Thanks HDSmoke. Your bike is beautiful. I am thinking that I don't want my bike to be permanently lowered, only when I really need to maneuver the bike around in sticky situations. I have no problem under most conditions, but there has been a couple of times it would have really helped if my bike was lower. However, I have not made my mind up yet. I'm still kicking it around.

Thanks for your help!

Mystic

 

I have HD boots with a thick sole and I have tried the Corbin Close Solo. (The seat wasn't any lower BTW, it did push you forward though) I have put about 3,500 miles on it at the stock height. I could live with it as it is, but I know what it's like to be able to flat foot my bike and I miss being able to do that. I don't have any trouble stopping or holding the bike up. I don't really want to lower it at all because of the scraping problem, but I have had a few situations that I really needed it to be lower. That's why I'm thinking about the Progressive Airtails.

Thanks for your help,

Mystic

 

I know ......

 

I have'nt really had too much of a problem, if I get really agressive it will scrape a bit but I ride in some pretty tight stuff and as long as you apex the turn right it's not too much of a problem. The kit I have isn't very adjustable, there are only two options form the front 1 inch or 2 inch. I'm thinking about taking the front end apart and lowering it an inch more. The rear is pretty adjustable though, you just loosen the locknut and you can set it exactly where you want it. My bike is actually on the higher side in the rear. I hope this info helps, I lowered my bike strictly for looks , I'm 5'9 so the height wasn't really an issue but the ride isn't bad like evryone said it would be and the scraping is basically a non-issue. Good luck on whatever you decide.

 

SHE LOWERED HER DEXUXE TOO LOW !!!

[IMG]local://upfiles/16696/1AC78AF4CFD44290852192338971F212.jpg[/IMG]

 

[IMG]local://upfiles/16696/1AC78AF4CFD44290852192338971F212.jpg[/IMG]

There is a word that completely explains her predicament, "OOPS!!!!"

 

My deluxe is in the shop as I write getting the front end lowered. The parts guys said it would not sacrifice the ride quality. They offered to lower the rear but said it would require the air suspension. I didn't want to mess with that. I have 6,000 miles on my '06 so far and have never scraped it in the turns--I guess I'm not that aggressive a rider. Also, I'm not lowering it to get my feet on the ground, I'm tall, 5'8" without the boots. I just remember sitting on a lowered deluxe in the dealership when I bought mine and I haven't forgotten it. I'm also changing the handlebars to get a little more pullback for those parking lot situations that make me feel a bit unstable. I'll let you know how it turns out. I hope I like the results b/c the labor was $$$!

[IMG]local://upfiles/8290/4C6802554CAC43ACA318AB559C64622B.jpg[/IMG]

 

Most riders dont bother lowering the front of the bike usually its just the back there is really no need to lower the front

 

NikonF8

I beg to disagree!! I picked up my deluxe after lowering the front end and definately notice the difference. I feel a sleekness in the ride and it has a more natural feel to it in the handling, cornering, ect. Overall, I just think that when you buy your bike, it's like a "one size fits all" thing and you have to make the modifications that bring rider and bike closer to a oneness. Unfortunately, it involves some $$, but it can be done in stages and you don't always know you may want to do until you have a lot of miles behind you. But, I would not discourage anyone from lowering the front end--I'm really happy with it.

 

Any modification to the suspension will always be at a cost to the ride there is no doubt about it. The air ride system is probably the only exception to the rule. As a general rule, never lower the front without lowering the rear."You can lower the rear without lowering the front, and what it does is give the bike more of a custom effect and gets you closer to the ground. But if you just lower the front, you unbalance the bike the wrong way. Most bikes can be lowered by about an inch in the front by way of a kit Harley has one. If you only intend to lower one end of a bike, the rear end is the better choice. Lowering the rear end also lowers the seat substantially, making it easier to get both feet flat on the ground at stops. Even if you lower your bike by the book, handling can be affected to some degree. "When you lower a bike, you also lower its center of gravity, so it'll handle a bit better in certain circumstances but worst in others, The negative is that your initial ground clearance is decreased in the case of the front end the travel is decreased. Rear Things you used to clear, like curbs or speed bumps, might now be a problem. In either case your given up travel, so your comfort will suffer The more you lower it, the more ride quality and comfort suffer. Two inches of travel won't do the same job as four inches of travel. Because The springs must be stiffer to keep you from bottoming out. Cornering and Braking is the major drawback of lowering your bike. It will no longer lean over as far as it did before, which could get you into trouble when a corner tightens up or you misjudge. You can't make a bike low and have the same load capacity. That's because you lower the bike at the expense of suspension travel the air ride system can be adjusted when you have a load . The reduced travel means the bike can bottom out easier. You can cut the seat down by removing foam or replace it with a thinner saddle. And this will get you lower If you lower your ride an inch lower front and rear, so you'll still have enough travel to give yourself a good ride. That's a pretty good compromise, but anything over that and you're giving up a good ride." But as mentioned earlier if your only lowering the bike at one end the rare is the one of choice.