Potential New Rocket Owner...help

[MsLizz]

Hi All: Very interested in a Rocket. Have had some riding experience on one, but am having trouble reaching the ground (comfortably)
Even with the low rider saddle, I'm still a bit too short for my comfort level
I hear about Progressive shocks....dont know enough.
Does anyone have any other ideas or suggested mods for us 'vertically challenged' people ?

Thanks...

Ms Lizz

[Ugarte]

Well, you've tried the lowest seat and I assume you have boots with soles as thick as you can stand, you can lower the front end by raising the front forks a tad, maybe 1/2 inch and I think progressive sells a shorter than stock rear shock for the Rocket....check their website or call them.

Hope it works out, the Rocket is one helluva bike!

Like your screen name MsLizz, is it after the old rock song?

[Pig9r]

The stock shock length is 12.5" I have a 12" set on mine. I didn't really notice a difference in how my feet touch the ground when I made the switch.

[tbsrider2000]

Hello MsLizz,
There's another woman rider who posts on here from time to time who is "vertically challenged" also. RidinSunshine, where are you?? Anyway, she rides with the low gel seat and I believe she has 11.5" Progressive shocks, and has raised the front forks a bit as well. Hopefully she'll check in and confirm.
I do know those low shocks make her bike look REALLY good, and she handles that bike really well too.

[MsLizz]

I sent a private message to RidinSunshine in Texas, she is pretty popular amongst this website, my husband located her, so we'll see if she can shed some light.

Since I currently have a Honda 1300 VTX, I do ride with those thick soled riding boots, and I pretty much sit at the area where the tank meets the seat for the lowest section of the bike.

Looking into forks issue, shocks, so I guess I'm on the right track.
I probably just need to be put on a rack and have my legs stretched an inch

Thanks VERY much to all that posted, looking forward to being active in this group, a pretty good bunch of people!

Ms Lizz

PS not aware of a song called Ms lizz...you'll have to educate me. Thought I had heard it all-guess not

[Ugarte]

Originally Posted by MsLizz

PS not aware of a song called Ms lizz...you'll have to educate me. Thought I had heard it all-guess not

Not exactly MsLizz but close:

Dizzy Miss Lizzy, written by Larry Williams made popular by the Beatles:

You make me dizzy Miss Lizzy
The way you rock and roll
You make me dizzy Miss Lizzy
When we do the stroll
Come on Miss Lizzy
Love me 'fore I grow too old

Come on, give me fever
put your little hand in mine
You make me dizzy dizzy Lizzy
oh, girl you look so fine
Just a rocking and a rolling
Girl I said I wish you were mine, ah

Ooh, ah
You make me dizzy Miss Lizzy
When you call my name
Ooo, baby
Say you're driving me insane
Come on, come on, come on, come on baby
I want to be your loving man, Ah

Run and tell your mama
I want you be my bride
Run and tell your brother
Baby don't run and hide
You make me dizzy Miss Lizzy
Girl I want to marry you

Come on, give me fever
put your little hand in mine, girl
You make me dizzy dizzy Lizzy
Girl you look so fine
You're just a rocking and a rolling
Ooo I said I wish you were mine, ah

[dougl]

Originally Posted by MsLizz

Looking into forks issue, shocks, so I guess I'm on the right track.

Lowering the shocks or raising the forks doesn't feel right, although I have no objective basis for that feeling. Presumably the suspension was designed for performance, although the stock rear shocks suck. The question I would be most concerned with is how would such changes affect performance, handling, cornering, breaking.

[Ugarte]

Originally Posted by dougl

Lowering the shocks or raising the forks doesn't feel right, although I have no objective basis for that feeling. Presumably the suspension was designed for performance, although the stock rear shocks suck. The question I would be most concerned with is how would such changes affect performance, handling, cornering, breaking.

Raising the forks is common practice with sport bikes and dual sports. I raised them an inch on my V Strom and it helped a bit with the handling on the street, but made dirt trail riding trickier. I don't think 1/2 inch on the Rocket would have much of an effect on handling. Also lowering the rear 1/2 inch would then make the geometry the same as before lowering.

Proceeding with caution is in order though, especially with a new and unfamiliar bike.

[dougl]

Originally Posted by Ugarte

Raising the forks is common practice with sport bikes and dual sports. I raised them an inch on my V Strom and it helped a bit with the handling on the street, but made dirt trail riding trickier. I don't think 1/2 inch on the Rocket would have much of an effect on handling. Also lowering the rear 1/2 inch would then make the geometry the same as before lowering.

Proceeding with caution is in order though, especially with a new and unfamiliar bike.

I just worry because the bike is so heavy that changing its center of gravity or the way it balances front to back in any way might have some effect.

[sullyjones]

Raised my forks 8mm from standard to increase the steering reponse , made the world of difference with no other issues showing .No high speed shakes , nothing scrapes more .

Would definetly recomend it