How Low Can You Go!!! - Harley Forum

hdfergie · #1 02-20-2008, 07:01 PM

I am looking for some Info on lowering a 883L or a 1200L. I know that you can get shorter shocks or a relocation kit, but I would like to know what some of the Forum readers have done and how low the seat height wound up. I'm on a 03 Heritage softail and bought a 250 Rebel to teach my wife to ride and she loves it but I must try to get her on some American Iron. She stands at 4' 10" and it is a big problem trying to get her on a Harley unless I can lower one. The Rebel has a 23" seat height, but it is narrow to, which helps her reach the ground better. She loves her Rebel but you can't take it down the highway.
Has anyone faced this problem?

#2 02-20-2008, 10:16 PM

I had an East Bay Style (Oakland, Ca) lowered Sportster custom. The front and rear had Arlen Ness lowering kits that slammed it down pretty low. The pipes dragged way too easily for my taste and there wasn't much travel in the suspension. Still, the bike wasn't as low as you would think. My girlfriend at the time was 5' 8" and she could barely get both feet flat on the ground. I suppose if you went with a really thin and flat seat, different pipes, and 17" Buell rims you could get one down even lower. I never measured the seat height on that bike but I remember thinkng that Sportsters weren't really good candidates for the super short folks. I mean, where there's a will there's a way but still 4' 10" is pretty short.

The lowest seat heights I've ever seen were on true old school Harley hardtail bobbers. Not the stretched neck aftermarket frames you see now but like an old '57 Harley with a stock springer and 19" front wheel. That's Low-w-w-w!

Good Luck

#3 02-21-2008, 09:23 PM

don't know if this will help....my girlfriend is 4'11' and we did some research (and fitting) at our local Harley shop. What we found was, the Low Rider was a better fit than the Sporty's. It's also a better road bike. She rode a Shadow VLX for several years, time to update to American. She ordered a Low Rider adding Progressive front lowering kit and
11" rear shocks, and a Harley reach seat. Don't forget a shorter kick stand (and extension for easier use). A friend of mine did some just about the same thing for his wife with good results, so we are fairly confident this will work. The dealer thinks it will be fine, just don't overload the back or 2 up. She should have the bike in 3 or 4 weeks.
I will ride it home for her. I'm 5'10 and 190 so it will be a good test. If you are interested, I'll give an update after delivery.

hdfergie · #4 02-23-2008, 02:53 PM

Hey, that sounds great. I just thought that the Sporty L started out lower according to the specs, (seat height) so it would lower easier and more than the Low Rider. The Big Twin would be a better choice for the long haul. Please let me know how this turns out for Her. It will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Again,
hdfergie

#5 03-11-2008, 09:00 PM

Hey hdfergie, Just wanted to let you know that I didn't forget about you. We are picking up the Low Rider this week and weather permitting, I'll let you know how it rides.
Till then, BIG-D

PeterV · #6 03-12-2008, 01:14 AM

Until I found the Sporty for my wife(05 1200 Custom), we had a hell of a time with something that would fit her. She's 5 foot nuthin.
Anyhow, the Sporty came with the 11" Progressive 412 rear shocks and a custom seat. She still couldn't plant both her feet firmly on the ground.
Ordered a LePera Silhouette UpFront seat for her. Bingo.
Did the trick. As a last resort, if this wouldn't have worked, I'd have tossed the 21" bicycle wheel and gone for a 19" and or the lowering front kit. No need to do either now.

PS. The bike looks great with the Lepera.

ddsporty75 · #7 03-12-2008, 08:29 PM

i just read an article in softtail customs and it indicated that it was more popular with the shorter person than sportys the ride highth can be lowered more

hdfergie · #8 03-24-2008, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIG-D

Hey hdfergie, Just wanted to let you know that I didn't forget about you. We are picking up the Low Rider this week and weather permitting, I'll let you know how it rides.
Till then, BIG-D

Did you pick up the Bike yet? We went to a Dealership Saturday and the salesman didn't seem to interested in helping us on a Bike. He showed us the 1200L and pretty much said that was it. She could reach with her toes but not flate footed. I don't think I will be buying anything much from them. Lol....
Thanks for your help on this, BIG-D
hdfergie

#9 03-27-2008, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdfergie

Did you pick up the Bike yet? We went to a Dealership Saturday and the salesman didn't seem to interested in helping us on a Bike. He showed us the 1200L and pretty much said that was it. She could reach with her toes but not flate footed. I don't think I will be buying anything much from them. Lol....
Thanks for your help on this, BIG-D
hdfergie

Hi hdfergie, Sorry for the delay. Picked up the bike about a week and a half ago. It rode good on the way home. It bottomed out once or twice on rough roads, but it stayed stable and under control. This is a nice bike. Just one note, we had a reach seat installed, but what I found was the stock seat is actually narrower and possibly lower, so I put the stock back on and returned the reach. The girlfriend can almost sit flat footed, but she will still ride with a pair of thick soled boots. It's a shame that the dealer you went to doesn't sound too customer friendly. You should find another that will help you. Hope this info helps and good luck. Let me know what your decision is. BIG-D