Lowering my 08 FLHR
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Central KY
Lowering my 08 FLHR
OK....
I have a 2008 Road King. I needed to lower my bike a little so I got me an adapter kit which repositions the rear shocks lower attachment bolt. I can either go 2.5 or 1.5 inches. I tried the 2.5 but bottomed out. So I am using the 1.5 position. It did lower me, and I have not had any issues with the set-up. Bike still handles like a champ. I have since scooped out some foam from my seat, in lieu of purchasing a HD Reach Seat. It actually sits pretty good and brought me closer to the ground. So your wondering whats the problem then....
Well, I want to know if there are any good shocks that will give me the lowered effect, and not compromise ride quality. I want to go as low as I can and still ride 2 up. I looked at C&C Seats website and might go that route as well....decent prices with a stitch pattern.
Looked at Progressive shocks, but there are so many options.
Anybody already lived thru this and found the right combination?
Any suggestions would be great.
Can't wait for the warm weather...
I have a 2008 Road King. I needed to lower my bike a little so I got me an adapter kit which repositions the rear shocks lower attachment bolt. I can either go 2.5 or 1.5 inches. I tried the 2.5 but bottomed out. So I am using the 1.5 position. It did lower me, and I have not had any issues with the set-up. Bike still handles like a champ. I have since scooped out some foam from my seat, in lieu of purchasing a HD Reach Seat. It actually sits pretty good and brought me closer to the ground. So your wondering whats the problem then....
Well, I want to know if there are any good shocks that will give me the lowered effect, and not compromise ride quality. I want to go as low as I can and still ride 2 up. I looked at C&C Seats website and might go that route as well....decent prices with a stitch pattern.
Looked at Progressive shocks, but there are so many options.
Anybody already lived thru this and found the right combination?
Any suggestions would be great.
Can't wait for the warm weather...
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 193
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From: Chattanooga, Tennessee
I never recommend more than a 1 inch drop on the rear, more and you will effect the trail and handling of the bike. Besides, now your kickstand is too long if you go more than 1 inch. If you do decide to drop 1.5, then I would lower the front 1 inch as well. If that still isn't enough, then go with some seat work. But keep the lowering to the 1 inch rule on a road king. You will be surprised what the 1 inch in front and the 1` inch in rear will do, when you combine them. It's well worth the money.. Frankly I don't like the lowering blocks. Either go with HD factory shorter shock or Progressive suspensions.
Stroker
Stroker
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Your FLHR is already 1 inch lower than a regular touring bike. You want lower? Don't you corner the bike at all? You are losing a ton of lean angle by doing this. But, if that's what the man wants, the man shall have.
I went the same route as you, using a good quality bracket to lower the bike by pivoting the pivoting the lower shock mount. I took it off after about 10 rides. As much as I like a lowered look, I'd rather have as much lean angle as possible.
Two options you might want to consider are:
(1) A lowered front fender. Some kits out there give you the look, without the ground clearance problems.
(2) Progressive Suspension shocks. Yeah, it can be confusing with all the options, but the simple math is:
412's are the lower price shock
418's are priced higher, but allow you more adjustment, especially rebound damping
440's are even a little more than the 418's. Only allow for pre-load adjustment, and apparently automatically adjust for rebound damping.
I've been looking for a reasonably priced set of 418's for a couple months now, no luck.
I went the same route as you, using a good quality bracket to lower the bike by pivoting the pivoting the lower shock mount. I took it off after about 10 rides. As much as I like a lowered look, I'd rather have as much lean angle as possible.
Two options you might want to consider are:
(1) A lowered front fender. Some kits out there give you the look, without the ground clearance problems.
(2) Progressive Suspension shocks. Yeah, it can be confusing with all the options, but the simple math is:
412's are the lower price shock
418's are priced higher, but allow you more adjustment, especially rebound damping
440's are even a little more than the 418's. Only allow for pre-load adjustment, and apparently automatically adjust for rebound damping.
I've been looking for a reasonably priced set of 418's for a couple months now, no luck.
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 95
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From: Central KY
Thanks for the input guys....
More than likely I will swap out the lowering plates for some Progressives. As for lean angle......trust me....even with the set up I have, I can lean lean the bike as much as I want with no scraping. Never lost any bank angle with the lowering set up I have. The 1.5 is the the lowest I plan to go, and I guess I will have to play around with some seat ideas to get my feet closer to the ground. That is the main reason for this, not looks.
Thanks again and safe riding.....
More than likely I will swap out the lowering plates for some Progressives. As for lean angle......trust me....even with the set up I have, I can lean lean the bike as much as I want with no scraping. Never lost any bank angle with the lowering set up I have. The 1.5 is the the lowest I plan to go, and I guess I will have to play around with some seat ideas to get my feet closer to the ground. That is the main reason for this, not looks.
Thanks again and safe riding.....
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