Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[FAST380]

I know, there is a thousand threads on the Monotubes, but not much on the height differences. Do the standard height Monotubes leave the bike at its stock height? I remember reading when they first came out that the standard height, without any of the spacers, actually lowered the bike about 1/2". Did most of you go standard or lowered versions? If standard, did you measure before and after? Recommendations? I have done the lowered bike thing before, don't want to make the ride harsher.

[Fired00d]

It would depend on your bike... Mine came 1" lowered so I stuck w/that height and got the lowered set (Progressive P/N 31-2501). Compared to the stock ride and then after the monotubes it is a 1000 times better.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[FAST380]

your bike came new 1" lower in the front? I thought I read that all the bikes are the same height in the front? No? I have a 2011 SESG.

[Fired00d]

My bike ('04 SEEG) came lowered 1" front and back.
 
 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Midnight Rider]

your bike came new 1" lower in the front? I thought I read that all the bikes are the same height in the front? No? I have a 2011 SESG.

The '04's and '05's came 1" lower, front and rear, from the factory.  Some other models from later years as well.  The front end on your '11 is standard height, not 1" lower.  I THINK the rear end is 1" lower...12" instead of 13" (measured from eye to eye on the rear shock), though I am not 100% sure about that.  While 1" lower does not necessarily have to mean a harsher ride (depends on the quality of the suspension), it certainly can benefit you to have full travel in the suspension, particularly if you don't need it lower due to being vertically challenged, like me.  Having that 1" higher suspension can keep hard parts from making sparks in curves.

IMO, changing the front suspension on these bikes is a MUST.  It's the best money you'll ever spend on the bike.

[FAST380]

Thanks for the info, I have always liked the look of lowered bikes, but I think I am going to stick with the non lowered this time around. And yes, the rear IS 12" on my bike.

[FLSTFI Dave]

I know the front end on my 09 CVO Road glide was Stock height and the 1 inch lower shocks in the rear.  From what I read the 12 CVO road glide is the same, 12 rear shocks and stock front height.

I went with the stock height, not the 1 inch lower mono tubes on my 09 CVO road glide.  It lowered the front 1/4 inch.  It was a huge improvement!  That with the 940 rears.

[Midnight Rider]

It would be interesting to know what the net effect is...in other words, since the stock front end sags so badly when supporting just the weight of the bike, how much difference is there in sag between the stock and the full length monotubes when supporting the weight of the bike?  I did not measure it when I had the Traxxion cartridges installed, but my seat of the pants impression is that the difference is pretty significant.

If one end or the other is going to be lower, the rear is best because of the geometry of a touring frame.