Extending front forks?

[Chop1961]

Hi all. New to this forum and new to my lastest toy. Just bought a 1400 mainly to use as a big miles bike, it has come set up well for me with most of the good gear on it. I have a couple of small issues with it which is making it a tad uncomfortable, after 100 klm i want to get back on me Cbf1000. I am 6'4 and 120 kg and the Cbf is a tad small but still a very smooth bike to ride. On the other hand the 1400 feels just right in size and width. One problem with the 1400 is i keep sliding down onto the tank, i feel like the front forks need to be an 1" or so over. Looking at the bike from the side it does not sit level, it sits nose down.So was wondering if anyone else has felt this as well? I have read up on it and can find fork extenders for quiet a few other bikes but nothing on the 1400 as yet, hence this post. I will try and send a picture, the seat in the picture has been removed with an original refitted, thanks

[Speedy1959]

Just a thought..
Why not consider uprated fork springs?
A lot of Japanese bikes suffer from soggy springs..

[KiwiCol]

Gidday Chop1961, nice to have you along.  Where abouts are you in Australia? We've got members in WA and SA to Queensland. Depending where you are determines your options to a large extent.


Us 'well bodied (130Kg & 6'5")' riders do tend to side into the tank.  It's the seat not the forks, which is why it probably had the aftermarket seat fitted.  I've had mine modified & had a gel insert added. I lowered the profile (made it flatter) with a more pronounced (than standard) step up to the passenger seat.  Works for me, although the bloke made it too long in the riders seat area, but that's another story.

@grog has a very good modded seat fitted to his, he's in Brisbane / Sunshine Coast way I think.  He'd be able to steer you in the right direction if you're in that area too.



Other guys use an Airhawk and or Sheepskin.

[T 24]

I had the same feeling with the original seat, so I removed the original seat cover, added some more foam to the front end of the seat and riveted the seat cover back.
Now it works fine with me.

[mlivkovich]

Reshape std or buy custom seat and set suspension for your weight and riding style and maybe add handlebar risers 

[Chop1961]

Thanks mate, i just left seat with people yesterday to pretty well do as you just said, fingers crossed. I do FIFO work so will find out when i get back how it goes. How do you go with being 6"5 riding the bike, do you get cramped up a bit with the footpegs? I ordered some 30mll lowering pegs from Germany which just turned up but a bit unsure weather to fit them as im not sure if i can adjust the brake leaver down to match (i will need to get down with me glasses on and have better look) its an age thing 😎 but i have fitted 25mm handlebar rises which did help, thanks mate. Sorry, forgot to add that yes in Australia

[shanered6]

Hi there welcome to the forum    , Its horses for courses realy i have the original seat on mine and get on well with it although i do tend to slide forward a bit but not enough for me to change it .

[Andre]

A couple more things to check. Have the stanchions been lowered through the yoke? Are the shocks extended with a jack-up kit? Rear tire should be 190/50, some put a 190/55 on which will lift the rear.

The original seat height is 790 mm. Your custom seat? May want to bring it up 20-30mm besides taking out the slant.

[grog]

Chop, glad to see you on here. get seat and forks sorted, youll enjoy. custom seat and forks on mine, i never move an inch. mrs used to slide into me, on bike i mean, nowhere else much , sheepskin cured that . sheepskin no good for kiwis, would be pulled over cuddling it. 

[Chop1961]

Thanks for all the replys, have been in air but will respond asap, just landed and seen the replys, good stuff

[KiwiCol]

Yeah, I get cramped up occasionally in hip joints. But being 'bike fit' helps a lot, so does stretching & flexing exercises. When I get that, I just stretch my leg (whichever one it is) out in front for a bit, it goes away most of the time.

[gsxbarmy]

It's why I bought a Triumph Explorer, no more camping or stretching needed   

[seth]

@Chop1961
Ask @Blubber how he gets on as he's the tallest person I know and he seams ok on his gsx1400.

[mlivkovich]

@Chop1961
Ask @Blubber how he gets on as he's the tallest person I know and he seams ok on his gsx1400.

Hope he's not as tall as I am. If he is, I know his pain

[seth]

I'm 5'11"
Blubber is standing next to me