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Okay so I rode burly slammer socks all last year on my 02 FXD.
At first I loved them. Cool low profile and perfect height so I had both feet firmly on the ground (I'm 5'4 150lbs). I was bottoming out so I adjusted the preload all the way. A stiff ride but I didn't mind.
First off - The bike was now too low to get back on my jack.
Second - Lost significant lean angle on the kickstand. Not too big of a deal but you must be mindful of where you park your bike. Because of this I didn't want to lower the front end and have to replace the kick stand.
Then my fuse for my tail light/turn signals kept going out. Sure enough it was the grounding cable that runs underneath the rear fender. Had to take it to the shop to get that relocated.
By that time I had been noticing a line being carved down the center of my rear tire. Somewhere under the rear fender was a screw cutting up the tire. It looked terrible but before I could get knew tires a car hit me head on and totaled the bike
With that insurance money (and some therapy) I bought an 09 FXDC. I'm going with progressive 412s this time around.
Check out 11.5 Progressive 412's. Same low ride height as stock and much better ride. They are also fairly inexpensive. I run them on my iron, it was definitely an improvement over stock.
It depends on the type of riding you will be doing. It's not good nor bad...it does what it is intended to do - lower the bike.
I have the burly slammers kit installed (10.5" shocks and lowering fork springs) on by sporty bagger...not much difference in ride from stock. My intent was to lower the bike as much as I can without bottoming out and hindering the the ride i.e. low-profile sporty bagger. It rides fine but if you do hard cornering, you may/will scrape. I do not go on long touring-type rides so it suits my purposes and allows me to plant both feet. Just watch your right side fender bolts so it does not touch your tire...left side had ample clearance. You also may need to install a shorter kickstand if your bike sits too upright.
If comfort is needed, then suggest you go the lowering blocks/better shocks route. If I had to do it again, probably would go with Progessive shocks and lowering blocks....best of both worlds. Still need to watch for clearance...since this will only give you more travel and better comfort. Keep in mind, your seat also is a factor when it come to comfort and height. For me, that backrest made a world of difference....but I am old so need the back support lol.
I have burly slammer kit (shocks and fork springs). Lowers it nicely...1" for me on my XL1200L from 11.5 to 10.5. Not good nor bad...it's okay but my objective was to slam my bike and to make sure I could plan both feet. Had to change kickstand to 1" under. As mentioned, you also can not rip the turns unless you don't care about your kickstand or exhaust. Your seat also affects comfort and height so it is not only suspension that you should be thinking about.
I did the math and a stock size shock can only compress 1.5" and there is.3" between the tire and the finder. that leaves you 1.5 to lower it before you will ever bottom out . I just want it as low as I can go without making it ridged . So. I guess lowering links suck
Do you want it lower for looks, or footing? There are other ways of improving confidence, if that is what you are after, you have little enough cornering clearance as it is! Mrs B and I have a SuperLow, because she likes the low seat height, but we ended up with a Super-not-so-Low, after improving the poor ride quality, although that is still work in progress.
I've lowered my sporty with the burly slammer shocks on just the rear and it sits way low. i did lose lean angle on the original kickstand but i replaced that with a shorter one. during turns ... hard turns you will scrape pegs, kickstand and even the mufflers if you're leaning. i have to add that being extra low, my belt guard taps the frame sometimes. the rides a bit stiffer but they haven't given me any issues.. when crossing bumps i just stand up a little so i don't rocket off the bike or hurt my ball$. i have them at the lowest setting and looks like the previous owner installed the 1" lowering blocks so I'm extra low.
Okay so I rode burly slammer socks all last year on my 02 FXD.
At first I loved them. Cool low profile and perfect height so I had both feet firmly on the ground (I'm 5'4 150lbs). I was bottoming out so I adjusted the preload all the way. A stiff ride but I didn't mind.
First off - The bike was now too low to get back on my jack.
Second - Lost significant lean angle on the kickstand. Not too big of a deal but you must be mindful of where you park your bike. Because of this I didn't want to lower the front end and have to replace the kick stand.
Then my fuse for my tail light/turn signals kept going out. Sure enough it was the grounding cable that runs underneath the rear fender. Had to take it to the shop to get that relocated.
By that time I had been noticing a line being carved down the center of my rear tire. Somewhere under the rear fender was a screw cutting up the tire. It looked terrible but before I could get knew tires a car hit me head on and totaled the bike
With that insurance money (and some therapy) I bought an 09 FXDC. I'm going with progressive 412s this time around.
BEWARE OF THE BURLY SLAMMERS
Stay bouncy
.
Jeeze dude. Thats a rough way to get a new Harley. I have the same problems with my burly shocks, i just had to get my wires relocated. Clearly not a fan of them. I was looking at progressives with a heavy duty spring for when my girl rides with me. Everyone kept saying to get the Ohlins though, what do you think of your progressives?
i was torn between the burly and the drag specialties ride height adjustable 11" for my 48. i believe the 48 comes with 11.5 shock so i am going to set them at 11 to start and adjust either up or down depending on ride. seemed the best of both worlds to me
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Burly Shocks
