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Just got up and want to thank everyone for their input. I joined this forum for credible info so won't ignore it. Sneakers are definitely out. I don't want to be stupid. I remember the lightweight jungle boots but do i need a sturdier upper? My head says probably. Haven't worn boots in 12 yrs but i'll get used to them. I'll check those Martins.
As far as being flat footed,lt's just that the only bikes i've owned were rigid Pan Heads.
Check out the seat in my pic. does it seem i could get lower profile? hardly any padding in it.
Last edited by gennaro63; Dec 12, 2016 at 06:43 AM.
Appears you want to drop the bike to 10"....you need to consider the travel on the shocks or you will bottom out. I had 10.5" Burly slammers (no lowering blocks) and did not bottom out but the strut bolts rubbed against the side of the tire so had to adjust alignment. IMO being at 10" and having travel of taller shocks may be problematic.
I am also vertically challenged. You could also consider increasing the height of your soles. I did this when I went with 12" air/oil shocks for better ride. I just purchased 11" Bitubos that have better rebound/dampening and comparable travel to the air/oil shocks. Bitubos have 33% more travel than stock. I bought it just to lower me so I can plant both feet and get better feel of the road (to keep the wheels on the ground)...and it can be ordered in chrome...lol
I have a 2010 xl883n, which have 11" shocks. So I could go with 12" progressives with a 1" lowering block, & keep my stock bike height but increase my travel by 1". Correct??
Im looking for a better ride, but really like the stock ride height.
i just picked up the bike Saturday. they threw in a two up seat but it doesn't fit. no idea what it fits. If my friend wants to ride i'll get another seat. first i have to ride awhile myself. it's been 30 yrs.
backinblack posed question i've been wondering about.
Last edited by gennaro63; Dec 12, 2016 at 10:04 AM.
Your seat is pretty low profile. If you look at the pic in my post of the Bare Bones, maybe just a little lower profile but not much. Maybe you will have to go with the new shocks ? I often stop with just one foot down and the other 50% of stops with both feet down. For me it is just a personnel thing and a secure feeling of being able to get both feet down if I want to . If you decide to go with the new shocks buy the very best you can afford and the shortest you can find .
I have a 2010 xl883n, which have 11" shocks. So I could go with 12" progressives with a 1" lowering block, & keep my stock bike height but increase my travel by 1". Correct??
Im looking for a better ride, but really like the stock ride height.
Don't know the sag and travel of your shocks so can't answer your question with any certainty...I also do not know how much gap you have before bottoming out with the 11" shocks, but don't "think" you will have any issues with 1" lowering blocks with more travel of the 12" progressives. If you know these numbers, you can figure out if you will bottom out.
For me, I have a lot of space between the top of the tire and the fender. My issue is the space on the right side of the tire. I am going with 11" Bitubo shocks that have less sag and more travel, but do not anticipate any issues...and I carry a lot of "stuff" in my saddlebags.
The answer you don't want to hear is, you don't need both feet down. One foot is enough. Lowering a bike is detrimental to handling and comfort. Your best compromise is finding a lower seat.
And don't ride in sneakers please, that's how people loose feet.( My sister almost lost a few toes as a kid in a pocket bike crash, sneakers)
Doesn't some states/jurisdictions require you to put both feet down when coming to a stop?
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