Lowering limit on Tenere
 

Can someone advise me of the maximum amount that one can safely lower the suspension of the 660Z without causing chain rub or other problems I'm not aware of?

The reason I ask is because I ordered some lowering links from someone but due to a misunderstanding they are quite long (140mm) and will lower the bike about 52cm. I would have preferred links to lower the bike only by 1". I'll have a friend copy the longer links now and make me shorter ones locally (about 133mm).

The Tenere I wish to fit the links on has a stiff aftermarket suspension, which doesn't sag much when sitting in it. So if the 1" drop doesn't work, I'll try the longer links which I have now.

I've seen -50mm ones advertised but I've never met, or heard, or anyone using them. Most common are -35mm links.

The trouble with going too low (-50mm) is that the swingarm ends up being too flat (parallel to the road) and the axle bolt rises above the output shaft of the gearbox sprocket and this can (and does) cause the swingarm underside to be eaten away by the chain.

Remember as well that, changing the links because the suspension is too hard and you can't get the right sag setting, is only masking the real issue... Your spring rates are all wrong for your body mass and they'll still be wrong with lowering links!

Thanks again for your informative reply Pleiades.
I'll keep that in consideration. It's not viable to change the suspension so I'll probably just lower it about 1" and take it from there.

Well here is my experience: I have owned 3 XT660X s over the years, cos I loved em so much. The first 2 I had lowered using the official Yamaha kit, whereas the latest one I did not lower. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!!!! The standard suspension is wonderful (when I fitted the Kev front fork mod) and I would never go near the lowering kit again cos it destroys the handling. When I was 2 up I would drag my feet on the road, that never happened with the standard version. And I am no giant but you only need to get used to the bike, you need to get one foot down not both.

To report back on lowering my standard suspension 660Z here in S Africa. (I'm moving to Aus early next year and the links are actually for my 660Z there which has Teknik off road suspension front and rear).
I have 2 sets of lowering links now - for 1" drop (133mm hole to hole centre) and for just over 2" drop (140mm hole to hole).
Fitted the longer ones and had a trip on the motorway this morning, as well as suburban with speed humps (which I normally take at speed and let the suspension soaks it up). Also set the shock up to the 2nd notch (was on weakest setting).

First of all, it tamed the bike considerably. I'm 1.79m (5'10") tall and my feet are about flat on the ground where previously I was on my toes. The excitement was a bit subdued in riding feeling, but it's really much easier to ride. It doesn't want to tilt over so easily when stopping - centre of gravity is lower.
I think it will be much easier to control in tricky situations (like off road).
The steering and balance was easily adapted to and no problem. The feeling on the road was the same when turning.
The chain rides tighter but is fine. Haven't checked the underside of the swing arm but I'm sure it will be fine.

I found three slight disadvantages:
The bike stands very upright on the side stand (left standard length) and one has to check where you park before you get off. Same with stepping on the foot peg when getting on while on side stand.
The suspension feels "shorter". Not that lovely long suspension that you can take over the worst bumps at speed.
Lastly I hit some speed bumps at high speed and back at home saw that the back wheel had touched the cross pipe of the Scorpion exhausts. When on side stand the tyre is only 10cm from that pipe. I'll turn the suspension stiffness up a bit still. But twin pipe exhausts should be taken into consideration when lowering it this low.

Next I'll replace the 2" drop links with the 1" links and evaluate them. I have a feeling they will be a better compromise on this bike - as long as my feet are a bit more secure on the ground than just the tippy toes as with the standard links.

Interesting write up Dirk Z, it will always be a bit of a dilemma with the lofty 'Dakar' stance of the Tenere, which is part of what we love about the Ten, and those moments when you wish your feet were more firmly on the ground! . Look forward to part two of your report. Steve

The above is a particular problem that is only associated with Scorpion system. It was discussed/highlighted on the forum sometime back in 2011 when the Scorpion exhaust first appeared.

Due to the fact Scorpion has made the effort to tuck the cans right up under the seat to reflect the lines of the OE silencer it results in the link pipe being much further back and lower than on all other 2-2 systems giving much less clearance. Leos, Akras, Arrows, MTCs etc. all have a link pipe low down and forward right next to the shock leaving a nice big void for the wheel to slot into. Have a look at the two photos below and you'll see where the problem lies:


http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...FcLum1Fwo80W4w

http://www.scorpion-exhausts.com/sit...re-3-quart.png

A Scorpion system is not really suitable for lowering links more than 25mm (and an 18" cannot be fitted either as with the stock system) without it fouling the link pipe on full compression as you have found. All other 2-2 exhausts will accommodate a drop of 35-50mm.

Yes Pleiades, you're so right.
Also the lowered bike does not nearly look as sexy as the standard height bike with the tail in the air !
The max lowering solution with these pipes seem to be about 1" and setting the suspension stiffer. I'll do that over the weekend.

Fortunately the bike in Aus has a single Barrett pipe and stiff suspension, so it will be interesting to see the effect of the different lowering links on that bike.

http://rs225.pbsrc.com/albums/dd112/...0pipe.jpg~c100

Last update on the lowering links for the 660Z. Comparing 2" drop with 1" drop.

First please note an error in my first report. The tyre was actually about 4" or 10cm from the cross pipe of the Scorpions, not 40mm as stated, with the 2" drop (140mm links). (have corrected it).

I replaced the 2' drop links with links I had made at 133mm hole to hole distance,
which would equate to about 1.1" drop.
Now the bike feels very much like standard, except that my feet can now touch the ground with the balls of the feet. And shifting very slightly over on the saddle, my foot is flat on the ground. Standard I had to move quite far over to get a foot flat on the ground.

Handling feels better. Height is better. Ride is better.
Side stand can easily be left as is, although the bike is standing more upright. Easier to get on the bike stepping on foot peg.

One big advantage of lowering the bike is the effort to "reverse" the bike when seated. It's much easier when the bike is lower. It was unbelievably easier with the 2" drop links and also easier with the 1" drop links. It all relates to how much footing one can get on the ground when trying to push the bike backwards.

Then lastly I noticed the back tyre is now about 130mm or just over 5" from the exhaust cross pipe (Scorpion). Which is just over an inch more than with the 2" drop links.

For me this will be the best option with my 33" inside leg. Thanks for reading :)

Bearing in mind the suspension travel at the rear is 200mm it would be interesting to get the measurement between the tyre and the exhaust with no weight on the wheel and the swingarm at its lowest point. Is there a 200mm+ gap?