Same for me.

 

+1.... Ive had lots of bikes including several Harleys.... The shocks on the newer touring (2009+) is by far the best of any bike I've owned including the progressives I had on my Dyna and the Konis on my old evo sprty. I ride tons of miles in all conditions and I really don't have an issue with the oem air shocks. The bike tracks true, corners well considering its size, its smooth over most surfaces and the shocks are pretty much infinitely adjustable. What more do you want? Could they be better? Sure I suppose.... But I'm always a little suspicious that the OP may not have sampled the ride quality of very many other bikes when i read things like "oem air shocks are the worst" etc. not sure what people expect but lazy boy comfort is hard to achieve and you just might be disappointed by the marginal improvement you manage to get out of those new $750 shocks you're thinking of buying....

 

Using the 13" premium hand adjustable on my '11 Street Glide.
100% improvement over the factory air shocks.

 

Trick Question, or am I missing something?

 

I agree. My '09 FLHX rides way better than my '11 48 Sportster.

 

I'd consider the suggestion that you try heavier oil in the rear shocks. I'm one of the minorities that have always used the stock air shocks and am satisfied, but I'm also satisfied with the stock seat and the latest model FLH I've had is 07. The forks are a different story. I don't seem to see as many complaints about the older bikes and have been wondering if with the new frame, they changed the shock geometry enough to really screw up the suspension.

 

Lets see. I've toured over 23,000 miles on my 10 Ultra and have 15,000 on my 12 RGC,s. Those miles are on roads in all the 49 North American States and most of Canada. Not a single issue with the stock shocks.

I'm 6'3" and 210 and I ride solo but with fully loaded gear.

I know many other touring riders that are more than satisfied with the stock set up.

I wonder if it is not just some folks that like to gripe about their Harley's as a form of showing off.

 

Are you suggesting I'm just "showing off" by asking for help and info on this forum here?
I'm looking for replacement options/ prices and if it was worth it, not useless, insulting reply's. But hey....good to know you rode as much as you claim. No biggie.....i may have that many miles and more.....so what.
If that is your version of helping me, you might as well not bother.

 

Pete6114,

I was mediocrely ok with the 13" oem air assist shocks on my 04 RK, and quite thoroughly disgusted with the 12" replacements I picked up at a swap meet.

Then I did the oil replacement. World of difference, with a $10 jug of oil.

Sure, there are better shocks out there. But the oem can be made to work quite a bit better with an oil change, which also ensures there is enough oil in there (it can/does come out).

For another $10 or $20, you can get several jugs of different oils to experiment with, seeing which viscosity seems to work best with you.

Just a little food for thought.

 

You have two options, in my experience! You can spend a lot of time and money trying every cheap and less cheap shock out there, wondering if you will ever get a decent ride - or you can go straight to HDF sponsor Motorcycle Metal and get a set custom built. It will take no time at all and save you a lot of angst and discomfort. Do you want to be comfortable for ever, or suffer.....