New guy needs some help
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Nort Texas
New guy needs some help
how goes it everyone? I just got my first H-D a Dyna Super Glide and im loving it but i have a small problem. Im 5'6 185 and when i sit on the bike i can just barely get my tippy toes to maneuver the bike around. at lights i have been leaning to one side so that its not as comical to looky-loos, what can i do to drop her about 2 inches? thanks for your help!
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 1
From: Newburg,Pa
Welcome EasyGt,couple of things that would help,different seat,shorter shocks,lowering blocks,even getting riding boots with more of a heel.Depends on how much you want to spend.Hope you find something that suits you.
Sucks man, I just sold a set of shocks off my street bob...they're 12", would have lowered you about 1/2" or so...If I were you I'd go shorter on the shocks, but not too much...12" or 11.5"....your FXD comes stock with 12.5"........also a lower profile seat will help. A lot of people here like LePera's Bare Bones, the Silhouette is similar but a tad better padding.
Check them out here: http://www.lepera.com/
For shocks, a lot of people here like Progressive...their 412s are probably the most common that people use.... http://www.progressivesuspension.com/productlinehd.html
Check them out here: http://www.lepera.com/
For shocks, a lot of people here like Progressive...their 412s are probably the most common that people use.... http://www.progressivesuspension.com/productlinehd.html
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Welcome to HDF. You are not alone in the reach department!
Before you do any mods to your bike, consider just two things. As you get to know your bike better you will find you can ride it to where you want it to be, so you won't need to move it around from the saddle when at lights. So that 'problem' should go away pretty soon. In all other situations when you want to move it, wheel it around from beside it. I have had to do that with all my bikes for over thirty years and can only get one toe to the ground on my Glide!
The second thing is your riding boots, as already suggested. There are boots out there with very thick soles and higher heels, which will improve your reach. But be sure to find a pair which provide good grip, to give you good confidence in them. That is far cheaper than lowering your suspension, which will also lower your ground clearance when cornering.
Before you do any mods to your bike, consider just two things. As you get to know your bike better you will find you can ride it to where you want it to be, so you won't need to move it around from the saddle when at lights. So that 'problem' should go away pretty soon. In all other situations when you want to move it, wheel it around from beside it. I have had to do that with all my bikes for over thirty years and can only get one toe to the ground on my Glide!
The second thing is your riding boots, as already suggested. There are boots out there with very thick soles and higher heels, which will improve your reach. But be sure to find a pair which provide good grip, to give you good confidence in them. That is far cheaper than lowering your suspension, which will also lower your ground clearance when cornering.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 2
From: Southwest OHIO
my buddy had a similar problem with his SG Custom. He wasnt able to flat foot when stopped. got a set of a Street Bob shocks off ebay... like 30 bucks. now he can flat foot and its much better for him. as mentioned above... seat and boots!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,579
Likes: 10
From: S.E. MO
Welcome to the forum
I am 5'7 and with a different seat and some 12 inch shocks I am completely flat footed.
At first I had just a lepera BB and it was enough to make me flat footed with out a shock change. It lowered me to much on the bike and made the mid pegs uncomfortable to ride on though. Plus the seat was hard on my back.
I am 5'7 and with a different seat and some 12 inch shocks I am completely flat footed.
At first I had just a lepera BB and it was enough to make me flat footed with out a shock change. It lowered me to much on the bike and made the mid pegs uncomfortable to ride on though. Plus the seat was hard on my back.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 20
From: Trophy Club, TX
Can't think of anything to add to the great advice other than welcome to the Dyna family from South Texas! 
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
Check the adjustment on your shocks for what may be some immediate relief. They have 5 settings and mine came set to the highest, not all do, but this may gain you as much as an inch. As a benefit it will soften the ride if they are set up a notch or two and you are able to set them lower.
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
Before you go spending a lot of money....try loosening the shocks so when you sit on the bike they squish down a little further. Essentially a free mod, minus the cost of the adjusting wrench you get from HD for about $20.
My friend who just bought a '00 heritage has short legs and her b/f had already bought some lowering kit. I said "before you put that on, loosen the shocks." Sure enough, now when she sits on the bike she hits flat foot and the bike ride just as well.
My friend who just bought a '00 heritage has short legs and her b/f had already bought some lowering kit. I said "before you put that on, loosen the shocks." Sure enough, now when she sits on the bike she hits flat foot and the bike ride just as well.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 1
From: Hot Springs Village AR
A lowrider would have been right up you ally. I'm about the same size as you and I am completely flat footed even a little bend in my knees, see if you can trade your shocks for some lowrider shocks then you will probably have to slide your tubes up as well