My wife recently picked up a 2005 XL custom. It's had the lowering kit - whatever that entails - and the front forks are bottoming out WAY too easily.

I'm thinking about progressive fork springs - worked wonders on my bike. Has anybody with a lowering kit installed those? Any words of advice?

 

I have RaceTech springs in my SuperLow, although I haven't lowered it. They make springs in a range of weights, so you can match them to your wife. Take a look at their website. Don't be taken in by the lure of progressive-rate springs, single-rate matched to your wife will give her a better ride.

 

A heavier fork oil like Screaming Eagle fork oil will also stiffen up the front end.

 

I had the same problem with my 2004 1200R. And had more than half of my fork travel gone with just rider sag, and I weigh 165 lbs, in fact she sat front end low with 10.5" shocks on the back. I used the Progressive lowering springs without using the additional top out springs the come with kit, and 3/8" preload. I also switched to 15w Lucas fork oil. This created the front end feel that I like, no bottoming and absorbs bumps well without the bouncing. Rain grooves and road snakes are not noticeable any more.

 

lowering the bike might make it look better but it will not ride as well... in fact, i added an inch to my rears. i could bottom out the back easily with the stockers, but never have with the new ones.
agree that changing the fork oil is not hard and cheaper than springs, up front. i changed to screaming eagle- no more bottoming, but also a very harsh ride. so i just changed again to a weight in between stock and screaming eagle- this is a perfect weight for me and also works great with my +2 on the back.