Lower bike V. Lower seat? : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

pelicansoftail · 02-25-2003, 07:53 PM

I have a Softail Standard and have been cursed with some very short legs- 29" inseam. I am debating putting on a lowering kit or buying one of the lower profile seats. I am concerned that the lower profile seats may not be as comfortable, but somehow I need to get my feet about an in or inch and a half closer to the ground. Anyone have any experience in this area? Thanks

cannibal · 02-26-2003, 01:31 AM

I am doing both. I got the seat, Badlander, for my 01 Road King and it helped, marginally. I would guess that I am .75" closer to the ground. I was hearing stories of 1.5", not so. So, I have ordered the 1" rear lowering kit from White Bros. to help a little more.
I am 5'8", 31" inseam.

My previous bike, however, was a fatboy that was slammed with a corbin gambler seat and that this was LOW and it never bottomed even with a passenger. The front was also lowered.

I felt real safe on the FLSTF, being that low mad coming to a stop and taking of much easier, that is why I am trying to get this RK pretty low.

So, to answer you question, I don't believe that the seats make as big as a difference as the lowering kits.

Gunslinger · 02-26-2003, 01:55 AM

I being short myself, 5-07, put a LePera Bare Bones and HD "Profile Low" shocks on my Dyna. It helped a great deal. I can be flat footed and the seat isn't as uncomfortable as it looks. Your bike being a softail will sit even lower and look outstanding to boot. Good luck....

Tony

pelicansoftail · 02-26-2003, 06:40 PM

Thanks Cannibal and Tony. I will do the lower since it sounds like a substantial drop (1") and then do the seat if that is not enough. Will have to wait till weather here gets a little warmer and less icy though.

03sport · 08-08-2004, 11:46 AM

How's the ride when lowered? I'm 5'6" with 28" inseam. I had a sportster and put lower shocks on it. I rode it about 30 miles, changed the shocks back and sold it. The ride was so stiff it was terrible.

I've since bought a Softail Standard and put a Lepera Bare Bones seat on it. It looks awesome but I'm still having trouble getting flat-footed. I've considered lowering but don't want to ruin the soft ride. I will also be switching between solo and 2-up so I don't want to bottom out with my girl on the back. Any suggestions?

03fxst · 08-08-2004, 07:46 PM

pelicansoftail
03sport

I feel your pain. I am 5'8" with a 30" inseam. I tried a Badlander seat, and hated it. I actually still have it, will sell it to you for cheap, so you don't pay full price, and hate it too. Anyways, I installed a White Brothers lowering kit, which is longer shock bolts. It can lower the rear of the bike, from 1/2 an inch, to about 2 1/2 inches. I then installed a thicker seat, for comfort, and all is well. I also lowered the front 2 inches. This makes for sure footing, in all situations.

Don

03sport · 08-08-2004, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03fxst

pelicansoftail
03sport

I feel your pain. I am 5'8" with a 30" inseam. I tried a Badlander seat, and hated it. I actually still have it, will sell it to you for cheap, so you don't pay full price, and hate it too. Anyways, I installed a White Brothers lowering kit, which is longer shock bolts. It can lower the rear of the bike, from 1/2 an inch, to about 2 1/2 inches. I then installed a thicker seat, for comfort, and all is well. I also lowered the front 2 inches. This makes for sure footing, in all situations.

Don

Is the ride noticibly stiffer? I've been riding on my tippy toes since I was a kid. I'm actually used to it. I don't want to sacrifice a smooth ride.

03fxst · 08-08-2004, 09:53 PM

It is definitely not as smooth as in stock trim. To combat a bottoming out situation, you must put more preload into the shocks. But it is still a good riding bike. Low-profile seats are not butt friendly. So you must decide, if you want your butt wore out, by a low-profile seat, or a bit of a stiffer ride, by lowering it. I tried both, and like the lowered bike.

Don