Softail Preload Adjustment
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 120
Likes: 85
From: Vegas
Softail Preload Adjustment
2019 FXDR owner. Per the manual I should be around the #2 setting on my preload adjuster. I'm low 190's lbs without gear. I run the stock tire pressures
Whenever the road is less than perfect it turns into a beating for my back.
Last night on the way back from an 800 mile day ride I was fed up with the roads and my suspension so I started cranking off the preload to see if compliance were to be gained. I think it worked out pretty well. Didn't get kicked out of the saddle as much.
Now I have it closer to the #1 setting on the adjuster.
Will continue to experiment until I just get a new shock altogether.
What have you found that works?
Does it reflect the book's suggestions?
Whenever the road is less than perfect it turns into a beating for my back.
Last night on the way back from an 800 mile day ride I was fed up with the roads and my suspension so I started cranking off the preload to see if compliance were to be gained. I think it worked out pretty well. Didn't get kicked out of the saddle as much.
Now I have it closer to the #1 setting on the adjuster.
Will continue to experiment until I just get a new shock altogether.
What have you found that works?
Does it reflect the book's suggestions?
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 273
Likes: 151
From: Colorado
I do not have an FXDR, but on my FXBB and FLSB, they both liked more preload than the book recommended. Depending on the impact, you will actually be contacting the bump-stop. Easy way to tell is to put a zip tie on the shock shaft and see how far the travel goes.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 2,261
From: Ft. Wayne IN
I'm not sure if the frame and suspension are the same, but my FLHCS rides great. I set the preload one step higher than recommended. Yes, mine also got better after a few thousand miles. 9200+ miles now and love the ride
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 555
Likes: 75
From: California
Yeah my book says 1 for 190 on my 2020 Fatboy and it wasn’t a nice ride. I bumped it up to 2 and its much better...still not great, but better then what the book recommended. Granted my bike only has 100 miles to date, so would be nice if it got better as the miles rack up. I can deal with it now so if it got better I would be happy.
Is any company making a replacement shock for the new softail?
Is any company making a replacement shock for the new softail?
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 120
Likes: 85
From: Vegas
Yeah my book says 1 for 190 on my 2020 Fatboy and it wasnt a nice ride. I bumped it up to 2 and its much better...still not great, but better then what the book recommended. Granted my bike only has 100 miles to date, so would be nice if it got better as the miles rack up. I can deal with it now so if it got better I would be happy.
Is any company making a replacement shock for the new softail?
Is any company making a replacement shock for the new softail?
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 120
Likes: 85
From: Vegas
I haven't checked the book in a while. Says 1.5 on the adjuster for 180 lbs.
I had mine at 2 because I was heavier before plus carrying a backpack with gear.
Looks like 1.75 will do me good.
I had mine at 2 because I was heavier before plus carrying a backpack with gear.
Looks like 1.75 will do me good.
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