Lowering kits
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 4
From: Log home in SE Michigan full time. Log cabin in east TN, Smoky Mountians part time
I have a 08' SG ...bought it new and it now has 20,000 miles with lowering blocks that I purchased from ebay. All of the lowering blocks move the pivot point of the shocks back on the swing arm. I lowered my SG because it looks cool...I'm 6-0 and dont "need" it lower...I wanted it lower. My wife rides regularly with me. Does it ride a bit stiffer lowered?...Yup, it did. I say "did" that was until I removed the oil from the shock and refilled it with Bel ray fork oil. See my thread on the how too here.. https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...y-08-flhx.html We just returned from our cabin in east TN Rode the Cherohala and Dragon two up without issue..I love the set up as I have it and recommend it to anyone that "needs" or wants their SG lower. Do yourself a favor and change the fork oil too. After these mods I am keeping the HD as it rides that much smoother / comfortable.....guessin the Honda Goldwing will have to wait. ; )
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Republic of Texas
I will say this: My SG had a rear lowering kit installed when I bought it. No matter what amount of air is in the shocks, the ride is very poor, meaning, jarring over road irregularities. During my research to find a solution, I have been advised by both "Howard" at motorcyclemetal.com (Ohlins) and "Brian" (Ricor) that lowering kits in the rear are a bad idea. Both of them wanted to sell me "expensive competing products". If the opinions of people like these don't matter to you, fine; they do to me.
When the new shocks I ordered arrive, they'll go on the bike without the lowering kit.
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
IMO the lowering blocks ride better than shorter shocks. I've been running the Road6cutoms blocks 3 years with good results. I rented a SG when my RK was in the shop getting the Voltage Regulator replaced last year. I missed my RK before I rode 10 miles. Do the math, shorter shocks means less travel stiffer ride. I've never hit the wires or the seat screw and I've used first and second hole. Here's a picture of mine in the second 2 inch lower holes.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 4
From: Log home in SE Michigan full time. Log cabin in east TN, Smoky Mountians part time
Change the oil in the shocks like I did and you'll be surprised at how much better the ride is with LESS air in the shocks....again do both ends of the bike.... shocks and forks and you'll really enjoy the ride.
I am 6-0 180#...riding by my self I'm at 15-20# of air. Two up and wifes junk she places in the saddle bags I run 25#. Its a bike that's actually fun to ride now without killing my lower back......ohhh, have I mentioned the SG looks sooooo much cooler lowered ? ; )
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 35
From: Fl
I'm using the Road6 lowering kit on my SG with no problems. The shorter factory shocks won't work, true, but they need to be swapped out ASAP in my opinion. I've yet to see a factory shock that was any good on any of my Harleys, going back 30 years. Get a decent aftermarket shock and then the lowering kit will work fine.
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
Change the oil in the shocks like I did and you'll be surprised at how much better the ride is with LESS air in the shocks....again do both ends of the bike.... shocks and forks and you'll really enjoy the ride.
I am 6-0 180#...riding by my self I'm at 15-20# of air. Two up and wifes junk she places in the saddle bags I run 25#. Its a bike that's actually fun to ride now without killing my lower back......ohhh, have I mentioned the SG looks sooooo much cooler lowered ? ; )
I am 6-0 180#...riding by my self I'm at 15-20# of air. Two up and wifes junk she places in the saddle bags I run 25#. Its a bike that's actually fun to ride now without killing my lower back......ohhh, have I mentioned the SG looks sooooo much cooler lowered ? ; )
I run 10 lbs riding solo. Nice smooth ride!!
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Republic of Texas
It's frustrating to learn that to get decent ride comfort, one has to re-work both the front and rear shock components. I don't remember having to do that with my '08 UC, and I KNOW I never had to do it to my Goldwing(s), including the '04 that I still own.
We'll see what happens soon, when I get the "Cruise Tuned" Ricors I ordered. If they don't rectify a lot of what's wrong now with the OEM setup, I'll be a little unhappy, given what they cost.
Last edited by racklefratz; Jun 2, 2012 at 04:52 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 35
From: Fl
It's more or less a given that most any Harley will need new shocks, new handlebars, a new seat, new air cleaner, and new exhaust. Sure some will say they are happy with the stock setup, but most will swap out at least some if not all of the above in the first year. I wish the MOCO would set them up right from the get-go, but it is what it is.