I was out for a ride on the '14 Limited last night and hit a curvy backroad for fun... The road is not in great shape, although it is a main road and gets a fair amount of traffic on it. Man, that road beat me up.... There are a few manhole covers that are below the road grade, and a few potholes that I couldn't miss, and each time it was just like a hammer spike to my vertebrae... I put Ohlins on which are much superior to the stock shocks, but even with those, it was pretty bad. It's tough, BMW makes bikes with great seating positions and a lot more suspension travel - HD makes bikes putting all your weight on your spine, and gives you 2" of usable travel....

I'd love to see HD make a bike more like the K1600GT with a more sport touring riding position, and at least 6" of good suspension.... Keep the 103 wet head motor in it and the creature comforts of the Limited and I'd have one the day it comes out.

I just hate feeling like I'm going to rupture a disc just going on something other than highways.

Am I crazy for thinking this?

 

You can significantly improve your suspension by installing better shocks and front end cartridge. Only problem is the cost. Better suspension should come standard on the touring bikes. IMHO

 

I agree with scott. You can keep the cost down by doing the work yourself. I found rear Premium ride adjustable CVO shocks and the premium ride lowering cartridge kit for fring. Did all the work myself except compressing the left side cartridge spring. Total cost . $550

 

If you have Ohlins shocks on it & it's still beating you up, perhaps the Ohlins aren't set up correctly? Sounds like UT has imported some roads from MI...

 

Doesn't sound like they're set up correctly.

I have the Harley Premium 13" Hand Adjustable shocks, and mine rides great. Makes the front end feel harsh, which, when I bought it, I couldn't ge over how nice the front end was.

Everyone that has spent the money on here has said how much better X brand is over the HD Premiums.

Reckon I don't see it.

 

I changed both ends to the HD premium standard height. Both ends have good road feel w/o beating me up.
You should upgrade to the cartridge front end when you get the opportunity.

 

I have a 1974 ironhead -- needed new shocks -- they are not really on the market --sooo I checked a 1972 beetle -- the rear shock has a 15.5 extended -and a 10.5" compressed length --and the correct diameter for the spring tensioner ---had to cut the rod down to 13.5 and weld on the old spring keepers with the new eyes for the bushing -with a small amount of sanding they went together fine ---rides much better now ---it also gave me an extra 1 1/2 of travel over the stock ones which were 1 1/2 -- close to 3" now

 

I owned a BMW R1200CL (Beemers failed attempt at an Ultra copy back in 2004,) last year so that I had something to ride while I rebuilt the Road Glide. I hated everything about that bike except for the handling and suspension. Turned on a dime with almost 6" of rear travel.

If Harley incorporated some of that technology into the touring motorcycles the bikes would ride great but look so much different that folks may dismiss them on looks alone.

 

The entire HD design is outdated, that is what makes it a Harley.

 

mine rides great.