I can't tell exactly what is happening. 2009 FLTHCU, 4500 mi. on this bike. This is yet another rear suspension issue. I ride 2 up 98% of the time (wife loves it, I can't sneak away on my own very often, good problem I suppose). Anyway, I adjusted the air pressure according to the manual for our riding weight, (we aren't big people, combo weight 320-330) approx 50psi. When we're riding and hit a "sharp" dip, or speed bump type spot in the road, it feels as if the shocks bottom out, that is physically hit the stops. I've read others in here riding on pressure a bit less, 40-42psi and say it makes a difference. I reduced mine to 42psi, but I still get the bottoming out effect. Am I feeling the shocks truly bottom out, or is this more a case of air hammer, for a lack of a better term, when such a quick compression gives a "hit" like bottoming out? If I were to try changing the shock oil, (if that's possible) would I increase the viscosity or reduce it? Thanks for any help, the wife isn't liking these bumps in the road, literally! So short of going straight into a replacement shock, I'd like to try some other solution before having to do that.

 

Whatever you do will only be a band-aid. Spend the money once on good quality aftermarket shocks and don't look back. Go to motorcyclemetal.com and read all about the stock HD air shocks and what's available to replace those pogo sticks with and your have all the info you need. If not, call Howard directly and get ready to be educated on HD suspensions.

 

I'm thinking the shocks pressure setting are different between the 2007 and the 2009 models.....or maybe it's different between the Ultra and the SG shocks, I'm not sure. We ride 2 up a lot at about the same total weight. I was running my shocks on the upper end of the recommendations and it rode hard. I back it down and the ride has improved considerably. Double check the recommended pressures and maybe try a lower amount.

 

I would add 10 psi versus removing 10 psi and see if that alleviates the "bottoming" effect you notice. This will let you know one way or the other.

 

Did you mean you have 45,000 or 4500 miles on your 2009 ?

 

One thing I will observe is that many owners are happy as can be with their stock air shocks, however it is as if they are not very consistent, from bike to bike. Shocks are a very frequent subject on HDF and if you check recent threads you will be reading for many hours, so while going through a few of them is worthwhile, don't spend too long doing it!

Mrs B and I found the solution, in phoning Howard of HDF sponsor Motorcycle Metal and have a set of custom-built shocks. They are not as expensive as that may sound! Much more important we no longer bottom out, the ride is so much smoother as to be sublime and we can spend longer in the saddle.

 

I carry my air shock pump in my saddle bag. This allows me to make on the fly adjustments if my wife doesn't like the ride quality.

 

I know, right. The original owner took 1 ride and then parked her. I bought like new with 3004 miles on her, sweet...anyways, thanks all for the input...I thought reducing some air pressure vs. adding pressure might dampen the hammer effect on those bumps. Am I able to change the oil in these air shocks? I have the manual but not at home to answer my own question. I thought if I could, I might change the viscosity to see if it makes a difference. Seems to me I would lower (thinner) the viscosity to soften the "bump". Any thoughts?

 

Something's not right there supra. I took my wife on the back of mine two days ago for the first time since selling my Goldwing. I forgot to increase the air for the added passenger and we rode about an hour at 28 psi. Now that was a horrid ride. Pumped it up to 40 for the return trip along the same road and it was beautiful, the same, if not smoother than when I'm solo at 28 psi. You have something wrong I think. Our combined is 430 lbs, less riding apparel.

 

I agree.. my 09 rode like a dream with stock shocks.. my 12 bottoms out regardless of pressures so I'm looking at shocks as well. But unfortunately shock conversations are like oil conversations. The only thing I DO know is it won't be HD shocks. Aside from that I'm just as lost as the next person is.