lowering kits
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,087
Likes: 1,962
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
I'm not a fan of lowering kits. My '13 King is lowered 1" front and rear, initially with H-D shocks, then upgraded the shocks. The 12" rears have the same travel as many 13" shocks and have never "bottomed out". All my seats, solo and 2-up, are modified with a narrow neck and lower seat position. My 29" inseam I can "flat foot" sitting on the bike.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 600
From: The 1980's
An update on my lowering situation. As stated before I had the dealer remove the Advanblack rear blocks that I installed. The stock police shocks were replaced with Progressive 444 11.5 inch. They also installed Progressive springs in front to lower about the same amount as the rear.
I'm 5'8" with a 30 inch inseam. I sat on the bike and it's perfect for me. I was easily flat footed on the ground with regular low cut shoes on. Before anyone says it, I always wear boots riding. It was important to me to have that ground contact because this FLHTP is about 200 pounds heavier than the 2002 Fat Boy that I've been riding since April 2002.
Hope this helps someone.
I'm 5'8" with a 30 inch inseam. I sat on the bike and it's perfect for me. I was easily flat footed on the ground with regular low cut shoes on. Before anyone says it, I always wear boots riding. It was important to me to have that ground contact because this FLHTP is about 200 pounds heavier than the 2002 Fat Boy that I've been riding since April 2002.
Hope this helps someone.
Last edited by 2goldens; Feb 20, 2026 at 12:07 PM.
Road Master
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 851
Likes: 703
From: Near Memphis
An update on my lowering situation. As stated before I had the dealer remove the Advanblack rear blocks that I installed. The stock police shocks were replaced with Progressive 444 11.5 inch. They also installed Progressive springs in front to lower about the same amount as the rear.
I'm 5'8" with a 30 inch inseam. I sat on the bike and it's perfect for me. I was easily flat footed on the ground with regular low cut shoes on. Before anyone says it, I always wear boots riding. It was important to me to have that ground contact because this FLHTP is about 200 pounds heavier than the 2002 Fat Boy that I've been riding since April 2002.
Hope this helps someone.
I'm 5'8" with a 30 inch inseam. I sat on the bike and it's perfect for me. I was easily flat footed on the ground with regular low cut shoes on. Before anyone says it, I always wear boots riding. It was important to me to have that ground contact because this FLHTP is about 200 pounds heavier than the 2002 Fat Boy that I've been riding since April 2002.
Hope this helps someone.
I've been 5'6" with a 28" inseam and have been riding tall sport-touring rides for the last 40-years. I have never been able to flat-foot any motorcycle I've owned (FJR, BMW RTs, 1200 Bandit, and a '22 Gold Wing plus a few others. To deal with added weight of my three recent Touring HDs, I bought a pair of Doc Martens with about a 1" heel. Problem solved. I even prefer to sit higher up so I'm running a Harley Sundowner PLUS an Air Hawk pad.
Lower the bike is just a bad idea because you are giving up lean angle to fix a rider skill issue. I have never dropped, well almost never dropped, my bikes. One simply needs to practice more and be more aware of your footing when coming to a stop. Plan where and how to park your bike to avoid having to back it up a grade. A point I emphasize to my shorter Rider Academy students.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 600
From: The 1980's
Not picking on you per se, but you bring up points to discuss:
I've been 5'6" with a 28" inseam and have been riding tall sport-touring rides for the last 40-years. I have never been able to flat-foot any motorcycle I've owned (FJR, BMW RTs, 1200 Bandit, and a '22 Gold Wing plus a few others. To deal with added weight of my three recent Touring HDs, I bought a pair of Doc Martens with about a 1" heel. Problem solved. I even prefer to sit higher up so I'm running a Harley Sundowner PLUS an Air Hawk pad.
Lower the bike is just a bad idea because you are giving up lean angle to fix a rider skill issue. I have never dropped, well almost never dropped, my bikes. One simply needs to practice more and be more aware of your footing when coming to a stop. Plan where and how to park your bike to avoid having to back it up a grade. A point I emphasize to my shorter Rider Academy students.
I've been 5'6" with a 28" inseam and have been riding tall sport-touring rides for the last 40-years. I have never been able to flat-foot any motorcycle I've owned (FJR, BMW RTs, 1200 Bandit, and a '22 Gold Wing plus a few others. To deal with added weight of my three recent Touring HDs, I bought a pair of Doc Martens with about a 1" heel. Problem solved. I even prefer to sit higher up so I'm running a Harley Sundowner PLUS an Air Hawk pad.
Lower the bike is just a bad idea because you are giving up lean angle to fix a rider skill issue. I have never dropped, well almost never dropped, my bikes. One simply needs to practice more and be more aware of your footing when coming to a stop. Plan where and how to park your bike to avoid having to back it up a grade. A point I emphasize to my shorter Rider Academy students.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 658
From: Eastpointe, MI
One point of a lowering kit is when/if you eventually sell the bike you're limited to selling it to short guys.
I know when I'm looking at the ads when I see lowered or lowering kit I move on.
But then I do the same for highway miles, such and such miles on new engine, LEDs, ground effects lighting, speakers in the saddle bags saddle bags and a lot of other specialized stuff - so there's that.
I know when I'm looking at the ads when I see lowered or lowering kit I move on.
But then I do the same for highway miles, such and such miles on new engine, LEDs, ground effects lighting, speakers in the saddle bags saddle bags and a lot of other specialized stuff - so there's that.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 600
From: The 1980's
One point of a lowering kit is when/if you eventually sell the bike you're limited to selling it to short guys.
I know when I'm looking at the ads when I see lowered or lowering kit I move on.
But then I do the same for highway miles, such and such miles on new engine, LEDs, ground effects lighting, speakers in the saddle bags saddle bags and a lot of other specialized stuff - so there's that.
I know when I'm looking at the ads when I see lowered or lowering kit I move on.
But then I do the same for highway miles, such and such miles on new engine, LEDs, ground effects lighting, speakers in the saddle bags saddle bags and a lot of other specialized stuff - so there's that.
Kind of like buying a motorcycle, car, truck or whatever and never driving it so that the next owner gets a nice low mile ride. What's the point? I'd guess that a large percentage of HD owners buy and install all kinds of stuff on their bike that the next guy likely won't care about or want to pay the value of.
Last edited by 2goldens; Feb 22, 2026 at 09:15 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,624
Likes: 4,078
From: Virginia
I wish I could say the same thing, lol!
Not picking on you per se, but you bring up points to discuss:
I've been 5'6" with a 28" inseam and have been riding tall sport-touring rides for the last 40-years. I have never been able to flat-foot any motorcycle I've owned (FJR, BMW RTs, 1200 Bandit, and a '22 Gold Wing plus a few others. To deal with added weight of my three recent Touring HDs, I bought a pair of Doc Martens with about a 1" heel. Problem solved. I even prefer to sit higher up so I'm running a Harley Sundowner PLUS an Air Hawk pad.
Lower the bike is just a bad idea because you are giving up lean angle to fix a rider skill issue. I have never dropped, well almost never dropped, my bikes.
I've been 5'6" with a 28" inseam and have been riding tall sport-touring rides for the last 40-years. I have never been able to flat-foot any motorcycle I've owned (FJR, BMW RTs, 1200 Bandit, and a '22 Gold Wing plus a few others. To deal with added weight of my three recent Touring HDs, I bought a pair of Doc Martens with about a 1" heel. Problem solved. I even prefer to sit higher up so I'm running a Harley Sundowner PLUS an Air Hawk pad.
Lower the bike is just a bad idea because you are giving up lean angle to fix a rider skill issue. I have never dropped, well almost never dropped, my bikes.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
I had lowering blocks on my 08 Ultra for a few years, dealer put them on when the bike was new. I moved the floorboards forward and out which made a big improvement for my footing when stopped or backing. It also allowed me to position the heal shifter behind the board.
Took the off the lowering blocks, ride quality improved and I didn't notice much change in my footing. I later picked up a set of take offs from a newer street glide which improved the ride. It lowered the bike 1" but I barely noticed.
Took the off the lowering blocks, ride quality improved and I didn't notice much change in my footing. I later picked up a set of take offs from a newer street glide which improved the ride. It lowered the bike 1" but I barely noticed.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 998
From: Southern Virginia
Funny thing is a lot of tall folks like lowered bikes. My 76 FLH and 03 FXDWG are lowered and I like it, but I have modified forward controls and rear set seats on both so I keep my legroom. I don't worry about ground clearance much because the footpegs fold up and I understand that those bikes are not meant for carving corners. That being said the setbacks that were on my Wide Glide when I got it actually were horrible. Caused handling problems going in a straight line down the highway at high speeds when I hit a bump. Proper shocks took care of that.
To me touring bikes are another matter. More hard parts to scrape than lighter weight bikes it seems.
To me touring bikes are another matter. More hard parts to scrape than lighter weight bikes it seems.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 600
From: The 1980's
Funny thing is a lot of tall folks like lowered bikes. My 76 FLH and 03 FXDWG are lowered and I like it, but I have modified forward controls and rear set seats on both so I keep my legroom. I don't worry about ground clearance much because the footpegs fold up and I understand that those bikes are not meant for carving corners. That being said the setbacks that were on my Wide Glide when I got it actually were horrible. Caused handling problems going in a straight line down the highway at high speeds when I hit a bump. Proper shocks took care of that.
To me touring bikes are another matter. More hard parts to scrape than lighter weight bikes it seems.
To me touring bikes are another matter. More hard parts to scrape than lighter weight bikes it seems.