Short guy problem lol...please help
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, MO
Short guy problem lol...please help
Hey all,
I just purchased a 2014 Street Glide. I'm only 5'6" and I've noticed it's definitely different then my previous Sportster. At stops I'm on the ***** of my feet at best. I'm worried that if I put my girl on the back and she shifts weight at a stop we might tip over without me having sure flat footing. I was looking at getting the HD super reduced reach seat, but also is there anything I can do to the suspension? I saw in the parts catalog there's a Profile Low front lowering susp kit (PN 54564-09). It says that it can only be installed on lowered rear stocks OR standard rear FLHX shocks '09-'13, but nothing that's 2014 model specific.... that leads me to believe there's nothing I can do to lower the front shocks and there's nothing for lower rear shocks at all??? Someone suggested a rear suspension kit from Drag Specialties that's 11.5" from "eye to eye" Heavy Duty for 2 up riding?... is that lower than stock? Does anyone know what the stock rear shock length is? I'd like to go lower if I can, but without sacrificing too much in ride quality. Please...any help or suggestions is much appreciated. Sorry for not knowing, this is my first Harley that I actually wanted to put modifications on.
I just purchased a 2014 Street Glide. I'm only 5'6" and I've noticed it's definitely different then my previous Sportster. At stops I'm on the ***** of my feet at best. I'm worried that if I put my girl on the back and she shifts weight at a stop we might tip over without me having sure flat footing. I was looking at getting the HD super reduced reach seat, but also is there anything I can do to the suspension? I saw in the parts catalog there's a Profile Low front lowering susp kit (PN 54564-09). It says that it can only be installed on lowered rear stocks OR standard rear FLHX shocks '09-'13, but nothing that's 2014 model specific.... that leads me to believe there's nothing I can do to lower the front shocks and there's nothing for lower rear shocks at all??? Someone suggested a rear suspension kit from Drag Specialties that's 11.5" from "eye to eye" Heavy Duty for 2 up riding?... is that lower than stock? Does anyone know what the stock rear shock length is? I'd like to go lower if I can, but without sacrificing too much in ride quality. Please...any help or suggestions is much appreciated. Sorry for not knowing, this is my first Harley that I actually wanted to put modifications on.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 436
Likes: 5
From: Northern Virginia
Don't know that much about 2014 suspensions. I believe the stock SG shock height is 12 inches. You might want to talk with the parts guy at your dealer to find out your options. This is what I did to lower my 2008 CVO Ultra. (BTW I'm 5'4") Put Progressive Monotube cartridge kit (1" lower) in the front forks, put Suspension Technologies 11.5 inches shocks in the rear replacing the stock air shocks. I'm still not totally flat footed. Also you want to look at getting some higher heeled boots, that will help a bit, too.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 226
Big buck solutions
Baggerwerx
Camtech
Fatbagger
All make bolt-on frame kits to slam you to the ground, that along with a set of bars with more pullback and a properly modified seat will get you where you need to be.
Small buck solutions
get thicker soles on your boots installed
custom shocks to lower the bike ( may have tire interference with fender , need to research that)
get seat modified by mean city cycles to lower you and push you up closer to tank.
as well as bars with more pullback
Baggerwerx
Camtech
Fatbagger
All make bolt-on frame kits to slam you to the ground, that along with a set of bars with more pullback and a properly modified seat will get you where you need to be.
Small buck solutions
get thicker soles on your boots installed
custom shocks to lower the bike ( may have tire interference with fender , need to research that)
get seat modified by mean city cycles to lower you and push you up closer to tank.
as well as bars with more pullback
My wife is 5'2".
She could almost flatfoot her 14 SGS, One heel on the ground, the other within 1/4"
We lowered the front 1 inch, the part number IS in the catalog
I put 2013 air shocks on it, and a Burley 1" lowering block kit,
The Reach seats did not do it for her, and we looked hard at the FBI drop kit, but that moves you farther away from the bars and controls, so we opted no.
We bought a Danny Grey Speed Cradle seat, and that was the trick for her.
I'm 285 lbs, and I could not get the bike to bottom or rub with this setup.
This worked for us, and YMMV.
She could almost flatfoot her 14 SGS, One heel on the ground, the other within 1/4"
We lowered the front 1 inch, the part number IS in the catalog
I put 2013 air shocks on it, and a Burley 1" lowering block kit,
The Reach seats did not do it for her, and we looked hard at the FBI drop kit, but that moves you farther away from the bars and controls, so we opted no.
We bought a Danny Grey Speed Cradle seat, and that was the trick for her.
I'm 285 lbs, and I could not get the bike to bottom or rub with this setup.
This worked for us, and YMMV.
Advanced
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 55
Likes: 1
From: Killington, Vermont
Also look at your boots. You maybe able to pick up an additional inch will a thicker sole. I just received a new Ultra, my previous bike was a Heritage. Much higher and even with the change of the seat, I still was not comfortable. The shoes made the difference and I didn't have to change the suspension.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,082
Likes: 1,958
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
The SG has the lowest rear end of all the touring bikes, so it's low to begin with. I would try the seat mod from Mean City Cycles. They can lower the seat about an inch and taper the front so your legs are closer together. With different boots as already mentioned that might get you flat footed. Try that first before spending the big bucks for other solutions.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 341
Likes: 4
From: Denver
The SG has the lowest rear end of all the touring bikes, so it's low to begin with. I would try the seat mod from Mean City Cycles. They can lower the seat about an inch and taper the front so your legs are closer together. With different boots as already mentioned that might get you flat footed. Try that first before spending the big bucks for other solutions.
I concur. Having the seat reworked makes a big difference.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,308
Likes: 11
From: Colorado
My wife is 5'2".
She could almost flatfoot her 14 SGS, One heel on the ground, the other within 1/4"
We lowered the front 1 inch, the part number IS in the catalog
I put 2013 air shocks on it, and a Burley 1" lowering block kit,
The Reach seats did not do it for her, and we looked hard at the FBI drop kit, but that moves you farther away from the bars and controls, so we opted no.
We bought a Danny Grey Speed Cradle seat, and that was the trick for her.
I'm 285 lbs, and I could not get the bike to bottom or rub with this setup.
This worked for us, and YMMV.
She could almost flatfoot her 14 SGS, One heel on the ground, the other within 1/4"
We lowered the front 1 inch, the part number IS in the catalog
I put 2013 air shocks on it, and a Burley 1" lowering block kit,
The Reach seats did not do it for her, and we looked hard at the FBI drop kit, but that moves you farther away from the bars and controls, so we opted no.
We bought a Danny Grey Speed Cradle seat, and that was the trick for her.
I'm 285 lbs, and I could not get the bike to bottom or rub with this setup.
This worked for us, and YMMV.
How did your wife like that Burly lowering kit?
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6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Fair Oaks
I agree also with trying a different seat first. I have a 2011 SG and am 5'6" also. I put on the Super reduced seat and have boots that give me 3/4" more height. I can flat foot the bike and even have a slight bend in my legs. My inseam is 28.5". Have you tried sitting on the bike with a HD Super reduced seat? I'm sure the dealer would let you put one on your bike or one of theirs before you decide to buy the seat.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 39
From: San Diego
Worth a try to see if your Harley dealer has a sundowner or other seat that maybe is in their demo fleet for you to try.
Sundowner not only moves you forward a bit, but also has better leg cut outs that might get you flat footed. This will also give your passenger a much more comfy ride.
Since people are different proportions, what someone else found to be satisfactory may not work out at all for you.
Dealership usually has custom fit options that you can try out before you buy. Take passenger along too, so you can be sure the solution works out for both of you.
Sundowner not only moves you forward a bit, but also has better leg cut outs that might get you flat footed. This will also give your passenger a much more comfy ride.
Since people are different proportions, what someone else found to be satisfactory may not work out at all for you.
Dealership usually has custom fit options that you can try out before you buy. Take passenger along too, so you can be sure the solution works out for both of you.