Ground clearance?

[banginona40]

Wondering what is considered safe and acceptable ground clearance? On my 1995 Lowrider I have just installed the Progressive Suspensions 440 series 11.5" rear shocks, (from the stock 12.5") and the front lowering springs 1" lower. The bike looks very cool and has put the seat height in a much better location for me. I am easily flat footed at a stop now. Ground clearance is now about 4" at the passenger footrest or transmission bracket?, 5" at frame rail and about 6.5" at the exhaust pipe with no rider. Does this seem OK or am I pushing my luck. Thanks for any response..... csw

[milindh]

Hey Banger

I'm a big fan of getting all the clearance I can. I've had lowered bikes and they look cool but I've always hated it when I drag stuff going around corners. My current bike, a 2000 FXR4, has 12"'ers in the rear (stock stock for an FXR4 but other FXR's run 13"ers) and stock front end. My pipes drag real easy and the worst thing is that the forward controls dig in too. The pipes dragging is mostly a cosmetic thing cuz they just get scratched and worn down but the forward controls dragging is very dangerous. Dig in that right front control and the bike actually lifts up. Takes a little flat tracking move to save the bike. I've ground almost 1/2" from that brake pivot. Fixing this with some adapter plates to move the forward controls up and in a bit is the last of my winter projects. By this time next week I should be back in business. I've changed the pipe configuration too.

This is very common on lowered bikes especially with front controls. Most guys just learn to take it easy on the right hand turns. It happens on left turns too but not as bad. As you can see I'm working on keeping the Low Thang while trying to get some more cornering clearance. I like the Low Thang. If I was going for pure clearance I'd go with 13" shocks in the rear and 2" over forks in the front.

[frisco-rigid]

Hey Banger

You are Not exceedingly low by any means but this is something that you will need to determine for yourself since you may scrape occasionally and you'll either be comfy with it or Not..

With lower frame rails, especially with shocks, you must always be careful of things like speed-bumps but you'll most likely scrape your foot-boards and foot rests etc. only in deep corners.. Remember,, the boards and rests are designed to swivel up at ground contact,, it's ok..

I just noticed Mil posted and is raising his controls---- I raised our footboards quite a bit higher but we still scrape them alot--- the sparks looks cool at night though..

Have a ball

[unclepsycho]

My BMC has only 3" clearance under the bike.... I have to stop and get my weight off the bike to go over every speed bump

As for the forward controls... I have had my foot pulled off the peg in a corner and that can throw your balance off as well as twist the knee. Now when I ride I feel the road with my foot in the corners but it took a quite few miles to get used to this., The corners of my boots heels are work off too. .


So I guess go as low as you can for the look you want, ride and get used to the way it feels, ride safe and have fun.

PS:: I think 3" clearance is a bit too low, but I just havent gotten around to adjusting the progressive shocks to bring it up. that would makes it a stiffer ride too.

[street bob]

Whats wrong with the stock clearance? Just keep it at a safe height, no sense in taking chances. IMO.......

[Majicbringer]

And all to look "cool"...

[unclepsycho]

Yup That's why my bike is "slammed" to the ground ..... it came that way from the factory... I think this thread was started for getting the bike down so banginona40 could flat foot the ground at a stop......Either way, I kinda wish mine was a tad bit higher...so I dont drag it so often.

[street bob]

Yes, I agree, nothing wrong with being flat footed.