Short shocks get you a little closer to the ground, longer shocks give you a little better ride. You get to choose what is more important to you.

Aftermarket shocks, while expensive, can make both lengths even better.

 

Better handling & no bottoming out. I went with Works Steel Trackers DRS/ARS 13". They can be adjusted for solo & 2-up & added luggage. Good Luck.

 

My RK was lowered 1" front and rear when I got it. Terrible! One of the first things I did was raise it back up with Progressive shocks and Racetech springs plus valves. Lowering may look Kool but not worth the loss of travel and lean angle.

 

I started this thread because I'm considering adding one of Custom Cycle Engineering's billet triple tree top clamps to my bike:

http://www.baggersmag.com/motorcycle...-tourtrac-tree

https://ccesd.us/Product-Details/1/D...r_Trac_Trees-1

However, in addition to replacing my 12" rear Bitubos, adding CCE's billet triple tree would require me to have my Traxxion Dynamics front fork cartridges lengthened/reworked.

CCE triple tree: $850
13" Bitubos: $850
Rework Traxxion front cartridges: $375
Misc. Shipping, etc: $150
Total cost: $2225

So, would you cough up over $2K to go from a tricked out 12" suspension to a tricked out 13" suspension?

 

I prefer the higher ride of the RK/EG. It gives more ground clearance and it's a perfect height for me to put my feet on the ground with a bend in my knee. I'm not over stretching and my knees aren't up in my chest. The extra shock travel doesn't hurt comfort/ride either.

 

So, would you cough up over $2K to go from a tricked out 12" suspension to a tricked out 13" suspension?
Absolutely not!