Getting a bit old to get my leg over (I know, I know) and getting cramp when getting off!

Is there a lowering kit available for the XT600E or is it a case of specialist rear shock and raising the forks through the yokes?

Being only 5ft 8in i had to lower my xt by around 3 inches, no commercial kits are available at a reasonable price, so i used an old fj1200 monoshock, which was around 40mm too short, so had to make some extender brackets at 40mm hole centres out of 4mm thick steel, which where welded to the bracket on the shock, then round the ends off to fit the xt top mounting bracket, if you use the fj shock you will have to grind down the lower bush to fit the xt lower shock mounting bracket, sounds a bit complex, but if you can weld and use an angle grinder its dead easy, also raised the forks 30mm, bike now sits perfect for me.

Thanks for that. Bit beyond my skill set but I will keep it in mind.