I run 8 psi solo 190lbs.

 

I used a bicycle pump.

 

I bought a hand pump at a bicycle shop looks just like the Harley pump with a gauge but it was on $19.99 and I run 25 all the time. That seems to be the magic number with my wife on it and I can't be bothered to change it every time she is not with me.

 

7-10 psi in the back of my Road King solo and yes, the HD pump is actually one of the few Harley accessories that's worth the price. A high pressure hose will be nothing but an expensive mess and the nice thing about the HD pump over a run of the mill bicycle pump is the bleeder valve which allows you to bleed and adjust the pressure w/o having to disconnect the pump each time.

 

I generally run 12 psi (200 lbs). Seems to work best for me....however, I think you will find the shortness of the stock shock is the reason for the bottoming...not necessarily the psi. I will soon be switching to penske or progressive.

Ben

 

I run 30 psi all the time, IM 300LBS.

 

~25psi with passenger
~18-20 solo

Thats how I like to run my bike. Stock rear shocks with a 1" lowering kit in the front (SE HD fork oil) because of the taller wheel. I do prefer to run the bike a little on the stiff side though.

 

I just bought my 09 SG and it scared the crap out me when I went across some train tracks by my house and bottomed out the shock. So I went to Walmart and found a small hand pump with a gauge for 14.95 The bike had no air in it when i checked it so I thought after I put air in it would not bottom out again. I tried every pressure from 5 to 40 in 5psi steps and it felt the same going across the tracks. The tracks are just outside my house and that is the only spot I noticed it. I think the bike rides great. It is just a short suspension. I left it at 15psi in the end.