Quick question my aunt has a 1200c and the stock shocks are on the lowest setting. She still has trouble reaching the ground even with the lowest seat possible. Does anyone know the length of the stock shocks at the lowest setting? Is there any good shocks that would help me get it lower without totally killing the ride? Thanks

 

My wife is 5'3". She had a Nightster, but now has a Dyna Street Bob.

I put on Progressive Suspension's 11" shocks and their drop in fork kit. Both were simple to do and not all that expensive.

I'm sure you can do the same kind of thing for the Sporty

 

That's kinda what I was thinking but wanted to make sure that they would be lower than the stocks on the lowest setting cause if it's not it would be pointless

 

As info, the stock shocks are adjustable for preload, not height. I'd call or email Progressive and get a recommendation for some new units.

 

Yes I know this but playing with the preload will adjust the height a little bit. It did on my street bob.

 

Before you change the bike, consider what the rider can do. There are raised boots available, which will improve her reach and may cure the problem. We have covered this before here with lady riders contributing.

 

10 1/2" Progressive Suspension 412s on the OL's '04 1200C. I had to lower the upper belt guard slightly 'cause it was hitting the bottom of her bob-tail fender, but there are no rubbing issues. She's about 5'3ish, small frame. I'm about 210 and ride it after services/adjustments with a little bottoming out but they're set at a low pre-load.

 

I have progressive shocks on my bike...I did notice a difference between the stock shocks & the progressives. I love the progressive shocks. Although I have a nightster - it's the lowest seat height of the sporty line. I am able to flat foot my bike w/my 2 inch heels (boots make a difference as I'm only 5 feet tall).

I still get launched in my seat when I hit seams on the freeway overpasses and I HATE IT because I don't have a lot of shock travel. I changed my seat to give me a little more cushion and that also helped a little.

She will feel all the bumps, water damage on the road, seams, etc. if you lower it...and it isn't as fun when you're always trying to dodge it all day long! Send her over to the queens of the road forum for more advice. Several Queens started off on a Sporty!

 

Has any one ever dropped the fork tubes in the triple trees? I was told by a local Indy shop to give this a try. Just looking to see if anyone has done this.

 

I've done it on a Yamaha XJR1300. Dropped ride height by roughly half an inch, the handlebars got in the way of dropping them any more. They have rebuildable shocks and I was able to drop them a little too. Cost zilch!