let me just say that the op seems to be a short bus rider.

 

Having gone through some of the '09 related posts, I think this one has most to offer, if you haven't already read through it. Quite frankly, if you are going on a long trip like that you do not want a simple solution, but a superb one!

In fact if you simply search this forum for 'Ohlins' and 'Penske' you will cover most there is to be talked about on shocks! Even from the UK I can see that to improve my own bike those are the only two brands worth considering, if I am to avoid wasting money buying several other brands to find they are not up to the mark.

While Howard is obviously looking to sell his services and products, it is worth browsing through the many suspension-related pages on his website. There is a lot of good stuff there and some interesting things I didn't previously know. The value that Howard adds over most other shock suppliers is adapting high quality shocks to suit use on touring Harleys (his Penskes are race-car shocks), then he tunes them for each customer. I haven't found anyone else yet who does that for us.

 

So sorry to ofend you theo-my apoligies. I think you might have miss read or miss understood my original post and that set you on the path of trying to go over ground that i had already traveled. I had run the air up to 30 lbs the 3rd week looking for a better ride and it was firm but too unforgiving over very small cracks and dips in the road that would eventually transfer too much impact through the bike and me on long runs.
I was looking for info on after market shocks from those that had used some. You even misunderstood the statement that I made about the triple air pressure- the hd manual recomends 12- 14lbs for my weight and you suggested to use 35 -45. that equals close to 3 times the reccomended amount where I come from.
If you weigh 350lbs - maybe that is what you run.
I like motorcycles. If you are suggesting to people on this forum to ride other brands when asking for advise on shocks you have a problem. Chill out man.
There is no need for you to take offence- you are not Willie G.

 

Thanks Grbrown- a lot of knowledge wrapped up on that subject at that site.

 

Thanks Rick- I will check out the worxs street trker shocks also.
Under real hard breaking the front end tends to dive a bit more than what I would like but I am okay with it. What do the forks springs cost aprox?

 

I have an 09 Street Glide and weight 225 lbs and at 22 lbs in the shocks I bottom out.

I have been running 28 lbs. I am going to try 32 lbs on my next ride.
You need more air pressure in an 09 in my opinion.
You sound like you haven't even tried more air yet.

FYI: and I have a bad back, so when it starts to hurt after a ride,
I check the pressure and yip it's around 20 to 22.
Mine leaks down a little, I'm working on that too.

 

I agree.
"ya buy em books and buy em books and all they do is eat the covers off"

 

I am way past the air Tex- I have had the pressure all over the scale. The post was not to find out about what air pressure I need to run but to find out info on some better shocks to install.
The air line is very sensitive and hard not to leak any off when connecting and disconnecting the pump. The slightest HISS is a lot of lbs. When it is pumped up to 30-40 it escapes real fast when guaging. More than when it is 12-16 lbs. I thought mine was leaking also- I was just loosing 5-8lbs when checking the pressure, when I had it pumped up around 22 or above.

 

Not to beat a dead horse here but I think those of us who have 09's - and I guess 2010 models if the shocks are the same- are either okay with the ride or we think it pretty much sucks. This is the bike from the factory with the shock rates the way it was designed and while some may find a more comfortable medium through air pressure preference the rest of us (me included) are not thrilled with the ride quality trade off we got for better handling. Short of changing shocks to aftermarket I think it is what it is............

 

Thanks hogdad, the post was hijacked by a couple of fellows that didn't read it properly and they tried to turn it into a debate about how much air pressure they ran in the shocks of their specific bikes.
If they are happy with that kind of a ride I am glad for them. There is a much better ride to be had out there and a few of the responders understood the post as written and provided a lot of great input.
I know a lot about suspension already-just needed to find riders that have already converted and what brand they used. All in all it was very informative. motorcyclemetal- Howard has the angle and knows how and why shocks work and don't work.
Thanks Graham.