move around without warning.

[BazF]

Well, I'm closer to 80 than 70 and need the feet down! No problems on my Triumph T160, both feet firmly on terra firma.

[drumstyx]

I'm 6'1" and flat foot just about any bike I've swung a leg over. I can't flat foot my K8. Funny how small they look in pictures, when in reality these are pretty monstrous bikes.