Rough Ride, Why?
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: North Central Maryland
Rough Ride, Why?
I have a 2105 RG Special. Yesterday I rode my friends 2014 Ultra Classic home from the shop for him and wow, it was like riding on a cloud compared to my RGS, like comparing a Cadillac to a Model T.
Why is there such a huge difference?
Are the RGS's shocks 1" shorter, does that make that much of a difference?
Is the front end or shock fluid different between the UC and the RGS?
Why is there such a huge difference?
Are the RGS's shocks 1" shorter, does that make that much of a difference?
Is the front end or shock fluid different between the UC and the RGS?
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 911
Likes: 10
From: Wisconsin
Not sure? I know nothing about RG's but do they use shorter shocks? I know in mine the air load makes a big difference what I have it set at. I pump up to 40PSI when the wife is along and I can feel a huge difference if I forget to drop the pressure and go solo
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: North Central Maryland
Hard to believe 1" of shock travel makes that much difference, but I guess it does.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: North Central Maryland
I had air shocks on my 2010 SG and they felt the same as the RGS, harsh.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 165
Likes: 70
From: Northhern Mississippi
I just went from the air shocks on my 14 Limited to the HD hand adjustable premium shocks. Much better ride than the apstock air shock.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,482
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From: NorCal Rocklin
Different suspension settings and seat may make a big difference. The RGS seat is like a hard plank compared to the Ultra. Try a new seat or tinker with the preload on your bike.
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Grand HDF Member
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From: Rolla
Street Glide Special = 12" Premium Hand Adjustable
Ultra (Classic and Limited - Not Low Version) = 15" Air Shocks
That extra 1" of suspension travel makes a difference.
It has been posted here many times though, that the 12" version of those Hand Adjustable Shocks are very harsh.
As a shock gets shorter, the travel also gets shorter.
So, in order to keep them from bottoming out, they are stiffer.
