Anyone here dropped the backend of their baggers. I am looking at the HD low profile touring shocks (part #54631-02B). They go for about $275. If you have them, how much do they affect the ride (comfort, handling) and are they worth the price? Is there that much of a noticeable difference in the height? Any other less expensive shocks that will do the same thing as the HD ones?

Thanks.

 

I don't know about how they ride yet, but I did have them installed prior to me riding it home tomorrow. I have short leg disease so I got them for better stop light footing

 

Find a pair of StreetGlide rear shocks that someone has changed out. BE SURE no oil has leaked out of them though. Even if you can't find some used SG shocks, purchase new ones......they are cheaper than the HD low profile touring shocks for some reason and are the same height.[sm=WTFsgign.gif]

 

don't spend the money for the hd's call progressive suspension http://www.progressivesuspension.com/contact.htmltell them what you want to do, how you ride, what you weigh then the will recommend either the 412's (better ride than the HD's) or the 440's ( better ride than the 412"s) the 412's can be found on eBay new for under $200.00 with free shipping the 440's can be found for under $400.00. The stock length is 13" the progressives are available down to 11.5" for a roadking

 

Yeah I lowered my 95 King and like it. Rides fine

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Here's my two cents: send your seat to Allen at Mean City Cycles (advertised on this forum) and have him lower it first. I sent my Sundowner to him. He lowered it about two inches and added memory foam to both driver and passenger sections. It cost me $156.60 (and that included shipping back).

I had the low profiles put on when I bought the bike and really did not see that much difference. I'm not saying that it did not make any difference, but I am also pretty short (5'6") and was still on tip toes at stop lights. Now my feet on solidly on the ground. If I had it to do all over again, I'd give the seat a shot first, and then look at the lowering kit if it did not get the job totally done.

 

Used the low profile on my 04 Road King along with 18" rims, I purchased a Mustand solo, (prior to knowing about MeanCity Cyles) I stand 5.10 and I have no problem being flat footed.
The bike runs fine and smooth, anything over 2" drop is when you are going to feel the difference

And I am also looking into going a little bit more as far as lowered, unclear to how much clearance I have under wheel well on 18's

Celtic King
2004 Road King
Southern California

 

the low profile shocks are the same length as the standard shocks on the roadking custom, 12". i just happened to have a set of 440s in 11-1/2 inches that i used on my sportster (the rk and the sporty use the same shocks, go figure). i used to have a real problem 'reaching' the ground, so i thought things would be better after i got my corbin seat. well, its a little wider in the nose so even though it is overall lower, it really didn't change my ground reach. so just for ***** and giggles, i decided i would put the progressives on. that 1/2 inch made a huge difference. while i still cannot totally flat foot, it is close (i'm 5'3). that little bit made a huge boost in my confidence, esp at slow speeds and backing up. even though it is lower, i don't notice any negative in the ride quality, in fact it is better than stock. progressive does not recommend 440s in that length, they recommend 412s under 12 inch (good thing i got mine used)

the biggest negative that i have found is that i can no longer fit my oil drain bucket or jack underneath. i have to ride my bike up on those 2 inch concrete pads and put a firebrick under the kick stand to change the oil. i think its a fair trade off.

 

I put the 12" progressive 440's on my RK Classic this winter. I've only had it out a few times since the install because of crappy weather and turkey hunting. So far I'm happy with the ride. It's better than stockand Ican tell the diffrence with my footing I'm 5'9, however I didn't see that much difference in appearence. Ifyour going for the slammed look you won't see it but you will be able to plant your feet and the 440's are a better ride.

 

I still have my stock HD SG shocks and they are STIFF! it's almost like a hard tale sometimes depending on the quality of the road. A friend of mine has the Progressive 440s on his street glide and it's a world of difference. He gets the same air ride feel of the stock road king, but with lowered shocks.