I run 20# solo on my SG and have no probs. I feel so left out. There's nothing wrong with my 2009.

 

Hey bro, try this,install 15wt shock oil in the rear,and the front tubes,a friend bought a 09,and had the same problem,now no more problem. Here,s what i did,pull the rubber boots off the rear shocks, then remove the snap ring,next take your harley hand pump - becaues it fills slowly,and pump pass the gauge with air,BUT FIRST MAKE SURE YOU WRAP A RAG AROUND THE SHAFT,AND PLACE THE SHOCK IN A FIVE GALLON BUCKET, when the seak pops out,all the oil will be in one place,and the rag, will save the seal,drain all the oil out,should be around 10oz, now use a 1/8" plug or tape off the air line hole, and refill all the way, to the top of the large washer,after you set the metal parts back in, now reinstall seal,install back on the bike,now with both hole,s open and a short line in each shock, sit on the bike,your body weight will allow what ever fluid that is not needed to pass out,use two small bottles or cans to catch the over flow of oil, now am only 198 lbs,my wife 130 lbs and tour pack loaded,i only put 15 pounds of air, and never bottom out,,its worth it,and a lot cheaper then buying progressive shocks,that all most do the same thing,,

 

Check your tire pressure, I was having the same problem. I found that the dealer had the max air pressure that is listed on the tire. I adjusted the tire to the cold pressure listed in the manual to 36 in the front and 38 in the back and now the ride is great.

 

I weigh 205 and ride with 14 lbs in the shocks solo. Wife is 125. With her I run 45 lbs. I think the bike rides great. I don't see any problem with adding air. I've gotten in lots of 500+ mile days. Bummer your not happy.

 

Comparing my 09 EGlide Classic to my 07 Road King (traded in last Dec) the 09 handles way better. No comparison. As far as the stiffness goes, I never came close to bottoming out my 09 (at 205lbs I use 15 lbs of air solo). But then again I haven't gone airborn yet. Since the handling is so much better on the 09s one would think that better handling = more stiffness = bumpier ride. With 15 lbs of air the 09 feels tighter but I can't really say the 07 was any smoother than the 09 driving 75 on the freeway. The 09 absorbs the bumps better somehow. I think the larger front tire and wider rear tire tire and new frame contribute to that on the 09s.

 

how can anyone be happy with this scenario...if your solo and u can set at 10 or 20...then you need to add 50 with a passenger...why do you need the 20 to 45 pound range? the 08 shocks, u can add 2 pounds and it made a difference, the 09 you have to add 40 pounds...doesnt make sense.

 

Somebody told me he shocks are the same as 08' is that true?

 

Harley shocks suck? First time I have ever heard that!

 

Just got some Ohlins from Howard and so far am really happy with them. I only have a few miles, but I'll be able to give a lot better review of them in a couple weeks - leaving Saturday for a 3000 mile loop through Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, SD and back home. I should get all kinds of riding in to really put the shocks to the test. The purchase was great tho - Howard is a great guy to deal with. As for spending the extra $$$, When you put on the extra chrome, paint, etc. to make the bike look good, what is an extra $550 to actually make it ride better??

 

+1 on that. How much weight will you have on the bike?