My wife and I just got back from a weekend ride. Being two up and having luggage, I aired up the rear (stock) shocks to 50#'s. We went on a group ride without any luggage and it seemed that every time we hit a bridge seam or a "small" pot hole, the bike bottomed out. It felt like there wasn't any shocks at all on the bike. I went to my local dealer and told the service rep what was going on and he suggested that there was too much air in the shocks. The air caused the shocks not to have any room to dampen the road. My bike is a 2012 FLHTCU with 21000 miles on it. Need advice please. I'm leaning on getting new rear shocks anyway. But I don't understand why the dealer would suggest taking air out because they are too stiff.
See my post earlier; Rear Shocks 2016 CVO. I was experiencing your same conditions.
They're not even the same shock from one side to the other what a joke
They may well be junk, however there is a good reason for having different shocks, just as there is different fork legs. The difference is not obvious if the forks have different internals. One side provides compression damping, the other side provides rebound damping. In previous Harley suspension each side has provided both compression and rebound, however there is a delay in transitioning from one direction to the other, and ride is compromised. In theory those odd shocks should provide an improved ride! So the theory goes anyway, although H-D has never covered themselves with glory where suspension is concerned. I've never tried them, I must admit.
Coincidentally, I bought a set of 2017 Ultra Limited take-offs yesterday on eBay. I'm going to put them on my 2012 Ultra Limited, replacing my air-shocks. I had to look around a bit to find the ones I really think I need, 13" OEM for my model. Seems a lot of people have the "lowered" shocks for sale which I believe are from the Street Glides, but they're an inch shorter and I've heard give a little bit rougher ride.
I'm in the hunt for new shocks. My dilemma...go air or coilover? The loads on the Glide vary, a lot. From a solo ride (210lb) to a long roadtrip with the wife (she's skinny, 100lbs) and a full load, see pic.
I like the idea of the air shock, more air in, more load, as the stock ones (changed over twice) have served me well, I don't like how they fade over time. Front end has PS Monotube cartridges.
Been reading about coilovers, specifically PS 444s. Do you think any of the coilover's spring preload when set at max can consistently handle the loads I carry, and still have enough spring adjustment at minimum to give a supple ride on everyday loads? Are there better air systems than the stock shocks? Budget is firm at$700US or better.
Thanks for any info
The Twin Adjustable Shocks compare very well with some more expensive ones, and they come in well under your budget. You can see them at this LINK.
Here is a REPORT on Rear Suspension testing, with some comparisons and some basics of Rear Suspension. You may find the info useful.
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Seems a lot of people have the "lowered" shocks for sale which I believe are from the Street Glides, but they're an inch shorter and I've heard give a little bit rougher ride.
Having ridden both, types of bikes/shocks.... I'd say the 12" shocks give quite a bit rougher ride... good thing you held out for the 13" shocks....
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say there's a good reason there are a lot of the 12' shocks for sale......
The Twin Adjustable Shocks compare very well with some more expensive ones, and they come in well under your budget. You can see them at this LINK.
Here is a REPORT on Rear Suspension testing, with some comparisons and some basics of Rear Suspension. You may find the info useful.
Now Kevin, explain something if you will. There is a recently posted photo of you on the Dragon's tail, with - horror of horrors - Touring air shocks on your Sporty. How come you're not using one of your favourably reviewed brands?!
One thing I will add to my previous post:
If you are planning to buy a set of the HD Premium Hand Adjustable Shocks, make sure they are the ones you want, from the model of bike you're going to put them on. Street Glides are different than Ultra Classics, Ultras are also different then Road Glides (you can look up the part number, they ARE different). Also, the settings are different on some models (refer to the owners manual for the year/model the shocks came off of). In other words, I'm putting the shocks I bought on eBay on my 2012 Ultra Limited, so I made sure the shocks I purchased came from a 2017 Ultra Limited (I don't think the "limited" part matters though). I probably overthink everything, but I want it all to work and last.
My new-to-me shocks should be here by the end of this week and I'll hopefully get them installed soon. I'll report back with what I experience, compared to the OEM Air-shocks I have on my ride now.
there are two versions of the premium hand adjustable shocks, the 12'' and the 13''. if you want the 13'' then you have to get them from an ultra, be it a batwing or a shark nose. if you want the 12'', then you get those from a street glide or road glide custom.
thats just a general statement. it doesn't take into consideration any changes in the shock themselves, say pre-2015 vs post 2015, etc.... but those would have been done across the board, i.e.. all models with the 12'' shocks would get the new version, etc.
08-12-2018 | 03:20 PM
