Short Legs!

[DontIwish]

Just bought a used Rocket a week ago .... LOVE IT!
My first and foremost problem with my new joy is that it is a little too tall for my extremely short legs.
I found the information here on lowering the front end, and would assume this would need to be done in conjunction with the replacing of the rear shock with a shorter Progressive (or some other type) shock - right? Well, since I just bought the bike, I don't have the $$ for that now.
Triumph sells a low rider seat - but it doesn't sound like it lowers it much and isn't exactly cheap either.
Recommendations anyone?? (besides get a 2nd job and stop being a cheapskate)

The only thing I don't like about the bike so far is the fact the turn signals don't cancel themselves.
My other bike does, so I'm not in the habit of turning them off ... silly, but annoying.

 

[NativeOne]

This may be a quick fix, but possibly a painful one too! Good for cheapskates though! And I have been there and done that! See if you can find someone locally to remove some of the extra padding from the original Triumph seat and that should lower the stock seat a little bit! A pain in the butt solution, but it does work! Then get a second job, put your wife or girlfriend to work, or sell your second bike and use that money for upgrades on the Rocket! :wink:

Native One

 

[Bishop]

My first and foremost problem with my new joy is that it is a little too tall for my extremely short legs.

I hear ya, I'm in the same boat.

I found the information here on lowering the front end, and would assume this would need to be done in conjunction with the replacing of the rear shock with a shorter Progressive (or some other type) shock - right?

I would advise it but I just lowered the rear .5" and haven't done the fronts yet (but I will be). The big problem mentioned here with lowering too much is the lean angle on the side stand changes if you drop it too much so you may have to modify it. The other one obviously is lean angles in a turn. You're going to scrape those hero blobs off pretty quick.

Well, since I just bought the bike, I don't have the $$ for that now.

I would advise getting used to the bike the way it is before doing anything else. When you're ready, suspension and brakes, then worry about power.

Triumph sells a low rider seat - but it doesn't sound like it lowers it much and isn't exactly cheap either.

Don't bother with OEM seats. If you look at Corbins, be advised, the have wider bolsters and if you have short legs, it's going to be a longer reach for you on a Corbin because your legs will be bowed out a little more. This is why I went with the .5" drop in the rear.

The only thing I don't like about the bike so far is the fact the turn signals don't cancel themselves.
My other bike does, so I'm not in the habit of turning them off ... silly, but annoying.

You're gonna have to deal with that. It bugged me too, my 1985 V65 Sabre had self canceling signals (and a gear position indicator) but 20 years later the Rocket doesn't? That after market solutions, as far as I can tell, don't work very well.

 

[step1]

Get yourself some 11.5" 412s proggressive rear shocks .Cheap and really good i recomend them.You got to raise the forks in the yokes as far as they will go.It will handle loads better.Then get some rearsets to compensate for the loss of ground clearance.You can also get a lower seat and there you have it.Dont worry about the ground clearance you just have to hang of it more or do as i do and machine some good flats on the rearset pegs. :wink:

 

[jeepster09]

I have used this company to modify seat, he does awesome job with quick turn around and fair price. 8) Mine cost $40.00 to modify on my old Harley [It's the blue bike seat in his picture on home page.]


http://www.meancitycycles.com/motorcycl ... ations.php

 

[dw_raider]

Just bought a used Rocket a week ago .... LOVE IT!
My first and foremost problem with my new joy is that it is a little too tall for my extremely short legs.

Ok folks I'm about to save you a lot of money and time. Get yourself a comfortable pair of riding boots and head on over to your shoe repair shop and have them add one inch of heel and sole, end of problem. /quote]

You could also speak to Gene Simmons about a pair of his nifty boots but it may cost you

 

[DontIwish]

Good idea's

Thanks for the ideas (well, most of 'em anyway).
The link for the guy to reshape the seat and add memory foam is good.
Much cheaper than the LowRider seat.
And I did have a nasty habit of dragging my feet when coming to a light, so I do need boots ... I'll look for a pair with a thick sole - that might get me 1/2 " higher to start.
The more I ride it the better I like it.
Cornering felt odd at first, but now it just seems natural.

 

[brtr628]

Question for Step 1. What involved in sliding your forks up.

Thanks
Bill

 

[motorat]

i have the same problem....that is triumph ownership and short legs.
i also work for the phone company and wear boots that have a thick sole and 1.5" heel so i can attach my gaffs to climb telephone poles. i have found that my work boots work really well for riding the rt3 with the heel toe shifter.
like these:
http://www.wolverinebootsandshoes.com/P ... m&area&vci

i am also looking at the corbin according to the specs it puts you 1" lower.

 

[Bishop]

i have the same problem....that is triumph ownership and short legs.
i also work for the phone company and wear boots that have a thick sole and 1.5" heel so i can attach my gaffs to climb telephone poles. i have found that my work boots work really well for riding the rt3 with the heel toe shifter.
like these:
http://www.wolverinebootsandshoes.com/P ... m&area&vci

i am also looking at the corbin according to the specs it puts you 1" lower.

Those are almost identical to what I wear every day. Except I have a hole in the top of my left boot from the shifter...