Reducing Seat Height

[PlacidoD]

First post. Apologies if covered before but if so I cannot find it:

Acquired a 2012 NTX a couple of months ago. I am 5ft 8" and a 30" inseam so I am challenged a little by the seat height. All is OK until I come to a halt. My footwear is Daytona M-Star so I get an 8 mm raise from the soles. And I have backed off the pre-load (1 turn of 8 on the front and about five clicks from recommended on the rear) but that side stand is a long reach and stopping on an adverse camber or uneven road surface can be interesting!

So how much can I saw off/plane off the plastic seat support blocks? (I am not keen on the idea of carving chunks out of the seat)

P.S. Given that I am new a bit more about me: I ride about 36,000 miles a year and own an 08 plate Honda Deauville NT700 (151, 000 miles), an 08 plate Yamaha FJR 1300 (82,000 miles) as well as the Stelvio acquired with 17k on the clock. I tour Europe regularly plus weekend away in the UK as well as commuting on the Deauville .

Chris

[radguzzi]

Hey Chris,
I too have a Stelvio and I am vertically challenged, same as you 5'-8", 30" inseam.  In my attempt to lower the 2014 NTX, I shaved the seat blocks down but that only reduces by a maximum of about 3/8" and then the seat pan hit the square pegs that locate the rubbers blocks.

Mine also happens to have a lower Matris shock installed and that helps a bit, lowered the fork stanchions up through the triples as well.

Now, being as short as I am, I like to have a feeling of better control when coming to a stop and while backing the Stelvio using only one foot down so I had a local seat maker lower the stock seat by about 3/4" and I wish I had gone ore.  She can further reduce the height by another 1/2" and install a gel pad so I may try that.

So for me, lowering the seat foam was the final option.  At any rate, all the adjustments are worth the ride on the Big Girl.

Best,
Rob

[Brevaman]

The best way to lower seat height is by installing shocks with shorter springs (sprung for your weight).  The pre-load should be used to get the proper "sag" for your weight.  Backing off preload to lower the seat could cause the suspension to bottom out and will reduce ride quality. 
As mentioned, an upholsterer can also shave and carve down the seat but I wouldn't recommend adding back gel on a seat as being worth the comfort re-gain vs. adding height back in.  (The Corbin people have a good explanation for this on their web site.)

If you install shorter shocks, make them short enough that you can keep the seat stock.    Whatever height reduction you gain in the back should be matched by lowering the triples through the forks.  Not the cheapest fix but certainly the best.