I will say that lower is better but there is a trade off. The ride is great on most roads but the big bumps on the interstate are rough at times. Worth it? overall I will say yes. I have been playing with the preload of the springs and finally think I found the right combo. Last weekend I went too tight for solo and was a rough ride, took a little out last night and way better. I would say go with bolts first and lower it down and try it, you can always adj it back up if you don't that way you wont have much invested. If $$$ is no object then go to airride. I am saving for it now, best of both worlds.

 

The Legend System cost around $1,800.00 with the chrome switch housing for the handlebars. The Arnott will cost around $1,000.00 with their chrome handlebar switch. The Legend switch is alot cleaner looking than the Arnott, but is it worth $800.00? I had the same issues with shocks and lowering kits when I first looked at lowering my FXST. After much consideration, I decided that versatility is always good, so I decided to go with the Legend Air Ride. With the Legend, I can lower the rear fender to where it is slightly above the tire. Very uncomfortable ride, but it will ride this way. I like to put enough air in the system so that when I sit on the bike, it drops down to the lowering level I prefer. This way I get low and still have plenty of air in the system to provide a more comfortable ride than lowering kits or shocks. Again, if the road gets rough, put more air in the system. If you are riding in alot of turns and fear scraping, put more air in the system and raise the bike. You can ride high or you can ride low. You have that option.

 

dream, I was looking at the legend system actually. I read two bad reviews that said theirs leaked oil all over so I got deterred. Honestly money is not an issue so Ill pay what i must, but just want something reliable. One question I had is, does the air rides drain the battery at all?

 

It depends on how much do you lean it ? I have an FXST which is similar to yours, (21 inch front), I used to race so I was very aggressive on corners, but soon enough I did learn that the front wheel really does not lend itself to that, so I moderated my cornering, i still corner a lot faster than many folks.

I am down 1.25" back and 1" front, I can tell you that on the corner I kick any other cruiser behind, and still no scarping, I ride solo though and I am sure I come under 200lb with all my gear on.

So, figure out yourself, stick something rubbery two inches long to your pegs, go out, ride hard, go back home and checkow much you touched, you will be surprised of how little that angle you may 'think' is aggressive could be.

I hope this helps

 

Thanks klf, good info. Im well under 200 so I dont think ill have a problem and im not a agggressive rider.

 

You don't need to be careful on every turn...on hard turns you'll scrap pipes, pegs, whatever....you'll get used to it.

If you lower it right, it won't take away from the ride. I put progressive 422's in the back and progressive springs in the front. After getting the preload on the rear set right, i think my bike rides much smoother than stock, and it sits 1.25" in the front and 2" lower in the rear.

I looked at air ride, but when i saw the price, i said forget it. i can't imagine anything making my ride better enough to justify that price. to each their own.


I also want to note that the ride hieght in the rear is easily adjustable with 2 wrenches. So if i go 2 up, i'll raise it up a little, etc....

 

Hi Tin, I am considering the 422's when you say "getting the preload on the rear right" what do you mean by that ? tighten it a bit more ? etc ?

I am curious (sorry if I hijacked the thread but it is relevant to lowering I guess).

 

No wories klf, im learning too

 

You really must be careful with the installation. If they are installed improperly, you will have problems. Make sure all the hoses are installed tightly and sealed. I have had people ask me to show how the system works over 100 times. With the engine "off" and the key "on", I have demonstrated the Legend and the Arnott systems. I still have the original batteries in both bikes and never had to put either on charge. I definitely believe that some people will take on projects that they can not handle or they do read the instructions. Inevitably, something will goes wrong and it is of course the fault of the product. Sometimes that is not the case, and one will recieve faulty products, but the Legend system has a limited lifetime warranty. If they thought their product would consistently fail, they would not offer that type of warranty.

 

Well, see, mine is lowered (as I've mentioned) 2" in the rear and so far, I have had 0 problems with scraping. But I am not a very aggressive rider, i.e. I don't attack corners like they owe me money, but like anything else on a motorcycle, it takes adjustment on your part.

IGOTTASTR8

I've been touched by his noodly appendage too!!! All hail the FSM!