Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Why lower?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 27, 2009 | 10:45 PM
  #1  
Rebsix's Avatar
Rebsix
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Northern, MI
Default Why lower?

Just curious as to why some guys lower a bike. Other than being vertically challenged is there an advantage, and what are some of the disadvantages?
 
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2009 | 10:58 PM
  #2  
57RebelRocker's Avatar
57RebelRocker
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,280
Likes: 3
From: Portland Oregon
Default

I lowered mine because the heartland conversion kit i got required your bike to be 2" lowered to get the full effect of the look they were going for...having it lowered realy gives it a sleeker look and i like the slammed look it has now
 
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2009 | 11:19 PM
  #3  
Virgil Cain's Avatar
Virgil Cain
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: McKinney, TX
Default

Cosmetics
 
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2009 | 05:48 AM
  #4  
Blk and Chrome's Avatar
Blk and Chrome
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,109
Likes: 9
From: Connecticut
Default

cause it looks so cool. I like the slammed look, thats how mine will look in a few weeks
 
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2009 | 06:04 AM
  #5  
BigGdawg's Avatar
BigGdawg
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,481
Likes: 4
From: Georgia
Default

Oh - it looks kewl. Thanks for sharing.
 
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2009 | 06:07 AM
  #6  
hpfatboy's Avatar
hpfatboy
Banned
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,436
Likes: 13
Default

Originally Posted by Virgil Cain
Cosmetics
2 ND THAT, and i believe lower makes the bike handle a little better. My opinion.
 
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2009 | 06:11 AM
  #7  
RockyTopRider's Avatar
RockyTopRider
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,364
Likes: 3
From: East TN
Default

great thread. one of my next projects. i am only lowering mine for looks.
 
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2009 | 07:06 AM
  #8  
jefnightrain's Avatar
jefnightrain
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From:
Default

I lowered mine 2" in the rear. It looks ahelluva lot better without seeing daylight between the tire & the fender. It also stiffened things up giving it more of sedan vs sportscar handeling feel. When I put my bare bones seat on it looked even lower.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 28, 2009 | 07:14 AM
  #9  
Reino's Avatar
Reino
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,783
Likes: 0
From: Tasmania, Australia
Default

I lowere my previous softail 2" but it didn't go around corners or roundabouts without scraping while keeping up with traffic.
 
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2009 | 07:33 AM
  #10  
daBreeze's Avatar
daBreeze
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 404
Likes: 1
From: Virgina Beach
Default

Tom, after you lowered 2" for the heartland conversion do you have any problems with your rock bottoming out over bumps etc? reason I ask is the kit is one of the first things i plan on doing to mine? thanx
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:26 AM.

story-0
10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

Slideshow: Not every motorcycle can be a design icon, and these machines prove that bold styling doesn't always age gracefully.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-18 10:29:31


VIEW MORE
story-1
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-9
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE