The ride height of the CBX1000: I want to raise it to secure a greater lean angle.

The ride height of the CBX1000: I want to raise it to secure a greater lean angle.

The ride height should be as high as possible for me. The reason is that I prefer riding a large motorcycle. While smaller motorcycles are easier to control with body weight, I enjoy the feel of a larger machine. I’ve also included a photo that shows my leg length for reference; I’m 179 cm tall.

To clarify, "seat height" refers to the height of the seating position, while "ride height" describes the overall height of the motorcycle. In this blog post, I’ll also discuss how ride height influences the lean angle. One of the main reasons for raising the ride height is to gain a greater lean angle.

When increasing ride height, adjustments are often needed to wheel size, the length of the front forks, or suspension. Seat height and riding position can be adjusted independently without affecting ride height.

Now, let’s get started!

Approach to Ride Height

When discussing "ride height," I'm specifically referring to the height from the ground to the bottom of the frame. Seat height affects the rider's position, and each rider has an ideal height and position.

As for ride height, a lower setting is generally preferable for better straight-line stability and reduced air resistance.

So why are there motorcycles with high ride heights? There are two main reasons. First, a higher ride height is often a result of increasing the lean angle. The second reason is to prevent obstacles from hitting the frame on rough terrain, as seen in off-road bikes.

Is lowering the bike a recent trend?

Recently, I've noticed more women riding 250cc racer replicas. Since around 2018, motorcycle popularity in Japan has been notably rising, though statistics suggest sales haven’t increased dramatically.

When it comes to lowering the suspension on a fully-faired bike, I personally feel some resistance. For American-style bikes, the "low and long" design philosophy makes sense. Adjusting the ride height for comfort and matching your body type is essential, of course. However, for bikes designed for speed, any customization should carefully consider functionality.

Lowering ride height by shortening the suspension isn’t something I’d generally recommend. Using seat modifications, footwear, or slightly raising the front fork can improve reach without sacrificing performance. I often see young women improving foot reach on bikes solely by lowering the suspension. Likewise, I’ve noticed older, returning riders who are particular about lowering. Yet, excessively shortening the rear suspension on bikes made for high performance can carry risks.

As for reach, balancing the bike on one foot is typically sufficient, as police riders rarely use both feet. If you’re concerned about reach, try testing it out next time you’re stopped at a light.

Seat reach on the CBX1000

I’ll include photos of women riding the CBX1000, showcasing individuals around 150 cm tall. They were unable to use the center stand or keep the motorcycle upright. This made it clear that the CBX1000 requires a certain height and strength to handle. The angle of the photos may not be ideal.

Please take a look at the photos showing foot reach on the side stand and the center stand. In contrast, Kawasaki's Z series has a wider seat, which further affects foot reach.

Raise the Ride Height

My CBX1000 has a seat height of 920 mm, compared to the standard CBX1000's height of 810 mm. The increased ride height is due to transplanting the front end from a CB1100F. Additionally, changing the rear suspension to an Öhlins model has further raised the ride height.

I also added extension bolts to the rear suspension, contributing to the height increase. As a result, the center stand cannot be used without modification, and I have also extended the side stand.

This is what happens when the side stand is too short.

When the side stand is too short, the motorcycle leans significantly to one side. Conversely, lowering the bike causes it to stand more upright. If the rear suspension is shortened, it effectively makes the side stand longer.

Excessively shortening the rear suspension may necessitate modifications or changes to the side stand. Even casual suspension swaps or ride height adjustments can lead to these issues, so it's important to be cautious.

Are there any benefits to having a shorter center stand?

A shorter center stand keeps the rear wheel in contact with the ground, making it easy to lift the motorcycle onto the center stand with minimal effort—surprisingly light, in fact. However, this also means that the center stand can easily drop back down, which requires caution.

Personally, I dislike having a shorter center stand. It feels risky to think about it coming off in that state. Additionally, a shorter center stand prevents the rear wheel from spinning, which reduces maintenance convenience.

That said, you can use a board or similar object to raise the height and effectively use a shorter center stand as if it were a normal length. However, in terms of riding a motorcycle, having a center stand does pose disadvantages. It adds weight and affects the lean angle.

The ride height of the CBX1000: I want to raise it to secure a greater lean angle.【summary】

I've heard that having a ride height that's too high can cause issues. However, I haven't experienced any problems with my CBX1000. It’s possible that I'm simply not aware of any issues. The ride quality of a motorcycle can greatly change based on the front and rear height balance.

The stiffness of the suspension and the angle of the front forks also make a significant difference. A poor riding position can make the motorcycle difficult to handle. Sometimes, motorcycle operations can become strenuous or complicated. Even if you change the handlebars or footpegs, it doesn't guarantee an improvement in the riding position. However, older motorcycles tend to show a strong tendency to improve with such changes.

When it comes to improving riding position, it can be hard to visualize the effects before making adjustments. Yet, once changed, it’s immediately noticeable whether it’s better or worse. Generally, it tends to get better. Changing wheel sizes or adjusting the ride height through the front forks or rear suspension without considering cornering can negatively impact the motorcycle's performance.

When changing the ride height, it's essential to proceed with caution regarding handling. As the ride height increases, you may find yourself less concerned about lean angles. However, if you excessively adjust the height for looks, you risk making the motorcycle difficult to ride, so be careful.

For those looking to ride a CBX1000 in the future, it’s important to consider your strength and body type. If you lack the necessary physique or strength, it can create stress when riding the motorcycle. However, if you focus too much on such concerns, you might never ride at all. Prioritizing the purchase of the motorcycle you want is essential.

See you again!