Why Lower?
R.I.P. BROTHER
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs
I'm with the ElSupremo...If I own it its either going up or down as stock dosent work for me either!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,315
Likes: 51
From: Cincinnati
Hi,
Just wondering why so many folks lower their bikes.
I'm 6'3" / 230, when I get on my Softail it is automatically lowered enough for me. I've road a lowered bike and didn't notice any better handling, why would it handle better, and I managed to scrape the bottom going into a 7-11 parking lot. I can understand if you just like the way it looks but I've heard where the ride can suffer if lowered to much.
So, is it for shorter people, better handling, or just looks?
Thanks
Just wondering why so many folks lower their bikes.
I'm 6'3" / 230, when I get on my Softail it is automatically lowered enough for me. I've road a lowered bike and didn't notice any better handling, why would it handle better, and I managed to scrape the bottom going into a 7-11 parking lot. I can understand if you just like the way it looks but I've heard where the ride can suffer if lowered to much.
So, is it for shorter people, better handling, or just looks?
Thanks
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,481
Likes: 4
From: Georgia
Hi,
Just wondering why so many folks lower their bikes.
I'm 6'3" / 230, when I get on my Softail it is automatically lowered enough for me. I've road a lowered bike and didn't notice any better handling, why would it handle better, and I managed to scrape the bottom going into a 7-11 parking lot. I can understand if you just like the way it looks but I've heard where the ride can suffer if lowered to much.
So, is it for shorter people, better handling, or just looks?
Thanks
Just wondering why so many folks lower their bikes.
I'm 6'3" / 230, when I get on my Softail it is automatically lowered enough for me. I've road a lowered bike and didn't notice any better handling, why would it handle better, and I managed to scrape the bottom going into a 7-11 parking lot. I can understand if you just like the way it looks but I've heard where the ride can suffer if lowered to much.
So, is it for shorter people, better handling, or just looks?
Thanks
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Paris, TN
Lowered looks better and I'd like to lower mine for that reason. But, with the way I scrape the floorboards at stock height, lowered just wouldn't work for me. Maybe one of these days when I can afford 2 bikes. One chromed out, set up for 2-up touring. The second a blacked out, stripped down, lowered, fenderless hot rod for terrorizing the streets!
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Mesa Az
Lowered looks better and I'd like to lower mine for that reason. But, with the way I scrape the floorboards at stock height, lowered just wouldn't work for me. Maybe one of these days when I can afford 2 bikes. One chromed out, set up for 2-up touring. The second a blacked out, stripped down, lowered, fenderless hot rod for terrorizing the streets!
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 30,914
Likes: 16
From: Springfield, Ohio
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
When I added the 18" rear wheel, the back of the bike looked like it needed a knobby tire and my wife had difficulty getting on it. I lowered the rear about 1", which makes it look close to stock. I ride pretty hard, and haven't scraped anything on it.
My wife's Nightster looked great, but I dragged that bike through every corner I took. Lowering doesn't do anything for handling and it destroys cornering clearance.
But it damn sure looks good.
My wife's Nightster looked great, but I dragged that bike through every corner I took. Lowering doesn't do anything for handling and it destroys cornering clearance.
But it damn sure looks good.
