I know there are many posts on this but I cannot seem to find them with the search feature. I have a 2014 SG and I'm considering upgrading my shocks and when I do, I'm wondering about lowering the bike 1" with the Progressive mono tubes. I fit flat foot and do not need to lower the bike as I am 5'9" but I'm wondering if there are any benefits other than looks.

1. I got my dirty wind under control with a 7" Windsplitter WS. Will lowering the bike drop my windshield an inch?

2. Will I scrape more or loose that much ground clearance?

3. Will it perform better than doing the same upgrade without lowering it (stock height)?

 

I'm 6' 4" and I lowered mine purely for looks. Your windshield will remain the same height, BUT you will be bringing your lower triple tree 1" closer to the front fender, risking hitting the front brake "puck" on the top of the front fender with a hard bottom out. My bike scraped once after I lowered it and I totally smashed my Guardian Bell. I now roll over speed bumps at an angle and have not had a problem since. I didn't notice any different handling characteristics with mine. I went down 1.5" in the front and rear on mine. Once I added a Tru-Track, THATS where the handling changed....BIG TIME. Having the bike lowered also makes it a pain in the a$$ to get my bike jack under it now. I have to roll my front wheel onto a 2x4 to get the bike high enough to roll the jack under.

I like the looks and will deal with the minor inconveniences because of it.

 

Your Tru Track was added after you lowered it?

 

Yes, about a year after I lowered the bike. Not really any issues other than it added to my problem of getting it on the jack. A 2x4 fixes that!! LOL!!

 

When I bought my RK, I had the HD Profile Lows front and rear as I'm 5'6". Lowers front 1" and 3/4" in the rear from stock and I think sits similar to your SG.

I changed out my wheels and tires to 21" front and had the Progressive monos in the front and lowered 2" to compensate for the bigger wheel. Also got the Ohlins 12 1/8" in rears now. Handling is great and no scraping...yet. Haven't bottomed out either, as I've hit some potholes (can't see them too good at night).

I don't think lowering will change the wind any. Mine didn't, as I get pretty smooth air for an RK.

 

I have a 2014 street glide (not special). I just upgraded to Ohlins shocks (which drops the rear slightly) and I put the Progressive monotube cartridge kit in the front. The progressive kit I bought was the lowered version ... reading the directions ... you can use the kit at the stock height, lower 1" or lower 2".

After riding the bike with Ohlins and 1" drop - it is a noticeable difference in riding - but not like OMG. I have a problem getting my J&S Jack under the frame now. I did not notice and scraping problems while riding.

I think the 1" drop will probably perform worse than no drop at all, but that is subjective based on your height weight and riding style.

 

So what you are saying is that if I buy the lowered kit, you can still use it at 1" or 2" lower or even use it at stock height? So you get three options with it? I wonder if using the lowered kit at stock height is the same product as the stock height monotube but with the lower kit you get the option to drop it down or use it at the stock height? I wonder if the lowed kit and the standard height kit are two separate kits that perform differently or if they are the same kit and the lowered version allows for the drop? So that creates the question: Has anyone had a chance to compare the progressive monotube stock height version with the lowered version and if so what is the verdict?

 

I have an experiment for you... get a tape measure and go to the Harley shop... take some measurements.. For ME - I use the right side of the bike - on kick stand.. I measure from the bottom of the upper fork cover - some call it the fork cowbell? I measure from the bottom of that to the TOP of the front wheel Axle.... On Your SG and everyother standard suspension - that measurement will be right at 12" - maybe a little over === Now go and take that very same measurement on one of the New Ultra LOW - you will find that right at 11.5"

I did this at my local dealer - they say 1" but not really???

now Sit on both bikes... stand them up - grab the front brake and ROCK the bikes forward,,, pushing down on the front suspension... You will Feel the difference

Before I buy any front lowering kit... call and Ask how much it will Actually drop the front end???

Yes, the Bikes LOOK Cool lowered but If you ride a lot - ride will suffer ---- some people do not care - I do...

I am 5'6" and had a 2004 FLHTCI for 11 years... dropped back and front - hated the ride and the wife hated it even more,, lol

Went back to standard and kept it that way for 10 years.. Got a Custom Corbin and wear boots with good heels... never an issue

Been wanting to upgrade for a while now and was told the NEW HD suspension was WAY better than 2004 - bought the LOW.... LOL - In my opinon - Not a change at all - in the LOW suspension..

Love the bike... Just spent this past weekend putting the front back to stock - using Progressive spring kit... Now my bike is like the SG = in suspension.. Back shocks are going next - Works 13"

so,,, what will you gain, - look cool??? subjective but still thats up to you

what will you loose??

$$$$ if you go ALL the work
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ if you have HD do all the work
Ride comfort will be less - again, some people are find with that.. that little experemint at the dealer - sitting on both bike and rocking the front forks...

Less suspension travel - STIFFER ride.

As far as windshield - that drops with the front end... will make no difference.. just need to get a Freedom Shield

Now if you have a 14 or 15 - PM me, I will make you a good deal on a NEW Freedom 8" - installed it for a day - should have gotten a 6" - since I installed it - not returnable... I will save you $26

If you only want to look cool and you have the $$$$ - go for it... life is too short to settle


Note - when putting my Ultra Low front back to standard - I did NOT just put in the Progressive spring Kit.. What I did was buy a set of take off Lowers from the classified area - got a parts book and bought all New internal parts and upper fork tubes - had the lowers chromed and built those as a standard height suspension... jacked up the frontend - took the LOW forks off and installed the New standard forks... The LOW forks are wrapped in towels and stored in my closet - for the new owner down the line - the rear shocks will come off next month and be stored the same....

 

I'm a stock height guy too. Put 13" rear shocks (spring shocks) and stock height monotubes on my bike. I'm not anywhere near tall but prefer a bike setup like this. Lowered is too darn stiff for my tastes.

What no one tells youa bout lowering the bike is how much less travel will affect the handling. They talk about how steering on the front will be easier however this comes at a price.

The price is reduced travel to soak up all the bumps. Same goes for the rear. I know guys who lower their bikes and swear that it rides great. As long as they are happy that is all that matters. I won't be happy with a lowered bike and I know it.

 

I I rode 100% by my self - I could probably live with it - but the ride on the bike for the wife is NOT good - and She LOVES to ride - I am 65 and she is 67 - I started riding again back in 96 - my feelings were IF she wanted to ride - I would do what ever it takes to keep her happy on the back - 19 years it has worked

However, I do agree a lowered bike looks Cool -

We both retied in 08 - made 4 trips from CA to East coast and back - longest was 8K in 26 days... felt great each and every evening.... had we been on a Lowered Bike... it would have been a much Different trip,,,, ouch, lol