Finding the particular right harley davidson touring lowering kit can completely change how your bike feels, especially if you're struggling with that stock seat height. Let's become honest: Harley's touring lineup—the Street Glides, Road Kings, and Ultra Classics—are overall beasts. They are built for the long haul, but they are furthermore built pretty high. If you don't have a 34-inch inseam, coming to a stoplight on a 900-pound machine may think that a high-stakes balancing act.
Lowering the bike isn't just about having the ability to flat-foot it, though that's a huge section of the confidence boost. It's about making the bike feel more manageable when you're backing into the parking spot or maneuvering through a crowded gas station. However, before going bolting parts onto your body, there are the few things need to probably learn about just how these kits work and what they actually to your trip quality.
Why people go with regard to a lowering kit
The nearly all obvious reason is height. If you're on your tippy-toes every time a person stop, you're ultimately going to have the "tip-over" moment, and nobody desires to fall their chrome-covered satisfaction and joy. Installing a harley davidson touring lowering kit drops the center of gravity, that makes the bicycle feel a little bit more planted.
Beyond the practical side, there's the particular aesthetic. A lowered bagger just appears meaner. It completes the wheel water wells and gives the bike that "slammed" look that's been popular in the particular custom scene regarding decades. Even in case you can reach the ground just fine, you might simply like the method the bike sits an inch or two lower to the pavement.
The two main types of kits
Whenever you start purchasing, you're basically going to see two different approaches. The 1st is the "lowering block" style, and the second is usually replacing the shock absorbers entirely.
Lowering blocks
Lowering blocks would be the most common and affordable way in order to get the work done. These are essentially metal brackets that bolt on your swingarm and move the bottom mounting point of your shock further back. Simply by changing the angle from the shock, the rear from the body sits lower.
The big benefit here is the particular price. You can generally pick these upward for a cheaper price of new suspension system. The downside? Since you're changing the angle of the shock, you're theoretically making the suspension a bit firmer, and you operate the risk of the tire hitting the within the fender when you hit the big enough pothole. If you go this route, you've got to be careful about your pre-load settings.
Smaller rear shocks
The "proper" way to do it—if your finances allows—is to change out the share shocks for a set of high-quality, shorter shocks. Manufacturers like Legend, Modern, or Ohlins make shocks specifically made to become shorter whilst still providing excellent travel.
When you use a dedicated harley davidson touring lowering kit that involves brand-new shocks, you aren't just moving the mounting point; you're using a component made to work in that height. You'll get a much plusher ride, and you won't have in order to worry as much about weird geometry problems. It's more costly, yet your lower back will thank you after a 300-mile day.
What happens to the handling?
This is where things get the bit technical, yet stick with me. Whenever you lower the particular back of the motorcycle, you modify the "rake plus trail. " Within simple terms, you're tilting the entire bike backward. This usually makes the bike feel more steady in a right line, but it could make the steering feel a little bit "floppy" or heavy when you're trying to turn in low speeds.
To keep the bike balanced, a lot of men will also reduce the front end. You can get drop-in fork springs that will lower the entrance by an inches roughly. If you lower both the top and the back again, you keep the particular bike's original angles mostly intact, plus it'll handle the lot closer to just how the engineers from Harley intended.
The trade-offs you need in order to consider
It's not all sunlight and low-seat heights. There are definitely some trade-offs whenever you install a harley davidson touring lowering kit .
First off, you lose ground clearance. This is the big one. If a person like to trim your bike deep into the corners on twisty mountain roads, you're heading to start scraping your floorboards a lot sooner than you used to. It can be a literal "spark show" back presently there. If you're the casual cruiser, it's not a big deal, yet if you ride aggressively, you'll need to adjust your design.
Secondly, there's the kickstand (or "jiffy stand" because Harley calls it). When the bike rests lower, the kickstand is suddenly as well long. You'll park the bike, punch the be noticeable, and realize the bicycle is standing nearly straight up. Great gust of breeze or a slight incline, and the particular bike goes over on its right side. Most people who else lower their touring bikes also purchase a "shorty" kickstand to make sure the bike nevertheless has a secure lean angle whenever parked.
Installation: Can you do it yourself?
If you're portable with a wrench tool and have a way to get the particular rear wheel off the ground, installing a harley davidson touring lowering kit is a pretty straightforward weekend break project.
If you're performing lowering blocks, it's usually just a matter of eliminating the bottom shock bolts, sliding the brackets into place, and bolting almost everything back together. It requires maybe an hr. Replacing the shocks is even easier—it's just two bolts per side.
The front end is a different story. Dropping the particular forks usually needs taking off the fairing (if you do have a Street Glide or Road Glide) and messing with shell oil and internal springs. It's a bit more "involved, " so if you aren't comfortable along with that, it's worth paying a store to do front side while you handle the trunk yourself.
Don't forget the particular seat
Prior to you commit to a mechanical harley davidson touring lowering kit , you may want to appear at your chair. Harley and many aftermarket replacement companies make "Reach" seats. These chairs are narrower from the front plus have thinner padding, which lets your own legs drop straight down instead of being pushed out.
Sometimes, a seat modification is all you require to get these extra couple of inches. A lot of riders really combine an Achieve seat with a 1-inch lowering kit to find the perfect set up without sacrificing too much suspension travel. It's all about discovering that "Goldilocks" zone to feel safe however the bike still rides like a Cadillac.
Final ideas on going reduced
At the particular end of the particular day, your Harley should fit a person. There's no shame in needing the little help in order to reach the pavement. These bikes are usually heavy, and getting your feet tightly planted gives you a level of handle that makes using way more enjoyable.
Whether you go using the budget-friendly blocks or spring for some high end adjustable shocks, a harley davidson touring lowering kit is one associated with the most impactful mods you may make. Just remember in order to check your clearances, watch out with regard to those speed protrusions, and maybe consider a shorter kickstand so you don't find your bicycle laying on its side in the driveway. Once you obtain it dialed in, you'll wonder why you didn't do it years back. Happy riding!