Lowering question
R.I.P. BROTHER
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs
Lots of guys lower the rear and ride off happily.
With my bike when I lowered just the rear it handled funky. It had a bad case of understeer and I didnt like it when pushing through the twisties.
I dropped the front to balance out the chassis get some weight back on that front tire and the bike handles 100% better and looks better as well IMO.
You dont have to do anything to the front as the bike will ride and for some it rides fine. For my riding style and geographical area (Colorado...Twisties!) I needed my bike to handle as good as a softail can. The 2.25 rear and 2" front drop make the bike handle better than stock. Its no Dyna or Sporty but its pretty derned good considering.
With my bike when I lowered just the rear it handled funky. It had a bad case of understeer and I didnt like it when pushing through the twisties.
I dropped the front to balance out the chassis get some weight back on that front tire and the bike handles 100% better and looks better as well IMO.
You dont have to do anything to the front as the bike will ride and for some it rides fine. For my riding style and geographical area (Colorado...Twisties!) I needed my bike to handle as good as a softail can. The 2.25 rear and 2" front drop make the bike handle better than stock. Its no Dyna or Sporty but its pretty derned good considering.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,156
Likes: 41
From: So Cal
I lowered mine in the rear 1.5" and did not do the front. For my riding style ect its fine I did not feel any difference. If anyting it handles better because I have a better quality shock on the back now.
I agree that if you want to keep the same rake ect you need to lower the front and back.
I agree that if you want to keep the same rake ect you need to lower the front and back.
R.I.P. BROTHER
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs
I know this is a stretch but its my guess that a fatboy with the 16" front wheel probably wouldnt have that funky oversteer that a 21" wheel bike gets do to the less extreme angles.
The 21" front wheeled bikes do not handle like a fatboy stock. They want to go wide when a fattie turns in. Its amplified even worse if he slams the rear and leaves the front stock and chopperish....I rode mine for a while in choppereque *** down nose up mode for a little while. It dosent suck as bad if you dont know any differently!!
The 21" front wheeled bikes do not handle like a fatboy stock. They want to go wide when a fattie turns in. Its amplified even worse if he slams the rear and leaves the front stock and chopperish....I rode mine for a while in choppereque *** down nose up mode for a little while. It dosent suck as bad if you dont know any differently!!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,796
Likes: 36
From: Toronto, Ontario
Like other posters noted,
I have back 1.5" lowered, front 1" lowered,
I still have enough clearence for some fun in the corners, (a friend on a road star was really getting smaller in my mirrors in the twisties
), when I ride two up it is Ok still (me and my passenger do not cross 350LB combined .
Now, lowering the rear alone should be OK, you will not notice much difference until you get aggressive.
Finally, watch for the upright angle when you park your bike, better park in gear because the kickstand will not get down enough to lock.
With my setup, I can still (was surprised really) slide my jack under the bike for Oil Chances and the likes.
I am thinking of 2" front, it will look great.
I have had 2"+ on the front tubes before, I must admie, I miss the way it was stable on the highway, like a TRAIN, but it was very nervous around town.
I hope this helps.
I have back 1.5" lowered, front 1" lowered,
I still have enough clearence for some fun in the corners, (a friend on a road star was really getting smaller in my mirrors in the twisties
), when I ride two up it is Ok still (me and my passenger do not cross 350LB combined .Now, lowering the rear alone should be OK, you will not notice much difference until you get aggressive.
Finally, watch for the upright angle when you park your bike, better park in gear because the kickstand will not get down enough to lock.
With my setup, I can still (was surprised really) slide my jack under the bike for Oil Chances and the likes.
I am thinking of 2" front, it will look great.
I have had 2"+ on the front tubes before, I must admie, I miss the way it was stable on the highway, like a TRAIN
, but it was very nervous around town.I hope this helps.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 6
From: Edmond, Ok
Mine is 1.5"- 2" in rear, 1.25" in front.....I have to be careful cornering to the right, so that I don't drag my Fat Cat.
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Lowered mine 2" Front and Rear. Seems to me the the ride and handling is much more responsive. I have had no problems in the curves, but then again I'm no canyon racer either.
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