Cheapest air ride for softail 1000 $?
#41
03-16-2014 | 12:07 PM
Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 72
From: Pittsburgh, PA
I am trying to get both views and all I hear from the SS crowd is how they are so adjustable. Great but once you find the sweet spot don't you leave it there? Why would you keep changing it. I don't ride two up, I want a slammed look around 2" lower than stock, and want a comfortable shock.
As it turns out that spot is right around stock height.
I do however change it fairly often to adjust rebound to suit conditions.
Soft if you just want to cruise and not feel anything, or stiffer for spirited riding through twisties.
The reason I leave it near stock height is because I found that when I lower it, it must change the geometry (or center of gravity) of the bike just enough
that the weight must have shifted enough to really feel a difference in handling.
The front end felt as though it was lighter (less weight on it), so the feedback from any impacts was magnified.
And this wasn't just a subtle difference either.
The front suspension was pounding me pretty good.
Now I see why people rush out to upgrade their front suspensions once they lower their rides...
#42
03-16-2014 | 08:36 PM
Banned
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,967
Likes: 205
From: Jax FL
correct me if I am wrong,
but from looking around, I think the SS is adjustable for compression & rebound
(and none of the other air shocks are )
and the ride height is controlled by Air pressure, and the compression & rebound are not necessarily affected by the position of the air bag.
in other words, the shock works independently of the air bag.
that don't seem plausible.
somebody explain it to me.
this is my wife's scoot, it's a Slim, and I weigh 250. it rides HORRIBLE on the OEM suspension. i would like for her to be comfy, and do some serious miles on this scoot.
but from looking around, I think the SS is adjustable for compression & rebound
(and none of the other air shocks are )
and the ride height is controlled by Air pressure, and the compression & rebound are not necessarily affected by the position of the air bag.
in other words, the shock works independently of the air bag.
that don't seem plausible.
somebody explain it to me.
this is my wife's scoot, it's a Slim, and I weigh 250. it rides HORRIBLE on the OEM suspension. i would like for her to be comfy, and do some serious miles on this scoot.
Last edited by 04ctd; 03-16-2014 at 08:40 PM.
#43
03-16-2014 | 08:43 PM
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,392
Likes: 182
From: Big ol Titties
correct me if I am wrong,
but from looking around, I think the SS is adjustable for compression & rebound
(and none of the other air shocks are )
and the ride height is controlled by Air pressure, and the compression & rebound are not necessarily affected by the position of the air bag.
in other words, the shock works independently of the air bag.
that don't seem plausible.
somebody explain it to me.
this is my wife's scoot, it's a Slim, and I weigh 250. it rides HORRIBLE on the OEM suspension. i would like for her to be comfy, and do some serious miles on this scoot.
but from looking around, I think the SS is adjustable for compression & rebound
(and none of the other air shocks are )
and the ride height is controlled by Air pressure, and the compression & rebound are not necessarily affected by the position of the air bag.
in other words, the shock works independently of the air bag.
that don't seem plausible.
somebody explain it to me.
this is my wife's scoot, it's a Slim, and I weigh 250. it rides HORRIBLE on the OEM suspension. i would like for her to be comfy, and do some serious miles on this scoot.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/air-s...-write-up.html
#44
03-16-2014 | 08:46 PM
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: Canada
correct me if I am wrong,
but from looking around, I think the SS is adjustable for compression & rebound
(and none of the other air shocks are )
and the ride height is controlled by Air pressure, and the compression & rebound are not necessarily affected by the position of the air bag.
in other words, the shock works independently of the air bag.
that don't seem plausible.
somebody explain it to me.
this is my wife's scoot, it's a Slim, and I weigh 250. it rides HORRIBLE on the OEM suspension. i would like for her to be comfy, and do some serious miles on this scoot.
but from looking around, I think the SS is adjustable for compression & rebound
(and none of the other air shocks are )
and the ride height is controlled by Air pressure, and the compression & rebound are not necessarily affected by the position of the air bag.
in other words, the shock works independently of the air bag.
that don't seem plausible.
somebody explain it to me.
this is my wife's scoot, it's a Slim, and I weigh 250. it rides HORRIBLE on the OEM suspension. i would like for her to be comfy, and do some serious miles on this scoot.
JAM436 explains how it works in this very informative thread
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/air-s...-write-up.html
enjoy and ride on safely
#45
03-16-2014 | 08:55 PM
I am trying to get both views and all I hear from the SS crowd is how they are so adjustable. Great but once you find the sweet spot don't you leave it there? Why would you keep changing it. I don't ride two up, I want a slammed look around 2" lower than stock, and want a comfortable shock. I will not need to play with it to impress people at the bar by hitting switches to drop it to the ground as others say. I will set it and be done. Can I find a great shock for my purpose cheaper than the SS? What brand is that? And yes I am a big boy so I need a heavier shock.
#46
03-17-2014 | 06:54 PM
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 324
Likes: 12
From: Cow Lake, WI
"Will the Legend shocks be capable of light loads and provide a decent ride..? Or is the intention simply to adjust ride height based on weight?
I have never seen them claim they give you a good ride.. only that they will stop you from bottoming out.. anyone out there ever compare a softail with legend shocks to a touring bike?"
IMO, your Heritage rides the best right off the showroom floor. I have the Legend air ride shock set up on my Heritage. I have no complaints. Love the handle bar controls. The ride got rough after I lowered the front end. The HD version that comes with the shorter kickstand. Less travel combined with stiffer springs designed to keep you from bottoming out. On a smooth road any bike rides nice. You can't compare that to a touring bike, they make all roads smooth!
A touring bike you can ride around the world. A modified softail can go around the world also, you just need a lot more advil.
Let me summarize this up: There is no substitute for a touring bike.
I have never seen them claim they give you a good ride.. only that they will stop you from bottoming out.. anyone out there ever compare a softail with legend shocks to a touring bike?"
IMO, your Heritage rides the best right off the showroom floor. I have the Legend air ride shock set up on my Heritage. I have no complaints. Love the handle bar controls. The ride got rough after I lowered the front end. The HD version that comes with the shorter kickstand. Less travel combined with stiffer springs designed to keep you from bottoming out. On a smooth road any bike rides nice. You can't compare that to a touring bike, they make all roads smooth!
A touring bike you can ride around the world. A modified softail can go around the world also, you just need a lot more advil.
Let me summarize this up: There is no substitute for a touring bike.
#48
03-17-2014 | 08:11 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 16
From: Illinois
If I am not mistaken JD now has air ride for Touring bikes too. I don't want to swear to that, maybe he or someone else can chime in with more information if they have it. AND, there is a substitute for a touring bike for touring and that is with a Softail with the SS air ride system on it.
Last edited by tbonetony06; 03-17-2014 at 08:13 PM.
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