To Lower or Not To Lower.....
 

Hi, I've just bought an 09 XTZ and was convinced when i sat on one at a dealers that i would have to lower it but after having ridden the bike i'm not so sure and have found the various threads on here interesting.
I've had many supermotos over the years so i'm not new to the perched up high feeling but wondered if anyone else was, when they first got the bike going to lower it then simply just got used to it.
In my advancing years i'm not so concerned about being on tip toes when it's stationary but more concerned about throwing one of my little legs (i'm about 5'8") over the seat!

Think it depends on what you will be using the bike for, the ground clearance was important to me for the soft stuff. If you plan on keeping to the tarmac or hard trails why not lower it to make it that bit easier to get onto.

I am on the short side too and got used to mounting it like a horse, on the sidestand put your left foot on the footpeg, then step up and throw your leg over the seat... Do the reverse fte get off.. Been doing this for the past 2 years... Works perfectly, :-)

My 2c

Ride Height
 

If your only riding on the road i would lower it. I am 5ft11 and when you have a full tank of gas it can be heavy. Its easy to get caught out when the road cambers at junctions, or potholes or whatever. And when it goes over you cant save it.

picked my 09 up today lowerd the front forks by 15mm havent made my mind up about the rear yet. going to ride it a bit more yet the bike as only done1800 miles.
cheers ta

I rather like that idea, thanks!
As i said i was absolutely convinced that i'd have to lower the bike but now i think i'll give it a go as it is.........for now anyway.

Dont lower it if you can help it. I have had 3 XTXs and I had the first 2 lowered by the dealer. The latest one I kind of forgot and wowowow what a difference, the bike handles totally better and is much more fun on the corners. Sure its a bit high but well worth it!!!!

I like that and i'm definately up for learning a new dance but not sure my old creaking body would.
I never had a problem swinging my leg over the supermotos (KTM, Husaberg, Husqvarna) i had in the late 90s/early 2000s but as the years have rolled on (i'm 58) and have been used to a much lower bike (i still have a CCM FT35, which really is low) it came as a bit of a shock getting up on the Tenere but once you're up there it's a great view isn't it?

I do a lot of offroading and was worried about being able to touch down, so I lowered mine but after a couple of months I realised the answer to any (offroading in the dry) problem is to open the throttle so I put it back to standard. 5'8", 30" inside leg.

The Tenere dance should be seen as a way of keeping the body supple.

Or you could buy the ABS version which is slightly lower by default :)