Lowering Kit - Harley Forum

Pimpdaddy · #1 09-10-2009, 12:47 AM

Hey Everyone, First time on this forum. My Question is. I bought a 2009 Classic last march. I had the shop install a lowering kit. Fork springs, rear shocks and a seat. I think the bike dosent handle like it should. It is unstable a slow speeds with a passenger. Mostley when I stop. Is this normal? Is anyone else having this problem? I called harley and said i wanted the stock suspension put back on. He said it was only lowered 1". I think it is alot more. I have alreay went back to the stock seat. The other was to hard. I like to corner alot and it just dosent feel right. Anybody having this problem or is this how it is. I have 2 other Harleys but this is my first bagger. Thanks

Mr. Big · #2 09-10-2009, 10:11 AM

I dropped my 03 FLHT 2" in the rear and loved it. In fact I think it handled better with both one or twoup. I can't imagine a 1" drop on an 09 would make a noticeable difference in handling and the lower COG should help more than hurt. However, slow speed handling and stopping with a passenger I think takes some practice. I bought my bike back in Nov and my first few trips with my wife took some getting used to. Especially coming to a stop with the extra weight. Before you make wholesale changes, put on some miles with your partner or find an empty parking lot to practice in.

chipster · #3 09-10-2009, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Big

I bought my bike back in Nov and my first few trips with my wife took some getting used to. Especially coming to a stop with the extra weight.

While I understnd what you are saying, I don't know if Mrs. Big would like the way that sounds!

Mr. Big · #4 09-10-2009, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipster

While I understnd what you are saying, I don't know if Mrs. Big would like the way that sounds!

Hmm.......maybe I should have said "lovely companion".......

Buzz Kanter · #5 09-10-2009, 08:45 PM

First off welcome to the American Iron Magazine Harley forum family and glad you made it here. Secondly what you describe does not sound normal for only an inch or two. Might be something else, but check it all out first.

Good luck either way.

Pimpdaddy · #6 09-10-2009, 10:58 PM

Thanks For the help guys. I will take your advice and keep my ol lady off the back of the bike!

Gas Man · #7 09-10-2009, 11:00 PM

Maybe they didn't lower f&r equally and therefor got the geometry all messed up.

frisco-rigid · #8 09-11-2009, 02:58 AM

Hi Pimp

Did you ride many miles on it Before you had the Lowering done.?
If not perhaps you really don't know what it rode/cornered/handled like before..

That big ole bagger-sickle is Not going to be a great "handler" to begin with compared to your other 2 HD's..

Between your experience with your 2 other HD's and Mr. Big's good advice of simply getting used to it I bet you'll be just fine..

As far as screwing up the geometry,, utter balderdash..

You'd have to lower or raise MANY inches Un-equally to achieve that..

Rocky · #9 09-11-2009, 03:10 AM

I'm with BIG on this as far as the Missus on the back. the first few times we rode 2 up it took some getting use to. The slow speeds especially sharp turns and stopping on uneven roads are exciting! Enjoy though.

tommyglide · #10 09-11-2009, 01:57 PM

I'm also with Rig and Bocky, same style scooter and handling issues with Mrs Glide. Stand the bike up level and measuring the clearance from the frame to the floor should give an indication of how much it has been lowered.