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#1 Alancrab

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Posted 06 April 2017 - 05:33 pm

Hi all - just joined to ask a few questions before diving in. I'm seriously considering buying a 900 but am worried about the seat height. I've sat on one to try but wasn't flat footed, just on the balls of my feet. The suspension seemed hard as it hardly budged when I sat on it. My inside leg is about 29 inch so I suppose my question is will the suspension come down enough or will I need seat carving or lowering kit ?

#2 ChrisG

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Posted 06 April 2017 - 05:42 pm

Sounds like the suspension's set pretty hard, mine drops a reasonable amount when I sit on it, I think you're supposed to be using something like a 1/3 of the total suspension travel when just sat on the bike.  Obviously reducing the preload will increase the sag, but you'd have to be very light to be off the bottom end of the spring rate.

 

You can fit longer dogbones on the suspension linkage for not a lot of cash to drop the bike by an inch or so.


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#3 Favs

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Posted 06 April 2017 - 07:23 pm

Greetings

 

+ wot Chris sed


Single-handedly reviving the Wave.

 

2008 reg. Black TDM 900 ABS

 

 

 


#4 Alancrab

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Posted 06 April 2017 - 07:30 pm

Thanks for the repies - was hoping to gain maybe an inch or so just by having the seat carved but always rode cruisers and maxi scooters up until now so unsure how much I'll gain.

#5 Hombre

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Posted 06 April 2017 - 07:37 pm

With a 31" inside leg, sag set at a third of total travel with me in the saddle and the front yokes dropped 10mm, I reckon I'm just about flat footed on my Niner.


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#6 Studley Ramrod

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Posted 06 April 2017 - 08:18 pm

Hi and welcome.  I've got a 29" inside leg and just about managed on a 9'er.  I did fit longer dog bones for my euro trip which helped me in getting my feet more planted but it does leave the bike with less clearance.  I upped the suspension settings to reduce sag and it worked fine on the smooth tarmac, bit harsh on the rough stuff though.

 

I've also sat on Kelpie's 9'er which has had the seat sculpted, seems a better option imho.


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#7 jiff

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Posted 06 April 2017 - 09:53 pm



..........FWIW........ I'm equally challenged....maybe up to an inch more so.....and on my 850 mk2 ( afaik the same seat height)
I carved the seat myself using an electic carving knife from Argos (£13) and a heavyduty staple gun.....

.............................jobs a carrot

.............................carefully remove existing staples, and vinyl cover, remove existing thin foam top-layer sheet,
carve to desired profile, re-apply top layer, carefully restaple vinyl, starting at tank end,
ensuring symmetry, and sufficient overlap at the back

.............................worked great for me!

also dropped through the forks 10mm , which probably helped a bit,
& also improved turning response (apparently)

As mentioned, on the 900 you also have the option of longer dogbones, (not on the 850)
which seems like a cheap, simple & effective solution)

I don't feel so much of a short-arse now ( at least on the bike!)
though still in search of grippy soles for my boots ( dropped it twice on diesel slicks)

.......Jiff.

#8 Alancrab

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Posted 06 April 2017 - 10:08 pm

Mmmmm lots of options! the seat carving place charges £30 and is just down the road from the dealer so might try a bit of negotiation see if I can get it done before I collect the bike then if its still too tall invest in the dog bones. Thanks for all the advice - if it all comes off I'll be back !!

#9 wicklamulla

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Posted 07 April 2017 - 01:55 am

Hi and welcome.  Don't worry as Alan Eccles managed just fine with his old TDM 900 and he'd be shorter dan yew....


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#10 TDM4ever

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Posted 07 April 2017 - 06:45 am

No need to lower anything. Just a matter of technique...   ;)

 

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#11 ChrisG

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Posted 07 April 2017 - 10:19 am

I took a Buell Ulysses for a test ride some years ago, and the girl who took it out after me was about a foot shorter than me and had to do that every time she stopped :D  Don't think I'd fancy it to be honest.


1992 Mk1, 76k miles, Hagon springs, MTC exhaust, 4½ gears Gone now :(
2009 900 abs, 42k miles, Yamaha heated grips, double bubble screen, R&G crash bungs, scottoiler, Autocom, 1500 lumen LED spotlights.

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#12 James

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Posted 07 April 2017 - 10:17 pm

I took a Buell Ulysses for a test ride some years ago, and the girl who took it out after me was about a foot shorter than me and had to do that every time she stopped :D  Don't think I'd fancy it to be honest.


What was the Ulysses like Chris? I like the look of them and the quirky engineering but haven't ridden one. I considered trading my 900 for a low mile '07 one earlier this year - the dealer offered a really good trade in over the phone. Weather got in the way for a few days and I got cold feet :) I also read up on crank problems on the '07 models but this looked like a late registered '06. The Uly's an itch I might have to scratch :) How did you find it? I take it you didn't buy one.

Edited by Jim, 07 April 2017 - 10:17 pm.

84 Honda XL600R  :)

04 TDM900  :good:

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#13 jiff

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Posted 30 May 2020 - 12:46 pm

I don't feel so much of a short-arse now ( at least on the bike!)
though still in search of grippy soles for my boots ( dropped it twice on diesel slicks)

.......Jiff.

 

Update: Vibram make a variety of chunky add-on soles which, at their various outlets, they will apply to your boots....work great



#14 Gdogg

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Posted 30 May 2020 - 02:57 pm

Or get some of these .....

You can colour match them to your bike !

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Edited by Gdogg, 30 May 2020 - 03:03 pm.

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#15 leehenty

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Posted 30 May 2020 - 03:04 pm

Drop forks 10mm through yokes to compensate if you use longer dog bones
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#16 Studley Ramrod

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Posted 30 May 2020 - 03:07 pm

I don't feel so much of a short-arse now ( at least on the bike!)
though still in search of grippy soles for my boots ( dropped it twice on diesel slicks)

.......Jiff.

 

Update: Vibram make a variety of chunky add-on soles which, at their various outlets, they will apply to your boots....work great

Sounds like a good idea. :good:


Mk2a 2000 in Silver. Top end Refurb @ 41100 miles, Scottoiler, Renthal Road High Bars, Up & Back Bar Risers, Bellypan, DL650 Handguards, Capt. Picard Bar Ends, House of Henty SS Wheel spacers, New Seat Cover Fitted. 58 MPG !!  Now owned by chrisbee !   Studley's mk2a Bloggerydoodaah !  Photos of my first MK1  Photos of my MK2a  TPLQHCSRSFC No. 1 Fan


#17 TKH

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Posted 30 May 2020 - 05:35 pm

If you get a 900 and need dog bones, I've got a pair that someone on here made. They work well enough but I just didn't take to them. You will likely have to modify the side stand. If your new bike has a main stand on it they can catch in corners if you like to lean well into corners  I'm 30 inch inside leg and have little problems. I was on a rider course a couple of years ago and the instructor told everyone not to place both feet flat, and to lean the bike to be supported by your left leg. I don't use both legs much, except when it's windy blowing from my left.


Edited by TKH, 30 May 2020 - 05:37 pm.


#18 dandywarhol

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Posted 31 May 2020 - 10:49 am

Hi and welcome.  Don't worry as Alan Eccles managed just fine with his old TDM 900 and he'd be shorter dan yew....

 

I'll have you know khaaanto my namesake (although my crabs were dealt with :unsure2: ) and I have the same inside leg measurement. My only problem was squashing my nob on the frame filler  :pimp:


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#19 Kelpie

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Posted 06 June 2020 - 07:01 pm

Bit of a late reply but here's my tuppence worth.

 

I have a 27" inside leg (don't laff), and I'm a 30 year old (+100% vat) granny.  I'm on my 3rd TDM in around 12 years and I've only ever dropped one once and that was as I was foolishly parking on a hill and it slipped off the side stand.  Oh no, wait, twice, once on a gravel car park in Pennan 10 years ago, and  it's on Youtube if you want a good laugh. 

 

 

NB - the video is pre-IAM training, I use better road lines now and don't fall over when I turn.  I also avoid gravel car parks.

 

It's all about practise and good planning.  I did the IAM course and went on to be an observer for a few years.  I can't recommend the IAM course highly enough.  My slow speed skills were dire before that so I was lucky not to drop it more often.  I'm used to watching where I stop and making sure my foot isn't going to land in a hole.  I watch out for dodgy cambers and make use of curbs if necessary.  I'm also using a custom Topsellerie seat that's seen me through the whole 12 years and 3 bikes and although it's wasn't a low seat, it's probably pretty squashed now.  That helps a lot.  I tried longer dog bones a couple of years ago at the suggestion of my well-meaning husband.  I detested the handling on the bike when it was lowered.  I changed them back straight away.

 

I also have Daytona MStar boots which are expensive but brilliant.  My first pair last 10 years before the soles started to wear out.  You'll never ever have wet feet with a pair of Daytonas.  Have a look on eBay and buy direct from Germany, much cheaper than UK prices.

 

I have no issue with the height or weight of the bike, even fully loaded.  Although I do struggle to manoeuvre it from the ground these days, unless I'm actually on it.  But that's what husbands are for.   :P

 

Mine's the grey bike (and the fastest).

 

 

 

 

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#20 Robodene

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Posted 06 June 2020 - 07:38 pm

If you fit longer dog bones, you need to reduce the sidestand length by about 3mm minimum. I ground mine down.
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