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lowering the adventure sport.

41K views 40 replies 27 participants last post by  fireman.peter 
#1 ·
Has anyone lowered the adventure sport. I was thinking about the kouba link. I don't want to install the low seat as i like the ridding position with the stock seat in the low position. As far as I can tell the link from the CRF1000L will fit. I tried searching the forum for this topic, but no luck. I am new to this site. I installed a kouba link on a 2004 CRF250x and really liked it.
 
#3 ·
I talked with Kouba, they haven't looked into the adventure sports model yet, but they told me to check the honda parts fische, if the ATAS uses the same rear link as the regular AT, it will work fine, they did mention that you shouldn't lower the front forks my more that a particular amount, I believe 7/8th inch.
 
#5 ·
Try Soupy's

The lowering link from Soupy's has worked for me on a 2017 AT DCT. I like the way it is made, well engineered and easily adjustable with two wrenches. For only $150 I recommend this solution. I also lowered the front one inch and took one inch out of the factory center stand.
 
#14 ·
Not nesseserily strange. I would expect that many people appreciate the bigger tank and the aesthetics of a "bulkier" bike but still need it to be shorter.

This is what I would have done. It never crossed my mind to buy the standard AT. Seems to small for my taste. But the ATAS stroke me at a heartbeat. If its height would have been an issue for me, I would have still bought it and lowered it.
 
#16 ·
I’m in this situation now. Yes I bought the ATAS mainly because of the large tank, the other stuff was just a bonus. I knew I was going to have a problem with the height so at this point I ordered the seat concepts to reduce the height and see where that puts me. If I need additional I will decide between the lowered links or suspension spring upgrades that brings it down an inch.
 
#19 ·
I am looking at the Krooz, Soupys, Kouba, and T-Rex kit. The soupys kit seems like the least expensive and most adjustable option, but I have had Heim joints on a ride before and when they get wet a few times they start squeaking like crazy.

I would like to lower the bike to the point that the regular center stand I have fitted will work well. Currently, the wheels do not leave the ground unless the rear of the bike is on a slight decline. I am assuming that is roughly 1-1.5". Thoughts?
 
#22 · (Edited)
I lowered mine with a Lust Racing shorter shock. Also dropped the forks a bit.
All good so far (only had it a month).

I find the side stand is too long when riding with a passenger and when parked up the bike is to upright - I mean scary upright.
Going to test side stand off of the standard model. It's about 20mm shorter.

Will let ya know how it goes.
 
#25 ·
I have dropped my bike twice in the last week on uphill right hand turn stops where I put my foot down to stop and there is no ground. I'm 5'11 and wearing tall boots. There are just some things you don't expect. Unfortunately, that was twice for me.

I am looking at the krooz tune kit for my ATAS as it comes with a sidestand- is the 50mm drop kit overkill? I'd prefer to cry once and if it lowers it enough I can move the seat to the high position. The soupys kit might be okay, but I really don't want to fiddle with adjusting it and I hate heim joints.

On another note, the bike has no damage but a small scuff on the factory engine guard. I'm impressed. And embarrassed.

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#30 · (Edited)
Thought I'd jump in on this thread having just installed the KOUBA LINK on my 18 ATAS. I'm 6' with a 33" inseam. I'm now just at heels down in street boots. I did not adjust fork height. It feels like I've dropped about 1" in height with the rear pre-load and about "four twists" (not revolutions). Geometry seems the same as before with good low speed handling and same turn in. I run the seat at the low position around town especially with a load. On longer trips I take the seat to the high position to open my riding triangle. Very Happy with the KOUBA LINK. Side stand is fine on the flat garage slab but you have to pay attention to terrain / slope etc. out and about. Also, the center stand now takes more effort to get the bike up. Easy install if you have not already installed a center stand. My Outback Motortek Center Stand had to be pulled to get the link in place. All in all the result is exactly what I wanted / expected. Plus, the link looks amazing... ;)
 

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#31 ·
I went through the same thing but with the KroozTune kit. It came with front spacers, lowering link, and a shorter kickstand.

The kickstand allows the bike to actually sit on the side (park it anywhere, less anxiety, but boy do you feel the weight getting it off the stand). The front spacers were put in by a suspension shop to have the front match the back. I rode on the lowering link for awhile and had the front of the bike really high and the rear was down 1.25 inches. It was weird, sluggish to steer, and looked awful.

Now I have the bike where I want it after getting the stock Africa Twin seat- it has a deeper pan that took me down a little over another inch. That 2.5 inches makes a huge difference when walking the bike in gravel parking lots on an incline or when I am an idiot and forget I parked downhill and can't drive out.

The only draw back is the enormous effort needed to get the bike on the centerstand. I got lucky and the dealer installed the wrong centerstand (they installed the one for the regular AT) which actually ended up working out, but **** is it borderline impossible to lift now. The dealer can't do it. My suspension guy can't do it. My mechanic can't do it. I can't do it. My buddy can, though, but he's a dick.

Anyway, here is the ride height:



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#38 ·
I've fitted the same kit. The garage cut and welded the centre stand too. The kit came with steel inserts that go in the cut section of the stand and strengthen the weld areas. Like you, I changed the seat to the standard AT one.
I'm 6ft, but only tall from the waist up.
In answer to the question, why buy an ATAS and lower it? Looks, taller screen and bar risers, heated grips and the 30th aniversary paint did it for me
 
#32 ·
Has anyone lowered the front forks 25mm and then used the lower seat to get the ride height lower?
Looking at a Zeta lowering link, adjustable from 5-25mm up or down.
Problem I have is I can flat foot one side or the other but not both at once.
Looking for the simpliest and most practical solution.
There is a lowering kit, shock, coil over side stand and link, but that is a $1000.00 retro fit.
The Zeta link is Australia $314.00
I can vouch for Honda's big front bars, they stopped any damge when bike has gone down on both sides, never dropped bike before, this is embarrasing.
 
#34 ·
I spoke to my specialist suspension in Adelaide . He told me he has done 3 so far. My weight is 140 Kg. He is adjusting both front and back shocks valves ets . The side stand will be reduced to allow the 40mm drop. Dog bone links are a stupid idea. Cost was approx $1100 AU. I lost the bike for 3 days.
 
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