Lowering the rear.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 13
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From:
RE: Lowering the rear.
Ok. Now for my opinion! IMHO if you do lower it and I dod loer mine. Don't do the bracket one. I didn't like it and it is a Hundred bucks wasted. Buy the shocks the first time. I just bought the 404 's and they are great with the right height. Only drag the kick stand from time to time. Anyway it is your nickel just spend wisely once.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Plano, TX
RE: Lowering the rear.
I put the 12" Progressive 412's on my Ultra, left the front alone - That lowered it 1". Great feel 1 or 2-up, and the bike rides much better. The wife and I go about 350 and when fully-loaded for a long trip we're 1 notch below fully extended on these shocks. If you go too much more than that, I'd probably recommend the HD's (heavy duty, not Harley Davidson). You'll get a lot of different opinions here, but I wouldn't lower the front unless you really need to get lower than the 1" to the rear. I think lowering the front changes the handling characteristics much more than anything you do to the rear. IMHO. Good luck!
Banned
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,100
Likes: 5
From: Boerne, Texas (Gods Country)
RE: Lowering the rear.
I put the rear lowering kit on my classic and I love the way it rides.I think I'd do the shocks next time (if there is a next time) just because it seams to give you a better ride.I can stack my tour pack full and put a bag on top and the wife on the back without any problems (I just add a little air to the shocks).I think the bike handles better now than it did at the stock hight.I am going to lower the front also when I put the chrome lowers on but only because I'm 5'6" and I need it as low as I can get it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 0
From: NH
RE: Lowering the rear.
ORIGINAL: dforeid
Prw3: Do you have a Road King Classic? I'm wondering if those bracket kits change the angle of the shocks to the point that the saddlebags no longer fit? That's what I've read in here before.
Prw3: Do you have a Road King Classic? I'm wondering if those bracket kits change the angle of the shocks to the point that the saddlebags no longer fit? That's what I've read in here before.
I tried lowering the rear of mine with a White Bros. kit that was supposed to fit RKC. Well, it didn't. For most of the kits the RKC bags are in the way. Ended up getting a deal on low profile shocks and went that way.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 610
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey
RE: Lowering the rear.
I agree with rulz, except I would not do the lowering shocks next time. I have the SoLow 1-1/4" brackets on my RK Standard and love the way it rides, no problem scraping the boards or exhaust as stated above. I would rather use a stock 13" shoch for the extra travel and better ride, unless your going with progressives. I hear nothing good about the HD lowering shocks as far as the ride is concerned.
ORIGINAL: Harley Rulz
I put the rear lowering kit on my classic and I love the way it rides.I think I'd do the shocks next time (if there is a next time) just because it seams to give you a better ride.I can stack my tour pack full and put a bag on top and the wife on the back without any problems (I just add a little air to the shocks).I think the bike handles better now than it did at the stock hight.I am going to lower the front also when I put the chrome lowers on but only because I'm 5'6" and I need it as low as I can get it.
I put the rear lowering kit on my classic and I love the way it rides.I think I'd do the shocks next time (if there is a next time) just because it seams to give you a better ride.I can stack my tour pack full and put a bag on top and the wife on the back without any problems (I just add a little air to the shocks).I think the bike handles better now than it did at the stock hight.I am going to lower the front also when I put the chrome lowers on but only because I'm 5'6" and I need it as low as I can get it.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 791
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
RE: Lowering the rear.
lp,
No offense taken. But, I will have to disagree with you that lowering only the rear will not affect the center of gravity or the balance of the bike. Of course, most of us who have been riding for a while would agree that we can still ride safely after lowering the rear and loading up our gear and/or passenger. However, I like to reference the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) handbook on loading of cargo and passenger:
"Keep the Load Forward — Place the load over, or in front of, the rear axle.... Mounting loads behind
the rear axle can affect how the motorcycle turns and brakes. It can also cause a wobble." Page 33 of the MSF handbook
By lowering just the rear, you have shifted the balance of the bike from mid-rear to more aft-rear. Now, if you don't intend to carry a passenger or take it on many long trips, you would be fine. However, for those folks who do a lot of overnight touring and carrying passenger consistently, the more aft-rear balance does affect you turning and braking. The wobble would be more evident.
No offense taken. But, I will have to disagree with you that lowering only the rear will not affect the center of gravity or the balance of the bike. Of course, most of us who have been riding for a while would agree that we can still ride safely after lowering the rear and loading up our gear and/or passenger. However, I like to reference the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) handbook on loading of cargo and passenger:
"Keep the Load Forward — Place the load over, or in front of, the rear axle.... Mounting loads behind
the rear axle can affect how the motorcycle turns and brakes. It can also cause a wobble." Page 33 of the MSF handbook
By lowering just the rear, you have shifted the balance of the bike from mid-rear to more aft-rear. Now, if you don't intend to carry a passenger or take it on many long trips, you would be fine. However, for those folks who do a lot of overnight touring and carrying passenger consistently, the more aft-rear balance does affect you turning and braking. The wobble would be more evident.
ORIGINAL: lp
Not a bash here...
If you lower your bike you are not really changing the center of gravity. Your not really doing that unless you move weight around. And isn't the street glide lowered in the back only? Probably wrong, but thought I read that somewhere.... besides if center of gravity were an issue on these bikes they wouldn't put big-a$$ tour packs on them (and fat ole-ladys) for that matter. I don't think an inch or two is gonna matter in this guys case. Next to me and my wife..they weight nothing...
Not a bash here...
If you lower your bike you are not really changing the center of gravity. Your not really doing that unless you move weight around. And isn't the street glide lowered in the back only? Probably wrong, but thought I read that somewhere.... besides if center of gravity were an issue on these bikes they wouldn't put big-a$$ tour packs on them (and fat ole-ladys) for that matter. I don't think an inch or two is gonna matter in this guys case. Next to me and my wife..they weight nothing...
ORIGINAL: Kahuna
It's really not suggested to drop only the rear of the bike--especially if you have a tour-pak and carry a passenger. By doing only the rear, you are changing the center of gravity point from middle-rear to now mostly rear! Then, add baggage and passenger, you now have a recipe for a possible mishap. Your front end will get pretty squirly at slow speed, and braking may take more distance.
By lowering both front and rear together, you will improve the overall center of gravity of the bike. Thus, maintaining stability.
Just my two cents!
It's really not suggested to drop only the rear of the bike--especially if you have a tour-pak and carry a passenger. By doing only the rear, you are changing the center of gravity point from middle-rear to now mostly rear! Then, add baggage and passenger, you now have a recipe for a possible mishap. Your front end will get pretty squirly at slow speed, and braking may take more distance.
By lowering both front and rear together, you will improve the overall center of gravity of the bike. Thus, maintaining stability.
Just my two cents!
ORIGINAL: TBone
I am thinking of lowering the rear shocks only. Can anyone give me any information, pictures of theirs, likes, dislikes, etc.
I do ride with my wife a lot. I am 6'0" 185lbs. and she is 5'3" 105lbs. Will this make it uncomfortable for her?
Thanks for any feedback
I am thinking of lowering the rear shocks only. Can anyone give me any information, pictures of theirs, likes, dislikes, etc.
I do ride with my wife a lot. I am 6'0" 185lbs. and she is 5'3" 105lbs. Will this make it uncomfortable for her?
Thanks for any feedback
Banned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,341
Likes: 0
From: Dover, Oh
RE: Lowering the rear.
ORIGINAL: Kahuna
lp,
No offense taken. But, I will have to disagree with you that lowering only the rear will not affect the center of gravity or the balance of the bike. Of course, most of us who have been riding for a while would agree that we can still ride safely after lowering the rear and loading up our gear and/or passenger. However, I like to reference the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) handbook on loading of cargo and passenger:
"Keep the Load Forward — Place the load over, or in front of, the rear axle.... Mounting loads behind
the rear axle can affect how the motorcycle turns and brakes. It can also cause a wobble." Page 33 of the MSF handbook
By lowering just the rear, you have shifted the balance of the bike from mid-rear to more aft-rear. Now, if you don't intend to carry a passenger or take it on many long trips, you would be fine. However, for those folks who do a lot of overnight touring and carrying passenger consistently, the more aft-rear balance does affect you turning and braking. The wobble would be more evident.
lp,
No offense taken. But, I will have to disagree with you that lowering only the rear will not affect the center of gravity or the balance of the bike. Of course, most of us who have been riding for a while would agree that we can still ride safely after lowering the rear and loading up our gear and/or passenger. However, I like to reference the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) handbook on loading of cargo and passenger:
"Keep the Load Forward — Place the load over, or in front of, the rear axle.... Mounting loads behind
the rear axle can affect how the motorcycle turns and brakes. It can also cause a wobble." Page 33 of the MSF handbook
By lowering just the rear, you have shifted the balance of the bike from mid-rear to more aft-rear. Now, if you don't intend to carry a passenger or take it on many long trips, you would be fine. However, for those folks who do a lot of overnight touring and carrying passenger consistently, the more aft-rear balance does affect you turning and braking. The wobble would be more evident.
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Novice
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Lowering the rear.
I too have a 2004 RKC. I put a So-low lowering kit on it and have had no problems. I'm 5'11" and 180 and my wife ia 5'2" 130. The first time she rode with me I bottomed going over some RR tracks. I changed the shock air pressure from 10 to 15 lbs. and it hasn't happened since. So-low makes a kit for the RKC exclusively. You have to move the rubber saddlebag mounts 3/4 inch to clear the shocks but all the necessary parts come with the kit. The cost is $102.50 including shipping. I really like it since I can now "walk" the bike easier in tight spaces and haven't noticed any difference in handling.
RE: Lowering the rear.
Harley says you can lower the rear without lowering the front but you can't lower the front without lowering the rear.
I have had the Solow 1 1/4 inch lowering brackets on the rear of mine for over a year and love them. I have the Progressive 1 1/4 inch lower fork springs in the front and love them too. The front is not as soft now and does not dive in curves. The bike handles like a slot car on curves.
White bros lowering kits are junk. Go with Solow.
I have had the Solow 1 1/4 inch lowering brackets on the rear of mine for over a year and love them. I have the Progressive 1 1/4 inch lower fork springs in the front and love them too. The front is not as soft now and does not dive in curves. The bike handles like a slot car on curves.
White bros lowering kits are junk. Go with Solow.