Road King lowering question
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 424
Likes: 1
Road King lowering question
If you were purchasing a 2011 Road King and needed to lower it because I measure up 5'5" and weigh 160lbs. What would you install on the bike and why?
I know there are different options I just don't know which one to pick because I am not tech inclined so please dumb it down to the 5th grade level which are most more intelligent than me
Thanks
I know there are different options I just don't know which one to pick because I am not tech inclined so please dumb it down to the 5th grade level which are most more intelligent than me
Thanks
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 770
Likes: 1
From: Coeur d' alene, Idaho
First take a visit to the HD website site. There under Fit Shop they show a case where they lowered a Road King to fit a lady who was 5'1" That will give you an idea. Then find a dealer who does this kind of work and they will go over it in detail. Bottom line is you can change seat, handlebars and shocks to drop it a bunch. I would do it in that order and mess with the shocks last. While the dealer told me the shocks would not affect the ride, others on this board have said it does. Plus, that will be the most expensive part. I am 5'7" with a 29 inch inseam and am about 1/2" from being flat footed so I am going to try a Sundowner seat and I think that is all I will need. We will see.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
Likes: 1,305
From: Jayhawk Country
The cheapest thing to try first is a lower seat. If that doesn't do it then Progressive makes all the lowering items you will need to lower the bike front and rear. Keep in mind these bikes were designed for a certain ride height. So when you lower it you will change the handling characteristics of the bike.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 8
From: Detroit, the asshole of America
A cheap, straightforward option is to get a set of shocks from a street glide, they are 1" lower and will help you. Between that and the already slightly lower seat on the 2011's you might be okay.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 466
Likes: 16
From: Montgomery,Il.
Lowered my RK w/ shorter shocks from HD & fork kit from Burley Bros. Progressive makes a drop-in fork kit don't know much about it, have Mustang day-tripper seat. I'm just under 5' 8" can get both feet flat on pavement w/ ease.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 111
Likes: 1
From: Missouri
lowering
As an earlier poster said Street glide shocks are 1 inch shorter. I have a Road King Custom which also has the 1 inch shorter shcoks from the factory. I like the handling of my Road King Custom better than the Classic and Standard my buddies ride. I have a set of 11 1/2 inch Progressive shocks removed from a used Road King I am setting up for a 6'4" friend I would sell for $100.00 shipped with PayPal. They are the 412s in Chrome.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 383
Likes: 1
From: Boston & thereabouts
I'd work in this order, gaining about an inch with each step:
1) taller boots ($80)
2) Street Glide Shocks ($100 on eBay)
3) Reach Seat ($?)
4) Front end lowering kit ($?)
1) taller boots ($80)
2) Street Glide Shocks ($100 on eBay)
3) Reach Seat ($?)
4) Front end lowering kit ($?)
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,837
Likes: 50
From: usa
i am approx the same size as you.I installed the SG shocks on my 09 Classic and a Danny Gray Speed Cradle solo seat and I'm flat footin now.Some say they don't like the ride and handling of the SG shocks,but I had them installed when new so I don't know any better.
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Banned
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,259
Likes: 5
From: NW NC
Seat first. My Mustang allows me to plant my feet much better than the stock seat. If you love to ride and live in the twisties as I do the shocks are gonna give you scraping issues. My bike was lowered before I got it used so I can tell you that from experience but that all depends on your riding style and where you ride.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 33
From: Illinois
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.