Triumphrat

07-02-2007

I bought the Bonnie for the riding position (okay, and because she's so pretty, she makes my pants a little tight) I like to ride with my back straight and my feet beneath me and my hands nice and relaxed. The only thing that isn't quite perfect about my Bonnie is the seat height. I'm 5'7" on a good day and I have a 28" inseam. I can put both heels on the ground, but with nothing to spare.
I want to lower the standover height about an inch, maybe an inch and a half. I don't ride two up very often, but I don't want a solo seat. Any suggestions from the peanut gallery?

ivar · 07-02-2007

I just put on a Thruxton gel seat on the bike. It is slightly narrower at the front, this should help some.
The height is roughly the same as far as I can see, maybe the thrux seat a little lower, but also a little firmer.

You can also put on shorter rear shocks + drop the forks

vertwrks · 07-02-2007

Have a friend with a Thrux, she took the cover off her seat and carved off a good bit of foam height. Seems there is plenty to spare! It is still cozy. The cover has elastic around the edge so it slips right back over the seat, she still has not stapled it back on and has been riding it for some time.

Just a thought, since you were looking. It is a Thrux so the seat is diff. I think the Thrux seat is better anyhow, at least for me.

MAR · 07-02-2007

Almost all the custom seats(Corbin, Sargent ext) have much better foam than stock. With a custom seat they can make it lower and the seat will still be more comfortable than stock.

If you are still looking for more you can go with a lower rear shock and then slide the triple clamps down the fork tubes. Personally I don't like this because it will effect your ground clearance and if not done correctly it might effect the handling and stability as it will alter the steering geometry.

notyetold · 07-02-2007

I'm 5ft 5in and shrinking every day. Inseam no longer than your's. Sitting on the seat, only my toes are on the ground. I ride 2 up all the time with the wife. As hard as the seat already is, I recommend riding the bike a while longer to see if you adjust to the seat height. If anything, the seat needs more padding, not less.

merlin · 07-02-2007

I'm 5'7 with a 29 inseam.
I see that the bike is an 05 so the seat and suspension are settled in.
Look, us vertically challenged folk (lets be honest SHORT!) can have some real issues with todays bikes many of which tend to be real tall. It can be very limiting. The most limiting aspect though is our attitude. I've just purchase a bike that is much taller than the bonnie - I'm on my tip toes. The absolute limit of my capabilities... or so I thought. With a bit of care and forethought I'm managing just fine. It causes me to be smoother and read the road better before a stop or start - a good thing regardless of height.
So unless your willing to limit yourself to cruiser type bikes for the rest of your riding, open your mind, challenge your skills and a host of new motorcycles will be open to you.
PS --- NO I didn't sell the bonnie - silly goose. It will always be my first love.

Loxpump · 07-02-2007

I'm 5'6" 29-30 inseam and I lowered mine about an inch with -30mm Hagons and slid the fork tubes up and inch or so. Now I flat foot easily.

badrufus · 07-03-2007

I'm 5'7" and I tried the Thruxton gel seat. I was IMO higher than stock, so I'm going to put it on the Classifieds. It wasn't a huge difference, but I don't have any extra inseam to spare. I ride the Triumph solo and like it. It's no higher than the stocker, and much more comfortable.