Lowering Ride Suggestions
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 79
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From: Western PA
Lowering Ride Suggestions
I got a 2014 SGS and I can just get the ***** of my feet on the ground. Backing this thing up is really hard to do.
Anyone got any suggestion on how to lower the ride height a little? I was thinking about getting different rear shocks, something a little softer on the rider too.
Anyone got any suggestion on how to lower the ride height a little? I was thinking about getting different rear shocks, something a little softer on the rider too.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
the X models use 12" shocks ...the std models use 13".
so there is your harsher ride- 1" less travel
there are some high dollar shock options, which some of the other guys will tell you about
- first step could be boots with thicker soles ( really) - and a seat which allows you feet to drop down, rather than out- sometime a narrowed nose of the seat can help
Mike
so there is your harsher ride- 1" less travel
there are some high dollar shock options, which some of the other guys will tell you about
- first step could be boots with thicker soles ( really) - and a seat which allows you feet to drop down, rather than out- sometime a narrowed nose of the seat can help
Mike
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 692
Likes: 63
From: Ontario, Canada
You have a few options. Like mkguitar said, you could go thinner seat, lots of options there. If the thicker sole boots work that is the cheapest route. You can also buy a lowering kit, which will get you an inch lower without losing suspension travel. The most expensive option is shorter shocks, new shocks are a must, but I personally wouldn't want them shorter. You only have 2" of suspension now. I actually went with longer shocks, but I'm not struggling to touch the ground either.
The best thing to do is call Mean City Cycles, tell them your issue and they will solve your problem. No lowering blocks and suspension changes and big $. They will lower your seat and put in a memory foam and you will sit lower and more comfortable.
Take it from me I did it.
You are welcome
Take it from me I did it.
You are welcome
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,165
Likes: 1,910
From: Doghouse... mostly
Get a pair of boots with a thicker sole. Hella' lot cheaper than modifying the bike. You can also let your OL off and have her pull you back into the parking space, but that's another story for a different time!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 1,985
From: Cleveland Zoo
I got a 2014 SGS and I can just get the ***** of my feet on the ground. Backing this thing up is really hard to do.
Anyone got any suggestion on how to lower the ride height a little? I was thinking about getting different rear shocks, something a little softer on the rider too.
Anyone got any suggestion on how to lower the ride height a little? I was thinking about getting different rear shocks, something a little softer on the rider too.
Narrow a seat you like, reach seat pushes you forward on an already cramped bike. Getting your seat lowered or buying a low seat takes padding away for a rougher ride. Everybody has their own ideas about seats, I like my Hammock.
Lowering blocks on the shocks work but you might have to space your bags out so they don't rub. This mod can change the angle of the shocks and is not popular with everybody.
Stock shocks suck on this bike, I changed mine to ones that compress a bit more with more travel, lots of threads here about shocks.
Condensed version:
If you are shorter than me (5'10") you will probably have to compromise a bit on the seat, find one you like and have it modded.
Use good boots.
Get good shocks that will compress a bit.
These three things will add up for a lower ride.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Being a short-**** I've never been able to 'back-up' while sitting on the bike, except in very friendly circumstances. The correct and safer way to reverse your bike is to get off it and wheel it from alongside. I've been doing that for over half a century now......
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,430
Likes: 239
From: northeast
before spending a fortune on seats / shoes and every other thing for short *** people
do yourself a favor and buy an air ride, im 5'5" with a 29.5" inseam and it was the 1st and BEST investment I made for ride comfort.. I recently added a gripswitch ( not necessary but nice to have control up on the bars ) to my JNR designed air ride kit to make it easier for adjustment on the fly and have a total of $474 invested in the complete and ready to install system..
when I get to a parking lot or need to back the bike up a push of a button and the *** end drops to give my short legs the leverage needed to get the job done, once im back on the road I push it again until comfortable for the road conditions..
simple and efficient and I don't have 4 or 5 seats sitting in my garage or a pair of Frankenstein boots just for riding
do yourself a favor and buy an air ride, im 5'5" with a 29.5" inseam and it was the 1st and BEST investment I made for ride comfort.. I recently added a gripswitch ( not necessary but nice to have control up on the bars ) to my JNR designed air ride kit to make it easier for adjustment on the fly and have a total of $474 invested in the complete and ready to install system..
when I get to a parking lot or need to back the bike up a push of a button and the *** end drops to give my short legs the leverage needed to get the job done, once im back on the road I push it again until comfortable for the road conditions..
simple and efficient and I don't have 4 or 5 seats sitting in my garage or a pair of Frankenstein boots just for riding
Last edited by 1HD1C; Jun 29, 2017 at 06:22 AM.
Get a 1 inch lowering kit for the front forks, did that to my 07 Road King Custom 10 years ago.
I did the lowering kit when adding the chrome fork sliders, after I put on a Sundowner seat.
John
I did the lowering kit when adding the chrome fork sliders, after I put on a Sundowner seat.
John