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Regret getting the lowered suspension?

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#22 · (Edited by Moderator)
Remember, the bike has 3 preload settings: low, dynamic & high (not sure those are the exact labels). I'm 5'8" 30 inch inseam. I've got the low suspension 1250gs. Since I'm not tall, I can't compare but with thick-soled boots; I'm good in low & dynamic. The high setting, not so much, but I imagine it'd be fine for your size and riding style. If you love the bike in question, have them start it up and run through those settings to see how they work fur you.
 
#23 · (Edited by Moderator)
I’m 5’5” and ride a 17 low GS. I am used to riding a 08 GS, not lowered, and a 14 RT, not lowered. I can tell no difference in clearance (I‘m a 100% street rider). In fact, of the 12 bikes I’ve owned, this 17 is the best suspension ever, hands down. I ride with lots of GS jockeys all the time, and though you are tall enough for the standard height, I have tall friends on standard GSAs that would buy a lowered GSA next time. Very personal decision, but unless you’re going to ride lots of rough terrains, clearance will not be a problem.
 
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#24 ·
I rode an F800GT for a number of years, then traded in for a new R1250GSA with lowered suspension recently. Night and day difference in suspension. So much more comfortable. Felt more comfortable on the lower suspension model in city driving but there was no difference once you got going. In fact, would say that the non-lowered rode slightly smoother yet because of that extra inch or so in the suspension even in town.

I'm 5' 8" with 30" inseam and I debated back and forth. If I were to do it again, likely I would not get the lowered model.
 
#25 ·
Gasoline said:
My reasoning was that I am not planning on doing any tough off road riding, so I didnt think I would need the standard suspension. Also, I thought it would be important to be able to flat foot if I could.
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Same reasoning here- plus I'm real lazy (probably should of gotten a spyder) besides lowered, bike came with the lowered seat that I have the front in high and the rear in low setting- I was told from the snotty GS yocals that the bike lowered handles like shit, it's squirrly, and don't take road imperfections well.... ummm ok

I tell ya​
  • The bike rides as if it was on a cloud, ride hands free for miles, no back aches after a 300+ mile day.
  • Hang and carve with the power rangers on any given curve tight or wide... (but of course get killed on straights)
  • Harley riders comment that I'm angry when I enter parking lots (not really sure what they mean by that)
  • S/T riders tell me I ride it like a dirt bike and have to much fun on it (Well, I do)
  • fire roads by me are relatively smooth with an occasional 12"- 15" drop, mild whoops, deepish holes that always hold water or mud, deep sand (Which I honestly hate)....and my lowered GSA just chugs along just fine W/O bottoming out
  • leave the suspension on Auto
  • Traction turned off (seems more alive with this off)
  • mostly ride in Dynamic mode
  • Road mode reserved for slab work or city
  • Barely use Enduro mode not unless on tighter back roads with asphalt whoops and choppy terrain
  • I may have used rain mode once... in the rain
I have a 30" inseam and had tallish bikes in the past ranging from a 13 MTS Pikes Peak, WR250R, and a Beta 500 RS.... which all I can almost flatfoot...and riding them was not a problem...but as i mentioned I'm just that lazy.. good luck with your choice, honestly don't think you can make a wrong choice with your inseam
 
#26 ·
I’m 5’9” and rode both. And I bought the 2020 GS Exclusive low suspension. For me the Lowered suspension handled way better than std, as it just felt more nimble (center of mass is lowered). And per my plan, I put on a Sargent Seat which lifted seat height a little and it’s perfect. I also lowered the foot pegs .5” to relax knee bend. Think about the after market seat you might put on which usually raises the seat height. I also mostly tour on it, but I can ride up over a curb without issue. BTW - the Sargent seat can adjust to low or high setting just like stock seat for more fine tuning. I leave it low, but you might go high setting. I think it’s about an inch difference. I rode ~1,600 miles last week on mine from Atlanta to Lake Erie and back. I never got sore once. The GS just continues to amaze me.
 
#28 ·
Gasoline said:
New here, but I am getting pretty close to pulling the trigger on a new 1250 gsa with lowered suspension. I am 6'1 with a 32" inseam and I could probably handle the standard suspension okay. Would I regret getting the lowered suspension? I intend this mostly as a tourer, and daily driver bike. I love to explore the rural "paved goat tracks" and gravel roads nearby. But, no hard core off road stuff is in my future. I dont have any interest in that stuff!
Any advice would be appreciated!
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I have the lowered version and often ride on rural gravel roads no complaints here, but I'm 5'8" with 30" inseam, so the lowered version was essential.
 
#29 ·
Gasoline said:
New here, but I am getting pretty close to pulling the trigger on a new 1250 gsa with lowered suspension. I am 6'1 with a 32" inseam and I could probably handle the standard suspension okay. Would I regret getting the lowered suspension? I intend this mostly as a tourer, and daily driver bike. I love to explore the rural "paved goat tracks" and gravel roads nearby. But, no hard core off road stuff is in my future. I dont have any interest in that stuff!
Any advice would be appreciated!
Click to expand...
No, no! I am 5'9" with a 29" and rode the 2018 GS standard suspension on and off road - it was a perfect fit! I sat on the lowered suspension model in the showroom and found it way too low adn the clearance for off-road is less. The height was perfect, the weight was about 150 lbs more than ideal.
 
#31 ·
Gasoline said:
New here, but I am getting pretty close to pulling the trigger on a new 1250 gsa with lowered suspension. I am 6'1 with a 32" inseam and I could probably handle the standard suspension okay. Would I regret getting the lowered suspension? I intend this mostly as a tourer, and daily driver bike. I love to explore the rural "paved goat tracks" and gravel roads nearby. But, no hard core off road stuff is in my future. I dont have any interest in that stuff!
Any advice would be appreciated!
Click to expand...
As an instructor of adv riding, I would recommend you stick with the standard suspension. For your height, I think it will affect your taller ergonomics/clearance if you decide to enjoy more off-road in the future. Also, it's not paramount that you become flat-footed with both feet while seated. I teach my students to go one foot flat and your other hamstring across the seat when you stop if inseam is an issue. It becomes second nature after 1 day of practice. I believe it's more of a psychological security issue and means nothing when you're riding 99.99% of the time. (Some of the best riders I've seen happened to have shorter inseams, and standard suspension wasn't an obstacle in the least.) Also, I believe you'll have more knee bend with lowered suspension, and for some, it makes your knees more sore when pounding slab.
 
#33 ·
I’m 5’7” with a 28” inseam. I have the lowered suspension and love it. I would have to take a running jump to mount the bike with the standard suspension! 🤣🤣🤣. But for you, probably standard will give you more clearance to jump over stumps and boulders, like that’s what we do all the time! 😂😂😂
 
#34 ·
A skill every motorcyclist should have is the ability to comfortably ride a bike that is too tall in the saddle to reach the ground with both feet. Without that skill you eliminate a host of very worthy bikes from consideration. Most dirt bikes and many sport bikes are in that category for some of us. It's a skill that's easy to learn - maybe a bit worrisome at first, but it comes quickly.

I also own a WR250R with standard height suspension and a low Seat Concepts seat and I can't come close to getting both feet down on that bike. If I think about it later, I'll try to get a video of how I mount up on it hanging off one side. Nothing too gymnastic and easy to do even in a tight spot. OK, it's not a nearly 600lb bikeapotomus but the same thought applies.
 
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#35 ·
With the suspension on low setting I can flat foot the bike (5'10") Also the new side stand is more upright and that makes a big difference. My 2009 side stand leaned the bike over too far and that was an issue for me on ocassion. I also looked at the lowered GSA but it didn't feel right. Glad I went with the standard model.
 
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#36 ·
Gasoline, I think what most people are missing, except a few, is that 6'1" with short inseam is not the same as 6'1" with say a 34 or longer. Short torso long legs can do a normal height GS/GSA but long torso short legs leaves you on the ball of your feet, even with all lowered seat adjustments and ride adjustments. I would ride both and decide if you like being flat footed or not. Have fun...
 
#38 ·
Gasoline said:
New here, but I am getting pretty close to pulling the trigger on a new 1250 gsa with lowered suspension. I am 6'1 with a 32" inseam and I could probably handle the standard suspension okay. Would I regret getting the lowered suspension? I intend this mostly as a tourer, and daily driver bike. I love to explore the rural "paved goat tracks" and gravel roads nearby. But, no hard core off road stuff is in my future. I dont have any interest in that stuff!
Any advice would be appreciated!
Click to expand...
My R12gs had lowered and when I upgraded the suspension components I went with standard. I too am 6'1" and standard suspension is great. Does the 1250gsa come with the custom wedge-seat? Mine was like a cheap hotel, first thing to go.
 
#40 ·
GrayBeard said:
A skill every motorcyclist should have is the ability to comfortably ride a bike that is too tall in the saddle to reach the ground with both feet. Without that skill you eliminate a host of very worthy bikes from consideration. Most dirt bikes and many sport bikes are in that category for some of us. It's a skill that's easy to learn - maybe a bit worrisome at first, but it comes quickly.

I also own a WR250R with standard height suspension and a low Seat Concepts seat and I can't come close to getting both feet down on that bike. If I think about it later, I'll try to get a video of how I mount up on it hanging off one side. Nothing too gymnastic and easy to do even in a tight spot. OK, it's not a nearly 600lb bikeapotomus but the same thought applies.
Click to expand...
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