I know, the checkers are a bit much. I haven’t decided if I will leave them or cover them. It is like a giant reflector, so in one way they are good. I don’t think the bike has been lowered. It was side by side another XR when I bought it and I didn’t notice the difference and the dealer didn’t say anything. But who knows the first owner did a ton of mods. It is funny that he only kept the bike for so few miles.