Triumphrat

norcaltriumph · 07-06-2007, 12:32 PM

So I've had my Sprint RS for a few weeks now. My beloved Ducati 900SS has been forsaken and is basically in storage.

I'm 5'8" on a good day, and about 165 pounds. Not necessarily too short for the RS, but I miss the flat-footing I was able to achieve on my 900SS. I've already bought a set of used ST bars to help with the reach, but now I'm looking to lower the ride height a little. I've looked through the archives a bit, and it looks like my preferred option would be seat shaving. I may look into the shock reversal, eccentric cam approach, but wanted to get some good feedback on how these mods have worked out for folks. I don't want to upset the handling at all.

Anyone have some decent miles on a lowered ST/RS? Have things worked out in the long-run? Any regrets? Also, if anyone has pictures of their lowered/seat-shaved Sprints, please let me know where I can see them.

Long live the little people!!!

ocgeorge · 07-06-2007, 02:47 PM

I feel your pain NorCal! I have been 5'8" with a 30" inseam since I was a freshman in HS!
My 03 has the leather Corbin gunfighter/lady seat. This gives me a good 1" - 1 1/2" increase in clearance. I also have my forks lowered about 5mm. I didn't do this to improve clearance but to speed up the steering. Between the two I am flat footed with my riding boots on with room to spare!
That will soon change however as I purchased an 04 Daytona shock (1" longer) to improve my under seat clearance. I installed the under seat Wolf exhaust and with the stock shock preload open just one turn the tire hits the exhaust when I am riding two up and hit a big dip!
Good luck! :-g

norcaltriumph · 07-06-2007, 03:04 PM

Wow ocgeorge, I'm 5'8" with 30" inseam here as well. So the Corbin will drop things down that much. Unfortunately, that's not in my budget right now. I'll probably go with the seat shaving for now and add a bit of gel.

Any chance you still have the stock seat laying around? I'd like to buy an extra before I go in for the seat shaving (in case they screw up).

Would love to see a picture of your bike once the new shock is installed. Between the lowered forks and the new shock, should be an interesting looking ride. Much more of a crouched look I would assume.

ocgeorge · 07-06-2007, 03:38 PM

I do still have the stock seat and it is in perfect condition. If you want to pay the S&H you are welcome to it!
I love my Corbin! Some people don't like the leather. I didn't think I was going to like it as it seemed rather hard however, I have loved it since my first 500+ mile day!
I will post pictures (or at least send them to you) when I get the shock installed. I am still gathering setup information (I don't want to install it and find out I need to adjust the two locking rings on top!) I am curious as well as to what the additional height in the rear combined with the (slight) drop in front will do to handling! I may need to raise it back up to standard height.
Shoot an email to onecuriousgeorge at yahoo if you want the seat.
Best of luck! :-g

norcaltriumph · 07-06-2007, 05:21 PM

Just emailed you about the seat. Thanks. I just saw a Corbin on eBay for $270. Tempting, but I'll have to pass for now.

Would love to see your bike after the shock install too (would like to see how you did the underseat exhaust install as well). Try to email me a couple pic's to me when it's all done.

seumas · 07-06-2007, 11:31 PM

Another short-arse here--5'8" on a good hair day. I found that the Corbin is flatter than the stock seat, but also wider. It's actually harder for me to flat foot it with the Corbin on. It also seems to move me further back from the bars. That's not really a problem for me since I have relatively long arms. I still prefer the Corbin to the stocker. Keep an eye on Ebay and the classifieds here. The Corbin that listed for $270 is brand new.

norcaltriumph · 07-07-2007, 12:36 AM

Well, ocgeorge was kind enough to send me his old stock seat. I'm going to do a little DIY seat shaving soon. If I royally screw up, I'll have the other as a backup. Sounds pretty simple though. I'll probably only shave off 3/4"-1" and add a gel insert...

monkinwitz · 07-07-2007, 03:28 AM

another idea is to raise your boot sole so you have a taller leg or something like that ,i noticed that when riding with my boot versus trainers

Panthers_Den · 07-07-2007, 02:35 PM

Yall are tall compared to me, I'm only at 5'6" with 30" inseam. But the previous owner lowered my sprint with a replacement dog bone so I'm flat footed with bent knees as well...