Lowering the front end?!

I happened to be at the track a few weeks back, whilst making small talk to the other motorcyclist I got a piece of advice saying I should lower the front end of the bike just a tad, apparently on bigger/heavier bikes it helps turn in... I had never heard this, has anyone done this before? also how would you go about such a task?

I raised the forks a full inch about a year ago. Absolutely love it.

Each to there own, if your happy with your handling as far as turn in goes don't do anything. Sag should be setup before any major fork height adjustment made because it also effects turn in. If you feel you would like your bike to steer turn in a little easier/faster. then start at a max 5mm at a time, you can go to far & upset the front rear balance to much. Simply support the front of bike with front wheel raised jack or head stand whatever & undo triple clamp, clip on clamp bolts & raise forks up 5mm using top of clipon & top of fork as reference points to raise 5mm then do everything back up & test ride to see how you like it. I personally with the VFR wouldn't go further than 10mm with a rider fork sag of 40mm. The same effect happens raising rear but is a pain with standard shock needing to add spacers so fork way is simple.

This is some workable numbers to work with, as quoted to me from a member who's one of the top riders in our forum.
"When you say 45mm are you talking about the measurement from the top of the tube to the top of the upper triple (stock being 41mm)?
If that is the case then 45 mm is no concern, I'm at 49mm now and I think others have run as much as 53mm. But i would keep it a max of 51mm myself."

This is my adjustment, and I'm really happy with it, as I progress I can see myself lowering the front somemore, but would like some help with the correct balance of height fore&aft.

But lowering the frt is like magic......... Go for it.
FORKS: stock 41mm.... Adjusted to 46mm (lowered front end)

How to: Put your bike on the centre stand, put a small jack under your header-pipes(so it won't fall forward any more than what you want), than loosen the bolts. Your fork is held by 2 bolts on each tube loosen (one on each tree). Use something to measure with like a mic, or compass and ruler.

I did 10mm a couple of weeks ago and I really like.  It did however cause me to drag a little more on certain type of turns.

I'm not sure by how much, but mine is dropped. The guy who did my suspension work did it. I like it a lot. Seems to make tip-in that much faster. The only downside to it is that my brake lever hits the fairing at full lock, but I solved that with some ebay shorty/collapsible handles.

Mike

Have mine dropped 9mm, but 4mm of that is from the extra height on the tapered steering head bearings.

If you don't mind a little extra work, raising the rear ride height is a slightly better alternative as it will not decrease your ground clearance.  I raised the rear ride height about 7 mm and it worked out well for me.

This will increase your turn-in.  Meaning the bike will steer faster with less effort.  However, it will also lower your ground clearance.  The VFR already doesn't have much clearance on the track.  As Johnmark said, raising the rear is a much better alternative.

 johnmark101, on 10 May 2012 - 11:22 AM, said:

If you don't mind a little extra work, raising the rear ride height is a slightly better alternative as it will not decrease your ground clearance.  I raised the rear ride height about 7 mm and it worked out well for me.
i dont mind working more for a better outcome,,, how do i go about raising the rear?

Just in case anyone is interested, here is something that might help...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_and_motorcycle_geometry

I got impatient and did the front end drop, took 15 mins and I dropped it 9mm. all I can say is HOLY SH&@T!!! why in the world didnt I do this a year ago? actually why didnt honda do this from the factory?!?! the turn in is sooo much sharper and easier, and during long sweeping turns the bike feels more stable and changing lines is much easier! If you havent already done this.....do it!