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Just got a new Street Glide last weekend rides beautifully but the seat is slightly too high for me. Anyone out there have any recommendations of which rear shocks would be best to lower the seat so I can comfortably get both feet on the ground. I am thinking 1 to 2 inches lower would be fine, but I am open to advice. I am 5 foot 8 and cant get both feet fully on the ground at the same time.
As far as I know the shocks on the street glide are the shortest that Harley offers but I am sure there are others. Try looking into progressive. Another option is to do a front end lowering kit {basically shorter springs} I did this on my 08.I used to be 5'8 but time and gravity have brought me closer to the ground and I can plant both feet on the ground . Harley claims the same seat height on 09 as 08 but I think they are FOS
Try a different seat, front of stock seat is wide thus it makes it tougher to get flat footed. I would not lower the rear much more, especially if ya ride 2 up or with lots of gear. Its already low an inch out back. The more ya lower, the more ya loose some ride quality due to decreased travel. Check out the reach seat by HD or aftermarket brands. Good Luck
you can have phoenix customs cut them to 11.5" or so and still be safe, or get an upgraded replacement set of shocksl works performance, ohlins, etc. phoenis costs under $200 and you still get the air adjustability. i have 11.5 cut shocks from them and couldnt be happier, but some people think they ride too rough, ymmv.
as a fellow 5'8" I got rid of the air shocks and went with the shortest progressive shocks....I think they are around 12.5" (sorry I don't have the paperwork in front of me) but you can get them from the Drag book. I also lowered the front with the Harley kit and still did the seat - more for comfort but the custom pan got me another 3/4".....all was great until I just added the 21" up front, but I can still flat foot it..best wishes.
I would look at changing seats before lowering the bike. I am the same height as you and I can flat foot my SG with a Corbin seat.
+1 to this! Go to HD and try the Reach Seat for your bike. If they havent' made a Reach Seat for the 2009 yet...send your seat to Mean City Cycles to have it worked on. What is your inseam? I'm 5'6" with a 30" inseam...and the ***** of My feet hit ground with the stock seat. With the reach seat and boots...I'm flat footed!\
Let us know what you decide! But DO YOUR research!
The SG shocks are the lowest. I got a sundowner seat and sent to Mean City. I also use Wesco Firetormer boots about an 1.5 Heal. And I can flat foot now.
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