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2.9" of suspension travel is just stupid, but I love mine.
Check your Ohlin spring rating. Mine were 27 newtons and WAY too stiff for two-up. Howard @ Motorcycle Metal sent me 25 Newton springs, they slipped right on (no compression needed) and they are much better.
I like a pretty firm ride, and I'm pretty heavy so I'm actually thinking of going slightly stiffer. I'm only having the problem on deep holes / larger hits.... Otherwise they're pretty good.
IMO it really is just a travel issue as you mentioned, ~2" of travel is just not suitable for a modern vehicle.
It is NOT a problem with the setup, anything Howard did or didn't do, or anything else related to the Ohlins. They are a VAST improvement over stock. The problem is simply that ~2" of suspension is not enough travel to handle potholes and larger bumps.
Several people - even several of the people who don't want HD to change the design, have posted in this thread that they agree with this.
Perhaps you same couple guys can stop being butthurt about the truth, and lets see what we can come up with for ideas to find some improvement?? Or is that just crazy talk??
OK. You're convinced the Ohlins are set up right but want more suspension travel. Are you willing to convert from belt to chain final drive? If so, then JB Racing can set you up with an extended swingarm (up to 6") length so the axle travel can be increased. A thirty second Google search should get you there.
I like a pretty firm ride, and I'm pretty heavy so I'm actually thinking of going slightly stiffer. I'm only having the problem on deep holes / larger hits.... Otherwise they're pretty good.
IMO it really is just a travel issue as you mentioned, ~2" of travel is just not suitable for a modern vehicle.
Are you bottoming your suspension? I'd guess no. Because you probably have too much preload. Add some more preload; that'll help...
OK. You're convinced the Ohlins are set up right but want more suspension travel. Are you willing to convert from belt to chain final drive? If so, then JB Racing can set you up with an extended swingarm (up to 6") length so the axle travel can be increased. A thirty second Google search should get you there.
This is what I'm talking about. I don't think I'd want to go to chain drive, but now we are on the right train of thought. I was also wondering if there would be a way to make a swing arm with a bend / radius in it, that would move the shock mounting locations lower, but I think it would create clearance issues with the exhaust.
I haven't had a chance with the holiday to research the lowering block lp mentioned, but that's another idea I want to check out.
How, pray tell, would Harley make a touring bike with longer travel? And still make it rideable for those under 6-5?
It's a f*&$%ing street bike for Chrisakes. You don't need 6 inches of travel. And if you have Ohlins you're either made of glass or your shocks are set up wrong for your weight.
Honest to God....it seems like the threads lately are the biggest collection of whine-fests I have yet to see. My seat is too slippery. My transmission whines. My bike is bumpy.
Arghhh! These are motorcycles we're talking about!
Good Lord people. Sell the bikes and buy a Lazy Boy!
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Posers
