'08 Road King Classic Lowering Ideas
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Novice
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 18
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'08 Road King Classic Lowering Ideas
I have a 2008 Road King Classic without ABS. I want to lower it. How did you do yours? I've been checking into shock relocation brackets, but a lot of them won't work with hard leather bags. I'm sure there are a million posts on this site on how to lower a RKC, and I did a search, but didn't find anything helpful. I would like to go about 1" to 1 1/4". Thank you for your time and assistance.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,900
Likes: 4
From: way down upon the Suwannee River
RE: '08 Road King Classic Lowering Ideas
I have a 28" inseam so I had to lower my 08 fl I got the reach seat from harley that gave me an inch feels the same a little narrower. I went with Pingle lowering kit It's made of steel not alum I put about 300 mi. on it so far and the ride feels the same. I've got a bad set of RXR tracks close by and I went back and forth across them at varing speeds works great. ended up where I can flat foot even have to bend the knees. www.pingelonline.com took 20 min. to install.
Stage II
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
RE: '08 Road King Classic Lowering Ideas
I work for the parts department at my local dealership.I would recomend getting the front end lowering kit that H-D offers that will drop the front an inch. Then i would get the low profile shocks for the rear that H-Dthey drop the back 3/4 of an inch. Or Progressive suspension offers rear shocks that could get u lower. Personally i would not use those brackets that relocate the shocks i would imagine just like lowering blocks on a truck that you would get a rough ride and you bought the Road King Classic for the ride meaning that you plan on going on trips and such with your baby. So, you don't want to get beat up on your ride. If that's the case you should have bought a rigid frame chopper. LOL. If you come up with anything else let me know if it is anything new. Hope I could help
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 715
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RE: '08 Road King Classic Lowering Ideas
Whatever you do, don't use the Harley lowered air shocks -they ride like a lumber wagon.
I have has both 12" Progressive 440's & the HD lowered air shocks (also 12") on my bike & the difference in ride is absolutely night & day in favor of the Progressive's.
The other option is adjustable height air shocks (Legend, Platinum, Hi-Lo etc) I am now running the Platinum "Bleed & Feed" system & the ride quality is awesome + you can lower or raise it to any height you want.
~John
I have has both 12" Progressive 440's & the HD lowered air shocks (also 12") on my bike & the difference in ride is absolutely night & day in favor of the Progressive's.
The other option is adjustable height air shocks (Legend, Platinum, Hi-Lo etc) I am now running the Platinum "Bleed & Feed" system & the ride quality is awesome + you can lower or raise it to any height you want.
~John
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 701
Likes: 72
From: SA TX
RE: '08 Road King Classic Lowering Ideas
I went with 11.5 inch progressive shocks. Absolutely fell in love soon as I put it on the highway. Visually there is little difference looking at the bike from the side and I would hazard to say unless yours is next to one with the stock shock, the lowered height really would not be noticable. However, handling is affected for the better and you can feel the difference in how the bike sits/rides/corners and handling. I felt like I was sitting in a high chair before....now it feels more balanced and less top heavy.
They are a little cheaper than the HD profile low shocks and ride better. I have ridden on the profile lows and know how they feel. Also, the 11.5 are 1/2 inch shorter.
They are a little cheaper than the HD profile low shocks and ride better. I have ridden on the profile lows and know how they feel. Also, the 11.5 are 1/2 inch shorter.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
From: Newport Beach, CA
RE: '08 Road King Classic Lowering Ideas
I hear you! I too searched for quite a while trying find find a way to lower my RK Custom. We both have the same problem in that the plastic on the inside of our saddle bags wraps around the shocks. This , of course, means that most lowering kits that change the shock angle will not work on our bikes. I found a product that worked perfectly and was very easy to install. It is the lowering kit from TJ-Products.
It does not change the shock angle and was very easy to install. Installed mine in about 30 minutes. You can choose between the 1" or 1 1/2" drop.
It does not change the shock angle and was very easy to install. Installed mine in about 30 minutes. You can choose between the 1" or 1 1/2" drop.