"BTW many guys on here will tell you to run a higher air pressure than what the charts will tell you.
That is because the older bikes had shocks that needed higher pressure than the new bikes."

Umm, that is backwards. The older bikes topped out at about 30 psi. The newer bikes max air is 50 psi. For my 2010 Limited I run 25 to 28 solo and two up fully loaded for a trip with tools I run the full max of 50 psi.

 

Then please explain why the manual for the 2012 SG shows 10 to 20 psi for 200 to 250 lbs?
The issue here is that the OP said he has a 2012 SG. And the pressure for some of the other bikes is different.
So in my posts I am referring only to the 2012 SG.
The issue is some people don't read the OP post and the information they give may be incorrect.

 

I love this approach. Spend $20k on a bike, refuse to spend $50 bucks to make sure the shocks have the right pressure.

 

You could take this even further.
Spend $20.000 + for a bike and not read the owners manual to get the correct specs. Go Figure

 

The first sentence is good advise, the second, 50/50.... play around with it some to find your most comfortable pressure for your load and driving style.

No, actually.
But the older bikes did have air shocks that worked reasonably well... no so, the new ones that have a higher max pressure than the old ones..

If you ride a lot of long trips, consider this: After some time trying to find a point that is comfortable, and having minimal success: pull the rear air shocks off and hook yourself up with some Progressives, or Ohlins.

 

I had to buy the pump as well. I found my bike bottoming out until I got the pump and set the pressures. Now I want go anywhere without the pump. Run 40 Psi Solo and 48 Loaded.

 

i don't put anyone down on here but... i just cant believe guys are buying 20 grand plus touring bikes and don't have a damn shock pump. if you are going to keep theses cheap *** shocks you need to have a pump.

 

I agree, I think a better solution is to get rid of "theses cheap *** shocks" and replace with Ohlins or something else...