My new 2008 wide glide is less than smooth, the suspension is not the greatest in absorbing bumps on our fine Canadian roads. I know you're asking, "why don't you play with the settings on the back bozo?". My answer is that I don't have the adjusting tool and the shocks are set at "2" right now so is it approximately correct for my weight, (222 not counting riding gear)? If you out there figure it should be different, I have no problem in sourcing out the wrench and try changing it. I only ride solo with no other added weight. I'm not one to throw this into the corners as I would my Goldwing either, so a performance setting is not needed but a comfort setting is. I have never bottomed out the bike as it is now.
Thanks in advance.

 

on my 08 SB I have mine on 3 at 221lbs. In the last month and a half I dropped to 210lbs and it's still smooth. Last summer when I played with it 4 was way to stiff and I was loaded up for a weekend camping trip. Felt like a rigid almost and hurt the hell out of my back with stock seat, went back to 3 and was good again. 2 I bottomed out on big dips and some bumps. 3 is perfect and I haven't bottomed out and it's still smooth.

 

I use 2 phillips screwdrivers to adjust mine. Try a 3 or 4 setting.

 

Instead of buying a spanner wrench you can use a strap wrench and it won't scratch your shocks like a spanner wrench can. My FXD shocks were set on 3 when I bought my bike and it is fine for me at almost 300Lbs. I have experimented with the different settings and for more weight you are supposed to compress the springs meaning the heavier the load the higher the number setting. I ride on setting 4 when I'm riding two-up.