I'm thinking about lowering the bike about 1". Will the f4i still have enough lean that the bike wont top over? Or do I must cut the kickstand?

 

My bike was dropped probably less than an inch and whenever i got off/on the bike i would have to be careful not to tip it over, the slightest touch could probably tip it. I would suggest you do it if you visit public places often.

 

i've got an '02 f4i and it was lowered 1" by the previous owner. the kickstand has not been cut, so my guess is you would not need to cut yours. it leans at about a 10-15 degrees, but it is pretty stable.

 

i got mine lowered an inch. i didn't cut it, i just make sure i park on flat spots or on hills going the same way the bike is leaned. also when i park i make sure i turn the handlebar all the way. if you do that, theres really no need to cut it. if you want get it lowered and see how comfortable you feel with it.

 

Are you guys' front end lowered 1" also?

 

yep

 

I lowered my bike and cut my kickstand and it fell over cuz it wasn't cut off enough. There are more downfalls to lowering the bike than you think. I ended up raising it back to stock height. Wanna buy the lowering link that I am not using?

 

What are the other downfalls? Other than not being able to lean as much in the twisties/track. I'm only use it as a daily commuter, so that doesnt really matter to me.

 

If you never ride a wheelie or you never lean more than 45 degree angle, you will be fine. When you park your bike on any type of slope you have a higher chance of it falling over. The tail end of the bike is now lower to the tire, if you have a heavy person on the bike you could rub the undertail on the tire. So if you ride straight lines and never are on a slope or have a passenger or do a wheelie or ride a curve hard, you will be just fine.

But what fun is that? Might as well have a Hayabusa. Being short and having short legs sucks too, so that is why I lowered my bike. But I took it back to stock.

 

nate, rule number one: no fat chicks allowed.
rule number two: no dudes allowed.
that should take care of the tire rubbing on the back.
but on a more serious note, i was poking around on my bike yesterday and it is actually lowered about a half inch, not a full inch. i'm 5'7.5" and 162lbs. i'm still pretty new to riding so i'm not popping any wheelies. someone pointed out in another thread that most people who lower their bikes and have no trouble are shorter, light-weight people. if you think about it, it makes perfect sense.
but like i said, i'm still new to riding so i wouldn't take my word for it. nate knows more about it than i would and if he says it sucks, i'd believe him.