Lowered vs. Standard 2021XR: Track Performance and Leveraging Considerations

[ROKIN]

I'm considering purchasing one of two 2021XRs. Both bikes have the premium features I'm looking for, but one of them is lowered.

Currently, I own a gen 2 model. My primary goal is to have forged wheels, which I believe would make the bike feel lighter and more maneuverable. However, I'm also contemplating whether a lowered bike might enhance the riding experience, especially on the track. My reasoning is that a lowered bike might have a lower center of gravity, potentially requiring less input and offering better leverage.

By "leverage," I'm referring to the bike's mass and its distance from the ground's contact point. This concept can be likened to how shifting one's head position affects balance due to the mass concentrated higher up on the spine.

While I'm aware that a lowered bike could compromise ground clearance, I wonder if using the billet pack and maximizing the height of the pegs would mitigate this issue. Additionally, I've noticed some riders adjust their fork tree in the front, which seems to reduce both rake and leverage.

Main Question: Does a lowered bike provide a better feel on the track compared to a standard one?

[Antares]

Originally Posted by ROKIN

I'm considering purchasing one of two 2021XRs. Both bikes have the premium features I'm looking for, but one of them is lowered.

Currently, I own a gen 2 model. My primary goal is to have forged wheels, which I believe would make the bike feel lighter and more maneuverable. However, I'm also contemplating whether a lowered bike might enhance the riding experience, especially on the track. My reasoning is that a lowered bike might have a lower center of gravity, potentially requiring less input and offering better leverage.

By "leverage," I'm referring to the bike's mass and its distance from the ground's contact point. This concept can be likened to how shifting one's head position affects balance due to the mass concentrated higher up on the spine.

While I'm aware that a lowered bike could compromise ground clearance, I wonder if using the billet pack and maximizing the height of the pegs would mitigate this issue. Additionally, I've noticed some riders adjust their fork tree in the front, which seems to reduce both rake and leverage.

Main Question: Does a lowered bike provide a better feel on the track compared to a standard one?

A taller bike starts to tip in quicker, a shorter one is easier to then pick up and take to the other side. YMMV but I prefer the full height when it came to the Gen 1. You also get more suspension travel on a higher bike which means more weight transfer but also more control, never had an issues with the bike weaving though, even a full height Gen 1 was rock solid when it came to pitching.