[art1029]

I have a '09 RG and I am little too short for my comfort. What are my options in lowing the stock seat height? New seat, rear lowering kit, etc.

Thanks

 

[scooby2102]

lowering

Art, most bikes I have owned, I have had to "shave" some foam off the seat.

If you are careful and remove it from the underside, you wont even notice its been done.

I just bought a new 08 RK FLHR and its the 1st thing I did (I am 5ft 6in and weigh about 150 pounds) as the bike never even sagged when I sat on it.

Will be fitting the low profile shocks and front springs for the start of the new season

Hope this helps

 

[OldMsocko]

I used the lowering HD air shocks in the back and their lowering kit for the front. Will lower the bike 1".

 

[art1029]

OldMsocko, did that effect the ride at all? I have lowered bikes before and it can make the ride not at smooth as it was when it was stock.

 

[egc hooked]

have has my lowered for over a year (classic) HD shocks in rear HD lowering kit in front. I got close to 2 inches this way. As far as ride I think it rides and hadles as good if not better then it did new.

 

[Scrubs]

I was in the stealer semi-serious about an '09 FLHX last weekend, you may have seen my thread about possibly trading my FXSTB for the Glide. Fuggedaboutit, can't do that to my Train.

There was a guy 5'-2" that had just bought a Street Gide just like the one I was looking over. Five foot two! And I thought that I was "vertically challenged".

Anyway, service dept. had lowered it by 1" all the way around using air shocks in the rear and the fork lowering kit. There was also a new H-D Sundowner seat installed that brouth the rider's seat height down another 1".

I can't speak to the handling of a hardware-lowered bike, because I've never lowered my bikes. But, the concern I had was mainly dragging the footboards. Since, I like to ride harder, faster and deeper into the curves that would rule-out 1" of lowering kit IMHO.

He11, I've scraped asphalt on the lowest right underside exhaust bolt on the SE-II slip-ons installed on my Night Train; not to mention the jiffy stand on the left.

 

[art1029]

I think that installing all of that stuff from harley would help, but how much does all of that cost?

If it comes down to picking and choosing the upgrades I think that I will go with exhaust first.

 

[88b]

I was in the stealer semi-serious about an '09 FLHX last weekend, you may have seen my thread about possibly trading my FXSTB for the Glide. Fuggedaboutit, can't do that to my Train.

There was a guy 5'-2" that had just bought a Street Gide just like the one I was looking over. Five foot two! And I thought that I was "vertically challenged".

Anyway, service dept. had lowered it by 1" all the way around using air shocks in the rear and the fork lowering kit. There was also a new H-D Sundowner seat installed that brouth the rider's seat height down another 1".

I can't speak to the handling of a hardware-lowered bike, because I've never lowered my bikes. But, the concern I had was mainly dragging the footboards. Since, I like to ride harder, faster and deeper into the curves that would rule-out 1" of lowering kit IMHO.

He11, I've scraped asphalt on the lowest right underside exhaust bolt on the SE-II slip-ons installed on my Night Train; not to mention the jiffy stand on the left.

The foot boards on all touring bikes can be raised or lowered, same goes for the rears. The Street Glide already comes with the short rear shocks as did the Road King Custom

 

[thsorens]

I think that installing all of that stuff from harley would help, but how much does all of that cost?

I just priced out the rear lowering air shocks from HD for my 04 RK Classic, and they were only $198 from the dealer. Not sure about the front, I would just do the back myself. I am 5'10" so for me I would just do it for the look. I do like the looks of a lowered bike, and they are a little easier to hold up at a stop light, especially with a pasenger.

 

[Scrubs]

Good to know

The foot boards on all touring bikes can be raised or lowered, same goes for the rears. The Street Glide already comes with the short rear shocks as did the Road King Custom

Thanks 88b, I didn't realize all Tourer's boards were adjustable. That's good to know for the future.

The service dept. described all the suspension mods to that '09 Street Glide that the 5'-2" Oompa Loompa rode away on. I was just regurgitating the facts(?) as told to me.

Art1029, they also said that the dealer-parts/installation came out to around $750 w/Sundowner seat...and no they didn't "throw anything in" for free.

BTW, apologies for all the typos yesterday...it's been a long week.
At least, it was in English.

"If you can read this thank a teacher, if you read it in English thank a Vet"

 

[OldMsocko]

OldMsocko, did that effect the ride at all? I have lowered bikes before and it can make the ride not at smooth as it was when it was stock.

It did effect the ride of the bike a little bit, but being able to sit flat footed was worth what I lost in comfort.

 

[art1029]

Scrubs, $750 with an after-market seat doesn't seem too outrageous. When I had my Dyna I could handle walking the bike on my toes, but this RG is a wee bit heavier.

thsorens, how difficult would it be to change out the rear shocks?

 

[thsorens]

thsorens, how difficult would it be to change out the rear shocks?

Just pull the bags, and replace the shocks one at a time. Don't pull them both, or you'll have trouble lifting it back up. Let all the air out, unscrew the cap that holds the air line in the shock, then wiggle the line out. They have an o'ring around them you don't want to lose. On the easy scale, this mod would rate SUPER EASY. Don't pay the dealer for this one, its a no brainer. Now lowering the front is a little harder. I would do that myself too, but you do have to take the forks apart, replace the springs, and fill em back up with oil. Leave that one to the dealer if you aren't a gear head.

 

[art1029]

Thanks thsorens. I that does seem rather easy. Are the shocks pretty generic or do I need to find them specifically for my '09 and would recommend a brand?

 

[thsorens]

Thanks thsorens. I that does seem rather easy. Are the shocks pretty generic or do I need to find them specifically for my '09 and would recommend a brand?

You can get the lowering air shocks from HD which lower it 1" or get Progressive brand shocks which are NOT air and NOT HD but work very well, and come in different lengths to lower it up to 2". Either way, its around $200 for the parts, which is way cheaper than taking it to the dealer.

 

[RK05]

Unless you are set on the air shocks, I would buy the progressive 412 series shocks. You can get them for under $200 and in lengths down to 11".

If your an aggresive rider you will notice the difference in height. Just loosen up your floor boards by moving them up and down. That way when you do scrape them they will easly push up. You just have to be ready to lift your foot along with the board to ride through it.

 

[egc hooked]

just a fast note as far as I know the air lines are connected to the shocks with the quick disconnect fittings not by a compresson sleave and nut. All you have to do is let the air out push in the outter end of the fitting where the line goes in and pull the line out. If the line does not come out easy you do not have the release pushed in far enough.

 

[DoomBuggy]

I lowered the rear of my Ultra right after I bought it. The only issue I had was the need to put a lot more air in the shocks when riding two up. The HD lowering shocks hold up to 50psi and I think I am at around 40psi when my wife is on the back. The ride is fine, but as noted you are losing a bit of ground clearance and the glide is not known for having a lot to begin with! I am 5'8" and my next move is for pull back bars then the bike should be about perfect.

 

[Huck Finn]

OldMsocko, did that effect the ride at all? I have lowered bikes before and it can make the ride not at smooth as it was when it was stock.

Art, I'm just about a half in taller than you and manage fine on my '09 RK even though i can't flatfoot it. I find the ride choppy enough as it is and would not recommend lowering the bike. Try a lower seat and wear boots with thicker soles.

 

[atlantaallen]

Man, it really sucks when the MoCo comes out with supposedly the best RK/Ultra/RG ever, and it's got this high seat height that I can't flat foot at 5'8".

On my 2000 RKC, I can flat foot it with ease. On the 2009, I feel like I'm perched. Not comfortable to me at all.

I'm just pissed I can't buy a new RK w/o spending a ton of $ to lower it.