Lowering my 2011 Street Glide
- Thread starter Vegas Sam
- Start date
J
Jack Klarich
Guest
IMO the links on the shocks while they may work for a quick test ride, that is about it. They put the shocks at an awkward angle, better to use shorter eye to eye shocks IMO, plus variable rate springs and or air shocks
Just my .02 I've been running lowering links on my 09 EG for over 30k now. Installed them shortly after I bought it new, then added the reach seat. Being a little on the short end I needed to be a bit lower. I know there are some who would not recommend lowering links, but they have worked well for me. I have not had any handling issues so far. Have ridden this bike fully packed with passenger, solo, all road conditions (maybe not ice), with out a problem. Not saying this is the best way to go, just that it has worked for me. I remember back in the chopper days guys running a 15" rear wheel to get them hard-tails a little lower. Maybe?
artfuentes
Active Member
Sam,
I have a early 2010 Ultra Limited, before the new seats. I have a 30" inseam and was tip toeing when stopped. I didn't want to mod the bike so I got a hold of Mean City Cycles and they lowered my seat. Not only did that do the job, but the ride was so much more comfortable. I can ride all day now when before I had a sore backside after about two hours!
I know my inseam is a bit longer than yours, but my bike was also taller. They lowered my seat about an inch and a half, and since your stock bike is already an inch lower than mine they may be able to get you the two inches you need. I think at least a call to Mean City Cycles would help you, if not by fixing your issue maybe advice on how to get it lowered safely.
I have a early 2010 Ultra Limited, before the new seats. I have a 30" inseam and was tip toeing when stopped. I didn't want to mod the bike so I got a hold of Mean City Cycles and they lowered my seat. Not only did that do the job, but the ride was so much more comfortable. I can ride all day now when before I had a sore backside after about two hours!
I know my inseam is a bit longer than yours, but my bike was also taller. They lowered my seat about an inch and a half, and since your stock bike is already an inch lower than mine they may be able to get you the two inches you need. I think at least a call to Mean City Cycles would help you, if not by fixing your issue maybe advice on how to get it lowered safely.
Breeze, yes I did send the seat to mean city and they did modify the front portion of the seat, It only helped slightly. That was the first thing I tried just wasn't enough.
Like I stated above I also had thicker soles added to my boots. The specialist that did the soles could have added a little bit more but said for my safety I should only keep it an inch.
Breeze, everyone keeps saying that some bikes are higher or lower than my SG but it seems like all of the touring bikes have the same ground clearance around 5.3" Can you explain what others are saying?
Sam
Like I stated above I also had thicker soles added to my boots. The specialist that did the soles could have added a little bit more but said for my safety I should only keep it an inch.
Breeze, everyone keeps saying that some bikes are higher or lower than my SG but it seems like all of the touring bikes have the same ground clearance around 5.3" Can you explain what others are saying?
Sam
I don't know how much money you want to put into this project but I ran across this and thought you should at least see what is possible. Bagger Werx - Parts & Accessories for Harley-Davidson Motorcycles
D
dbmg
Guest
The suspension is lower on the Street Glide to lower seat height:
Compare Bikes | Harley-Davidson USA
Breeze3at
Experienced Member
Sam; I doubt I can give a real accurate description of the how/why of different suspensions but same ground clearance. But what I get is, the Street Glide has a larger diameter front wheel so some travel was taken out of the forks to compensate for unladen height. The rear shocks are supposed to be shorter, but I think the difference in ground clearance is only fractional.
Something that occurred to me is I see lots of metric bike riders, mostly Sportbikes, that the riders are tip toe at stop. Granted, our Harleys are a LOT heavier, but maybe we put more thought into how much foot needs to be on the ground. You love the S.G. but are inseam challenged, get real good at slow speed maneuvers (especially U turns) and choosing parking and your problem may be negligible. That link HDDon posted looks interesting, probably pricey, but
interesting.
Something that occurred to me is I see lots of metric bike riders, mostly Sportbikes, that the riders are tip toe at stop. Granted, our Harleys are a LOT heavier, but maybe we put more thought into how much foot needs to be on the ground. You love the S.G. but are inseam challenged, get real good at slow speed maneuvers (especially U turns) and choosing parking and your problem may be negligible. That link HDDon posted looks interesting, probably pricey, but
interesting.