HarleyTechTalk

Will be installing this kit on my wife's 2013 street glide. Supposed to drop front end 1 inch. Does this make much difference in seat height or ride quality. Anyone with ride experience before and after. All comments appreciated.

one inch does not lower seathight much but decreases groundclearence at regulator

hmmmm, hadnt thought about that. I was more concerned with the clearance between the front fender and the brake lines.

If you drop the front end and install lower shocks you will drop the seat about an inch. If you only lower front end you will diminish balance.

Quote from: 07RoadKing on March 17, 2014, 03:51:38 PM
If you drop the front end and install lower shocks you will drop the seat about an inch. If you only lower front end you will diminish balance.

Rear of street glide already lowered from the factory by one inch,( they use 12 inch shocks instead of the standard 13 inch) lowering front by one inch should even things out, and balance the bike. The tech stated to me he doesn't know why Harley only lowers the rear of the SG. DUH, I know why they do, so they can sell you the front lowering kit

I'd be more inclined to visit a dealer that has a fit shop.
You then can try some different seats with a lower seat height.

Quote from: aceman2101 on March 17, 2014, 06:30:58 PM

Quote from: 07RoadKing on March 17, 2014, 03:51:38 PM
If you drop the front end and install lower shocks you will drop the seat about an inch. If you only lower front end you will diminish balance.

Rear of street glide already lowered from the factory by one inch,( they use 12 inch shocks instead of the standard 13 inch) lowering front by one inch should even things out, and balance the bike. The tech stated to me he doesn't know why Harley only lowers the rear of the SG. DUH, I know why they do, so they can sell you the front lowering kit

dont know about that tech  , as far as clearance ,wait till you try taking a corner and your floorboard or kickstand hits the ground,or hit a hard bump . if she cant reach the ground you bought the wrong bike

I installed the HD kit on a Road King Custom which also has the 12" rear shocks, it made a lot of difference for the rider. He was definitely vertically challenged but ended up buying a Heritage.

Quote from: aceman2101 on March 17, 2014, 06:30:58 PM
Rear of street glide already lowered from the factory by one inch,( they use 12 inch shocks instead of the standard 13 inch) lowering front by one inch should even things out, and balance the bike. The tech stated to me he doesn't know why Harley only lowers the rear of the SG. DUH, I know why they do, so they can sell you the front lowering kit

Could be that they wanted to have more then 2" - 2.5" of available front suspension travel and as others have said maintain sufficient clearance and lean angle capability.  I think everybody here pretty much knows how I feel about crippling an already marginal bike.  Shortening travel on either end would be a last resort IMO.  I think I would rather drive a cage that ride a bike that was handicapped on lean angle...that's a good part of the fun equation for riding to 2 wheels IMO.  Rick

Quote from: 04 SE DEUCE on March 18, 2014, 02:09:21 PM

Quote from: aceman2101 on March 17, 2014, 06:30:58 PM
Rear of street glide already lowered from the factory by one inch,( they use 12 inch shocks instead of the standard 13 inch) lowering front by one inch should even things out, and balance the bike. The tech stated to me he doesn't know why Harley only lowers the rear of the SG. DUH, I know why they do, so they can sell you the front lowering kit

Could be that they wanted to have more then 2" - 2.5" of available front suspension travel and as others have said maintain sufficient clearance and lean angle capability.  I think everybody here pretty much knows how I feel about crippling an already marginal bike.  Shortening travel on either end would be a last resort IMO.  I think I would rather drive a cage that ride a bike that was handicapped on lean angle...that's a good part of the fun equation for riding to 2 wheels IMO.  Rick

I think the lean angle should be ok in this situation, my wife is not an aggressive rider. She is a good rider and at 5' 7" she just wanted her feet a little wider. I have ridden the bike, (a street glide), and the ride is not as harsh as people would have you believe. I havent ridden the bike with the front lowering kit on it yet, I should get a chance to ride it this weekend. If it is to low and has no lean angle capability, I will put the original front shocks back on. Thanks all

Quote from: 88b on March 18, 2014, 12:22:24 PM
I installed the HD kit on a Road King Custom which also has the 12" rear shocks, it made a lot of difference for the rider. He was definitely vertically challenged but ended up buying a Heritage.

Alot of difference how, seat hieght, ride quality, both ?

I dated A couple Harley chics that both had solftails. (Sorry not at the same time!) But my point is they never exceeded the lean angle when riding after I lowered the bikes. I also bought thinner seats. Neither girl ever complained about the ride quality. They were just happy to put both feet on the ground at a stop.

Quote from: aceman2101 on March 18, 2014, 03:29:52 PM

Quote from: 04 SE DEUCE on March 18, 2014, 02:09:21 PM

Quote from: aceman2101 on March 17, 2014, 06:30:58 PM
Rear of street glide already lowered from the factory by one inch,( they use 12 inch shocks instead of the standard 13 inch) lowering front by one inch should even things out, and balance the bike. The tech stated to me he doesn't know why Harley only lowers the rear of the SG. DUH, I know why they do, so they can sell you the front lowering kit

Could be that they wanted to have more then 2" - 2.5" of available front suspension travel and as others have said maintain sufficient clearance and lean angle capability.  I think everybody here pretty much knows how I feel about crippling an already marginal bike.  Shortening travel on either end would be a last resort IMO.  I think I would rather drive a cage that ride a bike that was handicapped on lean angle...that's a good part of the fun equation for riding to 2 wheels IMO.  Rick

I think the lean angle should be ok in this situation, my wife is not an aggressive rider. She is a good rider and at 5' 7" she just wanted her feet a little wider. I have ridden the bike, (a street glide), and the ride is not as harsh as people would have you believe. I havent ridden the bike with the front lowering kit on it yet, I should get a chance to ride it this weekend. If it is to low and has no lean angle capability, I will put the original front shocks back on. Thanks all

remember this all of us that have lowered a bagger front and rear , its not as harsh as we say . enjoy

as for the original question,, lowering the front an inch will gain you less than a 1/2 inch in seat height.. we do it as a last resort,, I would try different seats first.. 

I lowered my RK an inch front and rear, along with a lower seat and it made quite difference for me...don't really have any problems in the curves unless being agressive, I think I may have scraped two or three times in 30,000 miles.... and barely touched the road at that...as far as  rideability and control....just fine ....