I'm only 5'7" (ok i weigh a bit more) ... and I struggle sometimes too on my Bob which is the same seat height ... the best advice is watch ur parking ... always back in if u can ... don't be afraid to hop off and pull the bike by the bars ...

Even a low sporty is about the same seat height 25.3" vs 25.8" and its only 10% lighter

Try a narrower seat (legs point down rather than out), lower the shocks a little, big boots ... but keep riding it !

Mat

 

the dealership did recommend lowering the front also. Mine handles great, lowering front and back did not affect the ride

 

Turtle - did you have to do something to the jiffy stand as well after lowering?

 

I agree, although I would prefer it if mine would just wash it for me. Then again, she would miss too many spots, so I 'm happy with tellin' her to get me a beer and make me a chicken pot-pie.

 

Diva, the main difference you may notice if you lower the bike is that it lesens your lean angle a bit, meaning you'll be scraping parts more if you throw it hard into the corners.

Always use gravity to assist you when backing. If your parking place slopes uphill, pull in and back out. If it slopes downhill, back in and drive out.

 

Hi Diva; A friend's wife is 5'2" and he lowered the bike to fix the foot-on-the-ground problem but he bought the adaptors so he wouldn't have to pay the big bucks for the shocks. I think he got them from J&P, they just change the angle of the shock so it lowers the bike, still almost full travel but lowered it about 1 1/2" and only cost about 50 bucks. Check into that rather than paying for new shocks. And it shouldn't change the handling, you may even like it better--Hope I helped------Jack

 

I bought my 2000 Dyna from a woman. She was 5'3" (Im 5'8") and had the whole bike lowered at the dealer. Front and rear shocks plus the new kickstand. I love being able to put BOTH my feet flat on the ground. Helps a LOT backing up. And because the bike is lower, your center of gravity is lowered, making your bike handle better in the curves.

Bob

 

My wife is only 5 feet 2 inches and she has a low rider. I lowered the front and back by 1 inch with different shocks and front fork springs. She also wears boots and is mostly fine. Backing is still hard just because she is not that strong but she manages. You will have to be thinking each time your going to park the bike about leaving so you park in a flat spot or let gravity back you into the parking area as someone suggested. Also as you know beware of stopping on a surface that slants to the left or right, change you angle so your left and right are horizontal. I digress, you probably already know this.

 

As mentioned previously, here's a couple of lowering kits. You didn't mention what year your bike is, but if it's late model, one of these should work. Be advised: If you have saddlebags, or plan to, these kits may have the shock crowding the bag. Maybe someone who has used these can speak to it.

Burley Lowering Kit

Arlen Ness Slam Kit

 

Great advice all...thanks. Ok...here's a question. The Low Rider is a 2007 (so brand new)...there is a good independent mechanic here, reputable, does good work. With the bike being so new should I have work done at the dealer or go to someone who is referred by other Harley riders?