performance/ lowering?

[81xsproject]

My question is simple, how will lowering the bike via shorter rear shock and sliding the forks up affect the bikes handling/performance?
JC

[John]

It should make it steer a little quicker. I am lowering one because SWMBO is only 5'5, and wants to put both feet on the ground whe she rides it.

[81xsproject]

I can relate at only 5'6".

[Pat Kelly]

Sliding the forks up slightly quickens the steering. Lowering the rear will off-set lowering the front and will make the seat height less. This will cause bike parts to contact the ground sooner in turns and will make the bike more difficult to use the side stand.

[newmaac]

At 5'-6", I often wondered the same thing.
I was hesitant to lower the suspension. I drag and scrape enough as it is, and I am a pretty chicken rider.

I ended-up just working on the seat. I have a stock seat that was in pretty good condition. I removed the seat cover and just re-shaped the driver's portion of the seat. Using a serrated bread knife, (don't tell SHMBO), I reduced the height by about 1". I also reduced the width by about 1/2" on each side.
I just worked on the driver's section tho, so that it exaggerated the step between the two heights a little more.

I was able to stretch the cover right back over the newly shaped foam. It is not quite as snug as it used to be, but it doesn't look like it has been messed with.

That little bit of change made a world of difference.
The stock seat pan is pretty wide. By tapering the sides of the foam a little, it made it seem a lot lower.
If you have a 31" inseam, but are sitting with a 12" seat stuck in your crotch, your legs are not going to reach 31" straight down.

Let us know what you decide to do.