I'm sure this thread has been covered before but I want to lower my 08 night train in the rear and was wondering what the best lowering kit is to buy. The easiest install and least ride compromising the better. I see the bolt kind but I saw one in the J&P catalog that says you don't have to tear the shocks all apart. Which way should I go short of air shocks?

 

We actually offer a lowering kit that is the easiest kit to install available on the market. It works by installing a collar around the shock's strut and extends the shock, effectively lowering the bike 1.5" in the rear. By going with a 1.5" drop, you get that slammed look, but still maintain good suspension travel.

The best part is not only do you not have to take the stock shocks apart to install them, but you don't even have to REMOVE the shocks from the bike. It's very easy to install, even if you're not mechanically inclined.

I've had the lowering kit installed on my bike now for over 10,000 miles and it works great. And I have no issues at all riding 2 up with my wife on the back either. We've sold many of these kits to forum members here, and I've heard nothing but positive feedback on it and how easy it is to install.

You can check the kit out on our website here. We also have step by step installation instructions as well here.

Let me know if you have any questions, and I'll be happy to answer them.

 

I have the kit that Dead Creek Cycles is talking about and LOVE it! Very easy to install, even for someone like me that isn't a wrench. Here is how it looks...

 

Just ordered one for my 2008 FXSTC.

 

I actually just saw the order come through. Thanks, DoctorDee!

Your kit will be shipped out to you by tomorrow. Thanks for the business, we truly appreciate it!

Al

 

The answer totally depends on how low you want to go and how much cash you are willing to spend. The cheapest kit is the lowering bolts about 16.00 on fleabay and they will give you about 2"-2 1/4" of drop next is the collars that dead creek and other companies have they cost alittle more and give you 1 1/5" of drop niot sure how the ride is. Then you can get into shock replacement with something like a progressive 422 which will give you full range of drop and cost around 300-500 depending on where you buy them. Then the ultimate is air shocks and from what most say shotguns are the best and they are fully adjustable on the fly and cost around 1200. Each has its advantages and downsides. The cheapest (lowering bolts) great to give you the slammed look and feel but the ride can be rough if you have alot of potholes. The progressives are better ride but not adjustable on the fly. The best ride is shotgun kit and it is expensive and requires the shocks to be unbolted from one side every time you change the transmission fluid to get to the bolt. I choose the lowering bolts for 16 dollars from ebay because I wanted the most drop and taking the shocks apart to install them was really easy there are videos on you tube showing how to do it. If I run into 1200 I would probably go with shotguns and may someday. Just my two cents

 

I went with the 1-1/2" kit because it was easy to install, without having to remove the shocks and it still has the lowered look without comprising the ride. It actually rides better because the center of gravity is lower. I ride two up without noticing as difference than stock.

If you won't a completely slammed look, without compromising the ride, you have to go with 422 or air shocks...both of which are quite a bit more money like 08Nighttrain said above.

 

Progressive drop ins up front and just break out the credit card and get the Shotgun for the rear (you know you want it lol)

 

lol Man, I would LOVE to have the Shotguns but whew, for $1200 I could do a lot of others things for my bike cosmetic wise that I want to do. And honestly, I am quite happy with the ride and look at 1-1/2".

 

When I first looked at the picture I thought it was the before pic and you had forgot to upload the after pic.
The $16.00 bolts off of Ebay will get ya way down. The install is not hard at all. It took me about 45 minutes to install the lowering bolts. I tightened up on the preload so that they shocks would not bottom out easily and it rides just fine. They will go about a 1/2-3/4" lower than in the picture below.