Short Stelvio?

[Peter949]

I wanted to ask the group if anyone has been able to successfully lower a Stelvio to fit a 5'6" rider with a 29" inseam. I did purchase a used 2012 Stelvio, adjusted the suspension to full soft, and even slide up the fork tubes about 1 inch - but it still felt way too high to be comfortable. The dealer kindly took it back.

Does the shorter Griso shock fit, or has anyone purchased a lower seat for the Stelvio? There are a few $10,500 used Stelvio models for sale here in Toronto - and I would like to purchase a 2014 or 2015 model to update from my old 84 Cali II with 110,000 kilometers. 

Thanks ...

[Scott of the Sahara]

That is why I purchased the Norge. On a good day I have a 28" inseam. I can put my feet down safely wearing boots, on the Norge. I was wanting to ride with my wife on the back and I needed to be able to be safe at an intersection.
I have had the Norge since 2010, still happy with it at 32,000 miles.

[Lannis]

I lowered my Stelvio.   All it took was a crown on the road, or a bit of a pothole in the wrong place and suddenly there's no place to put your foot, or traction becomes marginal for your boot, and over goes the whole thing.    I know that some people say that as long as they can tiptoe on one side, that's all they need and a tall bike is nothing to worry about, but that's not me.

(In the extreme, you could be like the guy in the viral video who is VERY short, like 3+ feet tall [and I don't know the proper modern term for that condition, but all I know is that he was a hell of a man], and would hop off the seat to the left side every time he had to stop, and ran next to the bike and hopped back on every time he started ... so you can put up with ANYthing and get used to it, but I don't like it if I don't have to).

So I had a custom seat made, and ordered a 1-1/2" shorter rear shock, along with new front springs and spacers from GuzziTech, and lowered the fork tubes in the clamps accordingly, and carry a 5/4" piece of flooring board 6" long in the bottom of the pannier in case I want to use the centerstand on the road (seldom), and NOW I can flat-foot both sides on the ground.

Much better and haven't dropped the bike at a stop since, because I have more margin for unexpectedly bad conditions ....

Lannis

[Archangel]

I was able to lower my seat by reshaping the foam. I have 31" inseam and can now just about flat foot it. Here's the link:  http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=69108.msg1069356#msg1069356

[Peter949]

Thank you Lannis for the information about the custom rear shock and fork springs. It is nice to know that these modifications have been successfully completed. 

[smdl]

Hi, Peter.

I also successfully lowered my Stelvio to suit my 29.5" inseam.  I used a lower Matris shock from GuzziTech, and custom fork springs.  That said, a Griso shock would likely work fine, and I know others have used this method.  Some have also been able to slide the fork tubes up in the triple clamps, but I needed a heavier spring anyway, so didn't go that way.  It's very do-able.  Wish I could just let you hop on my bike to try it, but it's a little far away for that now.  😉

You might consider chatting with John or Ron at Accelerated Technologies.  They did the work on my Stelvio, and know what they are doing. A good part of their work is lowering bikes, and they like to work with stock components first if practical.

Good luck!
Shaun

[rocker59]

Does the shorter Griso shock fit, 

Thanks ...

Yes.  Many Stelvios have received the shorter Griso shock to make the bikes lower.

[Socalrob]

Hi, Peter.

I also successfully lowered my Stelvio to suit my 29.5" inseam.  I used a lower Matris shock from GuzziTech, and custom fork springs.  That said, a Griso shock would likely work fine, and I know others have used this method.  Some have also been able to slide the fork tubes up in the triple clamps, but I needed a heavier spring anyway, so didn't go that way.  It's very do-able.  Wish I could just let you hop on my bike to try it, but it's a little far away for that now.  😉

You might consider chatting with John or Ron at Accelerated Technologies.  They did the work on my Stelvio, and know what they are doing. A good part of their work is lowering bikes, and they like to work with stock components first if practical.

Good luck!
Shaun

Be careful about sliding fork tubes up in the triple clamps.  A KTM suspension guy pointed out to me that when fully compressed the front suspension did not have much clearance. Sliding the tubes up can create a negative clearance with the result that if you bottom out the front suspension you can cause the front wheel to lock as it hits the fender.  Not sure this applies to Guzzis, but personally I would be exceptionally careful raising the tubes more than around 1/2 an inch.

You can experiment by using a ratchet strap to fully compress the suspension, but keep in mind that the reason these bikes are so tall is the suspension travel and the manufacturer knows many want them shorter, so they don't build in any more clearance than is required, and the only real way to lower them is to cut the suspension travel (which am about to do with my KTM.  I think I can live with 8inches of travel instead of the stock 10 inches, and as I get older I am just tired of living day to day with a skyscraper bike.)
Suspension guy recommends lowering the bike properly by rebuilding the forks and rear shocks, which keeps the geometry of the bike stock, just lower.  The factory puts a lot of effort into providing us with bikes that handle safely and are not overly subject to say tank slappers, and don't turn in too quickly or too slowly.

Anyway,must a thought.

[hauto]

Not a Stelvio,but I lowered my Quota by machining a shorter shock link in conjunction with dropping the forks 5mm. These changes along with a cut down seat made all the differance.

[Lannis]

Be careful about sliding fork tubes up in the triple clamps.  ......

Suspension guy recommends lowering the bike properly by rebuilding the forks and rear shocks, which keeps the geometry of the bike stock, just lower.  The factory puts a lot of effort into providing us with bikes that handle safely and are not overly subject to say tank slappers, and don't turn in too quickly or too slowly.

Anyway,must a thought.

Yes!   There are a lot of bikes with dents in the fenders, and a lot of guys have fallen when their suspension unexpectedly bottomed when they didn't pay attention to full-travel on the forks.

Even when you lower the front and rear suspensions equally, you are still changing the suspension geometry (see diagrams of definition of "trail").   

But I can say from experience that on the Stelvio, when you do it right, paying attention to front springs, spacers, clearance, and rear shocks, it doesn't mess up anything and makes it easier to ride.   If you don't already have a trusted suspension guy, Todd at Guzzitech will help.

Lannis

[Socalrob]

Yes!   There are a lot of bikes with dents in the fenders, and a lot of guys have fallen when their suspension unexpectedly bottomed when they didn't pay attention to full-travel on the forks.

Even when you lower the front and rear suspensions equally, you are still changing the suspension geometry (see diagrams of definition of "trail").   

But I can say from experience that on the Stelvio, when you do it right, paying attention to front springs, spacers, clearance, and rear shocks, it doesn't mess up anything and makes it easier to ride.   If you don't already have a trusted suspension guy, Todd at Guzzitech will help.

Lannis

Todd is sorting my V7iii suspension.  Per his recommendation I will end up with Matris on both ends and Todd will personally dial it in.  Looking forward to it, believe me.

[rocker59]

Be careful about sliding fork tubes up in the triple clamps.  A KTM suspension guy pointed out to me that when fully compressed the front suspension did not have much clearance. Sliding the tubes up can create a negative clearance with the result that if you bottom out the front suspension you can cause the front wheel to lock as it hits the fender.  Not sure this applies to Guzzis, but personally I would be exceptionally careful raising the tubes more than around 1/2 an inch.
 

Stelvio is like all other street bikes and has the fender attached to the fork sliders, so clearance between wheen and fender does not change throughout the suspension's travel.

That KTM must've had a dirtbike fender attached at the lower triple clamp.

[Socalrob]

Stelvio is like all other street bikes and has the fender attached to the fork sliders, so clearance between wheen and fender does not change throughout the suspension's travel.

That KTM must've had a dirtbike fender attached at the lower triple clamp.

You are correct.  I guess on the KTM it is more critical as the fender could cause the wheel to lock.  From what you say, one the Stelvio, you would just be bottoming the bike on the fender - bad - but not a critical failure.

I had put a one inch lowering link on my KTM, and was going to drop the triple about 3/4" when my KTM guy, George, at ESP Suspension in La Crescenta, CA, railed on to me how he does not like the lowering links and the dangers of dropping the triple.  He will charge me about $800 to respring the bike and cut the suspension and side stand down 2 or so inches.  I just have not got around to doing it.

[rocker59]

  From what you say, on the Stelvio, you would just be bottoming the bike on the fender - bad - but not a critical failure.
 

you would have to lower a Stelvio a long way before front fender/wheel interference would occur.

[Socalrob]

you would have to lower a Stelvio a long way before front fender/wheel interference would occur.

I would have thought the same thing on my KTM, but when my KTM guy compressed the suspension all the way there was very little clearance.  The more clearance at full compression there is, the taller the bike is than it needs to be.  Hence, better check, as there is little reason for the manufacturer to have excess height in an already tall bike.