How To Lower Your Dirt Bike - Kouba Lowering Links Install
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- Опубліковано 24 сер 2021
- Need to touch the ground? Lowering links can move the seat of your dirt bike a few inches closer, giving you more confidence. They are easy to install, here's a guide!
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I just installed a Koubalink on my CRF300L Rally. Thanks for the helpful video.
Have fun riding!
I knew it wasn't hard to do, but really to watch it being done. Thanks for your efforts.
Sometimes it’s good to see it, helps build confidence. Let me know how it goes.
@@TomsTinkeringandAdventures Thanks Tom, I will and I appreciate guys like you who make the effort to share knowledge and experience👍🏻
@@roh92cp I just like to help when I can.
Legend, thanks for taking the time to put that together!
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for this, very helpful!!
I always like to hear that, thanks for watching.
appreciate this bro, was literally about to look up how to do this
I’ve done several of these, everyone is always happier when they can touch down their feet a bit easier!
I just lowered my T7 World raid with lowering links, I'm so pleased that I did it, it's really boosted my confidence at low speeds and at standstill, the handling and riding position is the same and the bike feels much lighter and more manageable. I lowered it 40mm on the links and 18mm on the forks, I left the pre load the same but will have the option now to wind it up a bit if I load it up with panniers. The bike now feels great. I'm 6.1" so not short but it's made a huge difference.
Confidence is huge when riding, especially off road. Something like this can easily be reversed after a while, so it just makes sense to try it. Enjoy the bike.
Thanks for the video. I am doing just the opposite on a Crf250x. It had the Kouba link on it and I am putting the stock one back on it.
Same directions apply, I have probably removed as many of these as I have installed! 😂
I had to lower my YZ on both ends so a average sized guy can get on the damn thing, and I also use a little longer link. I went back to stock too, (just lowered the suspension instead and a lower seat.). I found out it shifts the travel. So if you stock bike bottomed out and the wheel barley hit the bottom of the fender, then use a link that lowers the bike 1" (for example), then to bottom the shock, the wheel would hit the fender trying to go 1 more inch. It will be like hitting the brake for a second while the fender and sub frame are taking a beating. Could cause a crash also. I will keep that par stock too.
As a smaller guy, I need to do this to my 1990 kdx 200. I have to currently tippy toe side to side, which is fine for track racing but I mainly woods race/ride. Would to get more footing because it is a heavier bike than I’m used to. And I shouldn’t have to worry about clearance
Yeah, it’s great for that extra confidence in places. I’m sure there are links for that model, they are great bikes.
good content mate
Thank you!
Thanks so much
Hopefully it was helpful.
Thanks for the info. Previous owner put a Kou a link in without adjusting front forks. Geometry was way off. Putting original link back in
Yeah, if you’re tall enough or confident enough…not needed, but it’s nice for the people who want it.
@@TomsTinkeringandAdventures I can see the purpose for one if you’re short, I am 5-6, so I’m already vertically challenged but the rear shock is so stinking rough with the lowering link in.
@@wayfaringoverlander yeah, it does change the shock ratio. Best way to lower a bike is internally on the shock and forks. $$$
Just bought lowering link for crf250 rally and found your video great help well done thank u uk
Thanks, I hope your install goes smoothly.
Just lowered my XR 400 with the same kobua link today ... I got 3/4" drop with it ,, not a 1 1/2" like they told me when I ordered it . Also dropped the front forks as you did .... I'm flat footed now on the bike Which is what I wanted . Thanks for the vid !!
They are a good option to feel a bit more confident. Enjoy the ride!
How tall are you???
@@kevinalexandervalenzuela4098 ....not sure if your talking to me or not ....but if so , I'm 5' 11" .....
Hi,
After a year of experience are you happy with the suspension?
I am about to lower my bike,but I need some advice before I do it.
Thanks
This comment was super helpful as I have a 400 and im needing to look into this!
Story time, finally I'm old and have money, bought 4 bikes from single large bike dealership. I should feel valued!
Last season bought my daughter a new Kaw KLX 230 to learn on, payed $400 to have it lowered, "properly", picked it up went home.
They lowered the rear via link, but left the front stock, headlights point up, and daughter's only put 130miles on the bike.
Four bikes 3 new in 2yrs, and no respect!
I feel ya, try to do something good for others and they don’t care. Just go ride, hopefully that makes you feel better! 😀
It might not be an issue of respect, but an issue of "know how". Unless the dealership is a suspension specialist also, (and I doubt many are), they would not know how to do it "properly". Putting on a longer link was all they knew how to do. The bike is not riding properly that is for sure, like a chopper through the woods. I would fix it so she can learn how to ride it properly if she is into it because it probably steers like a school bus. :)
Thank you
Hopefully the video helped.
@@TomsTinkeringandAdventures Most definitely did!
The issue I have with most lowering links is, as it lower the bike by let say 1", the wheel will still have 1 inch to bottom out the shock bumper and it bottoms out on the underside of your fender. That don't change the amount of travel much, but just shifts it into your fender if you bottom out. Properly working suspension should bottom out a bit on the biggest stuff you hit so you know you are using all your suspension travel.
Yes, it’s not a perfect solution but if it helps someone to be more comfortable riding then the compromise is probably worth it.
Greetings Tom,
As always another brilliant detailed video 🇺🇸🎉🍾🇺🇸
Do you have to adjust the chain after change the link?
Thank you so much for assisting me, and keep producing more videos. Did affect the ground clearance?
Thank you. You may have to adjust the chain slightly, remember that the chain will get tighter/looser throughout the travel of the swing arm but if it was set correctly before installing the link it should be fine. Good luck and have fun riding.
I've lowered several sport bikes and honestly it didn't negatively effect the steering as much as I thought it would. It did however take some of the wheelie out of a few lol.
I’m not a good enough rider to notice it, but I always mention it when installing one.
You saying it’s harder to wheelie?
@@wazqii7191 on the sport bikes I've installed the lowering links on... it would spin the tire easier rather than wheelie. I'm not sure on a duelsport. That's just my experience.
@@joewoodard2513 It might have been snowing that day. :)
I installed links on my DR-Z 400 and it made a world of difference! Much more confident now. I come from a motocross background and I was wondering how to set up the rear shock with these links installed? The "sag" setting has been taken out completely and I don't know where to set the spring preload for my light weight of only 130lbs. Thoughts anyone?
Yeah, it’s a compromise with suspension settings. Lots of people run these, there has to be some information out there about setting up suspension.
Put some rolls of quarters in your pockets. Maybe that'll get your weight up
First step should be shaving the seat. Sometimes that is all that is needed and its free other than time and new staples.
That’s another great option. Most motorcycle seats have an inch or so to spare in the seat foam, and narrowing/rounding over the top can help a lot too.
My bike was stink bugging so i didn't lower the front forks also i bought psr lowering links and i had to drill them out because they were to small 😮
I hate having to modify parts that are supposed to fit.
Thanks buddy im 5'7" and i have no choice got a klr-650 off brother-in law its to tall for my short stature its a choice of lower it or trade in smaller.was wondering how to go about it now ive got clues!!snooky pa.
Good machine there, have fun with it.
Yeah it is nice,but its a heaping sow of a hog heavy n tall.i keep telling my buddies its like riding a pregnant woman all day the tank holds plenty of juice for long rides but when ur done riding you walk like a cowboy all bow-legged from straddling that tank.and god forbid u drop it over youll get hernia getting it back up!!!ive bought a suzuki dr 400 tank to swap for 300.00 but even that looks wide.i guess if your a fan of dually trucks you fit right in on it,no shortage of grunt it goes with purpose but im thinking the honda crf-300 may suit me better.just seems a pig to me but reliable fer certain to each his own,happy biking!!snooky pa.🤪👍🖐💥
@@allensnook7760 yep, that’s the KLR! I’m will go pretty much anywhere but it might make you wish you didn’t. 😂
Looking at a 2024 Kawasaki KLX300SM, I'm about and inch from being able to flat foot it, if I do just a 1 inch lowering link besides maybe changing the kickstand is there anything else I need to change along with the 1 inch lowering link?
It’s a good idea to slide the forks up a bit to make the bike level, otherwise it will be raked out like a chopper.
@@TomsTinkeringandAdventures that's true, I may try a lower seat from seat concepts first, it lowers the seat height by an inch and I'm not that far from flat footing the klx300sm I'm looking to buy, start there before messing with the suspension geometry
@@takumisato7126 SC makes good seats too, good option.
How does the bike handle after ?
It’s not my bike, but the guy I did this for said that he is very happy with it.
Can you still use the kickstand?
For this bike it was ok. Sometimes it makes the bike stand up pretty straight so you have to be careful where you park.
So your saying whatever the link lowers the rear shock you need to slide up the fork tubes by an equal amount.
You can only slide the forks up a bit, but that’s enough to help keep the bike from getting that nose high chopper look.
@@TomsTinkeringandAdventures I get that. I bought 1inch kouba lowering. I am going to raise the forks up by 1 inch to accommodate the rear drop
@@gotdirt66 that should be good. Enjoy the ride!
put a piece of wood across the seat and measure to it ... easier
That’s a good way to do it, thanks.
hello friend I have a crf 250x 2007 and I need to lower it a little where I can buy the right part for my motorcycle
I’m sure EBay, Amazon or any motorcycle parts supplier will have it
How much did it lower your bike?
Kouba Link sells different ones for each bike, some are 1”, 2”, etc. usually it’s pretty close to their advertised level
Any feedback on how the bike handled?
He is happy with it, most people won’t notice much difference but it does effect the leverage on the rear shock.
@@TomsTinkeringandAdventures It effects the balance of the frame geometry to do one end and not the other. If you just lower the rear end for example, it will turn more like a school bus. I just lowered my MX woods bike about .75" on each end and 1" off the seat. That great company "Race Tech" has a very good "suspension bible" that is full of great information, including lowering. It is getting harder to find really good information these days, but a person can start a business with that book.
@@EarthSurferUSA correct. On this bike I lowered front and rear, this will change a few things on suspension geometry but many people don’t notice it and are just happy to have the confidence of being able to hold the bike up.
@@TomsTinkeringandAdventures I can understand that. I rode for a couple decades and raced MX for 10 years and enjoyed making my bikes better. And as a perfectionist, it has to be just right or I would lose confidence in the machine and me on it. Maybe I paid too much attention to it, because I know guys who were faster than me, (and I was no slouch), who seemed to go fast on anything. :) If they are not looking for the ultimate physical set up,--then they don't need it I would say. I just would not want to set up anything that was dangerous or destructive to the bike for them. Doug in Michigan.
@@EarthSurferUSA that’s the thing, we can set up stuff however we like it. The bike in this video wasn’t being ridden much because the owner was uncomfortable, now he’s riding the heck out of it. 😀
Pretty sure you're not supposed to push the forks up that high in the clamps
As long as the diameter in the clamps is the same you can push them up as far as you want. Just like the links change the shock rate, pushing the fork tubes up will change the way the front end handles so it’s something to be aware of. It’s not ideal, but if things like this gets someone out there riding, it’s a decent compromise.
That link looks like 1/2" not 1 1/4"
It seems like these links never lower the bike the amount they say. I suppose if you have the preload cranked up to max, then install the link and remove all the preload it might be correct?