Hi everyone,

I've been riding YZ125 for MX / Enduro purposes for a while and want to put a street-legal bike next to it. So I'm on the market for a 2014 660Z Tenere non-ABS version. The only concern left is my height which is 170cm (or 5'7") and no room to extend as i'm 35 years old

Normally YZ125 (my current bike) has a 96cm(or 3'1.8") seat height, however as it has a soft rear suspension by nature than a street bike, i can put one foot on the ground and it doesnt necessary to put both of them in MX.

I've taken a ride with Tenere last week and again i can put only one foot on the ground and i think it can be problem in offroad riding or some cases in traffic.

I've learnt that there is a lowering kit for Tenere which lowers the bike around 3-4 cm.

Can you give me feedback about lowering the bike with the kit, does it affect the riding dynamics, would there be any geometry problems, other pros/cons i cant consider?

Note: Dont think to opt for ABS

Firstly... to the forum John.

As long as you lower the front end by the same amount (raising the forks through the yokes), the geometry is not going to change so much as you'd notice. Of course it does change the geometry slightly, but it also puts greater leverage on the shock through the linkage (making it feel softer at the back) and can, when 2-up or loaded cause the chain to rub the top of the swingarm through.

TBH, there are a lot of folk who are your height (and shorter) who I know get on with the standard height Tenere perfectly well. I wouldn't get too hung up about the height until you've bought one, done a good few miles and built your own opinion on whether it's necessary or not. Its suprising how quickly you adapt your riding style and get used to the height. If you feel you need it lowering after a couple of thousand miles, then do it.

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Thank you Pleiades. I thought so. I'll but it, ride it and decide it. Then write my comments for those who suffers the same concerns.

Hi John

I have ridden a couple of thousand on mine now since purchased in May 2016 and still find the seat height a bit to tall. I love it once on the move but its that transition from standing still to feet up and those moments where you just get caught off balance. I am going to lower mine and see how it helps, guess I can always go back to original settings.

ride safe

John

After first 500km with 2014 model Tenere, i think i've handled the seat height issue for most of the cases. In traffic congestions, i handle the bike with one of my foot. Cant say its so easy, but not bother me and i got used to it.
However, when it comes to curved ground, well, i barely handle the bike and try to move the bike and get out of there. One-foot-touch on the ground power is not that enough to keep the bike stand.

Well, i dont ride the bike off-road so much so far. so i cant comment further. I'll ride until i fall due to seat-height and then decide.
But my feeling is that i will not apply lowering kit.

I have installed a -40mm link kit from Lust Racing in the last couple of days and the first test ride was great,a big improvement for me.( I am 5'8" 29 inside leg)More testing required but won't go back to the links I removed. Maybe a 40mm link length drop was to big a change but time will tell. Question for Keithy2 can you recommend a supplier for the USB power point.

Ride safe

hi I felt the same as you at first but you do get used to it just make sure you are completely stopped before you put your foot down. My bike was new and the seat, tires and suspension will soften slightly enough to give you about 1 inch (25 mm) drop in height. At 10000miles I got a Lust Racing lowering kit 25 mm but found it softened the suspension, and chain tension was very critical it seemed to go to too tight to too slack very quickly. I have now gone back to stock setting. Regarding off road I am currently practicing very quick dismounts ie having both legs on the same side while standing on one peg as I come to a stop. Hopefully I will drop the bike less.

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XTz 660 tenere, adventure spec bash plate, main stand, skid marks tall screen, Oxford tail pack 36 litre. Kobra hand guards, Bigger cast footpegs, Zen overland luggage plate, USB power point, iridium spark plug, TKC80 f k60 R tyres, o2 and fuel Kev mods, DNA stage 2 filter. bark buster bar wieghts, Touratec side stand base and GPS mount. Led spot lights

That sounds like a surefire recipe for disaster to me!

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