Question About Lowering Kits
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 901
Likes: 5
From: Springfield, MO
Question About Lowering Kits
I installed 13" Electra Glide shocks on my 2006 Street Glide to improve the ride. No regrets there. However, I do enjoy the lowered look of a stock Street Glide rear end.
Does anyone know anything about lowering kits like the one pictured below? Good? Bad? I'm not even sure how they work. I'm guessing they alter the way the bottom of the shock attaches to the swing arm?
Can you have the best of both worlds? Longer suspension travel of the 13" shock and the lowered look you get with the 12's?
Please advise.
Does anyone know anything about lowering kits like the one pictured below? Good? Bad? I'm not even sure how they work. I'm guessing they alter the way the bottom of the shock attaches to the swing arm?
Can you have the best of both worlds? Longer suspension travel of the 13" shock and the lowered look you get with the 12's?
Please advise.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 745
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento
yep same set i run & a buddy runs them too
we paid $32 out the door for ours.
we run them in the first hole, so 1" lower on our SGs.
the shock gets pushed back just a tad, i find the ride is fine & i have a king tour pac & the wir=fe & i have done a couple really long trips loaded up pretty good & no issues.
we paid $32 out the door for ours.
we run them in the first hole, so 1" lower on our SGs.
the shock gets pushed back just a tad, i find the ride is fine & i have a king tour pac & the wir=fe & i have done a couple really long trips loaded up pretty good & no issues.
Last edited by CHILLLS; Mar 25, 2013 at 09:21 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
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From: Glendale AZ
Last edited by TUCCI; Mar 26, 2013 at 11:05 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 610
Likes: 5
From: N.C.
Individual experiences will vary with these things. For most SG owners who try them on the stock setup, the vast majority end up not liking them because of bottoming issues. Even with longer shocks, from a physics standpoint, you are altering the overall shock geometry, even if just by "a tad". Altering suspension geometry does a couple things. It reduces the overall effective travel of your shock by creating additional friction within the shock itself which can (in a worst case scenario) result in premature shock failure. It also changes the leverage points or load bearing bearing points where your shock mounts, which again in a worst case scenario, can result in a failure of either the shock mount or the kit. Not to say that you'll ever experience these things, but you should at least be aware of the mechanical truths behind the question you're asking, instead of basing your decision on individual testimony of isolated personal experience. If you search here long enough you'll find threads with people who will tell you that those kits are the devil reincarnate, and you'll find threads that tell you exactly what you want to hear, that they're the best thing since indoor plumbing. The rare times I've lowered a bike it has been with an air ride system to eliminate adding another potential failure point (a piece of aluminum that bears all the load of my suspension) and have been satisfied with the ride just fine. In the parking lots I could slam it all the way down for the "look", and on the road I could air it up and have a plush ride, even when riding 2 up. Your money, your bike, your decision, just trying to give you a little broader spectrum to examine before making your decision.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 9,850
Likes: 220
From: Sacramento, CA.
I agree with CBT 100%!!! IMO, your asking for trouble. It's your bike so do it your way. Good luck.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
From: Chicago burbs
I have the LA Choppers 1 inch lowering on my 07 king with stock 13 shocks. No problem just me. But when an adult passenger is on, I have very slightly bottomed out (no damage done). But I also have never checked on my psi in my shocks (which I'm going to do before this season gets rollin). As CPT has mentioned about the geometry, even though you still have 13 inch shocks in place, lowering them one inch does put the tire one inch closer to your fender. Just some food for thought. But I'm with ya on wanting a lower ride. I'm a short turd about 5'7 - '8 ish.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: In the MIddle of Nowhere
Active Hydraulic Suspension - that's all it takes to overcome lowering issues and increase your suspension satisfaction. Raises and lowers your ride automatically or manually over-ride it - as one poster said above - its your ride ultimately it is your decision.