First off, I'm about 5'9 and around 165-170 lbs and ride solo. I've got a 2004 Road King with Heritage take off bars on it. The bike came with a Corbin Touring seat when I got it, which was way too far back for me so I got rid of it and got a Mustang Touring solo which I have since had modified by MCC to lower me about an inch.

I've also got a set of Kuryakyn floorboard relocation brackets coming to push the boards forward an inch and out an inch.

I'm used to softail rides, with that more sitting "in" rather than "on" feeling.

Right now I feel better than I did at first and the lowered seat helps plant my feet on the ground, but I still feel like I'm up on top of the bike.

I know this is a characteristic of the touring bikes and down the road when $$ permits I'd like to swap out the bars for 14-16in apes, but the Heritage bars are doing ok for now.

I've been considering the HD low touring shocks that are 12in to lower the rear of the bike 1in.

I'm not too worried about bottoming out since I'm under 170lbs an ride solo always. Cornering I'm not real worried about as I tend to take corners relatively easy and don't ride aggressive.

But the question is, do I need to adjust the fronts if I go with 1in shorter shocks in the back? My thought process is that I can lower the back and leave the front as is. That would then lower the seat/riding position while keeping the front of the bike where it's at. Hoping this would give me even more of that sitting "in" feeling with the drop in the back without doing anything to the front.

But is that ok? Will I lose anything vital to the ride by affecting the overall angle of the frame in such a way?

Thanks.

 

Can lower rear without front, can't lower front without rear

 

You really can get away with it. If your just do avg riding, if your really cornering the bike you may want to lower front which can be done for $100 progressive kit and will help balance the bike out ...this can be done w lowering the rear or leaving it stock. It will also help w the stance and foot position. I am 5 7 myself and have my bike stock height in rear as much as I enjoy it low I could not stand the ride for me, solo riding @160 lbs.
I have Danny gray buttcrack seat and notice it really puts me in the bike rather than on top of it, so the seat accomplishes this quite nicely. When you sit in the bike you become more of a fixed part of the bike and it's balanced better rather than sitting atop and having a top heavy wobbly bike.

Good luck

 

You can very well lower the front without lowering rear...look here

I love the photo in your signature! awesome

 

Well for handling you really shouldn't lower front without the rear. Lowering the rear only or front and rear is ok for handling.

 

If you are dropping the rear an inch there is no need to lower the front just a waste of money.
dropping the rear 1 inch is common in the touring bike line.
I do not recommend using the short cut cheap shock relocators to do it
It may cost a bit but doing it with the right shocks is best

 

Dropped the rear an inch on my 04 RK. It does subtly shift how you sit on/in the seat, as well you're relationship with the handlebars. It also help get your feel closer to the ground (by about 1/2 an inch).

I do want to try lowering my front an inch as well this winter, I want the other half inch. But I know that bit of forward tilt will effectively pull the handlebars away from me a wee bit.

Don't discount ride quality and bottoming out either when lowering the bike. The effect is very much real.

 

Thanks for the replies.

I feel like if I lower the rear AND the front, I'd end up with an overall lower stance, but the same basic feel of sitting ON the bike. However if I only lower the rear, I change the angle and would feel more IN the bike.

I think eventually Ill get the the HD low touring shocks to accomplish this. I wouldn't want to do those kits. 12in shocks seems the way to go.

Thanks.

 

I had my 13 lowered 2" front/rear.. I'm only 4'11" and weigh 115 lbs. used progressives. it allows me flat footed. I've always had to lower my bikes so don't know the difference in ride quality. I have noticed bumps in the front end, I scrape floor boards but haven't bottomed out, yet. My husband's 6' and 200 lbs and love it this low and wants to lower his Road King the same. only thing he said was, it rides like my soft tail did. I'm considering Legend air lift shocks w/ champion reverse for a winter project....