How Do I get a soft ride without bottoming out??
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 997
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte, N.C.
I went from the 12" for the same reasons to a pair of Ultra take offs, the increased travel made a huge difference for a more comfortable ride and not bottoming ! Then to the Ricors. Your lowering kit with the 13"ers will take you back to the stock height and a halfways decent ride. It would help if you had a few more helpings of potatoes at 6-2" at only 180 lbs..Haha I eat tons, its the 23 chromosomes I got from my dad. The lowering kit I have if from L.A. Choppers and with the stock 13" shocks I have its lowered exactly 1". Sits .25" lower than stock streetglides i think the 12" shock lowers them only .75", I was able to measure and compair my bike and a SG. Looked crazy doing this on the sales floor but I just had to know.
Supporter
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,189
Likes: 16
From: N.E. Wisconsin
Yeah, looks to me like your stuck having to spend some big bucks for a good ride. And then thats controversial. Maybe the answer is cheaper shocks, my GF has a stink'in Suzuki Bergman 650cc. and it rides like a dream.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
There's not too many success stories regarding lowering kits in combination with stock shocks (or any others for that matter). The kit changes the leverage angle of the shock which also negatively affects the already poor stock shock valving. I've personally had nothing but lousy results with lowering kits and gave up using them long ago.
If you want (and/or need) lowering, a shorter shock is in order. You can also go with a stock length shock that provides a lower ride height (Progressive, Ricor, Ohlins). Your options are as big as your wallet.
If you want (and/or need) lowering, a shorter shock is in order. You can also go with a stock length shock that provides a lower ride height (Progressive, Ricor, Ohlins). Your options are as big as your wallet.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
There's not too many success stories regarding lowering kits in combination with stock shocks (or any others for that matter). The kit changes the leverage angle of the shock which also negatively affects the already poor stock shock valving. I've personally had nothing but lousy results with lowering kits and gave up using them long ago.
If you want (and/or need) lowering, a shorter shock is in order. You can also go with a stock length shock that provides a lower ride height (Progressive, Ricor, Ohlins). Your options are as big as your wallet.
Don't know what happened, somehow this double-posted. Seemed a bit odd when I submitted, now I know why.
If you want (and/or need) lowering, a shorter shock is in order. You can also go with a stock length shock that provides a lower ride height (Progressive, Ricor, Ohlins). Your options are as big as your wallet.
Don't know what happened, somehow this double-posted. Seemed a bit odd when I submitted, now I know why.
Last edited by Leftcoaster; Sep 25, 2011 at 12:37 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,360
Likes: 3
From: Naalehu, Hawaii
Fireaxxe, just curious, if you're 6'2" why did you lower in the first place? I'm 6'2" and even with a Road Zep seat I don't know if I could feel a one inch difference or visibly notice for that matter. I have a bad back and tried the different oil weights to no avail. I now have Ohlins shocks and my back doesn't hurt anymore. Still have the 7.5 weight in the forks and will work on that next.
Arvid
Arvid
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 997
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte, N.C.
Fireaxxe, just curious, if you're 6'2" why did you lower in the first place? I'm 6'2" and even with a Road Zep seat I don't know if I could feel a one inch difference or visibly notice for that matter. I have a bad back and tried the different oil weights to no avail. I now have Ohlins shocks and my back doesn't hurt anymore. Still have the 7.5 weight in the forks and will work on that next.
Arvid
Arvid
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,507
Likes: 23
From: Orange County Texas
I have a 2009 Road King running the hand adjustable low premium shocks. I'm 6 foot 200 pounds with 32" inseam.
No, I did not need the 1" lower bike for my height but I feel much better at lights and walking the bike with it one inch lower. The ride is better with the premium shocks but they are designed around a minimum passenger load of 240 Pounds. So when i ride by myself the shocks are dialed all the way to the minimum setting.
I get a very good ride on asphalt roads. Unfortunately I think all the Politian’s in the are have relatives in the concrete business. So 90% of the roads I ride on are concrete.
With the wife and a tour pack mounted I dial the shock up three clicks and all is good. But, I have ridden with her and the tour pack at the minimum and never bottomed out.
Now if I could get Howard to send me a set of Ohlins to do a comparison I would be more than happy to do a write up.
No, I did not need the 1" lower bike for my height but I feel much better at lights and walking the bike with it one inch lower. The ride is better with the premium shocks but they are designed around a minimum passenger load of 240 Pounds. So when i ride by myself the shocks are dialed all the way to the minimum setting.
I get a very good ride on asphalt roads. Unfortunately I think all the Politian’s in the are have relatives in the concrete business. So 90% of the roads I ride on are concrete.
With the wife and a tour pack mounted I dial the shock up three clicks and all is good. But, I have ridden with her and the tour pack at the minimum and never bottomed out.
Now if I could get Howard to send me a set of Ohlins to do a comparison I would be more than happy to do a write up.
Last edited by Texas Rapier; Sep 25, 2011 at 06:11 PM.