I can walk it on my tip-toes but it can be difficult on anything but a perfectly flat or downhill slope. I am 5'9" but i don't know how a factory height setting would be set to, but I think if i lowered it by .5-.75" it would make a tremendous difference and really help me. my question is, and i tried to search, but how far is the limit to lowering it below stock setting, and without lowerin links or fabricating a kickstand?

 

I'm 5' 8" and don't have a problem walking mine around. If I've got my work boots on I can flat foot it even There's an article somewhere about how to properly lower a bike. I don't have it but I'm sure someone else does.

 

I'm thinking it has been raised a bit from the previous owner

 

I'm 5'8" and I can only touch to the ***** of my feet when putting both feet down. I rarely put both feet down when stopped. Moving the bike around, I have similar problems, if I can't move it where it needs to be I will get off the bike and move it like that. I refuse to lower the bike.

 

I know its not the best way but I turned the Rear pre-load down and it lowered the bike emough so I can almost flat foot instead of tippy toeing it.

 

You should be able to tweak the rear suspension in order to drop it 1/4" - 1/2", and then you can always lower the front forks by about 1/2". Doing those will only barely change the way the bike handles and should give you enough foot grip without needing lowering links or anything.