I’m 72 and did exactly the same thing but I checked the degree angle of the forks before the lowering link and adjusted the forks to match the stock setting which was 30 degrees.

@vosburght

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for that info!

@ohmylanta4558

2 жыл бұрын

@@vosburght How many mm does that equal to rise forks?

👍 ...soooo easy to do ! Thanks a lot for showing more an more useful "tricks" arround the CRF 250 L . (I'm a 63 year old "beginner" ... riding bikes since 4 years ) Greetings from Germany!

Good for you Mark. So many KZread channels trying to scare people away from actually lowering the seat height but rather suggesting the shorter rider put their body through all kinds of contortions to get one foot to just touch the ground (unless the ground slopes away then you are on the ground with a bike on top of you). My bike has a stock rake angle of 24 degrees so fitting shorter rear shocks increased that angle a tad but all was well. Depending what barrow you wish to push that can either make the bike less nervous or less agile, it's actually fine being more directionally stable but still corners nicely. Best modification I ever did.

Thank you for making a simple concise video on this. Everyone else's video I watched was overcomplicating this

Thanks for your informative video. I agree that ground clearance is not too important especially if you are going to do trail riding and not take huge jumps… lowering the bike will certainly gives more confidence to any short riders …thanks again 😎

@davidsalo8397

3 ай бұрын

I used to be 6' 2", now 6' 1". My Honda 450 RL with an accessory seat is hard for me to swing my leg over. I installed a lowering link that makes it much easier to mount and dismount.

Excellent! I have been told so many times that this is a really easy job to do BUT with your video I can now see what people mean and would be prepared to do this myself. Thanks a lot. Confidence is a wonderful thing. I now have more!

@EarthSurferUSA

2 жыл бұрын

Any time you do something for the first time, you get a little nervous. But if you dig into it with a brain working, you can usually figure it out,---and man, that is just a cool feeling I love. :) To heck with all the goofy hippies telling about how to be happy. Real happiness, because we have a brain that can figure things out, comes from personal achievement. Somebody does not want us to achieve.

“...but the biggest impact on this bikes geometry is when it’s horizontal in a ditch ...” LOL...as a new off-road rider, I’ve bee there so many times, and a broke fibula 4 months ago, I am ready to sell the bike BUT your vid may keep me riding ...

@audiogarden21

4 жыл бұрын

I broke my right hip last year. That was at 7 miles on the bike. She's now just broken 10k today. DON'T LET GO!

Your apprentice did a fantastic job !! Thank You for the video.

An impossible task without a sidekick! Good job kid!

Your son is so funny! He makes the video enjoyable and informativeive

What the heck, Mark? Since I am getting a new CRF300l Rally shortly, I just happened to be scanning bike vids and, low and behold, here you are with a good CRF video. I watch your fitness videos all the time, but didn't expect to see you over here in Honda CRF land. I thought the matrix was getting wobbly for a moment. Best wishes to you and your lovely wife...and keep up the good work.

The young helper made me stay to the end of the video. Awesome!

Thank you!! Quick, to the point, I appreciate your concise explanation!

Glad I watched this. Easy job, I was worried about the front forks, but overall very easy job.

Having automotive experience my brain told me there would be spring tension on the link similar to an A arm in a front suspension. Super easy indeed!!

@EarthSurferUSA

2 жыл бұрын

There is a Pulling force on it, tension, but not spring tension. When they went from dual shocks on MX bikes to single shock with linkage, (I think Honda was the first in 81), it did a couple of good things. It created a better center of mass, (more mass closer to center between the wheels), and the linkage designs, which are all pretty much the same today, offer more design adjust-ability for a rising rate. They found that when the piston in the shock moves faster as the travel is compressed, it worked the best, and they could design more rates with a linkage than the dual shock offered. I am not sure if it made the bike lighter.

Thanks for the info - I bought a 2020 CRF250L today and I'm realizing I'm just too short for it :( I will be installing a threaded lowering link similar to this and adjusting the front forks!

@dmoney8177

4 жыл бұрын

Did it work out ?

I lowered my YZ250 2-stroke a bit, but changed my mind on the "lowering link" and put the stock link back on. Why? Because I found out, (and should have known in the first place before I bought it.), that it does not shorten the travel, (like a top out spacer in the shock does), but it "shifts" the travel into your fender. So for example, if the link lowered the bike 1", and you use all your suspension travel, (and you should be for best performance), the rear wheel is going to try to go into the fender 1 more inch, (the knobs already hit the plastic when stock when you bottom, and you can tell by the marks under the fender.). So, for one possible example that can happen when riding, if I bottom on a bump, I don't want it to basically "brake" (on the fender, and maybe break the fender), when I want the wheel to roll over the bump. It could help you crash in some situations.

@bigglyguy8429

Жыл бұрын

For me on my KLX250 I don't care, as I will be riding it very slowly off-road, and want to put both feet down easily. I had great fun on a little KLX150S doing that and find the 250 too tall for such stuff. So I adjust the suspension as low as it will go, lowered the forks and ordered a lowering kit - my aim is to make it as low as a Honda Cub seat. Then I'll be happy :)

Watching because Mark told me not too. Still quite an entertaining video!

Good show - Those "Bar Risers" made it all work - IF the Cuba Link lowered the rear 1 inch and you raised-up the Fork Tubes 1 inch-up from the Stock Setting. Then the Fork Rake and bike geometry is matched to Stock OEM. High speed stability should remain the same. Lowering the C G a Few Hundred Pounds has Huge Benefits in Cornering. Enjoy - Cheers

@bultacowally

5 жыл бұрын

Wheelbase is shorter...that has negative effect on the high speed handling when on the highway. Shorter wheelbase is better for slow speed turning.

Outstanding "How to"! Thanks you two!

Great video, thank you, just subscribed. However I didn't get the info on how much lower the bike is now? The original seat height is said to be 88cm. Thank you.

Thanks for this I was hoping someone was going to do an installation video on the kouba lowering link.

Greetings, As always another brilliant detailed video production 🇺🇸🍾🎉🇺🇸 After installation how much the motorcycle lowered? Thank you so much for assisting me and keep producing more videos.

Great video, especially raising the forks, didnt think of that

Nice video How far do you lower the forks? What is the overall decrease in seat height? Thanks for identifying bolt and nut size. Torque settings.

@andiman45

Жыл бұрын

kouba claims 1.75"

Great video. Good camera angles. That’s how you make a video!

I watch every mark Lewis training video but KZread algorithm keeps recommending me this one of video of him lowering a Japanese photocopier

How much does this mod lower the seat height?

Hi great job easy & a good approach to each job u do on the bike .

I really like the video, installing a koubalink on my 18 rally now , but koubalink talks about adjusting the sag when lowering, is it necessary? Is there a video for that? Also when you lowered your bike did your chain get tighter?

Good video... most important info absent. What was the seat height before and after ? Can't believe I have to ask.

@ElementofKindness

4 жыл бұрын

Kouba website says their links lower a regular 250L 1.75" (44.5mm), and a Rally 1.5" (38mm)

@rosarioroberto5823

4 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for the info. Do you have a KZread channel?​@@ElementofKindness

Ok cool... but how far should the forks come up ??

This guy produce a good content on the lowering link, unfortunely he dont bothered to reply others question, give him a thumb down.

@MarkLewisfitness

Жыл бұрын

It’s a 5 year old video 😂 I get thousands of comments, I have to prioritise new videos!

Thank you so much!!! This was totally helpful and we got the bolt off!!!

Easy peasy, much appreciated!!

May I suggest simply eating lots of pies and chocolate. It’s more fun than wrench work. And will lower the bike nicely.

How much does that actually lower the bike in inches? We use the imperial system here state side. I’m looking at buying this bike. I’m 5’8 would I need to lower it?

@ShinyKnife

5 жыл бұрын

I come from a motocross back ground. I’ve been riding for 30 years. So I’m a pretty experienced rider. I was just wondering about riding it on the street. I don’t won’t to side saddle it at stop lights lol 😂 I think I probably could tip toe it stock. I weigh 180 pounds too. So the suspension would probably sag quiet a bit. I’ll set on one and see I guess? Thanks for the response

@ShinyKnife

5 жыл бұрын

I Rode one this morning and I can touch just find. I can’t flat foot it. (31 inch inseam) But I can get a little more than my toes down. I just wish the power wasn’t so lazy. If I get it I’ll Change the jutter Clutch out. Put a exhaust on it, open the air box up. And remap the fuel system. I think that might wake it up a bit. Thanks for the response!

@fredburris5428

5 жыл бұрын

I just bought a 2014 with all the mods you mentioned plus a 300cc big bore kit and heavy rear and fork spring. In my opinion it has plenty of power for its intended use. It's never going to be a CRFx or KTM EXC but has off setting benefits compared to the others. @@ShinyKnife

Thank u .iam from nepal mount everest

I need to get one! I'm only 5,3

@letbraski

3 жыл бұрын

Hopefully you got it now.

Great video. Can someone confirm if these links are used then I’d be suitably sat on the bike, I’m 5’7” ?

Hi, thank you for this. Can I be a pain and ask how much total fork is now above the clamp to level yhe bike? And how much lower is the bike overall? I'm looking at this as I'm just borderline not flatfotted and of road sometimes there's no ground under my foot! 😂 Thanks again 👍✌️❤️

Great video. Well explained. I'm a shorty great fix for me

Looks like you might have installed the new lowering link upside down...the lettering is upside down. Wont affect how it works...just the aesthetics. I wish you did side x side comparison of the 2 links. Is the new one slightly longer?

lmao@0:50. So adorable the way she's holding her hands like a child that did an oopsie.

Did you need to get a shorter kickstand after installing this lowering link?

@powertool4uau

5 жыл бұрын

@@MarkLewisfitness I did this mod to my 250L and the stand still worked but you basically had to get off the bike and let it de-sag before the stand would go down but it was fine. I eventually got sick of that and cut about 15mm out of my stand so I could kick my stand down as soon as I stopped while still sitting on the bike and that was fine, probably 20mm would have been better but I am use to it now so will leave as is.

Maybe obvious but I assume you lower the fork tubes 1.75" to match the rear link?

hello brother love your guide lines thank you so much ....my height is like 5.7 inch so it good for me ...love from nepal.

Great video thanks for the walkthrough

Is this the same process for the Honda 250L Rally?

You did not mention shortening the kickstand. How many inches was the bike lowered. The links did not look much different from one another. Thanks

Thank you ... ❤

Very well explained

Excellent video, thanks!

doesnt answer questions so i wont ask by how much did it lower the bike

I have put the Kouba link in a CRF300L just now. I also have 30 mm bar risers. How far did you raise the tubes trough the top clamp in your video? What do you think would be the safe maximum? Thank you for this video.

Excellent video! Thanks a lot!!!

Any idea of the seat height drop? ty.

Do you have to adjust the chain ?

Looks like you lowered the front by 20mm or so - how do you know the front wheel font hit the fender upon full compression? The travel portion of the fork (silver stanchions) are about 230mm while measuring the tire to bottom of the fender looks like 220mm -> meaning there is about 10mm of travel that won't clear upon full compression :S

I wouldn’t use lowering links as yes it does change the geometry- even with lowering the front through the triples . Besides space lowering the suspension ( which isn’t cheap ) all i do is lower the seat and forks through triple clamps around 10mm max . This can lower pretty much any bike by around 2 inches with affecting handing ( only quicker turn in )

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. Anyone have thoughts?

So I have got a yzf250 and I'm thinking of putting on a lowering kit on like this, does the front suspension have to be lowered and what would happen if I didn't do this

So… how far did it drop the bike?

thank you vrey much!

Been nice if we had a before and after measurement

Great video, thank you so much!

Great video! Just a question, is it possible to make an extra hole at the botton of the rear shock to lower the bike?

@bigglyguy8429

Жыл бұрын

No!

What about cleaning the linkage and pins and putting it all back with some grease?

Great vid ....... as looking at the new 300 that's coming out soooooon. Hope you paid your staff well lol

@grominwithrob1339

3 жыл бұрын

I suspect he gets enough through his apprenticeship to cover room and board + extras!🤣😂🤣😂

Sir please suggest or recommend how to properly lower the height of my HONDA XR200, my height is 5'4, iwhat is the best adjustment without altering the smooth suspension?? Standard size us 18 rear and 21 front...i prefer 17 rear and 18 front, and scrapping the saddle, and sliding up the fork? Best suggestion sir please

I went through everyone's responses... No one has asked the most important question which is this. All these efforts on lowering the bike has to have an effect on the geometry / handling / suspension. Was it better or worst? Thanks.

Hi, How much did you lower it by?

What if it looks like your bike dosent have a place to add a lowering link? Am I just sol?

is this similar to the 150L?

Looked at a new KLR 230 for my adult daughter, abit tall I believe, dealer would lower for $450, which seems high, but it is new. Thoughts? btw- bought a yam 50cc quad for the kiddos

Hi Mark Just a quick question Do you raise or lower the front fork the same among as the back was raised or lowered?? Cheers mate

KZread seems _insistent_ that I watch this video, and has been incessantly recommending it for _months_, despite the fact that the last motorbike I rode was my Hornet about 7 years ago. So now I have, but I'm regretting it because it seems the link was put in upside down - or at least, the writing was upside down - and now my palms are itching. I hope you're happy, KZread! 🤣

Hi Mark. Sorry, I have different question, about the skid plate. I got a crf250l as well, and looking for some ideas to upgrade. What skid plate do you have on the crf250l? How is fixed the back part of it? Did you fix it to the frame? Thanks, and have a good day. 😉

Just curious how much you can lower the 250L or 230 if anyone knows, is there a max it can come down?

@metalsadman

3 жыл бұрын

prolly 3 inches max, includes shaving the seat.

How much does that lower it? Buddy has a 250L and its a touch to high for me. I was thinking of getting a 300L with the hopes of lowering it at least an inch.

fancy puttin it on upside down....nice and easy tho ...deffo gunna do this to my crf450

Do they make lowering links for a 2012 TE511?

Thank you thank you thank you!

How low can the kouba lowering link lower the bike..will it lower it to about 3 - 4 inches?

Hi Mark, what the height of you bike lift or what height is required to lift crf250L?Thanks

Hello , nice vid . Is the optional helper for rent ? and How much cost it ? ☺

Great video mate, how much disk you you lower the front forks?

Even with it lowered will it be too tall for a person who's 5'3?

@Noadvantage246

3 жыл бұрын

At that point you'll either have to settle for a bike much taller than you or pick a smaller dirt bike or even pit bike

@codybassett8183

3 жыл бұрын

lol bait...

Hi Mark! I really liked the way you explained everything. Kudoos!! Can you make similar video on Himalayan BS4 bike too. It would be fine if you could review height lowering steps for same as bike may not be available in your area. I would really appreciate this help. Thanks :)

Where did you buy the bottom protection guard from and how much?

@johntheaccountant5594

5 жыл бұрын

@@MarkLewisfitness Mark: Thank you for the information.

Great video!

Super video for my friend jockey :-)

How far did you drop the front fork 3/4"???

Thank you

What is the actual measurement of the front tubes adjustment? Looks like about an inch? I assume it needs to be precise to match the change in the back.

@MarkLewisfitness

3 жыл бұрын

I just went as low as it would go! Not very precise at all

What bike lift is that you have, are you happy with it?

SICK!! 👌🏾

All the engineering gear heads that work for Honda, Suzuki, ect can't figure out that half the population is not 6ft tall? I really like the KLS 250S and CRF 250L, but will buy the Yamaha XT 250 (that has very good ground clearance) because I don't like being on tippi toes. Kawasaki and Honda lost a customer!

@jgandtherobots1672

3 жыл бұрын

The Yamaha XT 250 has the dorkiest front fender ever! What made them think splitting it like that was a good look for a DS?

@codybassett8183

3 жыл бұрын

yea i dont get it either east asia is known for having smaller people too lol apparently they dont ride the bikes they make?

Great video thanks !