clip-ons and grips

[SDSUsnowboards]

Two very silly questions but I MUST KNOW EVERYTHING, heh.

Firstly, if I want my grips to be lower I need clip-ons right? Are there any dangers I should be aware of about loweing the grips on a bike? I mean they meticulously design these things a vertain way for a reason so when you start modifying the height of stuff I figure it *could* cause complications.

My second silly question is: how do you remove the rubber grips for replacement? I took off the bar end and tugged and pulled. Heck I even tried cursing at it and kicking things but it didn't come off or even move slightly. My bro suggested cutting it off but that sounds a little overkill. Is there something I don't know?

EDIT: Forgot to ask.... any clip-on brands that are recommended around here(assuming those are what I need)?

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Lastly I want to vent. The pansy mofo that sold me my bike lowered the rear for me via dog bone. Apprx 2 inches btw. Heeding advice about the dangers of lowering I told him to lower the front the same amount, he OKed that. Dumb POS never lowered the front he just lessened the preload. I have not been the wiser of it until recently, comparing my bike to pics of stock f4s. What a bastage. I've been riding me bike front-up for 3 months, I can't wait to get it proper and see how it falls into turns then cuz frankely... I'm so used to how it's been I'm even good with it now.

KNB motorcycles in San diego BTW. Any SoCal residents should be sure to spread the word about the incompetence of that place and it's owner. I got more storeies about how he screwed me after the fact...

[Gixxerdale]

Originally Posted by SDSUsnowboards

I've been riding me bike front-up for 3 months, I can't wait to get it proper and see how it falls into turns then cuz frankely... I'm so used to how it's been I'm even good with it now.

So you have a Honda with its nose in the air? J/K
Be very careful the first few tiimes out when you get your suspension changed. It will take a little getting use to. It will be a different bike. You might be a much better rider than you think, with the correct settings, just ease into it.
Clip ons?
http://www.kneedraggers.com/list/1.6
I'd get the suspension set first. Clip ons will be a major change in weight distibution riding position, reach etc. On the F4 it will place your hands a couple inches lower, making you stretch more. I don't know your height, but a friend 5'6", put clip ons on his F4 and hated it for daily riding but loved it at the track.
Grips? Tiny air nozzle on an air compressor worked under the grip will loosen it. But grips are cheap enough these days that I prefer a razor blade.

[SDSUsnowboards]

Alright. I have no air compressor so I might razor blade it. Come to think about it, I have no idea how a throttle works (how the twisting of it translates to accel). Is it possible to damage anything underneath it with a razor blade while slicing it?

The reason for the grip question is twofold. Firstly, compared to gsxrs and RRs and r1/6s and zxrs the grips on the honda are a bit higher for ergonomical reasons. Secondly, even after messing with my dog bone and putting it at the highest setting, it will still be a little lower than stock height and the rear will still be slitly lower than the front. So I am hoping that the combination of raising the rear as far as the dogbone allows in conjunction with lowering the bars will create a more aggressive riding position comparable to the other sport bikes I have mentioned. I want to do that because I want to get used to it... exercise those muscles so they are good for my next, sportier, bike a couple years from now.

[SDSUsnowboards]

Haha, they are more expensive than I thought. If I get this new job maybe it'll be something to buy for the summer... along with a fender eliminator, new tires, new helmet Between now and then I definitely need some leather pants for goodness sake.

[Gixxerdale]

If you can get the left grip off in one piece, reinstall it, you just unbolt the throttle side and install it on your new clip on. I'm not sure about your honda, but Gixxer throttles are ribbed. They (ribs) need to be removed for after market grips.

Be careful with the suspension changes. You can go from good to unstable to uncontrolable very easily.
Remove the Dog Bone and put your front forks back to factory. Get some accurate measurements. Drop the forks 5 mm in the tree. Measure again. Try the handling. Get some miles. Make adjustments if needed. If the Dog Bone is necessary, reinstall it and get new measurements. Drop the forks accordingly. Then move on to the clip ons. Start from stock or near stock then make changes in little steps, not leaps. Road test each time. Takes a while to dial a bike in.

[DocBooty]

Originally Posted by SDSUsnowboards

Two very silly questions but I MUST KNOW EVERYTHING, heh.
Is there something I don't know?

my bike to pics of stock f4s.

See thats the problem right there... U got a HONDA!!!!

[SDSUsnowboards]

Originally Posted by Gixxerdale

If you can get the left grip off in one piece, reinstall it, you just unbolt the throttle side and install it on your new clip on. I'm not sure about your honda, but Gixxer throttles are ribbed. They (ribs) need to be removed for after market grips.

Be careful with the suspension changes. You can go from good to unstable to uncontrolable very easily.
Remove the Dog Bone and put your front forks back to factory. Get some accurate measurements. Drop the forks 5 mm in the tree. Measure again. Try the handling. Get some miles. Make adjustments if needed. If the Dog Bone is necessary, reinstall it and get new measurements. Drop the forks accordingly. Then move on to the clip ons. Start from stock or near stock then make changes in little steps, not leaps. Road test each time. Takes a while to dial a bike in.

I don't really understand the process of adjusting the forks... But it may not matter! I have decided to put the bike back to default everything. Getting a hold of the original link in the back of the bike will be tricky tho. I can order a new one for $115 but that seems awfully expensive for a piece of metal.

I am slightly concerned with putting the seat back to the 31.9" stock... but I guess I'll just have to deal with it. I'll have to back up my bike while off the bike for sure from now on though... that'll be embarrasing

I'll do you all a favor and post a pic of me and how rediculous it looks for me to be on a full sized bike. It'll be in my previously made "funny/cute pictures thread ;0 It will be good for a laugh.


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Getting a Honda was not a bad choice (though I know you were joking, no worries!). Finding this suzuki site and chosing to become associated with it was also not a bad choice. Getting anything in the suzuki line-up for my first bike would have been a bad choice. gs500f= too new, too expensive, too high (seat=32.5"). I need a used bike.

gsxrXXX(pick one)= too high (seat=32.5"), too powerful
Katana= too heavy and wide

Hondas, on the other hand, had lower seat heights, more managable power and solid reputations. They are also probably stolen less than a nice gsxr. In addition, the CBRs are more designed towards street riding and commuting as you can see in their more foward peg positions and higher handle bars in relation to the seat. I need a commuting bike. So I have many good reasons for my choices!