Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

RK lowering kit

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 6, 2006 | 09:22 PM
  #1  
jwfrank@twcny.rr.com's Avatar
jwfrank@twcny.rr.com
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From:
Default RK lowering kit

I'm considering a lowering kit for my new Roadking (standard model). I know this has been debated here before and the solow kits seem to be a hit. I was just wondering if anyone here has had any experience with either the R.U.B. kit or the T.W.R. (T.R.W.???) kit offered on ebay.

All input is appreciated!

Thanks,
Joe
 
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2006 | 11:12 PM
  #2  
BB06FLHX's Avatar
BB06FLHX
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,506
Likes: 0
From: AZ
Default RE: RK lowering kit

I bought the RUB 1.5" kit and including looking for the right tool it took 20 minutes to install. Unfortunately I can't give you a ride impression cuz bike is torn apart at bodyshop.
 
Reply
Old Jun 7, 2006 | 05:37 PM
  #3  
kdietz's Avatar
kdietz
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 749
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Default RE: RK lowering kit

Any other handling comments after a lowering kit is installed on a late model FLH?

My '95 FLHT had the White Brothers kit and I'm not sure if it's "loose" cornering was attributed to them or just the chassis.

I've got a new '06 Ultra that I'm interested in lowering in the rear, but I don't want to give up any of it's great handling characteristics.

Comments?

 
Reply
Old Jun 7, 2006 | 07:20 PM
  #4  
ROADTRAIN's Avatar
ROADTRAIN
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 536
Likes: 0
From: AUSTRALIA
Default RE: RK lowering kit

The kit I have on my 05 RK is R.U.B. There was no difference in the way the bike performed. The reason for the kit was to lower the seat height and retain the travel length in the shocks. I have now got a set of 13" Progressive 440 because I was sick of the jarring by the OM shocks but have not fitted them as yet. The R.U.B. kit is a quality product and easy to install.

 
Reply
Old Jun 7, 2006 | 07:24 PM
  #5  
Matt8643's Avatar
Matt8643
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 637
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: RK lowering kit

Depending on your budget, I would recommend going with shorter Progressive 440's rather than the lowering kit. The ride with Progressives is great. Just my .02.
 
Reply
Old Jun 7, 2006 | 08:17 PM
  #6  
dforeid's Avatar
dforeid
Road Captain
20 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 704
Likes: 45
From: Western Washington
Default RE: RK lowering kit

Matt, are the Progressive 440's an Airshock or not? Also, is that the brand name (Progressive) meaning a non-HD item? If so, where did you get them and how much did they lower the rear?
 
Reply
Old Jun 7, 2006 | 10:41 PM
  #7  
Matt8643's Avatar
Matt8643
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 637
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: RK lowering kit

The 440's are NOT air shocks-they use springs. They are adjustable for a softer or firmer ride by hand with no special tools. "Progressive" is the name of the company that manufactures them-so they are NOT HD products. If you search them on this forum there should be a lot of info, most people love them. This is the company site
http://www.progressivesuspension.com/series_440.aspx

Wally's Cycle seems to have the best prices of $388 for them. You can buy them in sizes of 13" down to 11.5". Your RK has standard 13" HD shocks, so 12" 440's would be approximately an inch lower than what you have now. I have the 11.5" 440's on my RK Custom and the ride is just as good if not better than the stock 12" HD low profile shocks I had.
 
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2006 | 06:46 PM
  #8  
jwfrank@twcny.rr.com's Avatar
jwfrank@twcny.rr.com
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: RK lowering kit

Thanks for the input. After researching the matter and careful review of ebay "feedback", I ordered the T.W.R. 2 1/2 kit. It should be here shortly and I'd be happy to add comments on my satisfaction if anyone is interested.

One note: I did bring home a Burly kit (White Bros.) but I didn't even have to open the package to realize it would not fit my '06. I took it back and the local shop gave me a hard time about returning it. After they contacted the manufacturer they did take it back because they were told that even though the catalogs state that this kit will fit the '06 RK, it WILL NOT! So, anyone considering one of those.... be careful!

-- Joe
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 11, 2006 | 11:21 AM
  #9  
oufan's Avatar
oufan
Novice
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: RK lowering kit

Put the 1-1/4" Solow kit on my '03 RK Police, couldn't be happier. Easy to install & no difference in ride.
 
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2006 | 12:27 AM
  #10  
gunwiz's Avatar
gunwiz
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: RK lowering kit

Sounds like I have a similar problem. Short rider (5'7") tall ride. When I bought my 97 RK, it had a corbin seat that was way to wide, much to high, and absolutley to hard. I replaced it with a HD Stretch seat and life got better, but I still can't get both feet flat on the floor. Just ordered a set of replacement air shocks that should drop another inch. Hopefully, that will do it.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:44 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE