Suspension too soft
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Ponchatoula, LA
Suspension too soft
Ok guys, I have been lurking in the shadows for a few weeks absorbing info and I finally have a question..I did a search prior and didn't come up with a sutiable answer...
I am 6'9 280lbs riding a 2007 bob and I have bottomed the suspension more times than I can count on sharp bumps on these fine Louisiana highways. Besides changing fork oil or putting in progressive springs is there anything else I can do? Half of my fork travel is gone as soon as I sit on the bike and it dives in turns.
Thanks for the imput..
Duke
I am 6'9 280lbs riding a 2007 bob and I have bottomed the suspension more times than I can count on sharp bumps on these fine Louisiana highways. Besides changing fork oil or putting in progressive springs is there anything else I can do? Half of my fork travel is gone as soon as I sit on the bike and it dives in turns.
Thanks for the imput..
Duke
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
I had the same exact problem with my 07 Superglide, I'm 230lbs and ride 2-up once in a while. After a year, the factory shocks seemed to get weaker, adjusted all the way up still bottoming out. I just put in the 412 HD and swapped to SE HD fork oil about a month ago, problem solved. The HD fork oil is a perfect match for the 412's at my weight.
Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 288
Likes: 21
From: North Carolina
Two clicks on the rears and problem solved.
At least till it has a WHOLE bunch of miles on it and it needs fork oil changed on the front. Good aftermarket shocks and front springs are even better.
At least till it has a WHOLE bunch of miles on it and it needs fork oil changed on the front. Good aftermarket shocks and front springs are even better.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 0
From: SW Corner of NW Corner
For the rear, I have Progressive 440 IAS heavy duty shocks. Being only 210lbs, I probably could have gotten away with the regulars (I was 250 when I bought the bike). You would want the HD version of any rear shock probably.
For the front, my personal opion is that Progressive's fork springs are ****. I went with a set of springs from Race Tech (after first installing the Progressives). I also installed their Gold Valve Cartridge Emulators, and put Amsoil fork oil in.
If you look into the Race Tech option, don't use their online calculator to determine which weight of spring to get. Call them, talk to a tech... they should ask you what type of riding you are into, your weight, etc... and they will suggest the corrrect spring (which, when I did it, was different than the online calc).
edit: btw - this suspension setup I have, plus Metz tires, my bike handles the twisties like never before. The mountain roads in my area are all fooked up with dips, bumps, ripples, holes, etc. I have one turn on my way home that has a serious dip right in the crux of the turn. My bike still gives that famous Dyna wiggle when I hit it at 60'ish, but before the changes I couldn't hit it above 50
http://www.racetech.com/
For the front, my personal opion is that Progressive's fork springs are ****. I went with a set of springs from Race Tech (after first installing the Progressives). I also installed their Gold Valve Cartridge Emulators, and put Amsoil fork oil in.
If you look into the Race Tech option, don't use their online calculator to determine which weight of spring to get. Call them, talk to a tech... they should ask you what type of riding you are into, your weight, etc... and they will suggest the corrrect spring (which, when I did it, was different than the online calc).
edit: btw - this suspension setup I have, plus Metz tires, my bike handles the twisties like never before. The mountain roads in my area are all fooked up with dips, bumps, ripples, holes, etc. I have one turn on my way home that has a serious dip right in the crux of the turn. My bike still gives that famous Dyna wiggle when I hit it at 60'ish, but before the changes I couldn't hit it above 50
http://www.racetech.com/
Last edited by thrillseeker; Aug 23, 2008 at 11:13 AM.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
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From: Templeton California
I've never had a problem with bottoming out, but my Bob has always picked up a wobble in high speed cornering, like freeway turns over 80.I've got Progressive 412 Heavy Dutys in the back and their springs up front with 15wt oil, not perfect but a big improvement over stock.I think in the future I'll have the 15wt pumped out and replaced with 20.I still get a slight secondary bounce hitting bumps or dips at freeway speeds.I have a Race tech set up on my other bike with straight rate springs and gold valve cartridge emulators it's far superior to the Progressive springs but also costs three times as much.
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Ponchatoula, LA
I have the rears set at 5 clicks from the lowest setting and the rear is good, it's the front that is too soft. I too have the "dyna wobble" in high speed turns and I notice my front susp. dives going into the turns. I will look at the race tech stuff, they did my dirt bike set up..Thanks guys for the replies..
Duke
Duke
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Southern Illinois
I went on a 250 mile poker run today. The rears were bottoming out. Stopped by the stealer and paid $10 on a wrench 2 clicks and all was good. I am still thinking about changing the front shock oil though. What is the going price for the stealer on changing the shock oil?