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Lowering kits / Comfort
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 622
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From: Long Island , NY
Lowering kits / Comfort
Hello all I now have 11" shocks on on 07 FXDB and I love lowered looks . but it is not the most comfiortable ride
I am 5.7 and 30" inseam so 12"stock shocks makes it a bit to get flat foot
I was thinking of investing in a realy good pair of something like a Ricor at 13" with a 1.75 lowering kit Or a 12.5
You get the idea
I want to bike to float ....
Any thoughts on a set up like this ?
Thanks
I am 5.7 and 30" inseam so 12"stock shocks makes it a bit to get flat foot
I was thinking of investing in a realy good pair of something like a Ricor at 13" with a 1.75 lowering kit Or a 12.5
You get the idea
I want to bike to float ....
Any thoughts on a set up like this ?
Thanks
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Well yes! Several things.
You do not need to 'flat foot'. So you do not need to lower your bike to do that. It is quite enough to get the ***** of both feet down to be stable. You can therefore fit longer shocks if you wish!
Lowering blocks are a cheap alternative to shorter shocks. If you buy new short shocks, don't use lowering blocks as well. Talk to your preferred shock brand and ask their advice.
There is a limit how far up into the rear fender your rear wheel can safely go, before it hits something and risks doing harm. That point is the minimum length a shock can go when it is fully compressed. I reckon that is around 9", probably a little more. It is possible your 11" shocks have only around 1.5" travel.
To improve your ride, you need to do two things. One is to fit longer shocks, to get longer travel before they are fully compressed. The other is to buy better quality shocks with improved damping, which also means expensive!
The only shocks I have experience of that will 'float' are custom-built Ohlins from HDF sponsor Motorcycle Metal. Howard there will explain all you ever wanted to know about getting a quality ride!
Hope that helps a little.
You do not need to 'flat foot'. So you do not need to lower your bike to do that. It is quite enough to get the ***** of both feet down to be stable. You can therefore fit longer shocks if you wish!
Lowering blocks are a cheap alternative to shorter shocks. If you buy new short shocks, don't use lowering blocks as well. Talk to your preferred shock brand and ask their advice.
There is a limit how far up into the rear fender your rear wheel can safely go, before it hits something and risks doing harm. That point is the minimum length a shock can go when it is fully compressed. I reckon that is around 9", probably a little more. It is possible your 11" shocks have only around 1.5" travel.
To improve your ride, you need to do two things. One is to fit longer shocks, to get longer travel before they are fully compressed. The other is to buy better quality shocks with improved damping, which also means expensive!
The only shocks I have experience of that will 'float' are custom-built Ohlins from HDF sponsor Motorcycle Metal. Howard there will explain all you ever wanted to know about getting a quality ride!
Hope that helps a little.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
From: Long Island , NY
That is what I am wondering IF I use longer shocks (now have 11s") so say I go with an 12" 12.5 Or a 13 " with a 1.75 lowering block will I get the best of both worlds a lower bike with still more travel than a 11" shock and have same seat hight ??
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Road Captain
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From: Long Island , NY
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
If you use longer shocks they will probably give longer wheel travel, so if you mix them with lowering blocks, you risk the wheel going further up inside your fender and things hitting each other. Throw away those lowering blocks and get some good quality shortish shocks. Don't use both, that is NOT the way to nirvana!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,351
Likes: 1,936
From: Formerly Tampa Bay, FL, Currently Western PA
If your only concern is flatfooting when stopped, you will be much better off going and buying some very thick soled boots to give you an extra inch or 2. IF that isn't enough, you can throw some Dr Schols inserts in them also.
As mentioned - Lowering a bike is for looks only and will negatively affect ride and performance.
As mentioned - Lowering a bike is for looks only and will negatively affect ride and performance.