).
Lowering kit
There's a few brands making shorter ones, I havent looked into them yet but I know arlen ness are one of the company's
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Beyond Fucital
I wouldn't call it "blowing $1300" If you spent the $1300 (on the shock you are referring to) you would have the best ride you can get on a softy.
Don't hate what you don't have or haven't tried.
Plus.............. you cant get the same look
(I don't want to turn this into a Shotgun Shock thread (I rode with lowering bolts as well before I got the SS and it was okay) - I just didn't see the need for your comment seeing as you don't even own the product so you really have no idea what you are talking about)
Don't hate what you don't have or haven't tried.
Plus.............. you cant get the same look
(I don't want to turn this into a Shotgun Shock thread (I rode with lowering bolts as well before I got the SS and it was okay) - I just didn't see the need for your comment seeing as you don't even own the product so you really have no idea what you are talking about)
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 123
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From: Massachusetts
I have the shotgun shock on my bike now, and honestly I sometimes miss the simplicity of having just a regular shock that has been lowered -2", less to go wrong with it. I have had an unfortunate string of bad luck with my shock. First a bad relay which I replaced, and now I am experiencing the same issues (even tried replacing the relay again, no luck). I am not saying I do not absolutely love the fact that I can adjust my shock for ride height and rebound, but its been giving me problems since I have first installed it. Just some food for thought.
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Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Los Angeles
OH MY GOD!!!!!! Gohoticov is going to break a blood vessel... You used the wrong company name!!!!...that's the company that actually makes the kit! LOL.
I have that kit on my bike, I love it. Pretty easy to install without having to take apart shocks. With the right lift, it can be installed very quickly, little trickier with a scissors lift and positioning to get to the shock rods.
Ride will be slightly harsher...and you will bottom out sooner. But don't let that worry you. The look is awesome and you don't have to blow $1300 to get that look.
I have that kit on my bike, I love it. Pretty easy to install without having to take apart shocks. With the right lift, it can be installed very quickly, little trickier with a scissors lift and positioning to get to the shock rods.
Ride will be slightly harsher...and you will bottom out sooner. But don't let that worry you. The look is awesome and you don't have to blow $1300 to get that look.
But cmon on now Bro, "ride will be slightly harsher."
If you go 2'' lower, the ride is kidney busting harsher. 1.5'' is a bit better, perhaps tolerable. 1.0'' might be the only safe bet as far as anything like an acceptable ride.
OP -- This is my experience with a Softail Slim on city roads in L.A. Perhaps you could get away with bolts on smooth country roads, but it really is a pretty harsh ride on a Slim to use bolts if you do any consistent riding with even mildly bad road conditions.
When I was on bolts, I got the adjustable kind where I was able to lower 1.25'' inches (and I adjusted my preload accordingly.) But even that didn't take long to become a pain in my ****, literally, for daily riding.
In my experience, you can do bolts on a Slim but after while you'll start to wonder why you are punishing yourself for a look. The Slim comes lowered from the factory. My humble advise is to just enjoy the ride for a while and research options that don't involve bolts.
I went with the Shotgun Shock and love it, and this is coming from guy who was a big time nayser and was worried about the price.
Last edited by SoCalSoftailSlim; Jul 16, 2014 at 10:26 AM.
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From: Los Angeles
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Paradise
Any lowering kit will work.
But cmon on now Bro, "ride will be slightly harsher."
If you go 2'' lower, the ride is kidney busting harsher. 1.5'' is a bit better, perhaps tolerable. 1.0'' might be the only safe bet as far as anything an acceptable ride.
This is my experience with a Softail Slim on city roads in L.A. Perhaps you could get away with bolts on smooth country roads but it really is harsh on a Slim to use bolts if you do any consistent riding.
I thought the Shotgun Shock was snake oil too and was on bolts. I got the adjustable kind where I was able to lower 1.25'' inches and I adjusted my preload. But that didn't take long to become a pain in my **** for daily riding.
In my experience, you can do bolts on a Slim but after about six months of riding you'll just be punishing yourself for a look.
But cmon on now Bro, "ride will be slightly harsher."
If you go 2'' lower, the ride is kidney busting harsher. 1.5'' is a bit better, perhaps tolerable. 1.0'' might be the only safe bet as far as anything an acceptable ride.
This is my experience with a Softail Slim on city roads in L.A. Perhaps you could get away with bolts on smooth country roads but it really is harsh on a Slim to use bolts if you do any consistent riding.
I thought the Shotgun Shock was snake oil too and was on bolts. I got the adjustable kind where I was able to lower 1.25'' inches and I adjusted my preload. But that didn't take long to become a pain in my **** for daily riding.
In my experience, you can do bolts on a Slim but after about six months of riding you'll just be punishing yourself for a look.
B. Never once said the Shotgun was "snake oil" and never disparaged it.
I guess my ride is not harsh due to the sprung seat which certainly helps .
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Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Los Angeles
Yes, but FBB, collars and bolts are going to act exactly the same. Bolts might actually even be better, since they will allow more than set heights. You can search for a relatively sweet spot like 1.25'' lowered.
I had a Spring seat as well on my Slim when I ran bolts. And this helped, of course. The springs really do work.
But the ride was still pretty dang harsh and after a while, I just didn't see the sense in tolerating it any more. Plus, though the spring seat was cool looking, it rose me up where I was sitting on top of the bike, instead of in it. One great thing about the Slim is that cockpit feel to it - and I had to lose that with the spring seat.
When I got the Shotgun Shock, I was able to go back to a traditional seat, a lower profile one at that. The bike itself is lower than when I had it on bolts. And it's STILL more comfortable than stock height and stock suspension with a spring seat.
Pricey item, but pretty hard to beat that.
Perhaps other products can, or are simply better for the way and place someone else rides. So that's why I recommend the OP look into stuff.
But I really do think bolts, and collars, which are the same just set heights, are not the best answer. Perhaps serviceable/tolerable under certain road conditions on the Slim. But they get old pretty quick.
I had a Spring seat as well on my Slim when I ran bolts. And this helped, of course. The springs really do work.
But the ride was still pretty dang harsh and after a while, I just didn't see the sense in tolerating it any more. Plus, though the spring seat was cool looking, it rose me up where I was sitting on top of the bike, instead of in it. One great thing about the Slim is that cockpit feel to it - and I had to lose that with the spring seat.
When I got the Shotgun Shock, I was able to go back to a traditional seat, a lower profile one at that. The bike itself is lower than when I had it on bolts. And it's STILL more comfortable than stock height and stock suspension with a spring seat.
Pricey item, but pretty hard to beat that.
Perhaps other products can, or are simply better for the way and place someone else rides. So that's why I recommend the OP look into stuff.
But I really do think bolts, and collars, which are the same just set heights, are not the best answer. Perhaps serviceable/tolerable under certain road conditions on the Slim. But they get old pretty quick.