Is Lowering a Motorcycle Bad? 5 Things to Know

Lowering a motorcycle is a technique many riders use to upgrade their ride. It can make it easier to balance the bike, which benefits shorter riders at red lights. A lowered bike adds a level of comfort to motorcycle riders that would otherwise have to tip over to reach the floor. However, this action may not be as good as you think.

If you’re interested in learning if lowering a motorcycle is a bad idea, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn about five reasons why lowering a bike might not be the best choice for you, even if you’re not tall enough to reach the ground at a stop sign. Is lowering a motorcycle bad? Let’s jump right in.

Obstructions Are More Difficult to Tackle

When you lower your motorcycle, obstructions in the road can be difficult to deal with by yourself. 

Since you are lower to the ground, it might not be possible to go over certain items that were once a piece of cake to cross. You will need to carefully monitor your surroundings with this change.

Some of the obstructions you might have trouble with on the road include:

• Potholes
• Speedbumps
• Cracks

These are hard to navigate with a motorcycle at regular height, and the difficulty increases when you lower the seat.

If you lower your seat, ensure you watch where you’re going. You never know what obstacle might knock you off your feet.

Comfort Goes Away

Although you gain comfort and stability when you lower the motorcycle, you lose comfort in how you sit on the ride. The springs in the seat become stiffer when you bring down the piece, which provides less wiggle room for the rider on the seat. There are several things you can’t do without maximum comfort.

Lack of comfort on a motorcycle means:

• It’s trickier to stay balanced on the bike
• You can’t travel as far as you would with a higher motorcycle

Comfort is critical on a motorcycle seat.

If you feel like you can’t sit on your bike for more than a few hours, you’re going to run into trouble. You can’t drive as far, you might have a hard time staying balanced, and you might lose your love for motorcycle riding.

Drag Increases

A lowered seat increases drag since you are lower to the ground. There is less room for air to travel around the rider on the motorcycle, and it gets caught instead. The bike has to work harder to move forward.

Drag can cause your motorcycle to use more gas. It also slows your travel time down, making the journey more extensive. 

Steering is Trickier

Steering can become more complex when you lower a motorcycle. It can feel like the bike isn’t responding to your movement, which can take a little while to adjust to on the road. 

Impossible steering can lead to:

• Crashes and bumps on the road when unintended
• Difficulty navigating the car on the road

You could find yourself in a tight position with this steering under your hands.

If you decide to lower your motorcycle, you need to be aware that it can be tricky to navigate. Practice in your neighborhood before you travel on major roads to your destination.

It Can Be Expensive

If you don’t know how to lower a bike by yourself, it can be a costly process. The tools and materials required to bring it down can pull a pretty penny from your pocket. If you have to hire someone to do it for you, it can cost even more.

It’s cheaper to go for it yourself and attempt to lower the motorcycle of your own accord, but it’s unlikely the process will occur properly. If you want to lower your bike safely, you must pay good money to get a professional to change the format of your motorcycle.

Conclusion

Is lowering a motorcycle bad? Although benefits come with lowering a motorcycle, some drawbacks accompany this process. From tricky steering to increased drag, it’s critical to know the risks you face if you decide to lower your motorcycle.

We hope this information was helpful! There are many factors to consider before lowering a motorcycle, and for many, these might outweigh the good they had in mind. At the end of the day, it’s up to you to determine what the best choice is for your life. Happy riding!