two up on a lowered bike

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Apr 22, 2010 | 07:40 PM

RyKR

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From: At home

two up on a lowered bike

How many of you with lowered bikes ride two up often? Approximately 75% of my riding is done two up and I already scrape and bottom in hard turns. Now the bike is an 01 Low Rider with about 12K on it. Could the current shocks just be warn out and contributing to this?

I want to lower the bike about an 1". If I did this with a good (i.e. expensive) set of shocks, would this improve the ride and possibly prevent the bottoming? Maybe I should just replace them with a good set anyways and give up on lowering it.

My wife and I combined weigh about 325lbs.

Apr 22, 2010 | 08:00 PM

HDDyna2006

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Joined: Oct 2007

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From: Ft. Hood, Texas

If adjustable, set shocks to highest preload setting.

I have pair of 12.5" 06 FXDI shocks for sale on class. worked for me, wife and 50 lb. weekender bags.

Last edited by HDDyna2006; Apr 22, 2010 at 09:31 PM.

Apr 22, 2010 | 09:06 PM

jaxdwg

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Joined: May 2005

Posts: 1,301

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From: Minden LA

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyKR

Personally; I would give up on the lowereing thing if you want to keep mama happy. The only way to keep from bottoming out and scraping with shorter shocks is to run a stiffer spring and the stiffer spring means stiffer ride. I went to progressive 1/2" longer than stock and it improved me and mama's ride immensely. Now the bumps are no more than a little woosh when we hit them, unless they're real big and almost no scraping in the corners, even 2-up. jmho------jack

Apr 22, 2010 | 09:46 PM

SPECIAL ED

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Joined: Jun 2006

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From: Templeton California

Here's an old idea that sort of works.If you want to lower your bike and not bottom out but still have a decent ride you need short stiff shocks and a good seat.You could do something like progressive 11" Heavy Duty shocks with a Pillow look seat that would sort of balance it out without looking too bad.

Apr 22, 2010 | 09:46 PM

Bones77

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From: Central IL

Lowered 1" FXDC. Combined two weight likely in the 290+ range. Never scrapped, but its a slower ride with the wife on. Certain premium shocks would improve the ride. Mine rides a bit stiff, but does not bottom out. I didn't think lowriders could be lowered anymore.

Bones

Apr 22, 2010 | 10:11 PM

2NAHNTR

Road Captain

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 643

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From: Georgia

My lowrider is lowered one inch and I do not bottom out at all. I have the 440series progressives and they do pretty good. Ride is still pretty smooth with about 330 lbs between me and flavor of the month.

Apr 22, 2010 | 10:16 PM

danl

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Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 327

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From: Santa Clarita

I have the same bike as you, I have the 11" Progressive shocks,which lowers it 1".Our combined weight is 290+ range + saddlebags....I do bottom out on certain bumps,and have been thinking of going to another shock,but want to keep the low profile I have.Sorry got off sub,, my shocks have 11 K less than yours to answer yur bottoming out question RyKR, i am up in the air too,I'm wondering if they make a short air shock that you can raise when going 2 up? could you repost when you do something with yours, be appreciated