Lowered bike less comfort?
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 237
Likes: 25
From: St Louis
Lowered bike less comfort?
Would like to lower my 2000 Fatboy. Would like to know what affect that will have on the ride. Do any of you softail owners regret lowering your bikes? THANKS
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,364
Likes: 40
From: Los Angeles, CA
It all depends on how you lower it. Front and rear or just the rear? What is your goal with the lowering? Just for looks, looks and performance? My biek is lwoered 1" in the front and I have a Shotgun Shockon the rear. In the forks I avhe a progressive lwoering kit along with Ricor intiminators and in the rear the shotgun shock. The bike rides so much better than it did before that there is no comparison. That being said this is not an inexpensive option.
But if you are going to do it, do it right the first time so you will get the best ride. Do you ride 1 up or 2 up?
I will be installing a Shotgun Shock this weekend. It offers a full 4" of travel and allows you to set the rebound and ride height independently of each other allowing adjsutment for teh perfect ride. Many people here have the same setup and i am sure would be willing to vouch for it.
Drew
But if you are going to do it, do it right the first time so you will get the best ride. Do you ride 1 up or 2 up?
I will be installing a Shotgun Shock this weekend. It offers a full 4" of travel and allows you to set the rebound and ride height independently of each other allowing adjsutment for teh perfect ride. Many people here have the same setup and i am sure would be willing to vouch for it.
Drew
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 237
Likes: 25
From: St Louis
Good feedback. What did that setup cost you? Sounds very nice. I agree with your logic. If I am going to do it - I want it done right. The wife rides with me once a year so mostly 1 up. Definitely want to lower the front and back. Primarily for looks. I am not a real handy guy so I would need the dealer to do this. How much time in labor am I looking at? THanks again!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,156
Likes: 41
From: So Cal
My 05 Fatboy was lowered front and rear 2" front with a progressive Kit and 2" rear with progressive 422 Shocks. IMO it handled and rode better than stock,but occ it would bottom out. Any time you lower it your going to loose some suspension travel and depending how and where you ride youll feel it.
Got my Progressive parts from Dr V Twin at a great price.
Dont know what a dealer would charge I did the work myself, its not a tough job.
Got my Progressive parts from Dr V Twin at a great price.
Dont know what a dealer would charge I did the work myself, its not a tough job.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 1
From: malibu
I LOVE THIS MOD!!!! I went all out and did the same set-up as Drews. I too have the ShotGun in back with the Progressives up front dropped 1 inch. I set mine pretty firm in the back ( I like a HardTail 
) and ride her pretty low. I slam her at all stops. The front end is very responsive and stiffer. At first I didnt know if i liked feeling all the bumps in the road, but damn do i love it now!!! Be warned about the firmness up front. Some don't like it. But as I said before, (as well as JoJo, Scheers, Story, and Jim) its one of the best if not THE best mod Ive done so far!
Look Ma, No Kickstand!
) and ride her pretty low. I slam her at all stops. The front end is very responsive and stiffer. At first I didnt know if i liked feeling all the bumps in the road, but damn do i love it now!!! Be warned about the firmness up front. Some don't like it. But as I said before, (as well as JoJo, Scheers, Story, and Jim) its one of the best if not THE best mod Ive done so far!Look Ma, No Kickstand!
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Texas
My setup is the same as Xaran's, except I have the Ricor Intiminators in the front and I love it. I'm short, so the drop helps, and after tweaking the 422s and getting the front right, I'm highly satisfied...(btw..the Ricors are on sale).
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Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,364
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From: Los Angeles, CA
The firmness in the front allows the forks to respond better and quicker than a soft mushy front end as it comes stock. I prefer riding my bike at near full height as there is a lot of stuff that scrapes if i do not. You can't go wrong with this setup. If you need pricing PM or email at DREW@DRVTWIN.COM
Drew
Drew
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 1
From: malibu
Thanks Guys for the props. Feels good to get that "Good Game" from the fellas. Especially with all the sik rides on here. 
29?!?! Good God! When it gets as low as 60 I get cold. Hahahaha!!! I guess my New York blood thinned out a long time ago.
29?!?! Good God! When it gets as low as 60 I get cold. Hahahaha!!! I guess my New York blood thinned out a long time ago.