A charismatic engine, smooth performance, striking looks – but unfortunately too high? For many motorcyclists, the dream of the perfect bike is thwarted by just a few centimetres of seat height. With well-designed lowering solutions – from replacement springs to high-end electronic shock absorbers – Touratech makes adventure bikes and road bikes suitable and comfortable for a much wider range of riders.

Long suspension travel and high ground clearance are the standard in the dual-sport segment in particular. At the same time, however, long-travel suspension often results in seat heights that are not practical for all riders. On adventure bikes in particular, but also on some road bikes, simply maintaining a secure footing in stop-and-go traffic or when manoeuvring can be a challenge.
With a range of lowering solutions, Touratech Suspension offers technical options to make motorcycles accessible to riders of different heights without compromising handling. This is based on over 15 years’ experience in developing premium suspension systems for both on-road and off-road use.
“Having your feet firmly on the ground is essential for confident handling of the bike and therefore plays a key role in making riding enjoyable,” explains Tilo Jentzsch, portfolio manager at Touratech. “That’s why we at Touratech have decided to develop practical lowering solutions to give even more people access to fantastic motorcycles.

Lowering using spring kits: an entry-level solution with a wide range of options
The simplest way to lower the seat height is to replace the standard springs with shorter ones. Touratech offers a range of almost 200 lowering solutions based on specific spring sets.
Depending on the model, different lowering options are available. For example, the BMW F 850 GS can be lowered by 20 or 40 millimetres. The fork springs used are all progressively rated. The aim is to achieve a responsive ride in everyday use whilst still offering sufficient reserves for sporty riding or when carrying a heavy load.
Replacing the springs is a particularly cost-effective solution and is aimed specifically at riders who wish to improve the ergonomics of their bike without replacing the entire suspension system.

Shorter shock absorbers and cartridges as a fully integrated solution

The gold standard for lowering the seat height is the use of specially developed lowering shock absorbers. Unlike standard spring kits, these systems coordinate spring length, damping characteristics and travel as an integrated whole, and are also individually tailored to the rider's weight, riding style and ergonomic requirements.
Shorter shock absorbers are available for numerous motorcycle models in various specifications – ranging from the entry-level E1 to the high-end Extreme2 suspension. Here too, different lowering options are available for selected models. For the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin, for example, variants with a 25-millimetre or 40-millimetre drop are available.
In addition, Touratech offers special cartridges for lowering the suspension. These are simply inserted into the standard fork and are currently available for just under 20 models, including popular adventure bikes such as the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin, BMW F 850 GS, KTM 790 Adventure, Honda XL750 Transalp and Yamaha Ténéré 700.
The lowering cartridges offer the same adjustment options as the standard versions: spring preload, as well as rebound and compression damping, can be individually adjusted. At the same time, they retain their responsive handling and high compression reserves despite the reduced spring travel.

Lowering kit for electronic suspension systems

Another option is available for riders of BMW GS models equipped with ESA. Touratech has developed electronic lowering shock absorbers for these vehicles that are compatible with the standard assistance and adjustment functions. Thanks to the adapted spring and damper settings, combined with a lower seat height, safe and comfortable handling is guaranteed on both tarmac and off-road terrain, even on heavily laden adventure bikes.

Ergonomic improvement thanks to lower seats

In addition to the chassis modifications, the seat height can be further reduced by fitting a lower-profile seat. Touratech offers comfort seats with reduced padding height for this purpose.
To ensure comfort on long journeys despite the reduced thickness of the material, foam of carefully selected densities is used, with a balance of support and cushioning tailored to the specific thickness of the padding. An optimised contour with a shorter crotch depth also makes it easier to reach the floor.
The seats also feature the familiar characteristics of the standard models, including a pressure-relieving recess in the coccyx area and the Fresh-Touch cover, which helps to reduce heat build-up in direct sunlight. The seats are supplied as a ready-to-fit complete solution and can be fitted directly in place of the original part.

Takeaway: Greater accessibility without compromising on performance

With its modular approach comprising spring sets, lowering struts, cartridges and seat units, Touratech Suspension caters to a range of requirements and budgets. The result is not only a lower seat height, but also a customised ergonomic adjustment of the motorcycle whilst retaining virtually the same handling characteristics.

Further information is available in the Touratech webshop