Low Profile Road King Shocks Affect Ride?

[majikman]

I just installed a set of HD low profile shocks on my Road King. They are stock on RK Custom and Street Glide. My question....I was riding today and the front end seemed lighter at speeds above 65 mph. Is this to be expected?

Thanks

[Berserker]

Not sure. You lowered back end, but not front. Shocks are blown on my 01, will be going with progressives. IMO buy from shock people. But I haven't tried them yet. Planning on replacing front end at same time.

You did change geometry by doing this. The effect duno.

[jasilva]

Did you put some air in them? Normally lowering the rear should make the bike seem more stable at speed and increase your turning circle slightly. Your effectively increasing the rake on the front end by lowering the rear.

[genoway]

I put the 12" Progressive 440HD on mine and it seemed to improve the ride.

The front did get real light after boring jugs, porting heads and putting in torque cams though. Sometimes even airborn.

[Berserker]

Funny how that works. Get rid of the Harley parts, and front end gets squirelly.

[susqy]

But does the ride suffer? My discs are shot.

[Berserker]

I hyave heard people saying lowering a bike will do that. Only do it if you have too. I bought my FLHR with the lowering kit. Which is stock shocks, with brackets to shift the shock back. Changing geometry. When I got my FLHTCU, I was like wow the differnce. But the shock is pretty much shot and new bike had two new tires.

Two new tires does make a heck of difference too.

I talked with the Progressive guy at Sturgis, blew the shock on the way out. He said lowering kit was bad, and to buy lowered shock and lower front end. He claimed you could go down a little without it effecting ride. But he lsited a size that would effect it. Maybe 12.5, low as you can go. I can't rememebr.


Progressive are donkeys. I get to the tent at Sturgis, biggest bike event in the world. There prices are MSRP and they charge to put shocks on. They are out most sizes, getting more in tommorrow. I show around 10-11, they are all out. Two lifts just sittign there. WTF its Sturgis, I would think you would have a semi load of them.

I even told the guy I can get them alot cheaper on the internet thenwhat your charging, but I wanted it now.

I was getting some rubbing over 85, bike loaded bear. Especially on I90 in MN. Lousy road.

[Berserker]

Moral of the story. If you got a bad back, only lower if you have to, and then only as much as you have to. My Corbin lowered me and help on FLHTCU. I will probably ower it someday though.

[susqy]

My roadking has stock shocks and police air ride seat which really put you up in the sky and make me pay attention when at slow speed but ride is good.

[Berserker]

I was disapointed that my FLHR shocks were pretty much blown around 54k. OIl coming out and unable to pump up. I am not a big guy, and I don't see that as alot of miles. Maybe I am wrong, maybe they are maintance item.

[genoway]

Originally Posted by genoway

...The front did get real light after boring jugs, porting heads and putting in torque cams though. Sometimes even airborn.

Originally Posted by Berserker

Funny how that works. Get rid of the Harley parts, and front end gets squirelly.

Oh, so you are saying that Harley intentionally makes their bikes underpowered so they won't pop wheelies?

[Berserker]

No I am saying most HD riders are so old, that 65 feels to fast.

[genoway]

Originally Posted by Berserker

No I am saying most HD riders are so old, that 65 feels to fast.

Hmmm, that seems non sequitur.

as usual. keep up the good work.

[noodles]

You keeping them?