OK,Here's the deal! I Love my new 2006 1200custom sportster. I Love going Zoom! Zoom!. Here's my problem!! I'm 5"2 and even with big sole boots I am only on the ***** of my feet. I have been told I can maybe get another inch to 1 1/2 by changing seat and back shocks. If I had to I guess I could change front shocks too. The low rider didn't seem much different. I sat on a street bob this weekend and it felt pretty good,meaning, my feet were closer to the ground without any changes. My husband is wanting to just get me another bike."which probably won't be a Harley" NO! NO! NO! I say!! I am already attached! Is it worth the changes or am I just in denial. I don't want such an uncomfortable ride I will end up hating it. Help!! What should I do!!

 

You can lower the front forks, shocks etc and drop it about an inch (kind of pricey). There is also an aftermarket part that fits the back of the bike. You can find it on E-bay. It actually lowers the entire back of the scooter by about an inch and the price aint all that steep. Look at different seats to get you closer to the ground as well. Are you using the forward controls or have you switched to mids? Here's the link for the aftermarket part that lowers the rear of the bike. Good luck
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HARLE...spagenameZWDVW

 

Make the changes. I'm 5'4" w/ short legs. 29" inseam pants are a little long, so the real issue is how long are your legs. Since you're on the ***** of your feet, it sounds like you're about where I started off.
One of the biggest problems is how wide your seat is. I took mine apart and shaved out a lot of the foam off the sides. (there's a thread on here of when I did it) It's much better and more comfy. Most importantly, now my legs go up and down, rather than out to the sides when I come to a stop.
The next thing to do is lower your rear suspension. I went w/ Progressive 11" shocks and they've been great.
Lastly you can lower your front suspension. There's different ways to do it, I did mine the freebie way. The best way is to replace the springs in your front end, but another solution is to raise the fork tubes up in the triple trees, thereby lowering the frame.
With all that done, I'm flat footed and bent kneed. I can back the bike up without using babysteps, and stopping is a lot easier now.
If you're near NE Ohio, you're more than welcome to come and try it on for size.


Pic of reshaped seat and ride height.
GOOD LUCK!

 

I put short shocks on the rear. had the front forks lowering kit put in and for the 1st season I used a solo reach seat. With this combo it lowered the bike big time.

 

Thanks again for the info. It's all in the works.

 

Hey there SportyS... every little bit helps... You could also do a little custon seat work (narrower and lower) along with the suspension modifications... also maybe lower profile tires. The biggest concern is when you pull over on some even or gravel surfaces... Also, stay light, no bags, use wider handle bars, etc., so if you have to lean one way a little at a stop you can hold it better if it is lighter and more leverage on the bars..... You got short inseams but you got the heart necessary to make it work... Good luck... I got faith in ya!!

 

boots with big heels and thick soles will help in addition to lowering the shocks, and you can always go to a boot mender and get an extra layer of sole added (a friend of mine who is under 5" and rides a dyna did this)

also there is an H-D reach seat, which is narrower at the front, that helps you bring your legs closer together (and less out, means more down first!) its supposed to move you toward the controls by 1" and down by 1" also (I've also heard its more comfortable than stock)

 

Tell me more!!! Do you know who makes the seat? I've been told to look at corbin seats. I have big boots now,well,I call them big boots. They look like mountain climbing boots. It really stinks that I can't just walk out into my garage start her up and take off with what I have on. Right now I have to wear those boots for sure.

 

Hey Srappy, Do you think putting in the lowering kit in the front took away from the way the sportster looks in the front,or the way it feel when your in the seat?

 

I didn't notice any change in the looks nor how it felt in the seat, here is the picture of the bike. The seat on it is a solo reach seat. Oh I might have lost a few degrees on the lean angles, but I still can bring low on sharp corners.



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