Lowest Deluxe
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 805
Likes: 4
From: The Live Free or Die State
Lowest Deluxe
I have a friend who is 4'11" and is riding a modified 883. She would like to get into a bigger, more comfortable ride. We're goign to a dealer with the Fit Shop set up to try and figure something out for her. I'm wondering what the lowest possible seat high for a deluxe could be (without compromising safety and ride quality)and how to get it there (shocks, seat etc). If anyone's done this I'd love to know what the height was you achieved and the combination of mods it took to get it there
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 1
From: Katy, TX
I have a Deluxe but currently it is at stock height. I would recommend going with the Shotgun air shocks. Not sure which seat to recommend but the air ride will drop it at least 2" of safe riding height.
Drew has them on his Fatboy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zc3mErYBbQ
On the seat not sure what aftermarket brand is the same or better as the H-D extended reach seat the fit shop is going to recommend.
Drew has them on his Fatboy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zc3mErYBbQ
On the seat not sure what aftermarket brand is the same or better as the H-D extended reach seat the fit shop is going to recommend.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska
My wife is 5'1" and we got her on a Heritage. It can be done. Got everything slammed (using aftermarket lowering kits) and then got seat modified by meancitycycles (I believe they are still a sponser). She can now flat foot the bike. Before, she could hardley tip toe the bike even with serious riding boots on.
She loves riding a bigger, more comfy bike no question about it!
She does NOT have a air ride shock, but I could see how that would help.
She loves riding a bigger, more comfy bike no question about it!
She does NOT have a air ride shock, but I could see how that would help.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 805
Likes: 4
From: The Live Free or Die State
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,264
Likes: 9
From: Rhode island
If your going to do bolts, I'd go with these. They are adjustable and you don't need to disassemble the shock
http://www.jpcycles.com/product/700-210
or Progressive 422's. that's what I have
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 726
Likes: 3
From: Pacific Northwest
Besides lowering front and rear, the seat makes a big difference. The stock seat is wide. A narrower seat will bring her feet closer to the ground. I should know, I'm 5-6", but only have a 27" inseam (look at the girls towering over me in my avatar.). Good luck.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,500
Likes: 1
Ive got a lower seat and the shotgun show if you go with lowering bolts you will loose some ride quality with the shot gun you can ride lowered and keep enhance the quality of the ride.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 3
From: Mebane, NC
I had lowering bolts on mine when I purchased it and it really made the ride stiff. I went with the Shotgun shock and I love it because you can lower it and adjust the rebound for ride quality but it will cost $$$.
At 4'11" your biggest areas of improvement will be lowering the bike and the proper seat. Find a seat that she likes the look and function of and get it worked by Mean City Cycles. They can lower the ride position, move it forward, and narrow the seat between the thighs. This will enable your wife to get her feet flat for stability and safety.
It can definitley be done. Good luck and let us know which direction you go.
At 4'11" your biggest areas of improvement will be lowering the bike and the proper seat. Find a seat that she likes the look and function of and get it worked by Mean City Cycles. They can lower the ride position, move it forward, and narrow the seat between the thighs. This will enable your wife to get her feet flat for stability and safety.
It can definitley be done. Good luck and let us know which direction you go.
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Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,364
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From: Los Angeles, CA
A sportster sits way higher than a softail. The cool thing about a softail is that you sit much more in the bike than with a sportster. Get a lo pro C&C seat, and a shotgun air ride and she will be good.
Drew
Drew