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With your weight it's no wonder the suspension is killing you. I'm about 55 lbs heavier and had exactly the same issue. First, try backing the preload all the way off....that is to say, loosen the shock collars until they are just barely putting pressure on the spring. When you sit on the bike the suspension should compress about 25%. Since the total travel on the rear is 100mm you should look for 25mm, about 1", of sag when you sit on the bike. I'm assuming you know how to measure sag. I find it easier to use the metric scale when doing this, it's more precise. Even if you get the sag in the correct range I fear that the shocks will still be pretty stiff, mine were. The OEM shocks cannot be rebuilt to change the dampening. That's one reason to look for aftermarket shocks. Then you get the spring that matches your weight as well as valving to suite both your weight and riding style.As for the inseam, I have 32" inseam and am actually a bit cramped on the V7. Double check your inseam. My wife is your height and hers is 29". You can gain some advantage by having the nose of your seat shaved on the sides. Then, if you slide fwd on the seat your legs might easily reach the ground. FWIW, I cannot paddle my Stelvio backwards uphill due to the seat height. You are not the only one feeling the frustration. I'm just very careful where I stop and don't mind getting off the bike when I have to push it.
Why not go back to the dealer and ask them why they didn't lower it? They should be interested in helping as many customers as possible. It's not like they are busy selling bikes.
Also I'm particularly interested in hearing from smaller folks around my height/weight if possible. Not being discriminative, but a lot of the posts I've seen thus far are very helpful, but the guys posting weigh 80-100 lbs more than I do, so it's hard for me to discern if the same advice would apply for me. Dang, for a first-time post, this is rather long.
I can suggest two upholstery shops in Hagerstown that can probably help with the seat. Warren at Hagerstown Auto Interiors http://hagerstownautointeriors.com/ cut down and reupholstered my Cagiva Elefant seat and the guys at Perfect Stitch Upholstery http://www.perfect-stitch.biz/ do excellent work as well. Can the front forks be raised up in the triples trees a bit as well as dialing out the rear shock preload? That might get it down to a manageable height without seat alteration.
I'd second the comment about lowering the front by moving the forks up. stock there should be about 2mm fork tube pretruding. you can change that but not to much. Go to about 10mm? Also worth trying a lowered gel seat before you buy. try riding out to a dealer who has a bike in and sitting a stride that.
you'll most likely bottom out when the preload is all the way out (over G bumps).
You would think that, right? Well, not these folks. I was actually told if I didn't want the bike they could sell it immediately so it was very "take it or leave it". I was basically told they didn't need my business. Nonetheless, I took it, and immediately found a great dealer to do my warranty service work. These folks are really great people. Their advice was to let the bike break in a bit, and when I go in for 4,000 mile service maybe go with different shocks and upgrade springs in the forks. But to be honest if I decide to go that route, I'll do it myself.
Not so. The spring will still have the same amount of resistance as it compresses all the way. Backing off on preload merely reduces the initial resistance a bit. In this case the rider probably won't be much better off with zero preload but it's a free path to take just to explore possibilities with minimal expense.
Thank you guys for all the help and suggestions. This has been a learning experience. I said I wanted to buy a brand new bike, thinking that I wouldn't have to screw with it and it would be perfect out of the box, yet here we are. haha!
Just saw an ad from Moto international....th ey have a kit to lower your bike two inches, $600...
As far as the seat issue, I suggest that you call Russell Day Long seats. They make great seats and are a wonderful company to deal with.
In regard to the ergonomics of the seat, the V7 seat is shaped for the lines of the bike, not for the person riding it.First, left to right side, the seat has a convex shape, and that shape wants to drive itself like a wedge up into your pelvis, and second, because of this shape, it does not have the supportive width for your pelvis, and your lower back and butt take a beating because of this.
As far as the seat issue, I suggest that you call Russell Day Long seats. They make great seats and are a wonderful company to deal with. If they can't help you, I bet they can refer you to someone who can. Getting the ergonomics right is essential and makes your riding experience safer and joyful. My .02
And many of us modify whatever bike we get to fit us. I have always changed the seat on my bikes, either by redoing them myself or buying a custom seat. My Honda NT700 I bought a Russell and it was a dream for longer distance riding. I did the T5 seat myself and it is now comfortable to me over long distances as well. I was also able to lower my seating position over an inch.I also change handlebar height and position to suit me. I have shorter legs and long arms so nothing fits me 'out of the box'. I find bar position to be very important to how your back reacts to riding. Contrary to some logic, you may need to lean more forward to make your back feel better on a ride, so try out several positions.Last, you may also find that you may benefit from a small windscreen on the bike to relieve pressure on your chest. Also very personal kind of thing. I like large fairings/windscreens, some like none.Good luck.
