2009 Ultra Classic Seat Height Problem
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 1
From:
Dealer I talked to said he refused to use the brackets because of a liability issue. They aren't HD approved or strong enough. He would put shorter shocks on though and if necessary put different springs in the front forks, but he was concerned about ground clearance issues.
Your dealer does not recommend them because he does not sell them. He likely does not like anything he does not sell. Aftermarket pipes, Fuel management, or anything else that does not have HD on it. HeII, he does not even know what bracket I am referring to. All I am saying is the parts are out there, being used with zero problems. Look at the ultra. do you think an inch or two will affect the clearence? If so look at the Deluxe, much lower yet....stock.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 561
Likes: 0
From: Amelia, Virginia
As mentioned in another post, Mean City Cycles does seat modifications that would help you out. After a few long trips, you would probably find the seat not very friendly and want it adjusted anyways. Lowering the suspension really is not a good idea. You would loose some lean angle along with suspension travel. If you are getting the bike because your wife likes to ride, then sounds like to me that you wouldn't want to give up the suspension travel. It's no fun riding when the bike bottoms out regularly. Check out Mean City Cycles, I believe you would find your answer there. Lowering the suspension should only be a last resort kind of thing, especially riding 2 up.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Dealer is willing to let me try several different seats on his demo to see if one helps. Before I try messing with the suspension I will try having the local upholsterer work on the stock seat. Nothing to lose I guess.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 181
Likes: 2
Im 5.4 and 30 inseam. Im planning to install Front lowering kit with low touring shocks and reach seat. My 09 ultra is on the way and Im still worried of getting my feet flat on ground even with the mods I mentioned above 
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 622
Likes: 1
From: oklahoma
The 09 seat is wider than the 08's, so you feel like you are up higher. Spec wise the height ofthe bike is the same. I would try another seat before i would mess with the shocks, just my 2 cents.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 3
From: Chattanooga, TN
I have the new Corbin Touring seat (for short riders) on my 08 UCSE3, it sits 1" lower and I had Corbin lower it another 1/2". That along with the progressive 416 air shocks allows me to be flat footed on the pavement. What a difference in stability and comfort.
It did take a couple of thousand miles to get used to the Corbin seat and now I can ride hours with out anything hurting and keep both feet flat on the ground at a stop. The progressive 416 shocks lower the bike an additional 1/2" or so and keep the proper wheel travel and ride very well ,much better than the HD shorter shocks, especially with a passenger.
Steve
It did take a couple of thousand miles to get used to the Corbin seat and now I can ride hours with out anything hurting and keep both feet flat on the ground at a stop. The progressive 416 shocks lower the bike an additional 1/2" or so and keep the proper wheel travel and ride very well ,much better than the HD shorter shocks, especially with a passenger.
Steve
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 491
Likes: 1
From: Belleville, MI
Ive never ridden an Ultra before today, but man it sits high compared to a Street Glide. I'm 5'10" w/30" inseam and I wasnt tip toeing but sure wasnt able to flat foot either and the Ultra is no toy. I know the SG is 1" lower and has less padding in the seat, but the seat fells alot wider than the Ultra's seat but I can flat floot the SG with room to spare. The Ultra seems like, in stock form, it would be to tall for many riders?