I just got my 2008 EG a few months ago. Being short of height ( 5'-6") and having a wife that loves to ride along we had the dealer install the front and rear lowering kit. Now I feel much better backing up and stopping. I was told by the mechanic who installed the shocks that I should only put 8-12 pounds of air pressure in the rears. I did this but I feel that this is too low. I feel the back end bottom out on bumps that before the change I didn't even notice. I put in 15 pounds last night before our ride and it still feels low to me. This morning on the ride into work I felt the rear bottom out on a gradual rise up to some rail road tracks. Never felt this bump before. Am I running too low of air? and if so how much would you recomend for 2 up riding.
Is it normal to feel it bottom out more often with the lowering kits installed?


Jim

 

I have an 09 and I run 50 pounds in the rear 1 or 2 up I seem to remember my 07 book said 35 pounds 2 up I have the lowering kit bracket on my 09 and loaded down with 2 up haven't had a problem

 

09 shocks are a whole new animal. You cant base pre-09 air settings on 09 air settings.

My best advice for pre-09 owners, is to change the shocks to 13" ones, and add lowering blocks to keep the ride height down.

I was NEVER able to find a happy medium with my 07's 12" shocks. It either bottomed out all the time, or rode like a hardtail. Changing to the 13" shocks/lowering blocks improved it DRAMATICALLY.

The good news is, you can typically find pre-09 13" shocks on ebay, often never used, for under $100. The lowering blocks are typically around the same price.

 

I have an 07 EGC, I run 30 lbs solo and 40lbs 2 up on the lowered Shocks, have not had a problem bottoming out. I am a sizable guy about 285. When I got it, the dealer did not put air in the shocks and I noticed the ride was very soft. Since I found the settings I like, I am very pleased with the shocks, did the front end kit also.

I had the bottoming out problem on my 97 RK with the lowering blocks, that bike I switched to the progressive 440's that fixed all those issues.

Scott
2007 EGC
IDS

I just re-read your post and the mechanic told you 8-12 lbs. The shorter HD air shocks are good for up to 50psi Max, so I would play with it till you find what works for you..That's what I did

 

My RGs front is lowered and I have have the low profile touring shocks. I have had it bottom out riding 2 up it is rare. I have the pressure at 35psi most of the time.

 

Air pressure recommendations are in the owners manual.

 

I have an 03 Road king with 1" lower shocks and run 35lbs in them solo or 2 up. Not a bad ride either, no bottoming out unless I hit a massive pothole.

 

I have the same exact setup and I am only 5' 4" (65") and I only run 8 psi riding solo and have no bottoming issues what so ever. I even did a 70 mile with the wife and the shocks set at 10 psi (quite by accident, forgot to pump them up) and still had no bottoming issues. total weight riding two-up is about 300 lbs.

 

Check out Howard at motorcyclemetal.com he knows his stuff better than anyone I've met and he will stay with you till you have it right. A+++ FOR THE GUY.

 

Thanks everyone for the help.
I will try adding more air this weekend to see how she rides. I purchaased the HD air pump last night so I can be accurate on what I have in the shocks and how much I add. I will also check out Howard's site to see what he has to say.