Lowering - Aesthetics or Function???
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 181
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From: Pearland, Texas
Lowering - Aesthetics or Function???
I've seen many lowered bikes. I like the look but I wonder about the lower clearance. I'm not wanting to go with air just yet.
So is there any performance reasons for lowering the bike or is it just all about the look?
So is there any performance reasons for lowering the bike or is it just all about the look?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 7
From: kansas city,mo
IMO i would say looks for sure. Boards do scrape alot more. Have to take corners a little differently. Ride is stiffer, no waterbed up and down effect that you get with a stock ride. Atleast with my bike.
Last edited by BLKnCHRME09Deluxe; Jul 8, 2009 at 01:23 PM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 181
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From: Pearland, Texas
What kind of tires did you switch to and how did they improve handling?
I have a fatboy with floor boards. I scrape now as it is. I would figure it will be much worse lowered. Should I then go with forwards?
I have a fatboy with floor boards. I scrape now as it is. I would figure it will be much worse lowered. Should I then go with forwards?
Looks..............thats why you buy a Harley and not a jap bike
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 907
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From: Ontario
Won't be draggin my knee on the springer thats fer sure, though I did swap floorboards for pegs with curb finders cause I like to drag them around the tight ones...
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 181
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From: Pearland, Texas
I love the looks no doubt. However, I don't what a bar hopper.
I want something I can ride everywhere. That's why I think eventually I'll go with air. Drop it for around town and raise it why riding conditions dictate so.
I want something I can ride everywhere. That's why I think eventually I'll go with air. Drop it for around town and raise it why riding conditions dictate so.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 800
Likes: 27
From: In the Pacific Northwest, a few hours east of Seattle.
I've got an '04 RK Custom. I scrape the boards in the stock configuration, on some of the tighter turns I take, with no load on the bike except me.
I wouldn't want the bike lowered, as it would reduce how it performs for me. It's no crotch rocket, but as I'm scraping boards now if I lowered it I'd be dangerous...
(There are a few guys around town with lowered bikes, and - as stated - when you see them on poker runs they're the guys taking those turns real easy...)
Whatever floats your boat...
I wouldn't want the bike lowered, as it would reduce how it performs for me. It's no crotch rocket, but as I'm scraping boards now if I lowered it I'd be dangerous...
(There are a few guys around town with lowered bikes, and - as stated - when you see them on poker runs they're the guys taking those turns real easy...)
Whatever floats your boat...
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Most scraping can be avoided with proper line though curves.
I have taken several long trips with minimal issue.
You do have to run more preload and thicker fork oil to avoid problems.
Last edited by coop57; Jul 8, 2009 at 04:07 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 490
Likes: 3
From: Virginia
I lowered mine an inch in the front and its stock lowered in the rear. I did notice a difference with just that one inch drop but im okay with it. I use to scrape a bunch and scrape even more now. I get enough of the performance riding at work and in my free time I like to take it nice and slow and easy. One day, when the wife approves, I too would like air.
Im no performance guru but Id have to say I dont know a single advantage to lowering a bike, performace wise. Some bikes look great lowered and some look good. No bike looks worse.
Im no performance guru but Id have to say I dont know a single advantage to lowering a bike, performace wise. Some bikes look great lowered and some look good. No bike looks worse.