Heavy in the handlbars?
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 415
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From: Albany
Heavy in the handlbars?
Last year I had my rear shocks changed out from the stock air shocks to the air shocks 1" lower to give me more heel when stopped. (I'm 5'9"). I didn't change out the front springs, the shop said to try it and see. It rode fine, except while going very slow or stopped the handlebars are a little harder to move right and left. I'm going to change out to the Progressive drop in lower springs...I'm told they will level it out so to speak and give a lighter feel due to stock leveling...
Does 600.00 including everything sound reasonable??
2012 RK Classic.
Does 600.00 including everything sound reasonable??
2012 RK Classic.
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
you will notice a slight change at low speed- and a corresponding less positive feel at highway speeds as you will have less rake.
not a big deal but something to think of.
the suspension travel will also be reduced so more dampening has to happen in less space and time, make sure you get a progressive wound spring set
before you lower the front ( because it is costly if done at a shop..or $120 if DIY)... have a look and see if anything is hanging down that would hit more easily.
IF you have V&H power duals, the cover on the X pipe is more likely to hit hard on rt turns ( hard enough to relieve traction from the rear)- and the crossover clamp needs to be oriented so that the excess threads can't grab a speed bump and pull the exhaust off.
you also need to check that the fender can't hit any oil cooler etc
Mike
not a big deal but something to think of.
the suspension travel will also be reduced so more dampening has to happen in less space and time, make sure you get a progressive wound spring set
before you lower the front ( because it is costly if done at a shop..or $120 if DIY)... have a look and see if anything is hanging down that would hit more easily.
IF you have V&H power duals, the cover on the X pipe is more likely to hit hard on rt turns ( hard enough to relieve traction from the rear)- and the crossover clamp needs to be oriented so that the excess threads can't grab a speed bump and pull the exhaust off.
you also need to check that the fender can't hit any oil cooler etc
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Jan 17, 2013 at 03:38 PM.
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Joined: Apr 2012
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From: central ca.
$600 seems a bit high to me, as previously stated the kit is only $120. I just did my streetglide and it was easy to do, i would think a roadking would be even easier. You can save some money and do it yourself. They have a video on the progressive website and youtube that shows it being done on a roadking, might be worth watching.
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Albany
They quoted 4 hours labor, The Progressive spring cartidges cost was 187.00 if I remember correctly.
So...your saying it might actually degrade the feel at highway speeds? I thought by bringing it back to factory rake it would handle better?
Thanks!!
So...your saying it might actually degrade the feel at highway speeds? I thought by bringing it back to factory rake it would handle better?
Thanks!!
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
more rake adds stability at higher speeds- an extreme example would be the Capt America bike from Easy Rider, a front end like that is very stable on the hwy, a pain at low speeds as the front is heavy and will want to "flop" over.
less rake and a shorter wheelbase will be more 'twitchy'- that is why sportbikes have short wheel bases ( and big guys like me never bought a Buell).
for your application, the difference will be slight, but it'll be there.
so this concern is almost more academic than practical, but for $600...if you want to change back it's another 4 hours labour.
the touring series are engineered to be pretty stable at low speeds out of the box- that is why the front end is unique in the motorcycle world.
but a taller bike will always out handle a lowered bike, regardless of the speed.
BTW I own some bikes that are lowered...some that are not. and my touring bike uses the 12" SG shocks in town, and I put the 13" back on when I tour
mike
less rake and a shorter wheelbase will be more 'twitchy'- that is why sportbikes have short wheel bases ( and big guys like me never bought a Buell).
for your application, the difference will be slight, but it'll be there.
so this concern is almost more academic than practical, but for $600...if you want to change back it's another 4 hours labour.
the touring series are engineered to be pretty stable at low speeds out of the box- that is why the front end is unique in the motorcycle world.
but a taller bike will always out handle a lowered bike, regardless of the speed.
BTW I own some bikes that are lowered...some that are not. and my touring bike uses the 12" SG shocks in town, and I put the 13" back on when I tour
mike
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Tourer
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From: Albany
Thanks...
A lower bike will habdle worse than a taller bike?? I would think the opposite. A couple of bikes back I came off a sporty, then traded for a low rider and the low rider seemed to handle better due to the lower center of gravity.
Maybe I was just imagining.
Maybe I was just imagining.
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From: La
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Bristol TN
I hate to ask this but how much air do you have in the front tire. A low tire will make the front end feel like it is in sand. Just a thought.
Last edited by 96inchBOB; Jan 18, 2013 at 11:37 AM.
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
A lower bike cannot lean over as far without hitting- that is more important in handling than center of gravity. this is very simplified, a motorcycle is a dynamic machine and there are many, many factors, incl. unsprung weight.
You will often see "lean angle" in the specifications list. A bike which can lean to 33ş will corner better than a bike which will lean to 25ş
it may surprise you that for 2013 a 883 has lean angle of 29şR/30şL while a FLHTC is 33şR/31şL.
A FLHX is 32şL/29şR due to the lowered rear
A sporty SuperLow is less than 25ş R/L
I have been told that the Sporty chassis took a real handling step backwards when they went to rubbermount.
Look at a Buell for a good example of what a bike could be... 2007 XB12STT
Lean Angle:
Soft Contact, Right 44° ( soft contact being pegs are stuff that move out of the way)
Soft Contact, Left 44°
Hard Contact, Right 53° ( hard contact being hard parts that will relieve traction from the tires)
Hard Contact, Left 46°
Mike
You will often see "lean angle" in the specifications list. A bike which can lean to 33ş will corner better than a bike which will lean to 25ş
it may surprise you that for 2013 a 883 has lean angle of 29şR/30şL while a FLHTC is 33şR/31şL.
A FLHX is 32şL/29şR due to the lowered rear
A sporty SuperLow is less than 25ş R/L
I have been told that the Sporty chassis took a real handling step backwards when they went to rubbermount.
Look at a Buell for a good example of what a bike could be... 2007 XB12STT
Lean Angle:
Soft Contact, Right 44° ( soft contact being pegs are stuff that move out of the way)
Soft Contact, Left 44°
Hard Contact, Right 53° ( hard contact being hard parts that will relieve traction from the tires)
Hard Contact, Left 46°
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Jan 18, 2013 at 10:45 AM.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 415
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From: Albany
Air pressure is at reccomended level. I noticed it as soon as I had the rear shocks lowerd.
Thanks though.