lowering question
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 1
From: Baxley, Georgia
lowering question
My wife is looking at a 1200 low Sportster. Is there any way to lower this bike, if so how much, and what would it cost? She is only 4' 11' so it needs to be as low as possible. Thanks
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 615
Likes: 1
From: Nederland, Tx
what year is it? My wife is the same height as yours and my 98 is as low as I can get it and she cant reach.. but my brothers 08 Nightster is stock height and sits about 1inch lower then mine..
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
There's a couple ways that you can get her flat footing on that bike!!! For a shorter person with a Low model, I'd follow this set up:
First, get a seat with a narrower front section, as the seat usually does not allow the legs to go as straight down as needed, but makes them spread out so the full length of the leg is not utilized....The narrower seat allows for the feet to be brought in towards the center of her body. Second, get a boot with a thicker sole/higher heel. Third, mess with the suspension. Maybe just a lowering bracket, or possibly a shorter shock.
First, get a seat with a narrower front section, as the seat usually does not allow the legs to go as straight down as needed, but makes them spread out so the full length of the leg is not utilized....The narrower seat allows for the feet to be brought in towards the center of her body. Second, get a boot with a thicker sole/higher heel. Third, mess with the suspension. Maybe just a lowering bracket, or possibly a shorter shock.
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PT
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Nuevo México, Los Estados Unidos de América
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
Yes.. they make a set of 10" shocks to replace the stock 13"... you as well then can lower the front by loosining the tripple tree brackets and sliding the forks thru them, dont go more the 1" measure them to make sure they are exactly even.. your then going to have to buy a shorter kickstand or the bike can easly tip over when on the stock stand.. I did this reciently on an 03 sporty for a girl who was 5ft..
PT
PT
I'm hesitant to suggest the 10" shocks for <5' female, as they will most likely feel the ride is way too stiff/hard. However, I'm running the 10" heavy duties. Riding solo, I find the ride harsh at times, but 2-up it seems to ride pretty nice....Maybe I'm heavy enough solo to get the HD springs to work properly.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 375
Likes: 1
From: Jackson NJ
On the 07 1200L the standard rear shock length is 11.75 inches. Progressive recommends their 11.5 inch shock as a replacement. I just made this mod on my wife's bike, and it lowered the seat a little. With this small a change you don't need to lower the front forks. Combining this with a narrower seat and thicker heeled boots and my wife was happy. She's about an inch taller your wife.