Lowering stock seat height

Start with the preload on the rear suspension first, set it at the lowest setting that you think you can ride safely or that you like. Then shoes ,then seat before you do anything that you can't change back. You can even try a little less tire pressure, not going below safe levels. Most of us wear off the centers first on tires. A little less pressure would help with that. Being shorter than I am you should weight less than I do at 6' 2" 200 pounds , so you should be able to do with less preload and less air in the tires. But don't go crazy with the tire pressure , to low the ST doesn't like that. It will get really spongy . A quarter of an inch here and there will go a long way. Now if you weight 200 pounds forget everything you just read.
 
Spencer's low seat mod was the most effective solution I found for my ST1300.
 
Is there some place I can see detailed pics of seats and options and learn more about Spencer seats? It sure ain't his site. Unless it's just the style sheets not loading properly.
 
ST Gui said:
Spencer seats
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He takes the factory seat, works his miracles and puts the original cover back on. You can not see the difference, but you can feel the improvement.

He did mine 9 years ago. I have since moved on to a RDL and would still recommend the Spencer mod.
 
I have had my ST for 1 yr now. I am 5'6" 72yrs 145#, 29" inseam. I am just starting to feeling more confident. I bought 2" heel (logger boots), Set suspension, put sergeant seat at lowest point and then forced it farther down beyond the last lowest setting, use the technique of sliding my butt to the left so I could plant my left foot when stopping, ride with no more than three gallons of fuel for a while until you are feeling confident; but the best as has been said is to ride Confidently. This will do you more good than any of the other solutions. I have dropped the ST and it will spook you out and take a little time to regain your confidence.. Ride that ST with confidence and you will be amazed at how quickly us height challenged guys adapt. Also when stopping (landing) that machine be aware of where to land it. We don't have the luxury of long legs ; so think where to stop. It is best to go around than land badly (just like landing a plane). Good luck to you. You will overcome.
 
Kevin_56 said:
You can not see the difference...
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That's good to know. That wasn't possible to discern from the gallery. I really like the looks of the stock seat and as good as some of the aftermarket products may be I'm not all that crazy about the looks.

I might give the Spencer mod a try. I was thinking of getting a Lamm seat but as nice as they look I like the stocker better.
 
Kevin_56 said:
Maybe Stew will chime in on this good question. I can say I TRIED to put his bike on the center stand once. There was no way I could do it.
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Several years back I put a Wilbur lowering shock on my ST, it lowered the bike about 2 1/2 inches, I also dropped the triple tree 1/2 in. I did have to use a shorter side stand. I purchased the Wilbur and side stand from a STer who had traded his bike on a Harley. I have a 29 in inseam so the lowering put both feet on the ground. When I travel by myself I carry a short 2 x 4 with a ramp cut on the end to assist putting the bike on the center stand. If I trip with others I don't carry the 2 x 4.
I also changed seats from The Sargent that came on the bike to a Seth Laam custom seat (best mod ever)!! OK you asked about handling characteristics, The bike handles like a normal ST but I do drag the pegs more than without the lowering effect..Would I ever go back ?? not on your life ! I now have a bike that fits me and no worries about a 700 lb bike on top of me because my tip toe slipped out from under me.
 
I'm 5'7" with a 29" inseam and enjoy riding my ST1300, but need to plan ahead whenever stopping.
These have been tried on my bike to keep the height manageable:
Spencer seat: I sent my stock seat in for modification. Lowered the seat height, but it wasn't comfortable for my backside. I still have it as my backup seat.
Corbin Close Canyon seat: I bought this one used. Comfortable for my backside, comfortable for my back and wrists, lower to the ground, but my wife hated it. The geometry between the Honda top box backrest and the passenger seat pocket don't match up. Sold this one to someone in this group.
Russell Day Long Sport Seat: This is my current configuration. I sent a set of seat pans to Russell to build a Sport Seat, not a Day Long, for my ST1300. The Sport seat can be built lower at the sacrifice of some comfort. The height is not as low as the Corbin or the Spencer, but still manageable. It's comfortable, but I can't rave over it as some do with their Day Long. My backside is no longer the limiting factor in how long I can ride. Passengers are comfortable.
Wilburs shock with shortened travel: Currently installed. No problems with the side stand. Center stand use is tough. Get help or put a plywood shim on the floor first or risk hurting yourself lurching it onto the center stand. I can drag nearly everything on the ground if I'm cranked over HARD in a corner, especially with a passenger. All the plastic under my bike is scratched up, plus the center stand and the pegs. I keep the stock preload cranked up most of the time. With the roads I prefer, my tires tend to wear out on the edges before the middle. Not sure I'd spend the money again on the shock, but a used one popped up here and I gave it a try. Somebody who only commutes or sticks to the slab might not notice the ground clearance issues.

The shortened Wilburs shock with a Russell sport seat is where I've settled for now. Crank up the preload, especially with a passenger, and it's working for me. If you can't stand to touch down once in awhile, don't use a shortened shock.

Lift boots might be the cheapest option to try. That might be next for me.

HTH, Ken
 
RedNHST said:
I just bought a 2005 ST1300A. I am switching from Vtwin Cruiser. I am 5'6" tall, with 29 -30 inch inseam. The stock seat is a little too high for me, I am on my toes when stopped. The seat is already sent on the lowest position. I do not want to put my wife on the back of the bike until I can get both feet firmly flat on the ground. I am reaching out for the collective wisdom of the best ways of lowering the seat height. I found the thread about the Spencer modification, does anyone have any feedback who had that modification done to their bike? Or are there saddles out there that are lower than the stock seat that people might be able to recommend? Any feedback or advice would be greatly appreciated. :confused:
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I have the same inseam and have the same problem when wearing tennis shoes. A good pair of boots does the trick for me. Bates makes a boot with a real sole, heel and all. Happy boot hunting.
 
Southwest Ranger 217 said:
A good pair of boots does the trick for me
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I think that's a good practical place to start and probably least expensive.

Next might be a custom seat with some of the padding removed. Expensive. You could try cutting down the factory seat but I don't know there's much to be gained and it might end up looking like a DIY project.

After that would be a suspension mod with a shorter rear shock being key. A lot of work for some and expensive. Expensive is relative of course.

One other option which might be used in any case anyway — work on your quads. Build them up for more confidence when supporting the ST. There are several riders here with your inseam who are very comfortable with not flat-footing the bike.

Good quads and lots of practice with low-speed maneuvering is a plus anyway and might be enough to mitigate a seat height change. And boots made for ridin'.
 
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