Slam Kit vs. Slam Seperates
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 352
Likes: 3
From: NorCal
Slam Kit vs. Slam Seperates
I'm getting ready to "take her down" a couple of inches. I decided to go with lower shocks instead of the blocks but... I'm still trying to decide - should I just get the Burley Kit or get 11" Prog.412's & the Prog. drop springs.
I know going lower will require some sacrifices but I still want to get a reasonable compromise - I hear the Pro.11" 412's will be pretty rough but I'm also a little unsure of a 10.5" "kit" shock. I was also looking at the newer 11" Prog. 430's - a little more $$$ but would it be worth it? $$$ is not the bottom line but it still is a factor. I'm sure some would say with a 11" shock - with that little travel you can only get so much.
As always - I'm just looking for a little input before pulling the trigger.
By the way - if I hadn't seen all of these slammin bikes posted lately I wouldn't be having this problem.
I know going lower will require some sacrifices but I still want to get a reasonable compromise - I hear the Pro.11" 412's will be pretty rough but I'm also a little unsure of a 10.5" "kit" shock. I was also looking at the newer 11" Prog. 430's - a little more $$$ but would it be worth it? $$$ is not the bottom line but it still is a factor. I'm sure some would say with a 11" shock - with that little travel you can only get so much.
As always - I'm just looking for a little input before pulling the trigger.
By the way - if I hadn't seen all of these slammin bikes posted lately I wouldn't be having this problem.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
I just went through the same thing when I decided to lower my bike. Took me about a week of researching and pricing before I decided to go with the Progressive 11" 412's and drop in kit for the front. I talked with the guys at Burly and told them my riding situation (I ride 2 up) and they told me I would bottom out. Some here say they ride 2 up with no problems. They recommended I go with Progressive (they are sister companies) my second choice. After installing the 11" Progressives I could see how you might bottom out with Burly 10 1/2". I cut the spacer on the front to 1" like they recommend for my bike and it dropped the front 2". You can look at my signature pic and see how it compressed the fork gaiters I just put on. They were fully extended before I lowered it.
Lowering my bike was one of the last things I did and it made the biggest visual impact of any of the other mods I've done. The ride is not near as bad as I had imagined. I agree with others here that say it handles better. Hope this kinda helps in your decision. Good luck to ya! Tony
Lowering my bike was one of the last things I did and it made the biggest visual impact of any of the other mods I've done. The ride is not near as bad as I had imagined. I agree with others here that say it handles better. Hope this kinda helps in your decision. Good luck to ya! Tony
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
From: NorthEast Ohio
I like progressive's products. I bought them individually. I lowered the front an inch. I installed the air tail and the burly blocks in the rear. (no rubbin. although, if I lean a little too much on a left, the kickstand will drag. I run low when crusing, on the freeway I'll raise the bike to stock height.
'01 RK
'01 RK
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
I've had the 412's for a long time and thought they kinda rode like hell until I changed my seat.The combination of a LePera "Bare Bones" seat and short shocks is a killer.Right now I'm runnin a Superglide Custom seat with my 11" Progressive "Heavy Duties" and the rides not bad at all.I also don't see any point in lowering the front with a kit when you can just slide the forks up in the tubes or leave them where they are and just don't go fast around corners.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington, NC
Aww man! Thats like saying "Lets go to Hooters, just don't look at the girls"!
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Heath, Ohio
Called this morning and ordered the Prog. HD 11" Rear shocks and the Prog. Front Drop In Kit for my Lowrider. I ride two up about once a week and went with the HD shocks. Sure hope it works well for me. A mechanic that I talked to that used to work for HD dealer tried to talk me into HD parts. Said I won't be happy with the Prog. stuff and will bottom out, might damage the bike and the bike will be unsafe.
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 352
Likes: 3
From: NorCal
I mail ordered the shocks and springs Sunday night and according to the tracking # they may be here tomorrow. If its as easy as advertised Wednesday I'll be testing it on the way to work.
As far as the front springs - I thought about just sliding the tubes but most people say the springs had actually made it ride better. For the rear - I ride solo so I went standard duty springs.
Will report back soon.
As far as the front springs - I thought about just sliding the tubes but most people say the springs had actually made it ride better. For the rear - I ride solo so I went standard duty springs.
Will report back soon.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 3
From: Jefferson, Oregon
If you feel that the front is too soft (too much dive when braking, into into corners, ect) don't just lower the front, change the fork oil weight when doing the spring install. Many like the heavier SE fork oil, some like the Amsoil...
Just be aware, that the heavier the weight, the stiffer the ride will be. Depends on your riding style.
I almost did the Burley kit. I tried out the blocks to see if I liked the lowered feel first. LOVE it. I have the progressive springs for the front ready to go in and plan on dropping the front 1" to match the rear drop.
It was cheaper for me (about $75 bucks total) for the blocks and progressive springs for the front. I still need oil, seals...add in another $35 bucks than doing the Burley kit. However...if you want LOW...
Good luck, look forward to the report.
Just be aware, that the heavier the weight, the stiffer the ride will be. Depends on your riding style.
I almost did the Burley kit. I tried out the blocks to see if I liked the lowered feel first. LOVE it. I have the progressive springs for the front ready to go in and plan on dropping the front 1" to match the rear drop.
It was cheaper for me (about $75 bucks total) for the blocks and progressive springs for the front. I still need oil, seals...add in another $35 bucks than doing the Burley kit. However...if you want LOW...
Good luck, look forward to the report.