I’m a little guy!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,364
Likes: 33
From: So Cal The Golden State
RE: I’m a little guy!
I am 5-6 155lbs
I would shave the seat and use different boots first before changing your suspension in any way. These are cheaper mods initially and the bike ride charateristics would not changed. Or lost of ground clearance. I use Wesco and gained about 1.5"
I would shave the seat and use different boots first before changing your suspension in any way. These are cheaper mods initially and the bike ride charateristics would not changed. Or lost of ground clearance. I use Wesco and gained about 1.5"
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 2
RE: I’m a little guy!
That reach seat will lower you but if you've got any ***** at all you'll be uncomfortable as hell. You can buy a set of 12" airshocks from eastern performance cycle for about 120.00 that will swap right onto your bike in the place of the originals. That will help you a whole lot, I put twelve inch shocks on mine and didn't lower the front. It rides great and looks good. The one inch shorter shock in the rear and a sundowner will do the trick for ya. You don't have to be able to completely flat foot anyway. When you first get that big ol bike you think you do but you don't. You'll get used to it. Lowering both ends kinda messes with your ground clearance. Like they said make your t/p detachable and you'll be good to go. BTW, I really like the looks of the street glide, I'm not slamming them in any way. It just sounded to me like you were set on the other bike. Let the *** end down an inch and change your seat. you'll love it. Good luck , both bikes are great choice but the better value is in the electra glide I think.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 681
Likes: 4
From: N.E. Oklahoma
RE: I’m a little guy!
I have a 29 inch inseam and I have the same problems with my 08 Road Glide.
I think not being flat footed at stops or backing up is risky and increases thechance of dropping the bike.
I have also stopped on "crowned" left turn lanes and it get hairy when one foot is flat and the other is not.
Lowering the rider's seat don't look like a real solution to my short legs. They would have to narrow the seat pan and that increases heat and that left leg burn from the exhaust pipe.
Harley should really have a consistently applied "Fitting Program" before the bike goes out the door if a customer asks for it. At the prices we are paying for these bikes, it should be free minus parts cost (most dealers discount parts at bike purchase anyway).
If I lower the suspension using HD's kits one inch I would loose 2-3 degrees of lean angle. Since I don't race around corners that should not be an issue, right?
Factory '08 lean angles:
Road Glide: 30-32 Deg
Street Glide: 28-31 Deg
Road King: 30-32 Deg
Ultra Classic: 30-32 Deg
Softail Deluxe: 29-26 Deg (in here for illustrative purposes)
Thoughts?
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
RE: I’m a little guy!
That's some good advice. I'm probably going to try to find a used one. I love the Street Glide but just out of my price range. I see a ton of used Standards for sale around these parts and was thinking of getting one of those and modding it.
I just sold my sporty and saving up to get a Glide, whichever I can get a good deal on.
I just sold my sporty and saving up to get a Glide, whichever I can get a good deal on.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,749
Likes: 16
From: sand mountain Alabama
RE: I’m a little guy!
I am 5'7" at 125 lbs
I had the same feeling when I got my ultra. I had allen at www.meancitycycles.com lower my seat 2 inches, move me forward 1.5 inches, and cut the sides. I also use a good pair of boots with the thicker soles. I now have no problems getting my feet on the ground. I ride 2 up 90% of the time and when on a trip the bike is really heavy but I do not feel intimidated.
I did think about lowering the bike but I do not feel as I need it now.
This could save you some bucks but yes it can be lowered, 1 inch lowering springs form progressive in the front and you can lower it as much as 2 inches in the rear with out needing to replace the air shocks, use lowering blocks http://www.eglidegoodies.com/id131.html
I had the same feeling when I got my ultra. I had allen at www.meancitycycles.com lower my seat 2 inches, move me forward 1.5 inches, and cut the sides. I also use a good pair of boots with the thicker soles. I now have no problems getting my feet on the ground. I ride 2 up 90% of the time and when on a trip the bike is really heavy but I do not feel intimidated.
I did think about lowering the bike but I do not feel as I need it now.
This could save you some bucks but yes it can be lowered, 1 inch lowering springs form progressive in the front and you can lower it as much as 2 inches in the rear with out needing to replace the air shocks, use lowering blocks http://www.eglidegoodies.com/id131.html
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
RE: I’m a little guy!
5'4" on a good day- had a 01 FLHT lowered both front and rear shocks, pullback touring bars, 3/4' souls on my boots-no problem - you can even throw on a corbin cambler seat - all my friends said they never saw a bike fit better on anyone else - put on over 100,000 miles on the ride to prove it - now doing the same to my new 08 road king though changing the bars a bit more difficult. More to the point, I've ridden very tall endoro bikes in Africa - there I just try not to stop to much. Where there is a will there always is a way.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 34
From: Lockport Township, IL
RE: I’m a little guy!
I'm 5'7", 160 lbs, 30" inseam and ride a 04 Ultra that has not been lowered. It is the best handling and easiest to ride bike I've ever owned. I also have an 03 FXD and the Ultra is far easier to manuver at low speeds and tight turns.