[Scott Jaffe]

Has anyone installed a lowering kit on their bikes? And if so, did it change the handling? KTM says that it doesn’t change, but my dealer is strongly recommending against it. They told me it would drastically alter the handling.

If anyone has one installed and could give feedback I would appreciate it as I can’t find anything online.

Thanks.

 

[SirDuke]

The only lowering kits I've seen are to reduce the seat height by 25mm. Don't really know if that's worth the $300 they are charging for it. Least it wont make any changes to ride dynamics. https://www.ktm-parts.com/64112955044.html

 

[tree]

I have installed the lowering kit and I'm very happy with the result. I don't trust the lower seat hight because I think it will make me spread my legs more there by eliminating the gain it provides in the first place and also will make the handlebars taller relative to the seat which I'm not interested in. I still didn't received the shorter side stand, three months after.

 

[LC8]

I have installed the lowering kit and I'm very happy with the result. I don't trust the lower seat hight because I think it will make me spread my legs more there by eliminating the gain it provides in the first place and also will make the handlebars taller relative to the seat which I'm not interested in. I still didn't received the shorter side stand, three months after.

You have a link/name to the lowering kit that you put on your bike? How much did it bring it down by and have you noticed any major differences in controlling the bike?

 

[tree]

The link is the same as SirDuke provided (by lower seat hight I ment the "KTM Ergo Low Seat" https://www.ktm-parts.com/64107140000.html). I have never made the measurment of how much did it bring it down but 25mm seems right to me. I'm a 167cm tall and I like to reach the floor comftroubly with both my feets. Also The tallest bike up until now for me was 810mm and It feels more natural for me to lean the bike over on a shorter bike. There is also a little bit less forward and backward movement which is to be expected when lowering a bike CG. I love the explenation of changing the bike geometry in the following link https://www.cycleworld.com/sport-rider/all-about-geometry#page-4.

 

[LC8]

Oh I thought you had managed to source an actual aftermarket fork/spring kit. Unless you're planning on tracking the bike I don't think a simple seat adjustment would have any serious impacts on riding dynamics.

 

[tree]

I have talked with Matris about their front and rear shock for the 790 and they say they have shorter eylet joint (about 15 mm less) for the rear shock, obviosly you don't need anything for the front.


Products:

MK205.3KD / KDID / KDIK - KTM Duke 790 m.y. 18
F20K203K - F20K “quad valve” hydraulic fork kit KTM 790 Duke m.y.18

 

[anotheronetoday]

Has anyone installed a lowering kit on their bikes? And if so, did it change the handling? KTM says that it doesn’t change, but my dealer is strongly recommending against it. They told me it would drastically alter the handling.

If anyone has one installed and could give feedback I would appreciate it as I can’t find anything online.

Thanks.

if you lower the front and rear the same amount the bikes handling will be almost unchanged some kits have shorter springs which lowers you bike but does reduce suspension travel

on the 390 the kit came with short fork springs and different rear shock mount and shorter side stand, the 790 kit does not seem to say exactly what you get

what you do lose is ground clearance

 

[tree]

if you lower the front and rear the same amount the bikes handling will be almost unchanged some kits have shorter springs which lowers you bike but does reduce suspension travel

on the 390 the kit came with short fork springs and different rear shock mount and shorter side stand, the 790 kit does not seem to say exactly what you get

what you do lose is ground clearance

You lose front forks travel distance in the KTM kit.

 

[pookguy88]

I have installed the lowering kit and I'm very happy with the result. I don't trust the lower seat hight because I think it will make me spread my legs more there by eliminating the gain it provides in the first place and also will make the handlebars taller relative to the seat which I'm not interested in. I still didn't received the shorter side stand, three months after.

how hard was it to install the kit? the instructions PDF on the KTM site doesn't work...

thinking of getting this bike but really need the lowering kit

 

[tree]

how hard was it to install the kit? the instructions PDF on the KTM site doesn't work...

thinking of getting this bike but really need the lowering kit

The garage did the work for me. It took them a lot of time. You need to open up the front forks and remove the back spring to be able to do the job. It is an easier job when you have the correct tool for it, which I'm guessing you don't have and if that is the case it will take you even longer to engineer some sort of alternative tools for the job.

 

[pookguy88]

The garage did the work for me. It took them a lot of time. You need to open up the front forks and remove the back spring to be able to do the job. It is an easier job when you have the correct tool for it, which I'm guessing you don't have and if that is the case it will take you even longer to engineer some sort of alternative tools for the job.

oh... it goes in the front fork? Interesting, I thought it went somewhere between the frame and the swing arm like on other KTMs.

 

[tree]

oh... it goes in the front fork? Interesting, I thought it went somewhere between the frame and the swing arm like on other KTMs.

You lower both the front and the rear.

 

[pookguy88]

You lower both the front and the rear.

I don't supposed you have any pics of it installed on the rear do you? Especially where the rear shock connects

 

[barbagris]

I don't trust the lower seat hight because I think it will make me spread my legs more there by eliminating the gain it provides in the first place and also will make the handlebars taller relative to the seat which I'm not interested in.

I know it's now a few months ago - But I found this thread on the german speaking forum with photos.

You were dead right to be suspicious. https://www.ktmforum.eu/forum/threa...zbankumbau-fällig/?postID=1413970#post1413970

The lower seat is wider and reduces foot contact.

 

[Vu Le]

I'm 5'5 or 5'6.5 with riding boots on. Inseam is 30. I'm totally at home riding the bike but it gets sketchy when trying to park the bike using the penguin walk and backing up the bike. Although I don't see myself crashing, I can see myself slipping and dropping the bike in the parking lot. Will the slider be enough to protect the bike from cosmetic damage?

 

[Vu Le]

Most KTM Dealers don't have a clue about lowering kit for the 790 Duke by KTM. They don't even know how much to charge you. One dealer wanted $950 for parts and labor.
I need to find a competent suspension guy to perform this work.

 

[Vu Le]

$1000 is way too much to spend to lower the bike by 25mm (an inch). I just need to be more careful when doing the penguin walk when parking the bike. Everywhere else, I can flat foot on either side of the bike.

 

[dma]

I have 30 inch inseam (in the UK we say "inside leg") and manage fine.

From my GS days if I think it's at all sketchy with a bad camber, odd angle road or just need to get the bike in or out of an an awkward space like the garage or up a gradient I just get off the bike and use the handlebar (left hand) and rear grab rail / bike rear (right hand) to wheel it where I want.

It's a good skill to learn the balance of your bike when you aren't actually on it - I can walk around all of my bikes just holding them with fingertips.

 

[barbagris]

I can walk around all of my bikes just holding them with fingertips.

Easy with the 790D - Not so easy on the R3!