Road King lowering question
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 421
From: Lansing mi
If you go with a new seat, keep in mind the 11 RK comes stock with a lower seat then the 9 and 10 had. I'm 5' 9" and I would like to go down about 1" but I'm not sure what seat is lower then the 11 stock seat.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: Pomona, Ca
I have a new Road King and the new frame ('09 and newer) is indeed quite a bit taller than my last Road King (2004). My inseam is only 24".
I put a 1" kit in the front, Street Glide shocks on the rear (1" shorter), and a "block kit" on those rear shocks for another 1" on the rear.
I usually do a Badlander seat on my Kings, but opted for the Sidekick seat this time.
I put a 1" kit in the front, Street Glide shocks on the rear (1" shorter), and a "block kit" on those rear shocks for another 1" on the rear.
I usually do a Badlander seat on my Kings, but opted for the Sidekick seat this time.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 33
From: Illinois
Thanks Ben, I appreciate it.
Yep, the boots would help me too, but I went from boots to sneakers about 25 years ago due to a badly broken leg/ankle suffered at the hands of a cager and still can't get comfortable in boots.
Good luck with your project.
Yep, the boots would help me too, but I went from boots to sneakers about 25 years ago due to a badly broken leg/ankle suffered at the hands of a cager and still can't get comfortable in boots.
Good luck with your project.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 559
Likes: 51
From: maine
I lowered my '09 RK 1 inch in the front with a Progressive spring package...it VASTLY improved the front end handling and braking conditions over the stock suspension..virtually eliminated any brake dive..... I lowered the rear 1 1/2 inches by having Phoenix Customs/Bittchin Baggers rebuild my stock harley shocks... they did a remarkable job lowering them without giving up all the travel and they ride every bit as well as the full height shocks did... cheap money too... excellent people to work with!
I had my factory seat reworked by Allen at Mean City Cycles.. he got it down an inch, moved me back a bit and made it way more comfortable.... I did have Danny Gray make me a seat this Winter that is even lower and hugs the bike much better.... all in all.. these things made my bike lower without sacrificing any ride or handling characteristics except lower lean angles.... I do drag the jiffy stand on left turns more often now......
hope this helps some....
I had my factory seat reworked by Allen at Mean City Cycles.. he got it down an inch, moved me back a bit and made it way more comfortable.... I did have Danny Gray make me a seat this Winter that is even lower and hugs the bike much better.... all in all.. these things made my bike lower without sacrificing any ride or handling characteristics except lower lean angles.... I do drag the jiffy stand on left turns more often now......
hope this helps some....
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 424
Likes: 1
I just purchased the lowering kit front and back from the MoCo and also I went with the Danny Gray SpeedCradle Solo Seat for FLHR
So I guess I will be sitting pretty low. As far as twisties is concerned I ride very conservatively and defensively. I do not lean the bike as much as other people. So I think I should be straight.
Thank you all
So I guess I will be sitting pretty low. As far as twisties is concerned I ride very conservatively and defensively. I do not lean the bike as much as other people. So I think I should be straight.
Thank you all
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 111
Likes: 1
From: Missouri
Raise your foot boards
I am sure everyone knows you can raise your foot boards slightly to avoid scraping and potential highsiding. A friend trashed his bike when he highsided the day after lowering and not thinking about reduced clearance. Also don't over tighten the pivot bolts holding the boards to the mounts. Make sure the boards will tilt if they contact the pavement. Sparks can be fun if done with care and thought
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
I'm 5'6" with a 28" inseam. I have a 09 Road King Classic with the following mods:
12" Progressive 440 shocks lower the rear 1"
Progressive lowering springs to lower the front 1"
Corbin Close Solo seat which puts me down another 1" and forward 1-1/2"
Wild One's 517 bars which bring the bars up and back
Harley Jiffy Stand extension
Chippewa loging boots with 2" heel
Bike fits me perfectly now and I can comfortably flat foot it. There is a trade off with the lowering shocks which cause the ride to be stiffer and rougher, but I had no choice. Other recommendations above would likely get you a similar result to mine at a lower cost.
12" Progressive 440 shocks lower the rear 1"
Progressive lowering springs to lower the front 1"
Corbin Close Solo seat which puts me down another 1" and forward 1-1/2"
Wild One's 517 bars which bring the bars up and back
Harley Jiffy Stand extension
Chippewa loging boots with 2" heel
Bike fits me perfectly now and I can comfortably flat foot it. There is a trade off with the lowering shocks which cause the ride to be stiffer and rougher, but I had no choice. Other recommendations above would likely get you a similar result to mine at a lower cost.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 1
From: NH
Another option is lowering blocks, I just installed LA Choppers lower kit on the rear shocks. They will give you an inch. SG or RG shocks friom E bay, and blocks will give you 2".
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 461
Likes: 21
From: Providence
I am 5'6" / 29" inseams and 190 Lbs. I needed to do the same thing to my bike on a 09 Roadglide. The first thing that I had to lowered was the rear stock shocks 1 inch with a lowering bracket from ebay, then the front drop-in shocks from Pregressive Suspension lowered 1 inch and now I have the Mustang solo seat which is also lower then the stock. However, I am considering the Progressive 940s for the rear.
