all,

can anyone provide any input on just how bad the ride should be on a bagger?

What I mean is - on a 4,900 km ride two weeks ago, my wife and I both got to the point where we would cringe anytime a crack in the pavement came up. My bike is a 2005 FLHTCI with just over 63,000 km on it. I'm about 250 lb., my wife maybe 130, and I was running with 30 psi in the rear shocks.

I know the bike will never ride like a Gold Wing, but I'm wondering how I can tell if there's something really wrong with the shocks or if I'm just expecting too much.

thanks in advance,
John

 

also, if anyone has any experience or recommendations as far as replacements for the OEM shocks, I'm all ears......

 

..sounds like you could use a set of Progressive 440 Heavy-Duties...that seems to be the shock most recommended for 2-up riding. I do know that the stock shocks are real middle-of-the-road quality. Anytime you have air shocks, they are not real quality shocks...still...a "crack in the pavement" should not be torture to go over, even with stock shocks...

 

Sounds like me when I had the oem seat..
Sure it's the shocks?
Not saying the oem shocks are any better, don't get me wrong.
I run at 20 lbs 2up. Collective weight of 350 # rider &passenger.
Before my seat swap an hour of riding was like 8hrs

Bottoming out?

 

with the proper fluid and correct air pressure for me (270lbs) and wife (145lbs) we can take some pretty hard bumps and the shocks absorb the brunt of it with out bottoming out.

if you have the coin, you could get crazy with all types of shock upgrades...

if yo have the time...you can search the site on how to replace the fluid in your current shocks.

 

Progressive 416 air shocks, it now rides better than my Goldwing !!

http://www.progressivesuspension.com...ies/index.html

 

thanks so much everyone - this is great info!

I just looked on the Progressive website and I notice that a lot of their shocks are available in different lengths.....does anyone know what the stock length is?

 

Progressives are good shocks, Ohlins are great shocks, try either of them and you will know just how bad the ride is with OEMs.

 

Stock HD Shock is 13" on all the Ultra and 12" on the SG.

The 13" Progressive 416 Air Shocks really settle down to about 12" and when adjusted properly won't bottom out or top out even with passenger. Use more air pressure than the Harley shock and have a longer travel. Really helps the handling and wobble on turns is eliminated.

 

True. OEM air shocks are garbage. A good set of Ohlins (3-3s) will put the Progressives to shame. Ohlins 3-3s have adjustable length, adjustable pre-load, and a sweeper valve to adjust compression and rebound. You get what you pay for...the Ohlins are well worth the cash.