Howdy all,

In late Feb I picked up a new old stock 2023 Ultra Limited in silver fortune/gray haze. I really like the bike but one thing I've noticed is the ride on the highway is a LOT harsher than my old 2010 Ultra Classic with stock suspension. I love the way the bike handles but hate the harsh ride on the highway. I suspect the low profile tires really hurt the ride but Harley doesn't seem to make the older style wheels with TPMS support.

That leaves thoughts about suspension upgrades I guess. For now I'm just thinking about the front end because I'm coming up on the 5000 mile service. I was thinking of getting chrome fork legs at that service visit which would be the ideal time for a front suspension upgrade. My main concern is if it is possible to get a softer, smoother ride with some sort of cartridge upgrade. I am not concerned with "sport" riding which is what a lot of suspension upgrades seem to be targeted at.

Have any of y'all found an upgrade of some sort for the front that will glide over the small bumps better?

Thanks for your time.

 

They're not cheap but HD does have the 17" front & 16" rear with TPMS on the Police bikes...43300533 front & 40900528 rear.
I picked up an older 16" rear. It was a bit of a challenge but the service mgr at my dealership was able to retrofit a TPMS valve stem into it. I haven't done the front...yet.
Because the outside rolling diameter of the stock 18" and the 16" tires are virtually the same, the extra 2" of sidewall makes for a more compliant ride on the rear.
If I were to do it over, knowing what I do now, I would look for a 40900026 16" rear "take-off" from a 2019 Road King. Where the valve stem is situated would make retrofitting a TPMS one easier.
Or if you're thinking of going chrome, you could look at ***** Shiny and add the TPMS valve stems. In my opinion, low profile tires have no place on a 2-up, fully loaded, touring bike.

 

The newer bikes do not ride even remotely close to what the older 16/17” wheel touring bikes did- especially if you have a fresh set of Dunlop American Elite tires.
A few months ago I took a new CVO SG out for a test ride and I couldn’t give it back fast enough. It rode like a brick 🧱. Fast yes, handle great yes.
Maybe if I was 20-25 years younger I would’ve bought it. I honestly couldn’t wait to get back on my 2012 FLHTK with its old 16/17” combo.
I’d look to do a wheel swap if ride comfort is important to you or sell the bike and buy a low mile old one like I did.

 

From what I have been told in order for the TPMS to be mounted in the wheel it has to have the recess inside the rim for it to fit. If the police bike wheels will fit those sensors that might be the way I go when I finish tinkering with the bike and have some spare time.

I do wonder though if handling will be affected much by the swap to the fatter tires? I was really impressed by the increased handling character of the newer bike.

 

I had a 2020 Street Glide and a 2022 Road Glide Special, and now a 2024 Road King Police. I love the smaller diameter wheels and taller tires. Smooth sailing.

 

The police bikes come with the TPMS sensors. This is the parts breakdown for one....ref # 24 is the TPMS


The problem that was encountered fitting the TPMS sensors to the older 16" wheel (Enforcer I believe) I got was getting them to seal. The valve stem on this wheel is on an "angled" part of the wheel toward to outer edge. Like I said, sealing them on this "angle" was the challenge. And airing them up is tight. Fitting the sensor on the inside of the wheel was not an issue.




Earlier I said "if I knew then what I know now", I would have looked for 16/17 Impeller wheels...like from an Ultra Limited (2014-2019) as below...


The valve stem mounts on the centre line (flatter area) of the wheel making it easier to install/seal the TPMS...and also easier to air up.


I'm not overly concerned about the rear not "matching" my front as the rear is pretty much hidden behind the bags & exhaust. If you change both front & rear then they will match of course...if that matters

 

Do those older 16/17 wheels allow for the TPMS sensors? When I look at them in the catalog they say they will not accept them.

 

Sidebar. Another thing I like about the 16/17 wheels on the earlier bikes (like my 14 Limited) are the standard 5 spoke rotors. The 18/18 on my 22 Limited has these 7 spoke rotors that are pretty scarce, as far as aftermarket and full floating availability.

 

The picture I posted of the TPMS sensor is mounted on my wheel. I believe they had to drill out the valve stem hole for it to fit. Not sure exactly what it came off of as I bought it used.
As I understand, the 5 spoke Enforcer wheels (like what I have) were used on 2014 - 2019 SG & RG Std, not Special...and the 10 spoke Impeller wheels were used on 2014 - 2019 Ultra's (Limited & RG).
Ideally you could find some used/take off current police wheels with the TPMS already there. Failing that, I would look for some Impeller wheels because of the location on the valve stem.

 

Adding an upgraded fork valve system to your set up may be something to consider.

We run the Intiminator Fork Valves, equipped with IAS, (Inertia Active Suspension) patented technology inside.

We also have a great video that goes in depth on the subject you may find interesting.

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Feel free to give us a call or shoot us an email with any questions you may have.

Ride Safe, Ride Free.

Shelly