TW200/225 Lowering Suspension Swap: Installing the G-SUSPENSION MONO305

01 About 60mm lower at the seat

Comparing before and after, you can see the whole bike sits clearly lower. The visual difference is even bigger than the 6cm figure suggests.

Not too low, not too high. It's a length that strikes just the right balance on a custom bike, too.

02 Removing the suspension

1. Remove the seat, then the muffler. The muffler gets in the way when removing and fitting the suspension; with an aftermarket down-type muffler, there's no need to remove it.
   
2. With the stock muffler, remove the front of the side cover and stuff a rag or similar in place (otherwise the suspension bolt won't come out).
   
3. Get ready to lift the bike with a jack. It's safer with the front brake applied, so wrap rubber or similar around the brake lever to hold it squeezed.
   
4. Secure the jack firmly so it can't slip out during the work.
   
5. Raise the bike very gradually and remove the bolt at the top of the suspension.
   
6. Likewise, pull the cotter pin at the bottom of the suspension and remove the mounting pin.
   
7. Raise the jack a little more and the suspension comes out.
   

03 Installing the MONO305

1. Insert the MONO305 the same way the old one came out and loosely fit the top bolt.
   
2. Carefully lower the jack, fit the lower mounting pin and insert the cotter pin, and you're done.
   

The work itself is simple, and anyone used to working on bikes should be able to finish it in a short time.

04 Riding position before and after

Before：A rider about 170cm tall sitting on the bike with the stock suspension. Because the seat is high, the handlebar feels quite low, leaving a posture that's neither good for bracing nor for relaxing.

After：The seat is lower and the knees are bent at almost 90 degrees. The arm angle is more natural, too. It shows clearly how a suspension alone can create a comfortable riding position.