I picked up a lowering bolt kit for the wife's 2011 Softail Custom, I heard that this kit makes it ride like crap. Does anyone have any experience with this kit?

 

Had it on my Breakout. It will stiffen it up a little bit but its not bad

 

Mine is down in the back with the SE model longer shock/spring units. It had the progressive wound SE springs in the front but I took them out. Front would bottom in a heartbeat. My rear shock is set to low side of compression. My 190 lb will bottom the rear out on certain dips like approaching bridge steps. When it hits that rubber stop, it's a jolt. When it's set to the firm end, it's sure a rough ride. It's a compromise in my opinion. Lowering it 1" looses 1" of wheel travel. About 1/4 of your travel I guess. Would not do it if I used the bike for more then a round town cruise unless you are just short.. If your kit is the extensions on the shocks, I would have even more misgivings.

 

Unless you're a light weight, your roads are as smooth as glass, or young with a strong back it'll ride like crap.
We've got crappy roads here and those small ruts kept slamming me in the lower back. I had to remove them.

 

Compared to a touring frame, dyna frame, or FXR frame, softails ride like **** to begin with... why would you want to make it even worse? It's a cool design, and it works, but that's about the only good thing you can say about it. Might as well get a weld on hardtail if you're going to lower it.