Short Legs

[Oldmanwheeler]

I have an 08 RT with a custom seat built to the same height as BMW's low profile seat. With a 28" inseam I still find myself having to balance the bike on my tip toes when I come to a stop. According to my dealer, because I have ESC there is no lowering kits available that he is aware of.

Does anyone have any ideas of how to lower the overall height? Are there any after market companies that offer lowering kits for RT's with Electronic Suspension Control? What options do I have?

[tobiwan]

The people that put your brain on drugs, also make a very reasonable priced (under $110)comfortable boot that has almost a 2" height adjuster.

This might be the most cost effective option

[ridesmith]

I have a 27" inseam, so of course I have the low seat. The answer for me was to add 1/2" to the soles of my boots. Now I can flat foot.

[Oldmanwheeler]

Thanks, I'll look into both of these ideas.

[stepheg]

On the BMW sport touring website someone sent their ESA shocks to be rebuilt to lower the bike. I don't remember reading what the outcome was.

[DonD]

I have an 08 RT with a custom seat built to the same height as BMW's low profile seat. With a 28" inseam I still find myself having to balance the bike on my tip toes when I come to a stop. According to my dealer, because I have ESC there is no lowering kits available that he is aware of.

Does anyone have any ideas of how to lower the overall height? Are there any after market companies that offer lowering kits for RT's with Electronic Suspension Control? What options do I have?

I just got an e-mail from Works Performance saying they take some parts off the existing ESA suspension to use in building theirs, and that the ESA will still work and they can lower the bike 1 1/2". It's pretty pricey though ($500 front, $730 rear), and they said turnaround is 2-4 weeks.
I don't know much about their current capabilities but I know they built some great MX suspension when I was racing more than 25 years ago.

Here is contact information.
Darrel Foust
Works Performance Products,Inc
Darrel@worksperformance.com
Voice 818-701-1010 x33
Fax 818-701-9043 Attn Darrel

[DonD]

Photos from Works Performance attached.

[Oldmanwheeler]

Thanks Don, that's an option I need to check into.

[mefly2]

I just got an e-mail from Works Performance saying they take some parts off the existing ESA suspension to use in building theirs, and that the ESA will still work and they can lower the bike 1 1/2". It's pretty pricey though ($500 front, $730 rear), and they said turnaround is 2-4 weeks.
I don't know much about their current capabilities but I know they built some great MX suspension when I was racing more than 25 years ago.

Here is contact information.
Darrel Foust
Works Performance Products,Inc
Darrel@worksperformance.com
Voice 818-701-1010 x33
Fax 818-701-9043 Attn Darrel


Sounds like a very fair price for the work involved ...

[Mdcruiser]

The people that put your brain on drugs, also make a very reasonable priced (under $110)comfortable boot that has almost a 2" height adjuster.

This might be the most cost effective option

Toby,

What model HD boot is this? I looked but couldn't find it. Thanks.

[I use a pair of Frei Daytona boots, but they add perhaps 1/2 inch only]

[DonD]

Sounds like a very fair price for the work involved ...

Didn't mean pricey for what you get, just that it's a lot of money to spend lowering the bike. You can buy the '08 with lowered suspension, but not with the ESA option. Why is that, and why are they built so tall to begin with?

I'm going to try a pair of boots before I do anything else. I'm comfortable as it is as long as I'm not carrying a passenger.

I ordered a pair of XElements, as they seem to have the thickest sole of anything I could find that didn't say H-D on them.

http://www.leatherup.com/c/Xelement-Biker-Boots/2/144.html

Do H-D dealerships sell ANYTHING without 'the brand' on it? From what I saw in a couple of them, they probably have H-D on the nuts and bolts somewhere. I mean, how many times do you need the name on the bike?

[Oldmanwheeler]

Toby,

What model HD boot is this? I looked but couldn't find it. Thanks.

[I use a pair of Frei Daytona boots, but they add perhaps 1/2 inch only]

For 2008 Wolverine is making HD's boots and they have two designs that have extra thick soles. I already threw the box away so I can't tell you the model but I'll see if I can find the receipt or a web page link tomorrow.

The extra thickness of the sole really does help. Another little trick I figured out was to stay in the right lane because roads are humped in the center and by being in the right lane your left foot is closest to the highest part of the road. Between the two I'm getting along fine.

[DonD]

[QUOTE=Oldmanwheeler]For 2008 Wolverine is making HD's boots and they have two designs that have extra thick soles. I already threw the box away so I can't tell you the model but I'll see if I can find the receipt or a web page link tomorrow. QUOTE]

I got the XElements. NYBikergear.com shipped the wrong size and the left boot is defective - the arch support has such a hump in it that it feels like there's a tennis ball under my foot! The heel is about 2" high, but the sole is disappointing... adds very little in height. I guess the lug sole made it look taller than it is.
This one (New Rock - seems to be popular in Germany) is a bit 'goth' looking and expensive, but I'd consider it if I could find it in my size - it's got nearly 2" soles!
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7370208.html

They have another boot that I CAN find in my size that looks similar but weirder, and is just too far over the line.

Would be interested in what H-D boot you bought.

I was OK with the height of my bike (31" inseam) until I had the seat recovered. Now the seat's comfortable but the bike's taller. The seat doesn't seem much higher, so maybe it's wider.

[Oldmanwheeler]

[QUOTE=Oldmanwheeler]Would be interested in what H-D boot you bought.
I got them from a Harley Dealer and on the inside of the tongue it has Stock #91684. I'm afraid that's the best I can do. I hope it helps anyway.

[hopz]

Don find a boot that fits and feels good. Any good shoe repair shop can add sole or lugs or any pattern you like. Might even be a good idea to find the shoe guy first and consult on what sort of welt is best for the sole graft...

easy peasy.

[Oldmanwheeler]

Don find a boot that fits and feels good. Any good shoe repair shop can add sole or lugs or any pattern you like. Might even be a good idea to find the shoe guy first and consult on what sort of welt is best for the sole graft...

easy peasy.

I talked to several shoe repair shops and they all said that they no longer do double soles, including extra thick soles, because it's to hard on the sewing machines.

[RonKMiller]

I talked to several shoe repair shops and they all said that they no longer do double soles, including extra thick soles, because it's to hard on the sewing machines.

Any decent cobbler can EASILY put a new heel on - that's all you need.

If you have them put on some of the grippy Vibram soles like Mayatur it will be a huge help as well.