to those who have RK air shocks
I can't give you exact numbers, but I do think its pretty significant. That is also based on a bike that weighs 200-300 lbs more. The best thing you can do is some trial and error. Just make sure you find out what the max psi is for the year shocks you have and don't go higher than that. Mine is a 09, I am 200 lbs or so, and I run mine at 14-15 psi. There are other guys on the touring forum that say they run as much as 40 psi......
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 9,254
Likes: 283
From: Lake City, Florida (Native)
Max Recommended PSI for FLHT, FLHR/C and FLTR is 35 PSI I have run 25 totally loaded down and 2 up with no problems.. This is for 08 I have heard it increased for 09..
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 153
Likes: 5
From: Bullhead City AZ
JayStronghawk is correct on the 08 touring shocks.
I have added some equipment to my 08 Road King and it now weighs juuuust over 900 lbs wet. I took wifey and gear from Las Vegas to Sturgis back in August. With both riders and the gear we carried we were at 412lbs total load on the bike (we weighed everything) which grossed the bike over 1300 lbs!!!
That is overloaded according to HD and the VIN plate. I ran 42psi in the shocks for best handling and it rode/handled like a champ. This was over pressure to HD standards also but after several "test" rides experimenting with different pressures this was what worked perfect for us. I also ran 2 psi over max in the rear tire.
I'm thinking about air shocks for her Sportster now but with her riding solo and no gear I doubt I'll need any air or very little in the shocks.
mowdoc
I have added some equipment to my 08 Road King and it now weighs juuuust over 900 lbs wet. I took wifey and gear from Las Vegas to Sturgis back in August. With both riders and the gear we carried we were at 412lbs total load on the bike (we weighed everything) which grossed the bike over 1300 lbs!!!
That is overloaded according to HD and the VIN plate. I ran 42psi in the shocks for best handling and it rode/handled like a champ. This was over pressure to HD standards also but after several "test" rides experimenting with different pressures this was what worked perfect for us. I also ran 2 psi over max in the rear tire.
I'm thinking about air shocks for her Sportster now but with her riding solo and no gear I doubt I'll need any air or very little in the shocks.
mowdoc
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 636
Likes: 4
From: Illinois
I can't give you exact numbers, but I do think its pretty significant. That is also based on a bike that weighs 200-300 lbs more. The best thing you can do is some trial and error. Just make sure you find out what the max psi is for the year shocks you have and don't go higher than that. Mine is a 09, I am 200 lbs or so, and I run mine at 14-15 psi. There are other guys on the touring forum that say they run as much as 40 psi......
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
I just installed a set on my bike. i tried 20psi, 15 psi, 10 psi, and 0 psi.
I been messing around for about 3 weeks and found 0 psi the best. I took the bike to Bethel NY (the site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival). It was about a 175 mile trip and i had 0 psi in the shocks, the ride was great. Now i weight about 240, so i'm no light weight. When i had 15 psi in the shocks it felt harder than the original. When i tested the shock i tried to hit every bump i could find to get a feel. I never bottomed out. The only time i might add air, is when i get the little woman on the back, but that wont be until the weather gets better. She wont ride when its cold
I been messing around for about 3 weeks and found 0 psi the best. I took the bike to Bethel NY (the site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival). It was about a 175 mile trip and i had 0 psi in the shocks, the ride was great. Now i weight about 240, so i'm no light weight. When i had 15 psi in the shocks it felt harder than the original. When i tested the shock i tried to hit every bump i could find to get a feel. I never bottomed out. The only time i might add air, is when i get the little woman on the back, but that wont be until the weather gets better. She wont ride when its cold
The pre-09s are a little different, as mentioned. The model is the same for all the touring bikes except the Street Glide (FLHX). The rest of the tourers share the same shock.....Actually the Road King Classic may be different, but I am not sure. The difference is the FLHX shocks are about 1" shorter and valved a bit differently. Alot of folks claim they have a stiffer ride. If the Road King Classic does have a different shock than the rest, I imagine it is the same as the Street Glide's.
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Okay so I am new to moding bikes but I have decided after much research to do some stuff with my Iron 883. I decided against solid struts and went ahead and bought RK Shocks to put on when I get back to the states. However, I didn't notice (it pays to read the small print on ebay BEFORE making a bid) till after I bought them that they are 13" Im afraid of that lifting the bike too high in the back but I saw that some people have a 2" lower kit... what exactly is it and where can I get one?