Lowered Nad

[tomk]

Hey BD,

I read Manson's post where he has lowered his Nad in the rear by 1 3/4". I've been toying with the idea for a while but I'd like to do both front and rear at the same time about an inch. I get the rear part where you buy shorter shocks but the front is a different matter.

I guess you can take the top spacer out and shorten it an inch and have more sag in the front forks. However, the lowering kits come with a shorter top spacer and a spacer you put into the bottom of the forks' internal shaft to limit the down travel or extension of the forks.

Do you have to have the short spacer in the bottom shaft or can you just cut the top spacer and let the forks sag another inch?

I can't see how it would hurt the handling but maybe I'm missing something?

[blowndodge]

I would be hesitant to "chop" the Nomad becaue it's designed as a long distant cruiser. I'd hate to give up the ground clearance with a lowered Nomad. Also the nice ride suffers somewhat with chopped shockes. When I get on my Nomad and see the left side saddlebag look like it's inches off the ground it looks low enough to me.

[Top Cat]

Just my opinion but I think the only sane reason for lowering a motorcycle would be if the operator couldn't reach the ground while mounted.

[tomk]

Maybe you guys are right about that. Thanks

[dantama]

Just my opinion but I think the only sane reason for lowering a motorcycle would be if the operator couldn't reach the ground while mounted.

Yup, but its probably like the slammed cars, to many it just plain looks good to be slow and low.

However, even though I may like the look, it won't serve the same purpose. Every time I scrape my boards in a corner, a lowered bike would have done it perhaps 10mph slower.

And as Blown said, you will lose suspension travel, making for a worse ride.

It boils down to is the look worth compromising the ride for?

At 6'1" tall, I'd take an extra inch of travel, rather than lose it. But to each his own. Nothing against anyone who rides for a different reason than I do.

[beezer]

Alot of people on the Volusia site lower their bikes up to 3 inches in the rear. I lowered mine 2" and scraped easier in turns. I changed it to a 1.5" drop and was happier with the results. Lowering that bike was less difficult and much less expensive than lowering a Nomad. It cost me $20.

[ds06nomad]

+1 with Beezer. I lowered my C50T 2.5" and loved the new feel of the bike when in the saddle. Felt like I was "in" the bike rather than "on" the bike. Would love to drop my Nad's rear ~1.5 - 2". Front forks are fine with me; just want to bring the arse down a bit.

DS

[abqwolfe]

Hello guys.
I lowered mine because I'm only 5'7", I was on my tip toes when sitting on my bike, now I'm flat footed, now I know what it means to be in the bike instead on the bike. I really feel like I have control now and more confident when riding :)

Manson, curious as to which shocks you used.

[abqwolfe]

I used Progressive Suspension shocks from Scoot Works

[abqwolfe]

I had heard from other riders that if you lower your bike you have more control.
That is what I was going for, not the looks and yes it does have a stiffer ride.

Thanks

[Top Cat]

I had heard from other riders that if you lower your bike you have more control.
That is what I was going for, not the looks and yes it does have a stiffer ride.

How did the "more control" work out for you?

[abqwolfe]

I felt more in control at slow speeds because my center of gravity was lower, especially when riding 2 up :)

[flightdoc]

I think the lowered bike would look nice but I'd only use it to "cruise the strip" It will suck on the corners.