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Old 01-23-2013, 07:50 AM   #21
Russell James


 
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Drives: '15 SS 1LE, '69 Z28 drag car
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Mich
Posts: 4,482
Quote:
Originally Posted by C586 View Post
Was it his first bike?? If you ride a bike then lower it and ride it again you will see how much it ruins the bike handling wise. I'd never recommend lowering a bike.
All depends on the bike. Some have lowering kits from the factory that work perfect. Just lose a bit of cornering angle. Unless your planning knee dragging race cornering not a big deal for a cruiser bike. For an all out race bike that is going to be laid over in the turns, maybe an issue.

I sold a friend one of my used Harleys a few years ago. I was flat footed on it, he was tip toe'd. He put in the factory lowering springs in the forks and a shorter rear shock, both factory accessories and it was now perfect for him. In real hard lay over cornering, the foot boards scraped a hair earlier than before. But not a big deal, a properly designed bike can scrape a bit, and not cause a problem. On HD's the footboards fold up when they scrape a bit, the loud noise warns you that you leaned too far. Kind of like HD's kick stands. If you accidentally leave it down, on your first left turn it will scrape and self kick it back up. I've seen plenty of other foreign bikes toss the rider instead.

With lowering, whatever brand... check with the dealer and see if the factory offers lowering kits. If it does, I wouldn't sweat it, lower it if it makes it more comfortable. Then recheck the lean angles and be careful as you get use to the new ground clearance on corners.
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