Softail lowering kit.........pros and cons
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 602
Likes: 12
From: Ma.
Well, it really depends on what your after. First off, style riding you do. Second, money. Third, comfort. Now you know where this thread is going. I think you opened a can of worms. LOL. I know what your going to say about this and I mean, Shotgun air ride for softails. I am sure you heard about it. Very easy to install. Some say it is pricey. But well worth it. Front end, alot of riders are going with progressive. I myself have the Progressive Monotubes along with the Shotgun Shock in the rear on my 06 Fatboy. In my opinion, the most comfortable ride I have ever experienced. Should of done this combo years ago. With 2 back surgeries gone bad, this comfort is what I needed and believe me I tried them all. I don't know if I helped you in any way here but I am sure you will get many replies. Good Luck...P.S. All this message is in my opinion only...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
If you're just going with the lowering bolts, if you go lower than 1" you can expect a rough ride as you will bang against the bump stop. You will also need a way of disassembling your shocks to install the bolts unless you go with the Dead Creek Cycles kit. If the Progressive 422s are your way of lowering the ride won't suffer as much. Expect this thread to blow up into an ad for the Shotgun shock which is the best thing out there but $1200-$1500.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,719
Likes: 60
From: Los Angeles
Well. The looks are pretty great on any Softail, IMHO.
Here' is my Slim lowered about 1.60'' inches with Arlen Ness lowering bolts:
Now, for comparison, HERE IT IS AT STOCK HEIGHT:
Be advised though, QC is right. Anything lower than around 1.25'' inches from stock with bolts, I'd say, you're going to feel a pretty big difference in the quality of the ride. Every bump will announce itself.
I ultimately went with 1.15'' inches lower than stock to keep my ride good. That fills the rear fender nicely, and when sitting on the bike you look nice and low. (I'm 175 lbs. and I'd say it creeps down another 1/4 inch when I sit on the bike.
One good thing about bolts, as opposed to the collars some buy here, you don't have to go either 2.0 inches, or 1.5. You can get those odd measurements like 1.15, and find what I think is a sweet spot.
Good luck!
Here' is my Slim lowered about 1.60'' inches with Arlen Ness lowering bolts:
Now, for comparison, HERE IT IS AT STOCK HEIGHT:
Be advised though, QC is right. Anything lower than around 1.25'' inches from stock with bolts, I'd say, you're going to feel a pretty big difference in the quality of the ride. Every bump will announce itself.
I ultimately went with 1.15'' inches lower than stock to keep my ride good. That fills the rear fender nicely, and when sitting on the bike you look nice and low. (I'm 175 lbs. and I'd say it creeps down another 1/4 inch when I sit on the bike.
One good thing about bolts, as opposed to the collars some buy here, you don't have to go either 2.0 inches, or 1.5. You can get those odd measurements like 1.15, and find what I think is a sweet spot.
Good luck!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,158
Likes: 68
From: Martinsburg, WV
I went with the 2" from dead creek. You'll have to adjust your shocks and should probably have them adjusted to the stiffest setting. Before adjusting them I weighed 240. They would occasionally bottom out solo and would definitely bottom out when I had this fatty I was dating on the rear (I know, I know...) but now I'm down to under 180, it never bottoms out. This is after having them adjusted to the stiffest setting. I ride 2 up with my new girlfriend who is about 130 and have never had an issue with bottoming out. This is on a deuce.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,719
Likes: 60
From: Los Angeles
And a pic of my Slim lowered 1.15 inches. The sweet spot for me in terms of ride and looks with lowering bolts:
Last edited by SoCalSoftailSlim; Jun 30, 2013 at 09:55 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 852
Likes: 5
From: Virginia Beach, VA
Are the Shotgun shocks really better then the Legend Suspension? I hate to stereotype but Shotgun's website videos compared to Legends website videos are night and day.
With that, I know the website doesn't sell the product, but it does influence a decision.
Sorry for the hijack btw!
Last edited by Harley_Charley; Jul 2, 2013 at 10:05 PM.
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