View Poll Results: Have you lowered your Harley?
Yes, I think it is Cool looking and thats all that matters
45
27.11%
No, only damn fools lower their bikes cuz it ruins the ride
121
72.89%
Voters: 166. You may not vote on this poll
Lowered bikes...WTF..?
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 1,047
From: Southwest Desert
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 1,047
From: Southwest Desert
I could be wrong here, but isn't the California Custom Club bike a Dyna craze that started in, of All places, Kalifornia? lol! Just keeping the thread on track....I am moving someplace warm next year. For now I am jealous....
Last edited by SirHarley; Nov 24, 2019 at 12:37 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,435
Likes: 7,127
From: Beyond Fucital
If stiff and harsh is your thing. I see you have an Evo Softail. I have been told that No amount of Mods will make a Softail "handle"...It was about looks when they designed that bike. I haven't ridden a new one yet. I know Progressive Suspension claims improvement (F&R), but that is subjective at best. If you never ride two up or long trip then you're fine.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 809
From: Ormond Beach, Florida
Time for another polarizing thread. lol! Why do riders "lower" their motorcycles? Is it about the Look? Because it sure cant be about performance. It may be good for Drag bikes. How do you take a long trip on a lowered motorcycle with two people? Does it ever scrape in the corners?
But because this rider is only 5'5 with a 27" inseam, lowering is not an option but a necessity if I want to ride a full size MC. Even with lower seats, the ride height stock does not allow me to reach the ground comfortably.
Both of my bikes are lowered 1" front and back and I/we do a lot of two-up riding.
On my Heritage, I could not distinguish any ride difference between stock and lowered. The shorter momoshock is the same as that used in the Deluxe. I did use heavy oil in the lower front shocks to eleiminate the stopping dive. Much better feel.
On my SGS the 1" shorter front shocks are gas cartridge shocks that provide a very comfortable responce through the HBs. The 11" rear shock have Heavy duty springs because when riding two-up, the standard springs would bottom out. When riding two-up the bike is very comfortable, but, yes, when riding solo the ride is a little stiff...but not to the degree it is uncomfortable. I firmly believe if you replace the standard OEM H-D shocks, both for stock height or for a lowered height, the ride can be improved as long as you get quality products, of which there are many.
Do I scrape in the corners because the bikes are lowered? Yes, but I'm not an overly agressive rider so scraping is rare. I can do 18 ft diameter circles with either bike and don't scrape untill I try to reduce the diameter some more.
I do agree, those who don't need to lower their bike, but do, are losing some ride performance and presumably they are doing it mostly for the "look".
My bikes don't really look lowered because it is done both front and rear. Even side by side with a unlowered bike it is hard to notice the difference untill you sit on them.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 1,047
From: Southwest Desert
Mea Culpa. I should have mentioned something in the poll about height. I am over 6 foot, and never considered it.
Last edited by SirHarley; Nov 24, 2019 at 02:11 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
Likes: 3,276
From:
Using your own words, you like them at OEM ride height, that's your thing. Other people are just simply doing their own thing too. I think it's like everything else. For example, why do some like apes and some don't? It all boils down to what each individual rider likes and is comfortable with.
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 1,047
From: Southwest Desert
Using your own words, you like them at OEM ride height, that's your thing. Other people are just simply doing their own thing too. I think it's like everything else. For example, why do some like apes and some don't? It all boils down to what each individual rider likes and is comfortable with.
.
Last edited by SirHarley; Nov 24, 2019 at 12:53 PM.
