lowering my bike Good or Bad?
- Thread starter Airmiles
- Start date
Honest but harmless
New member
Lowering any bike will mean less clearance in corners. Typically on sport bikes/standards, most people don't have an issue as they never ride that close to the limits to be scraping hard parts.
On a cruiser that would be a different story. You really don't want to increase your occurrences of touching down more frequently.
Why would you want to lower it? Are you seriously unable to flat foot a C50C?
There are other dynamics that change if you lower the back only vs front only as the bike geometry changes but on a cruiser it is probably less noticeable.
On a cruiser that would be a different story. You really don't want to increase your occurrences of touching down more frequently.
Why would you want to lower it? Are you seriously unable to flat foot a C50C?
There are other dynamics that change if you lower the back only vs front only as the bike geometry changes but on a cruiser it is probably less noticeable.
chima_mass5
New member
Lowering looks cool. You will bottom out a lot, and scrape the pegs on corners more.
There's been alot of "lowering" talk on here. May want to try to do a quick search on it.
I lowered mine 2-1/2" in the back and love it. It does look good and closes down the large gap between the rear fender well and the tire somewhat. As far as handling I could argue that it handles better, but that's just my opinion.
As far as scraping the pegs you might scrap a little more, but personally I think that has alot to do with riding style and how much you personally tend to lean the bike in the corners. I virtually never scrap the pegs in the mountains & if you do it's no big deal. That's why there's replaceable feelers under the pegs.
I've never bottomed out my lowered bike. I weigh 175lbs and I have the spring set at a comfy 3 setting. If you weigh more just adjust the preload up to a stiffer 5, 6 or 7. The only time I could see me bottoming out the rear is if I run down over a high curb & even then I don't know if the tire would reach the fender. But that's never happened to me yet.
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Picture shows (Left) Stock Rear Setup (Right) Shaved Rear, V&H Pipes, 2-1/2" Drop
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I lowered mine 2-1/2" in the back and love it. It does look good and closes down the large gap between the rear fender well and the tire somewhat. As far as handling I could argue that it handles better, but that's just my opinion.
As far as scraping the pegs you might scrap a little more, but personally I think that has alot to do with riding style and how much you personally tend to lean the bike in the corners. I virtually never scrap the pegs in the mountains & if you do it's no big deal. That's why there's replaceable feelers under the pegs.
I've never bottomed out my lowered bike. I weigh 175lbs and I have the spring set at a comfy 3 setting. If you weigh more just adjust the preload up to a stiffer 5, 6 or 7. The only time I could see me bottoming out the rear is if I run down over a high curb & even then I don't know if the tire would reach the fender. But that's never happened to me yet.
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Picture shows (Left) Stock Rear Setup (Right) Shaved Rear, V&H Pipes, 2-1/2" Drop
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~Skellington~
New member
My C50's lowered 3 inches. I'm pretty conservative in corners, but I've scraped a board. When my husband rides my bike he always scrapes...on every corner!
It looks nice, but I lowered it for my size (5'2). I'm considering putting it back to stock as I'd rather have the clearance than looks and I don't feel the need to be flat footed anymore.
kari
It looks nice, but I lowered it for my size (5'2). I'm considering putting it back to stock as I'd rather have the clearance than looks and I don't feel the need to be flat footed anymore.
kari
likeitlikethat
New member
I installed a 2 inch lowering kit on my c50 and it feels less top heavy and seems to handle better at lower speeds.Haven't had any problems scraping the floor boards and I like the way it looks.
* <3 I Love My HERO <3 *
New member
I dropped mine around 1.5". I scrape now and then. I am over 200LBS and
6'2". When my wife rides on with me I do not scrape due to riding much more smoother
6'2". When my wife rides on with me I do not scrape due to riding much more smoother
B
Brix L
Guest
I just did the 2" lower kit on mine as of 2 hours ago. I have not been able to ride it yet and see how bad i will bottom out. My wires with me alot so I will post back on the out come.
It does look alot better.
Before
After
It does look alot better.
Before
After
Random Persun
New member
I grind my pegs or floorboards on every bike I ride. If I'm not grinding I'm not happy.
My Nomad 1600 floorboards were wore down so much I needed new feelers.
My M50 was lowered 3" and I did grind on the stock pipes. Quick fix, pitch the stock pipes and put on V&H cruzers.
Bottom line is the M50 handled perfect at stock height and even better with lowering.
Don't know if I'll lower this new M50 of not. Pick it up Saturday night. Might just keep it stock height. I'm flat foot with stock anyway.
I would lower a bit if I was you just to say you did it. Can always go back!
2" on a C or M 50 if my recommendation based upon my 3" and my friends 2" C50 experiences.
Let us know what you do.
My Nomad 1600 floorboards were wore down so much I needed new feelers.
My M50 was lowered 3" and I did grind on the stock pipes. Quick fix, pitch the stock pipes and put on V&H cruzers.
Bottom line is the M50 handled perfect at stock height and even better with lowering.
Don't know if I'll lower this new M50 of not. Pick it up Saturday night. Might just keep it stock height. I'm flat foot with stock anyway.
I would lower a bit if I was you just to say you did it. Can always go back!
2" on a C or M 50 if my recommendation based upon my 3" and my friends 2" C50 experiences.
Let us know what you do.
wierdxdood01
New member
I always loved seeing these people who lower their cars, and scrape over every bump they go over, or they have to drive over a speed bump at 1 MPH
AZNENVAZEN
New member
What are pros, cons, necessities of lowering front AND back? What about crash bars scraping? Especially some of the wider ones like Cobra or Linby.
I am not an aggressive rider at all, but I'm wondering about lowering to decrease the center of gravity. At 5'5ish", 29 inseam I can flat foot but don't feel real solid on leverage when rolling the bike around (in/out parking spaces...especially slight inclines).
Also - what's the mechanical difficulty here? I don't have a garage, jack or chock. So how much should I expect to pay a dealer vs trying it on my own or finding someone who knows how? Seems like I saw kits somewhere for $50 or so.
I am not an aggressive rider at all, but I'm wondering about lowering to decrease the center of gravity. At 5'5ish", 29 inseam I can flat foot but don't feel real solid on leverage when rolling the bike around (in/out parking spaces...especially slight inclines).
Also - what's the mechanical difficulty here? I don't have a garage, jack or chock. So how much should I expect to pay a dealer vs trying it on my own or finding someone who knows how? Seems like I saw kits somewhere for $50 or so.
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b_icyb
Guest
i have an 07 c90t .i put 20 pounds on eating wings every tues. night and it lowered mine 1 inch. then i put my wife on the back ,who dont weigh 115pounds anymore and that lowered it another 2 inchs.