Lowering a 2014 Ultra Limited
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: AZ
Lowering a 2014 Ultra Limited
I need some advice and Suggestions. Sorry for long story
I have been riding my 2014 Ultra Limited for about 2,000 miles. I previously rode a 2010 Ultra and a 2007 Road King Classic before that
I am on the Shorter side and unless I wear riding boots with thick solesmy feet will not lay flat with this bike. I have no issues riding it,
but when I do two up riding, I need to pay attention when my passengers get on and off or when there are those pesky pot holes underneath when you stop and put the foot down..
So I went to dealer and asked how much to lower it. They quoted me a few
options.
To lower just the Rear was going to be on the North side of$800.
To lower the both front and rear was going to well North of $1,000.
To get a Custom seat was another $500 Plus.
Money doesn't grow on trees.
My Questions are if I take the Cheap route I am concerned about the ride and handling if I only lower the Back end.
My thoughts are to bite the Bullet and get Front and Back lowered for better symmetry.
I just don't have the cash on hand to do it for a while.
Anybody have any words of Wisdom or Suggestions.
Thanks
I have been riding my 2014 Ultra Limited for about 2,000 miles. I previously rode a 2010 Ultra and a 2007 Road King Classic before that
I am on the Shorter side and unless I wear riding boots with thick solesmy feet will not lay flat with this bike. I have no issues riding it,
but when I do two up riding, I need to pay attention when my passengers get on and off or when there are those pesky pot holes underneath when you stop and put the foot down..
So I went to dealer and asked how much to lower it. They quoted me a few
options.
To lower just the Rear was going to be on the North side of$800.
To lower the both front and rear was going to well North of $1,000.
To get a Custom seat was another $500 Plus.
Money doesn't grow on trees.
My Questions are if I take the Cheap route I am concerned about the ride and handling if I only lower the Back end.
My thoughts are to bite the Bullet and get Front and Back lowered for better symmetry.
I just don't have the cash on hand to do it for a while.
Anybody have any words of Wisdom or Suggestions.
Thanks
Last edited by Ride4Phun; Feb 18, 2015 at 11:47 AM. Reason: spelling
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: holton ks
I asked my dealer bout lowering my limited 1" front and rear. They got a demo seat they said i could try. I think it is a Limited low seat. Think it lowers you a inch. Not sure. Seat is like 250.00 i think. Worth a try
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,012
Likes: 298
From: Central Fl
Check with Drag Specialties for lowering blocks for the rear. A set from them will run under 200.00. Progressive has drop ins for around 400.00 that will drop the front 1''. With the front dropped 1'' and the rear dropped 2'' you will probably be fine. Hope this helps.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
Those are the answers you'll get at a dealer- they are on commision.
common to lower the rear with lower shocks or lowering blocks.
I have tried both, the lowering blocks are not great...( if you want to try a pair, I'll sell you the ones in my junk box and put them on for you-$50--- I'm at SR51 and Shea).
much better results from the 12" air shocks as used on the streetglide- you can find these for about $150 or less used on craigslist. ( make sure the part number ends in -09)
these provide a pretty good ride- stiffer and jouncier than your stock 13"...30% less travel.
If buying used, ensure that the shocks have been capped/sealed/bagged/boxed to keep dust out and have been stored upright so that the oil hasn;t leaked out.
or there are custom shocks- incl a popular conversion outfit in the easy valley
http://bitchinbaggers.com/
lowering the front requires alot more work as the fairing is in the way
here's my Pal's 2011 limited - lowered an inch front and rear- compare to my stock height on the rt ( see the bottoms of teh cowbells on the forks- that's how you can spot a lowered 1949~2013 front end )
...and a lower seat.
I'd ask mean city cycles- they have done alot of seats for forum members to good result ( I have not used them)
when riding solo I generally use a FLHX seat.
mike
common to lower the rear with lower shocks or lowering blocks.
I have tried both, the lowering blocks are not great...( if you want to try a pair, I'll sell you the ones in my junk box and put them on for you-$50--- I'm at SR51 and Shea).
much better results from the 12" air shocks as used on the streetglide- you can find these for about $150 or less used on craigslist. ( make sure the part number ends in -09)
these provide a pretty good ride- stiffer and jouncier than your stock 13"...30% less travel.
If buying used, ensure that the shocks have been capped/sealed/bagged/boxed to keep dust out and have been stored upright so that the oil hasn;t leaked out.
or there are custom shocks- incl a popular conversion outfit in the easy valley
http://bitchinbaggers.com/
lowering the front requires alot more work as the fairing is in the way
here's my Pal's 2011 limited - lowered an inch front and rear- compare to my stock height on the rt ( see the bottoms of teh cowbells on the forks- that's how you can spot a lowered 1949~2013 front end )
...and a lower seat.
I'd ask mean city cycles- they have done alot of seats for forum members to good result ( I have not used them)
when riding solo I generally use a FLHX seat.
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Feb 18, 2015 at 04:43 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 872
Likes: 237
From: Covington, Ga
I need some advice and Suggestions. Sorry for long story
I have been riding my 2014 Ultra Limited for about 2,000 miles. I previously rode a 2010 Ultra and a 2007 Road King Classic before that
I am on the Shorter side and unless I wear riding boots with thick solesmy feet will not lay flat with this bike. I have no issues riding it,
but when I do two up riding, I need to pay attention when my passengers get on and off or when there are those pesky pot holes underneath when you stop and put the foot down..
So I went to dealer and asked how much to lower it. They quoted me a few
options.
To lower just the Rear was going to be on the North side of$800.
To lower the both front and rear was going to well North of $1,000.
To get a Custom seat was another $500 Plus.
Money doesn't grow on trees.
My Questions are if I take the Cheap route I am concerned about the ride and handling if I only lower the Back end.
My thoughts are to bite the Bullet and get Front and Back lowered for better symmetry.
I just don't have the cash on hand to do it for a while.
Anybody have any words of Wisdom or Suggestions.
Thanks
I have been riding my 2014 Ultra Limited for about 2,000 miles. I previously rode a 2010 Ultra and a 2007 Road King Classic before that
I am on the Shorter side and unless I wear riding boots with thick solesmy feet will not lay flat with this bike. I have no issues riding it,
but when I do two up riding, I need to pay attention when my passengers get on and off or when there are those pesky pot holes underneath when you stop and put the foot down..
So I went to dealer and asked how much to lower it. They quoted me a few
options.
To lower just the Rear was going to be on the North side of$800.
To lower the both front and rear was going to well North of $1,000.
To get a Custom seat was another $500 Plus.
Money doesn't grow on trees.
My Questions are if I take the Cheap route I am concerned about the ride and handling if I only lower the Back end.
My thoughts are to bite the Bullet and get Front and Back lowered for better symmetry.
I just don't have the cash on hand to do it for a while.
Anybody have any words of Wisdom or Suggestions.
Thanks
I will admit this new Limited Low is a dream come true. No more lowering problems for me.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Jonesboro, Arkansas
I did lower my 2013 Ultra Classic 1" in front and back. Not as good of a ride. Remember, you're taking 1" of travel out of the shocks. On my new 2014 Ultra Classic sent the seat to Mean City Cycles. Best $130 I've ever spent.
Do yourself a favor and lower the seat before messing with the shocks. That took care of my problem completely.
Do yourself a favor and lower the seat before messing with the shocks. That took care of my problem completely.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 221
Likes: 2
From: Tennessee
+1 On the Mean City Seat Mod. They did mine and now can flat foot with any shoes and get to keep my longer travel suspension. I have a 30" inseam if that helps. Love my seat.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,872
Likes: 1,325
From: DeLand, Florida
I have 1" lowering blocks on my 2014 Limited. The bike sits much better and the handling,if anything, got better in my opinion. To me lowering rear is a cheap and works. If you don't like it, it is easy to reverse. I love my lowered ride.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 128
Probably the easiest and cheapest thing to consider is getting new riding boots that have thicker soles. The second thing would be to try out the demo seats that dealers keep in the back room. I know from personal experience that some of them are a good inch lower. These two things would probably cost about $400. or so and might get the job done. I know some people say that they don't have problems with lowering kits but in my world anytime you start messing with the geometry of anything that rolls at high speed, you can have problems.