I just got a 2002 883 Sportster Hugger.&nbsp\\; I am 5'3" and have no problem reaching but overall the feel of the bike while manuvering very slow is very top heavy.&nbsp\\; They ride is great and comfortable but stopping and starting off, &nbsp\\;I frequently feel as if the bike is going to fall over and I did actually drop it twice.&nbsp\\; I used to drive a&nbsp\\; Suzuki GZ 250 that handled better slow than on the road.&nbsp\\; Is there anyway that lowing this bike a bit more will help and what do I need?&nbsp\\; Thanks,&nbsp\\;
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Deb
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Yes.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; There are numerous ways to lower it, or make it feel lower....Are they the stock shocks?&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; Stock seat? You could go with shorter shocks, or install lowering brackets, or get a narrower seat so your legs aren't being spread apart as far....

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I'm not laughing with you, I'm laughing at you.

You could always let the air out of the tires
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jk

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I was gonna say the same thing.
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Seriously though, you might just want to give yourself some time to get used to your bikes low speed handling characteristics. I too had a metric with better handling, but now I'm used to my current bike &amp\\; it's no big deal anymore. A narrower front tire did help quite a bit in that department though. Try that the next time you change out your front tire.

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2001 Xl1200C

There is no use in waiting to get used to low speed handling on your Sportster because low-speed&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\; handling is poor due to a heavy bike with a high center of gravity. lower the front by loosening the front fork pinch bolts and push the forks up the triple-clamps 1 full inch. That alone will help your low-speed stability. Then get some 11"&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\; progressive&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\; 412&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\; shocks. They will bolt right on. then you can get a progressive lowering kit for the front forks if you want to go down(1 in.) more in the front. As you go through these steps you will get a bike that is much easier to handle at slow speeds and stops as well as look a lot better.

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Whoa.. Black Betty... bam ba lam

74 cubic inch 1997 XLH , 2" drag pipes, Thunder Monsters, 11"shocks, Custom flame paint

RIC27&nbsp\\; Thanks for the advice.&nbsp\\; I'll print this off and start to it!
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Yeah, I guess it'd be a waste of time improving your skills when you could just throw money at the problem.

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2001 Xl1200C

&nbsp\\;You can put a lowering kit on the back and you can also loosen the front clamps on the trees and let the front end down another inch without any problems.

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JAG1886
2007 Road King
2000 1200 Sportster
2003 1200 Sportster

Yea, it probably would. Hell, it's only money. And who would ever think of spending money to improve their bike? Some have considered ways of upgrading the bikes for the performance gains the prefer and been happy with the results. Others just leave their bikes stock and ride. What ever works for you is great. But the fact remains, Sportsters have a top heavy setup stock that is a pain at very slow speeds and can be improved rather easily at not that much expense.

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Whoa.. Black Betty... bam ba lam

74 cubic inch 1997 XLH , 2" drag pipes, Thunder Monsters, 11"shocks, Custom flame paint

I agree, a bike that doesn't fit properly and is too tall and feels like it's gonna go over isn't very confidence inspiring to IMPROVE those slow speed skills. Fit the bike to the rider. Improve. Then the rider is more able to ride a bike that's "not quite right".
Teek

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"I'm from the government. I'm here to help!"