Customizing Motorcycles for Lady Riders
One of the most common misconceptions about motorcycles is that certain bikes are intended for women riders. That is not true at all! Many people say that the Sportster family is intended for women; in fact that family is what many of the champion flat track racers ride. You can ride any model that reflects your own personal attitude or style. From the Sportster family to the Touring family, the motorcycle you chose to ride can be modified to fit you. There are two main ways to make a bike more comfortable for lady riders. The first is a lowering kit, and the second is called a reach seat.

The main adjustment that is made to a motorcycle is a lowering kit. This can be achieved in two different yet similar ways. One way is to put what is commonly called a lowering kit. This is a bolt on accessory that literally changes the angle at which the rear shock bolts up to the bike. This is a cost effective way to lower a bike, but it also affects the ride quality. Since the shock is not mounted at the angle it was originally designed to it loses a little of its effectiveness, which equates to a rougher ride. Lowering kits range in price according to which family it works on and are usually an aftermarket accessory. The second and best way to lower a bike is by installing shorter shocks. Shorter shocks are the preferred way to lower a motorcycle because they preserve the ride quality of the motorcycle, which is very important for riding around town or touring cross country. They are exactly like the OE, Original Equipment, shocks only ¾ to 1 ¼ inches shorter. They mount at the same angle as the OE shocks and require no additional hardware to the bike. This is more effective at lowering the bike and keeping the original “look” and ride quality. Short shocks cost a little more than lowering kits, but are well worth the extra cost. You can get Harley-Davidson Genuine Accessory shorter shocks and lowering kits, depending on the family, through your dealership. Your local dealership may also be able to get some higher end suspension through aftermarket sources.

The second venue for making a bike more comfortable for lady riders is called a reach seat. The Harley Davidson reach seat is an accessory seat available on all models. One of the benefits of the reach seat is that it has extra padding towards the rear seating area that pushes the rider forward ½ an inch. The reach seat also has a lower ride height which will also drop the rider ½ an inch. That doesn’t sound like much, but on a motorcycle seat, it is actually a big difference. That combination alone is usually enough to put a shorter rider in a more comfortable position, but the reach seat doesn’t stop there. Another benefit of this seat is that the nose of the seat, the part closest to the tank, is cut narrower than other seats. The narrow nose allows you to get your legs closer together which gives greater reach. This extra reach makes it easier for the rider to plant their feet firmly on the controls and the ground. Being able to reach the controls easily and put your feet flat on the ground is very important to rider safety. Between all the benefits of this seat, it greatly increases rider comfort which in turn increases rider confidence. The more confident you are out on the road, the more you will be able to enjoy the great sport of motorcycling!

As always, ride safe.

Andy
Parts & Accessories Department

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