Been riding for over three years now, started on a sporty then moved to a Heritage Softail. This year I bought my first touring bike, a '06 SG. I know the suspension is totally different than a Softail. I am 5'10" and 225lbs with a inseam of around 30". I was told that the SG is 1" lower than the rest of the touring family but I cannot get flat footed on this bike. Even the loaner SG('07) I am using now it is difficult to stop flat footed.

My brother has a '02 RK and it seems fine for me but I need at least another 1" for me to feel comfortable on the SG. Besides buying expensive parts, is there a way to lower it? I already bought the SUNDOWNER seat and it doesn't seem to help much.

 

i am in the same boat you are i have a 2007 ultra that i have lowerd an inch by taking the 13in shocks off and installing the 12 in street glide shocks i have also changed seats just to tell you my next step incase you may be interested i plan on installing an air ride setup on mine so wheni stop i can lower the bike down i believe 3.5 inches total travel you can also adjust it on the fly depending on ur load or 1 up vs 2 up just an idea that im looking into so it may work for you as well

 

I put the Road6 Customs lowering kit on my 2011 EG UC and it helped some but not enough. Now waiting on super reduced reach seat from Lake Shore HD (~$250.00 shipped). Can't wait to try it.


BTW...if you can figure out how to get another inch my wife would like to know.

 

LOL my GF has always said that she prefers a thick seat to a scrawny one.


Thanks guys....I just thought I was in the "normal" height class of guys and found it strange that even a SG is a little too tall for me. Its not really a big deal until I come to a stop when I am 2-UP and the bike wants to veer to one side or the other a little. Maybe I just need to learn how to stop better lol

 

Actually, you are right. You do need to learn to stop better. You must learn to turn the bars as you come to a stop so that the bike settles to left or right every time. You can practice this 1-up. I played around while learning, forcing it to left at first stoplight, then right at the next.... You just have to exaggerate the handlebar movement that you used when you go two-up.

-Sin

 

If you have a 30" inseam you should be pretty close to flat footed already; at least firmly on the ***** of your feet (not your toes). I have a 30" inseam and I can pretty much flat foot my bike and mine is an '09 Ultra; which has the new wider frame ( I do have the slightly lower '10 seat). First thing to do is get the Ride Like A Pro video and practice the lessons; sounds like you're a little shy on confidence rather than inseam. The other thing you can do is send your seat to Mean City Cycles and have them modify it for you (www.meancitycycles.com). It's probably the width of the seat that is the issue rather than the height and they can fix that for you at a cost of about $100 plus shipping and it will come back really comfortable and with the correct fit.

 

Sounds dangerous to me; that is one thing they teach you never to do; turning the bars as you stop is a sure way to tip over; especially if your front brake is on

 

I am 5'5" with a 30" inseam. I have the Harley Profile Lower shocks on the rear and the Reach seat (not Super Reach) and I touch fine on my EGU Limited.

 

I don's know if you are interested but I have a stock seat that I had modified by MCC for my height (5'10") with the double decker modification for the driver that I could sell you. If you are interested please send me a PM.

Mike

 

Well, yes and no. I have felt very confident(maybe even over confident) on all my bikes but since I can't get flat footed on BOTH sides when coming to a stop I think its more technique than lack of confidence. I find it strange that both my '06 and the loaner '07 I have now are slightly too tall for me.