Lowering my ride Pros/Cons
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,965
Likes: 384
From: SoCal hi desert
My WG was lowered with 10" shocks when I bought it. Bottomed out when 2 up, the brake caliper hit the bottom of the rear fender and the drive belt rubbed on the guard and inner primary. I replaced the shocks w/11 1/2" and it's much better. My buddy lowered his '10 RK and has no issues other than having to get a shorter kickstand so it would lean over enough when parked.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 206
Likes: 5
As an aside, I installed the shotguns on my softail about six months ago. I like being able to lower the ride instantly with a switch, but the most important benefit is in regards to the above post about progressives. I can go two up, fully loaded, hit a switch to bring the ride back up, and it stills feels like driving over soft snow.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 18
From: Beautiful SW Missouri Ozark Mountain Country
Well, the way I see it, you can try thicker boot soles, but that's kinda weird.
Mine is lowered and I have a low seat. I like the ride, although it's not got the ride of a Goldwing. But guess what? It's not a Goldwing. Yes, my floor boards scrape if I take a curve to fast. Lets tell it exactly like it is though. I have to be going around the curve at 30+ MPH faster than the posted speed limit to do that. So that's a wash, because quite honestly, I'm getting to mature for that kind of riding. Notice how I said "mature" and not "old."
Mine doesn't bottom out because I ride sensibly. Pretty simple if you ask me. And it does look cool lowered, I don't care what the others say. Everything except my old Ford Jubilee tractor looks better lowered. Well, I actually can't say the tractor doesn't look good because I've never tried it. Maybe an artists rendition is on order.
Fact is, the guys that have lowered bikes are gonna support lowering it, and the guys that don't, won't. I think Birtha would look great a little lower. As far as the seat goes, it looks like you're just about as low as it can go there.
Mine is lowered and I have a low seat. I like the ride, although it's not got the ride of a Goldwing. But guess what? It's not a Goldwing. Yes, my floor boards scrape if I take a curve to fast. Lets tell it exactly like it is though. I have to be going around the curve at 30+ MPH faster than the posted speed limit to do that. So that's a wash, because quite honestly, I'm getting to mature for that kind of riding. Notice how I said "mature" and not "old."
Mine doesn't bottom out because I ride sensibly. Pretty simple if you ask me. And it does look cool lowered, I don't care what the others say. Everything except my old Ford Jubilee tractor looks better lowered. Well, I actually can't say the tractor doesn't look good because I've never tried it. Maybe an artists rendition is on order.
Fact is, the guys that have lowered bikes are gonna support lowering it, and the guys that don't, won't. I think Birtha would look great a little lower. As far as the seat goes, it looks like you're just about as low as it can go there.
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