Lowering question
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 70
From: Greensboro NC
Lowering question
OK guys I know it has been asked but I need to get some input anyway. I have a 08 train.
Looking at lowering and the shotgun is way out of my price range at the moment. I ride a fair amount of 2 up with my fiance who is probably 150 ish if I had to guess. Is one of these ebay bolt kits ok or will I be bottoming out? I will just abandon the idea if that is the case. Really just wantint to drop the rear 1 or 2 inches.
Looking at lowering and the shotgun is way out of my price range at the moment. I ride a fair amount of 2 up with my fiance who is probably 150 ish if I had to guess. Is one of these ebay bolt kits ok or will I be bottoming out? I will just abandon the idea if that is the case. Really just wantint to drop the rear 1 or 2 inches.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: North Port Florida
cweiss, I've been running the white bros heim bolt lowering kit since 1990 and ride 2 up all the time with no issues what so ever...and I went down lower then 2 inches.
Last edited by 66 cobra; Aug 15, 2011 at 09:07 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,741
Likes: 1,598
From: Danbury CT
The lowering kit works great at 1" but will be a bit firm on 2 up riding. Going 2" down with a passenger & it will ride like a hardtail. Another solution is going with Progressive 422's which have a much better ride then the stock shocks & are height adjustable. I have them in the Heritage & they are great for the wife & I. I have the stock shocks in my 06 std with the lowering bolts 1.25" lower & it's firm but fine for solo riding. Now if I was in my 20's and my back was less sensitive maybe I could take the firm ride but at 58 I can use some cushion. YMMV.
Last edited by golfblues; Aug 15, 2011 at 09:33 AM.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Corfu, NY
Any more input out there? I'm curious as well. I found after riding a lot yesterday that I had to step out further from the bike which put me on my toes cause the exhaust was about ready to catch my jeans on fire. Not sure I want to lose ride comfort but might settle with something in the middle to get my foot flat again.
I lowered the rear of mine about 1" with the cheapo EBay bolt kit. I also bumped up the preload because I occasionally ride 2 up. It is a bit stiffer solo, not much difference 2 up. But hey, if I wanted to ride a LazBoy down the highway, I would've bought a Goldwing. 
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: The seat of my pants.
I'm running the cheapo ebay bolts in mine and I think it rides fine. I'm lowered 1 1/2 inches and do some two up riding. My OL weighs about 150 (don't tell her I told) and I weigh about 230. We only bottom out on pretty extreme surfaces. Take it from a dude that used to ride hardtails... it don't ride like a hardtail at all.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: The seat of my pants.
Another quick note: depending on what you've got on your bike you will drag quicker the lower you go. If you're a guy that pushes it on the twisties and you've got floor boards you'll sharpen them rather quickly.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Chattanooga Tn
I ran the Cheapos from ebay for 3 years plus.. NO problems out of em other than scrapping when i hit twisties hard, only prob is i didnt like how high it still sat so I went with the Shotgun so i can dump it when need be and go motox if wifeys on board.
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 70
From: Greensboro NC
Gotcha. The shotgun looks like the way to go but I dont feel like taking a loan out to lower my bike...LOL.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
From: illinois
when i get mine back from the dealer im lowering mine. i have the ultima shocks to do it, picked em up off a forum member here, havent heard much on em but i would have to guess they would be a step up from the lowering bolts and a step down from the 422's. if anyone has any input on these id love to hear.