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Slow speed riding is the difficult part, especially when you are vertically challenged (short), and struggle to get your feet flat down when stopped. Learning to ride at slow speeds can help with this...not solve the issue but help with the ability of not having to always get your feet down. A friend did a lot of slow riding/coaching and showed me that dragging the back brake and riding the clutch was by far the most effective way of slow riding slowly and in control.
I don't have air ride, my bike pretty much rides as you see it. I have never noticed any difference in the handling since I lowered the bike. I actually noticed a better ride when I went with the 200 rear wheel.
I don't have air ride, my bike pretty much rides as you see it. I have never noticed any difference in the handling since I lowered the bike. I actually noticed a better ride when I went with the 200 rear wheel.
It's amazing to me that you don't scrape that front pipe on every right hand corner.
It's amazing to me that you don't scrape that front pipe on every right hand corner.
Hey Bowhunter, I could understand why you would think they would but surprisingly they don't. The bike has really only lost 2in of ground clearance from the progressive shock and the new softail design offers more ground clearance then previous softail models. The design of the Ricks fender drops the fender lower to the rear tire without effecting the ground clearance giving that slammed look wile still being able to corner.
It is really just a difference in riding style and expectation. If you want to cruise your Harley, lowering it won't ruin it, and for some will make it better. If you want to ride more aggressively around corners then it is a terrible idea. I used to have a Breakout with a Shotgun shock on it. I would ride it low all the time. But it also wasn't a bike meant for hitting the canyons. With my current bike I would never consider lowering it, I raised it 2" and I still scrape things in turns.
Hey Bowhunter, I could understand why you would think they would but surprisingly they don't. The bike has really only lost 2in of ground clearance from the progressive shock and the new softail design offers more ground clearance then previous softail models. The design of the Ricks fender drops the fender lower to the rear tire without effecting the ground clearance giving that slammed look wile still being able to corner.
Ah I see. That rear fender sure does make the bike look super slammed.
Well I am in the process of installing a 21" 3.5 upfront on my 2019 heritage and 16" matching rear.
Now I was under the impression that I need to drop the front by 1" to compensate for the 21" wheel as it will rise my front. I like the 21" as I owned the Roadglide CVO which came with a 21" front and I love the looks and handling. I noticed the RG-CVO was dropped in the front from the factory, which is why I think I would need to drop the front on the Hertiage.
What I will do is install the front 21" and take measurements with the stock wheel setup, and then measure again with the 21" installed. I'll also ride it first before doing a drop to see what's the benefits.
I would love to hear of others with the 21" and 16" rear setup.
I have 21x3.5 on both of my Softys and lowered the front 1 on each bike. I was told that it wasnt necessary to lower the front, but went ahead and lowered each bike and honestly didnt really notice any difference on the ride.
I have 21x3.5 on both of my Softys and lowered the front 1 on each bike. I was told that it wasnt necessary to lower the front, but went ahead and lowered each bike and honestly didnt really notice any difference on the ride.
I'll try the ride with stock front setup and then see how she handles. If I feel it's high from the front I'll drop her 1" in the front. Thanks for the information, really appreciated.
I lowered my touring FLHTK because I couldn't lengthen my legs and I like to be able to flatfoot with both feet when stopped. 1" lower which was same as stock FLHTKL
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
