2020 Slim. I find the rear bottoms out on poorer roads. I'm also grinding the footboard pegs down on both sides, with not particularly spirited riding. I'm 170lbs + kit and side bag with tools, so had my Slim set at 2, as per manual. Yesterday I put it up to 4 and it does feel like less bottoming out and a slightly more compliant ride. Still touched a peg down at only 30-35 mph. I'm thinking of adding a bit more preload. Anyone done similar and got advice on this. As the stock spring is not progressive, all preload does is raise the ride height, it shouldn't affect the ride quality other than reducing bottoming out? Is that right?

Can't afford an aftermarket shock at the stage. An Ohlins would be nice... one day maybe.

 

It's all personal preference, just dial it in a bit more at a time and ride and assess. You won't break anything.

 

The longer shock from the Heritage I think it is will give you more clearance.
Not sure of you can put the fork leg lower on the trees on the Slim though, been a while since I had a look at one.
Slightly higher tire pressures can help too but only 1 or 2 pounds.

 

Thanks. Will add more preload 1st, before I spend.

After the footboard peg, it's not easy to tell how far I am from grounding something less flexible. I had a hardtail shovelhead once. I managed to go sideways round a right-hander on the exhaust. Luckily, I wasnt leant over much and was able to get back on 2 tyres. Would like to avoid repeating that experience. Maybe, should have gone with a Heritage, bags and screen off, with a swap to the Hollywood bars. But felt I would have been paying for things I didn't need and I do love the look and general feel of my Slim. Hopefully, tweaks will overcome.

 

Maybe adjust your riding style? Try leaning your body more and the bike a bit less when cornering.

 

I changed to the longer Fat Bob shock. Raised the bike up for more clearance and has 13mm more travel for no more bottoming out.
I bought mine on eBay, it was a new take-off for $165 delivered, also changed the inexpensive side cover for the external adjustment ****. I'm very happy with this mod.

 

yes, I'll dig out my old knee sliders!

My last softail was a fatbob and I didn't have this issue. Not a bad suggestion. Take it you didn't notice any issues with changing the rake of the front forks? Thanks. Anyone in the UK interested in offloading one?

 

No, matter of fact I think some people who are smarter than me about chassis like this mod to improve the front.
I took the shock apart to screw the end in till threads ran out (there is a small bit of adjustment), so I only raised the rear about 3/4 inch.

 

Wow 170lbs and running at 2 plus. You should be at 1 or just above. The ride should be harsh at 2 for your weight. I have a 20 Fatboy that I have been toying with on the suspension myself and I'm 190 and have it set at just under 1 and it seems pretty good there. I used to ride at 2 then rode my buddies fatboy and his was set 2 full turns under 1 and he weighs 175 and felt like his rode much nicer then mine so I lowered mine to just under 1 and if feels good now.

 

Yes, I started at 2 allowing for kit and luggage (bag, tools and waterproofs, essential for the UK!). Increasing the preload changes the ride height, it doesn't make the spring any more or less harsh. I raised it because it was feeling like I was bottoming out on my local roads (hitting the stop, being fully compressed). Reducing preload can actually make the suspension harsher, because you are reducing the distance the suspension has to travel before it hits the stop. Someone more knowledgeable than me can explain the engineering. But, on my test route I didnt get the spine crushing thump, when the shock was seriously compressed, in places where I previously did. I didn't sense any topping out either, where your **** leaves the saddle or the revs start to rise, because the shock has run out of its extension limit. So I decided I could feel a difference and I'm thinking of going up a little more to increase ground clearance. That said, I don't think the shocks are that clever and the main effect of fiddling with it is in our heads, not on the road. But it's the only adjustment we've got and it's easy to fiddle with, so worth a try.