Short guy problem lol...please help
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 65
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From: Kansas City, MO
Short guy problem lol...please help
Hey all,
**Sry I posted this in the regular Touring model area...I didn't see this "Rushmore" area until after I posted.....**
I just purchased a 2014 Street Glide. I'm only 5'6" and I've noticed it's definitely different then my previous Sportster. At stops I'm on the ***** of my feet at best. I'm worried that if I put my girl on the back and she shifts weight at a stop we might tip over without me having sure flat footing. I was looking at getting the HD super reduced reach seat, but also is there anything I can do to the suspension? I saw in the parts catalog there's a Profile Low front lowering susp kit (PN 54564-09). It says that it can only be installed on lowered rear stocks OR standard rear FLHX shocks '09-'13, but nothing that's 2014 model specific.... that leads me to believe there's nothing I can do to lower the front shocks and there's nothing for lower rear shocks at all??? Someone suggested a rear suspension kit from Drag Specialties that's 11.5" from "eye to eye" Heavy Duty for 2 up riding?... is that lower than stock? Does anyone know what the stock rear shock length is? I'd like to go lower if I can, but without sacrificing too much in ride quality. Please...any help or suggestions is much appreciated. Sorry for not knowing, this is my first Harley that I actually wanted to put modifications on.
**Sry I posted this in the regular Touring model area...I didn't see this "Rushmore" area until after I posted.....**
I just purchased a 2014 Street Glide. I'm only 5'6" and I've noticed it's definitely different then my previous Sportster. At stops I'm on the ***** of my feet at best. I'm worried that if I put my girl on the back and she shifts weight at a stop we might tip over without me having sure flat footing. I was looking at getting the HD super reduced reach seat, but also is there anything I can do to the suspension? I saw in the parts catalog there's a Profile Low front lowering susp kit (PN 54564-09). It says that it can only be installed on lowered rear stocks OR standard rear FLHX shocks '09-'13, but nothing that's 2014 model specific.... that leads me to believe there's nothing I can do to lower the front shocks and there's nothing for lower rear shocks at all??? Someone suggested a rear suspension kit from Drag Specialties that's 11.5" from "eye to eye" Heavy Duty for 2 up riding?... is that lower than stock? Does anyone know what the stock rear shock length is? I'd like to go lower if I can, but without sacrificing too much in ride quality. Please...any help or suggestions is much appreciated. Sorry for not knowing, this is my first Harley that I actually wanted to put modifications on.
My wife is 5'2".
She could almost flatfoot her 14 SGS, One heel on the ground, the other within 1/4"
We lowered the front 1 inch, the part number IS in the catalog
I put 2013 air shocks on it, and a Burley 1" lowering block kit,
The Reach seats did not do it for her, and we looked hard at the FBI drop kit, but that moves you farther away from the bars and controls, so we opted no.
We bought a Danny Grey Speed Cradle seat, and that was the trick for her.
I'm 285 lbs, and I could not get the bike to bottom or rub with this setup.
This worked for us, and YMMV.
She could almost flatfoot her 14 SGS, One heel on the ground, the other within 1/4"
We lowered the front 1 inch, the part number IS in the catalog
I put 2013 air shocks on it, and a Burley 1" lowering block kit,
The Reach seats did not do it for her, and we looked hard at the FBI drop kit, but that moves you farther away from the bars and controls, so we opted no.
We bought a Danny Grey Speed Cradle seat, and that was the trick for her.
I'm 285 lbs, and I could not get the bike to bottom or rub with this setup.
This worked for us, and YMMV.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,325
Likes: 333
From: Upper Providence Pa
There are several options.. You can get manual premium rear shocks. They come in regular and lowered. This will lower the back end 1".
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store...-03-5468010--1
On the '14's you can slide your front fork's up in the tripple tree an inch as well lowering the bike equally or purchase the Premium Fork kit that will do two things, improve the front end and lower it.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store...ridge-fork-kit.
As for seat, contact MeanCityCycles and they will hook you up with lowering and narrowing your factory seat for a lot less than buying a new seat.. And they make it much more comfortable as well with different padding.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store...-03-5468010--1
On the '14's you can slide your front fork's up in the tripple tree an inch as well lowering the bike equally or purchase the Premium Fork kit that will do two things, improve the front end and lower it.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store...ridge-fork-kit.
As for seat, contact MeanCityCycles and they will hook you up with lowering and narrowing your factory seat for a lot less than buying a new seat.. And they make it much more comfortable as well with different padding.
Stock rear shocks are the Premium Hand Adjustable 12"
If you put Burley blocks on, you will need to swap to '13 earlier air shocks, and remove the boot. The springs on the Premiums will not allow them to work with blocks.
If you put Burley blocks on, you will need to swap to '13 earlier air shocks, and remove the boot. The springs on the Premiums will not allow them to work with blocks.
There are several options.. You can get manual premium rear shocks. They come in regular and lowered. This will lower the back end 1".
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store...-03-5468010--1
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store...-03-5468010--1
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,325
Likes: 333
From: Upper Providence Pa
Right.... And he said he had a FLHX which does not...
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The FLHX still has lowered shocks, they are 12" air, versus the 12" Premium Hand Adjustable.
Changing a 12 to a 12 is a net gain of zero.
But I was thinking FLHXS.
Changing a 12 to a 12 is a net gain of zero.
But I was thinking FLHXS.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 5
From: Mesquite Tx
As Safetyman said ALL street glides come with 12" shocks. It's just a matter or which 12" shocks you get, standard gets 12" air while special gets 12" hand adjustable. But in the end they are still all the same length. What kind of boots are you wearing? If you are not already wearing a tall healed boot like a traditional motorcycle harness boot then I would look that direction first. You might be able to fix your broblem with a $200 pair of boots if your close now.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 404
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
+1 on the Mean City Cycles seat mods. The Super Narrow mod is $135 and will drop you around 2". Even if you do other suspension changes, this would be a great first step. They can also move you a bit forward or rearward, look at their website and call Allan and he will help you without a doubt.