Lowering a Road King?
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 466
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From: Ontario, Canada
Lowering a Road King?
I'm seriously considering trading my 883 Sportster in on a used Dyna Low Rider or a2001 Road King.The RKhas 32000kms on it, looks to be in nice condition and is stock. Price is $15999 CDN.
The only thing I'm not really comfortable with is that it seems to sit high like my XLH. I can touch the ground when sitting onit but considering the weight and mass of the RK I would sooner be able to plant my feet a bit more firmly.
Canthe RK's be lowered and if so how is this done? Tks.
The only thing I'm not really comfortable with is that it seems to sit high like my XLH. I can touch the ground when sitting onit but considering the weight and mass of the RK I would sooner be able to plant my feet a bit more firmly.
Canthe RK's be lowered and if so how is this done? Tks.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 331
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From: Heppner, Oregon
RE: Lowering a Road King?
There are two ways to lower the rear. 1) Buy and adapter for the bottom shock mount to set it back for a 1" drop. 2) Stock shock length is 13" for my 99 King, so I bought an 11.5" rear shock for a 1.5" drop. For the front I bought a progressive spring kit to drop it 1". Another thought would be buy an aftermarket seat. All manufactures make seats that are narrower up front so you can touch the ground easier. I am fond of Mustang seats and have been using them for years, I believe they are the most comfortable. There are others out here who would dissagree withme, and like other brands better, to each their own.
If you want to keep the rear air shocks, I would look at a lowering kit in the J&P catalog
P/N#701-800 2002-2006 mods $129.99 call 1-800-397-4844
P/N #701-218 1997-2001 mods $104.99
I will probably redo mine this winter and put the old air shocks back on with a lowering kit. I think it will ride a little nicer. It seems a little too rough now for me. Hope this is of some help.
If you want to keep the rear air shocks, I would look at a lowering kit in the J&P catalog
P/N#701-800 2002-2006 mods $129.99 call 1-800-397-4844
P/N #701-218 1997-2001 mods $104.99
I will probably redo mine this winter and put the old air shocks back on with a lowering kit. I think it will ride a little nicer. It seems a little too rough now for me. Hope this is of some help.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 331
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From: Heppner, Oregon
RE: Lowering a Road King?
One last note Iron, there is no comparrison on the ride of a dyna and king. For comfort you can't beat the king. If its the look then dyna might be what your after. Wifey wished we'd had the king years ago.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 466
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From: Ontario, Canada
RE: Lowering a Road King?
That's the kind of info I was looking for 'schoney'. I didn't even realize they had air shocks, stupid me! If I do decide on the RK then I would consider going the lowering kit as well. Thanks.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 466
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From: Ontario, Canada
RE: Lowering a Road King?
Forgot about your second post 'schoney'. At 55 I'm looking for more comfort now. I like the looks of the Sporty but there's just not enough room IMO for 2-up and even with the 13.5" stock rear shocks the ride can stillbe a bit harsh.
Since you have a RK maybe you can answer another question for me. Are they difficult to hold up straight (weight and all) and are they clumsy to manouver with? I'm 55yrs. old,5'8", 29" inseam and 200lbs (fat)give or take.
Since you have a RK maybe you can answer another question for me. Are they difficult to hold up straight (weight and all) and are they clumsy to manouver with? I'm 55yrs. old,5'8", 29" inseam and 200lbs (fat)give or take.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 586
Likes: 48
From: Saint Augustine, FL
RE: Lowering a Road King?
My 2 cents: I've got an 01 Road King Classic & used a lowering kit by a place called TJ Products. I think it was about $119. Lowered me down 1 1/2 inches in the rear. You continue to use the stock shock that came with it. I did not lower the front at all.
I also have an HD Badlander seat - which added to the lowered position for myself while seated. Stock or a "comfy" seat is gonna raise ya up higher.Now, I'm 6' on the button - but with the stock seat & shock setup - I felt too much like I was riding "ON" the bike - and made those changes in order to ride "IN" the bike. I love it. And, while I was flat footed before, I now have a more solid stance and comfort level when I'm holding the bike with feet on the ground.
The ride isn't too bad either. A little bumpier thanstock- and occasional bottoming out - but not bad at all. I have a happy setting on my air shocks - about 20psi of pressure.
TJ Products recommends you use only a 1" lowering setting if doing 2-up riding - however, I have done some 2 up riding and find things to be just fine. Again - with only the OCCASIONAL bottoming out. Very rare.
I'm 6' / 179lbs - and the passenger I had was 5'10" and not skinny- but not fat either. To guess, I'd say our total weight was at or around 320lbs(?)...I didn't touch the air in the rear shocks, but probably should have - and will for future 2 up riding. Maybe set it to around 28psi.
Lemme know if you have any questions.
I also have an HD Badlander seat - which added to the lowered position for myself while seated. Stock or a "comfy" seat is gonna raise ya up higher.Now, I'm 6' on the button - but with the stock seat & shock setup - I felt too much like I was riding "ON" the bike - and made those changes in order to ride "IN" the bike. I love it. And, while I was flat footed before, I now have a more solid stance and comfort level when I'm holding the bike with feet on the ground.
The ride isn't too bad either. A little bumpier thanstock- and occasional bottoming out - but not bad at all. I have a happy setting on my air shocks - about 20psi of pressure.
TJ Products recommends you use only a 1" lowering setting if doing 2-up riding - however, I have done some 2 up riding and find things to be just fine. Again - with only the OCCASIONAL bottoming out. Very rare.
I'm 6' / 179lbs - and the passenger I had was 5'10" and not skinny- but not fat either. To guess, I'd say our total weight was at or around 320lbs(?)...I didn't touch the air in the rear shocks, but probably should have - and will for future 2 up riding. Maybe set it to around 28psi.
Lemme know if you have any questions.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
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From:
RE: Lowering a Road King?
IronLegend, I recently was in the same situation as you. Had a Sportster 1200 custom. Was seriously thinking of getting a low rider until I rode a Roadking. It's true the Roadking does sit high but you can lower it. Much better ride than a low rider, more comfortable, already has large bags and a detachable windshield, and is just as easy to handle once you get used to it. I've had my Roadking only 3-4 weeks and already find it easy and fun to ride. Good luck, Shane
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RE: Lowering a Road King?
I am much larger than you are, and most, for that matter. I was a little concerned with the weight of the rk custom I bought, but after riding it, those concerns were replaced with grins. The bike is so well balanced, I would never know it weighed more than 750 lbs. Nice comfy ride, and a great bike to purchase.
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 331
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From: Heppner, Oregon
RE: Lowering a Road King?
Yea Iron I'm 6' 200# and wife is 115#, at first I only lowered the rear, and a year later I dropped the front end and noticed how much better it handled with thefront dropped to match the rear. I'm 53 and live in the boonies, the nearest town is 50 miles away, so I do a lot of long rides. If you want ride quality RK definitely. Really does'nt matter your size, once your on the bike it becomes a part of you and will handle like a dream. Your wife will thank you in many many ways.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: anacoco, la
RE: Lowering a Road King?
ORIGINAL: IronLegend
Since you have a RK maybe you can answer another question for me. Are they difficult to hold up straight (weight and all) and are they clumsy to manouver with? I'm 55yrs. old,5'8", 29" inseam and 200lbs (fat)give or take.
Since you have a RK maybe you can answer another question for me. Are they difficult to hold up straight (weight and all) and are they clumsy to manouver with? I'm 55yrs. old,5'8", 29" inseam and 200lbs (fat)give or take.