SSJ,
Thanks bro - I appreciate the compliments!Chilhowee motorcycle leather is in the process of becoming a sponsor of this forum. It has been great so far.I still have my Roadstar, but am now working on selling it. I'm so ready to get my Ultra I can hardly stand it!

 

My 04 RG is lowered. I bought it that way. The ride is a little stiffer than the one I rented, but I still enjoy it.

 

My 2000 EGC came with the Burly lowering kit installed. Ride was horrid, small bumps felt like potholes, and the jiffy stand scraped on almost every left hand turn.

Removed that POS, sold it for $40 on eBay, reattached the shocks in the factory location, couldn't be happier. If it were me, I'd also try the lowered seat (like the Reach Seat that H-D makes) or an aftermarket lowered seat, plus thicker soles on your boots. Even the best lowered shocks give you less travel.

 

I have tried the Harley lowered air shocks in the back of my 07 RK and it really made the ride firm,I currently am running 12" progressive 412's and they are ok,I am looking at a set of 11.5" 440's but if you want the best,you could always buy a set of Fournales,they don't use springs on the shock,it is all done internally in the shock,but they are very expensive.I have a friend that uses them and they are superb

 

I just got my stock seat back from Allen at Mean City Cycles. It looks great. I can't tell visually that it was even changed and lowered me around 2". I would encourage you to try that before lowering the bike.

 

Something wasn't right with Your kit if Your jiffy stand was dragging.I've had the Burly on My bike for 2 years and I've never bottomed out once and I ride 2 up with 50 lbs of gear a few times a year plus,My bike handles better than it ever did before I lowered it.I've lowered My last 3 bikes and I'll lower everyone I own from now on.JMHO!!

 

DO the seat treatment first. Really, do it first, spend the money.
Lowering the bike reduces not only the cornering clearence but the whole handing pacakge changes.
- less suspension movment under hard braking (you may bottom (bounce) more on rough road)
- less suspension movment under hard acceleration (you make hop (different bounce)moreon rough road)
- center of gravity is lower giving the impression of stability when its not really there (tire issues here)
- just plain bottoming on speed bumps and other normal road obsticles.
- shorter travel on suspension providing a stiffer ride.

This best option for those that need it is seat modifications. Corbin will build you a custom seat if you have the $$$ and the time to make it work.
...gene
(Yes, I have ridden a 1" and 2" lowered bikes, the handling sucks compaired to stock- er - which sucks. )