I see Amazon has 12.5 std/b 440's for 345.00. Looks like a good buy however (bear with me on this) As these are not HD,( I weigh 210 and don't carry a passenger), are these right for me and is the length such that my rear height won't be affected?
Thanks
Bill
Bill, that is a great buy, but you don't say if you have IS or std/tourer. Probably not ok for IS. Likely OK for std/tourer at 210 with no passenger, but I would crank them up 5 or 6 (of ten) turns from the bottom just to start (and I'd do it before install, it's easier). They supposedly come new set at the bottom (lowest setting). "/b" means black, which are some $40 cheaper than chrome. Eight of ten turns on the std duty are supposed to be the same dampening as HD set at the bottom .
There is a longstanding debate here whether 12.5" are closer to OE height than 13" 440s. OE are "13, but they are all getting old, and the argument is the new 440s don't sag as much as the OEs at rest, so 12.5" are supposedly closer to OE. I got 13" 440s for both my ISs because I ride aggressively and I still drag boards all the time even with the 13" 440s (and I'm only 5'9"). Truth is, you probably won't notice any big difference between 13 and 12.5s, nor should it make any difference if you go to a car tire (with the nut cage mod).