2014-2024 Touring Models This Section Is For Rushmore and Gen 1 M8 Touring models from 2014 to 2024
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Premium Rear shocks note

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 20, 2017 | 05:56 PM
  #31  
azgrumbles's Avatar
azgrumbles
Road Captain
Veteran: Army
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 632
Likes: 282
From: Phoenix, AZ
Default

Originally Posted by checkers
I installed a pair of brand new 2016 12" premium Road Glide take offs last year on my 2011 RK. I had adjusted them all over the place from 4 turns to 17 turns. (2 up 99%) They road harsh and bottomed out on most bumps.Yesterday I had a chance to flip the R/H shock over. I set it at 15 turns as a starting point. My wife and I went out today for 200+ mile ride today, The Dragon, The Moonshiner and run I40 home. All I can say is having the shock installed as the prior picture with the arrow. 100% different shock. It does not bottom out at all on any bumps or dips, like it did before. These shocks now work very well. They smooth out the little bumps and washboard and no harsh hit. It is amazing how good they are now in comparison. I had read the mfg states it makes no difference, I will assure you that it is night and day. I had planned on ordering an upgraded set this evening, but I don't need them. There is no placebo effect here, it's a dramatic improvement. Very happy with the heads up on this issue. Thanks to all that posted.
Just to clarify, you now have it mounted like the picture with the arrow?
 
Reply
Old May 20, 2017 | 08:13 PM
  #32  
checkers's Avatar
checkers
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
Default

Originally Posted by azgrumbles
Just to clarify, you now have it mounted like the picture with the arrow?
No, mine were like that picture and I flipped them opposite of displayed picture.What the red arrow is pointed at is now on top.
 

Last edited by checkers; May 20, 2017 at 08:16 PM.
Reply
Old May 20, 2017 | 08:18 PM
  #33  
azgrumbles's Avatar
azgrumbles
Road Captain
Veteran: Army
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 632
Likes: 282
From: Phoenix, AZ
Default

Originally Posted by checkers
No, mine were like that picture and I flipped them opposite of displayed picture.What the red arrow is pointed at is now on top.
Ok. I was confused by the wording in your post. I'll flip mine tonight and see what happens tomorrow on my ride. Thanks.
 
Reply
Old May 20, 2017 | 09:06 PM
  #34  
azgrumbles's Avatar
azgrumbles
Road Captain
Veteran: Army
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 632
Likes: 282
From: Phoenix, AZ
Default

Done. We'll see...

 
Reply
Old May 20, 2017 | 09:11 PM
  #35  
checkers's Avatar
checkers
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
Default

Originally Posted by azgrumbles
Done. We'll see...

That's the way mine is now and set on 15 turns with 2 up. Perfect for us. Please post your results after ride.
 

Last edited by checkers; May 20, 2017 at 09:14 PM.
Reply
Old May 21, 2017 | 10:25 AM
  #36  
crimson13's Avatar
crimson13
Grand HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,080
Likes: 61
From: Leroy,Alabama
Default

Just went and checked mine. The rod end is down.
The 2015 service manual states both shocks should be installed with the rod end down.
 
Reply
Old May 21, 2017 | 01:16 PM
  #37  
RandyL's Avatar
RandyL
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 672
Likes: 99
From: Michigan
Default

of course HD will say it makes no difference. they do not want to recall all the bikes to put the shock on correctly.
 
Reply
Old May 21, 2017 | 04:25 PM
  #38  
Cygnusx51's Avatar
Cygnusx51
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 1,651
From: Olean, NY
Default

Originally Posted by RandyL
of course HD will say it makes no difference. they do not want to recall all the bikes to put the shock on correctly.
The manufacturer of the shocks says they can go either way (not HD) so it really doesn't matter unless you're installing a detachable passenger backrest. If so, there's a service bulletin put out by HD saying they will flip it for you, if you can't or don't feel comfortable taking the 10 minutes to do it. There's no conspiracy here.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 21, 2017 | 04:30 PM
  #39  
ACLazer's Avatar
ACLazer
Road Warrior
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 126
From: NC
Default

My shocks look like these, they are 13" though. These are not a picture of my actual shocks, but mine look exactly like these. They have been on three bikes now, a 2009, 2012 and my current 2014. I bought them used here on this forum in 2011 or so. The 2009 and the 2012 both had quick release docking hardware, and quick release backrest and luggage rack too. My shocks do not have the big bare portion shock tube like in the pics shown here, my spring goes all the way, and covers up all of the right shock.


I'm really not sure what this means, just sharing what I have on my scooter.


Thanks
 
Attached Thumbnails Premium Rear shocks note-shocks_img_2436.jpg  
Reply
Old May 21, 2017 | 06:16 PM
  #40  
checkers's Avatar
checkers
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
Default

My shocks are the OEM take offs from a 2016 RG, 12". The right shock does NOT look like this pic. My R/H shock looks looks like azdrumbles pic. There a different shocks, I don't know who gets which R/H shock.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:35 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE