Push..push it good...
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 773
Likes: 1
From: NZ but live in Dorset, England
RE: Push..push it good...
ORIGINAL: bikediva
OK...question here with honest answers please. Do you ever have to get a "push" on your bike? This is the only area where I have trouble with my bike. I have a Low Rider and sometimes I get in a situation where I need a push back to move the bike. I am only 105lbs and 5'3"...so feet aren't totally flat. I love my bike, but find myself intimadated sometimes with parking situations. Would lowering the bike help? In your opinion, is my bike too big to me? Please don't say it's true
OK...question here with honest answers please. Do you ever have to get a "push" on your bike? This is the only area where I have trouble with my bike. I have a Low Rider and sometimes I get in a situation where I need a push back to move the bike. I am only 105lbs and 5'3"...so feet aren't totally flat. I love my bike, but find myself intimadated sometimes with parking situations. Would lowering the bike help? In your opinion, is my bike too big to me? Please don't say it's true
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
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Push..push it good...
ORIGINAL: bikediva
Thanks for all the comments. I do wear a good boot with thick soles and they have helped. I also had the reach seat installed when I bought the bike. Does lowering the bike change the handling? I know that once you lower the rear you can't ride two up-but I never carry passengers anyway. Do I need to lower both front and rear for the best handling? Thanks.
Thanks for all the comments. I do wear a good boot with thick soles and they have helped. I also had the reach seat installed when I bought the bike. Does lowering the bike change the handling? I know that once you lower the rear you can't ride two up-but I never carry passengers anyway. Do I need to lower both front and rear for the best handling? Thanks.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,167
Likes: 0
RE: Push..push it good...
ORIGINAL: gman
i admit, i have to have the wife give me a push back sometimes on the UC. course, she has to earn her way somehow!
i admit, i have to have the wife give me a push back sometimes on the UC. course, she has to earn her way somehow!
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Winston Salem, NC
RE: Push..push it good...
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.
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.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 24
From: Minden LA
RE: Push..push it good...
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
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
RE: Push..push it good...
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
Bob
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
RE: Push..push it good...
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.
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Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Winston Salem, NC
RE: Push..push it good...
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
Burley Lowering Kit
Arlen Ness Slam Kit
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Push..push it good...
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?