Harley Davidson Forums

Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Does lowering effect the ride?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 15, 2012 | 09:39 PM
Share
  #1  
hank-hill's Avatar
hank-hill
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland
Default Does lowering effect the ride?
So if I lower my Slim with one of the lowering kits does it effect the ride. I only weight 175 sopping wet so I think I leave it on the lowest rebound setting without worrying about bottoming out.
I want to lower it but don't want to regret it cuz the ride gets worse
 
Reply
0
Old Jun 15, 2012 | 09:43 PM
Share
  #2  
kozy22's Avatar
kozy22
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,264
Likes: 9
From: Rhode island
Default
With bolts? Yes
 
Reply
0
Old Jun 15, 2012 | 09:48 PM
Share
  #3  
jreichart's Avatar
jreichart
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,918
Likes: 5
From: Heber Springs, AR
Default
I'm lowered 2" front and rear. The ride changes quite a bit. I used the bolts in the rear, and increased the preload a bit to prevent bottoming out. The ride is stiffer, and big bumps will pop you out the seat a bit, but it's not entirely uncomfortable. A benefit is the bike feels lighter and handles a bit better IMO.
 
Reply
0
Old Jun 15, 2012 | 09:53 PM
Share
  #4  
hank-hill's Avatar
hank-hill
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland
Default
Is this kit http://www.softailloweringkit.com/ the same as "bolts"
 
Reply
0
Old Jun 15, 2012 | 10:07 PM
Share
  #5  
jreichart's Avatar
jreichart
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,918
Likes: 5
From: Heber Springs, AR
Default
Originally Posted by hank-hill
Is this kit http://www.softailloweringkit.com/ the same as "bolts"
In terms of ride quality, yes. That kit will only get you 1.5" lower where the bolts will enable a full 2" drop. Plus the bolts are a lot cheaper, got mine on eBay for around $20, but the kit is a little easier to install from what I can tell.

Edit: and it doesn't look like the kit is fully adjustable, it just drops 1.5". The bolts allow you to adjust the ride height to dial in handling and comfort.
 
Last edited by jreichart; Jun 15, 2012 at 10:09 PM.
Reply
0
Old Jun 15, 2012 | 10:12 PM
Share
  #6  
hank-hill's Avatar
hank-hill
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland
Default
Well thanks for the tips, I ride about 400 miles a week so I am gonna scrap the lowering idea. Love the look but but need comfort more.
 
Reply
0
Old Jun 15, 2012 | 10:14 PM
Share
  #7  
mac1911's Avatar
mac1911
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 811
Likes: 10
From: Oklahoma
Default
Definitely.
 
Reply
0

Trending Topics

Old Jun 15, 2012 | 11:54 PM
Share
  #8  
byersmtrco's Avatar
byersmtrco
Supporter
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 650
From: San Ramon, Ca
Supporter
Default
Yup. It hurts the ride.
I tried a few combos too.


Maybe air (Shotgun?) or one of em, but $$$$$$$$$$$$$$
I only took a short ride on one w/air. It was nice.

But even if you can smooth the ride out, then you have no ground
clearance.
 
Reply
0
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 16, 2012 | 12:35 AM
Share
  #9  
jefkat2's Avatar
jefkat2
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 9
From: Sedro Woolley, Washington
Default
Lowing will effect your ground clearance and lean angle.
 
Reply
0
Old Jun 16, 2012 | 12:50 AM
Share
  #10  
WarriorHD's Avatar
WarriorHD
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,167
Likes: 7
From: FL & SoCal
Default
When I lowered my Deluxe an additional inch, the ride became a little stiffer but the bike actually handles better and is more fun to ride.
 
Reply
0



Advanced Search
Reply Closed Thread Share
Forum Jump

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:46 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE