Shock settings?
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: TX
Shock settings?
When i ride two up with my wife what should the rear shock setting be for the most comfortable ride for the wifey?? 2007 wide glide. Am am about 180 and she is about 135 if that makes a difference. Mostly bar hopping no "long" rides as of yet....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,960
Likes: 26
From: Sonoma County, CA
I would definitely go at least one more setting stiffer on the spring preload. That's what I do with my 2010 Fat Bob. If I have the bags on and loaded, I go even one more stiffer (total of 2 clicks). Just experiment with it and see. You can't hurt anything...
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
I have street bob shocks on my super glide and I have them set on the 3rd setting when the OL is with me. Weights are about the same. Short of hitting a real hard bump/pot hole it is a pretty comfy/soft ride. If I were to load up the bags and strap another to the sissy bar I would consider going up another click for two up running down the highway on a long trip.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 683
Likes: 3
From: Florida
If you do crank it up much pay close attention to the numbers. My number decals are screwed up and read incorrectly so I count my clicks or measure my adjustment with a tape from the bottom of the shock. Just make sure you have the same setting on both sides.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: TX
Thanks all for the info. Just got my bike about 2 months ago and have been riding to work mostly (saves gas). Took the OL for about a 90 mile ride and the first thing she said was to get a windshield! Found one on craig's list for $150 HD quick release. Next up is a more padded seat for her. If OL is happy....
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 683
Likes: 3
From: Florida
Thanks all for the info. Just got my bike about 2 months ago and have been riding to work mostly (saves gas). Took the OL for about a 90 mile ride and the first thing she said was to get a windshield! Found one on craig's list for $150 HD quick release. Next up is a more padded seat for her. If OL is happy....
You can also find them at local consignment shops, but know your prices going in since some of them are not that much cheaper than new.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 430
Likes: 2
From: Dirty City
Unless you've swapped to progressive- or multi-rate springs, changing the spring preload does not affect ride quality/stiffness. The reason for increasing the spring preload is so the suspension rides at the correct level for the load (approximately 1/3 through the wheel's upward travel). Thus avoiding hitting the bump stops at full travel in either direction.
With single-rate springs, the only way to adjust stiffness of the suspension is by adjusting the shock damping (on shocks equipped with adjustability), or by changing the oil (which also affects shock damping).
To put it another way:
If spring preload is set too low, then when the bike is loaded the tail will sit too low, and it'll be easier for bumps to cause the suspension to bottom out.
If spring preload is set too high, then the tail of the bike will sit too high, and it'll be easier for the suspension to reach the end of its travel on the rebound, increasing the chances of losing contact with the ground after being "launched" upward when hitting larger bumps.
The best way to figure out the proper settings is by measuring sag. But, failing that, the manual has recommended settings for various loads.
With single-rate springs, the only way to adjust stiffness of the suspension is by adjusting the shock damping (on shocks equipped with adjustability), or by changing the oil (which also affects shock damping).
To put it another way:
If spring preload is set too low, then when the bike is loaded the tail will sit too low, and it'll be easier for bumps to cause the suspension to bottom out.
If spring preload is set too high, then the tail of the bike will sit too high, and it'll be easier for the suspension to reach the end of its travel on the rebound, increasing the chances of losing contact with the ground after being "launched" upward when hitting larger bumps.
The best way to figure out the proper settings is by measuring sag. But, failing that, the manual has recommended settings for various loads.
Last edited by Ovaltine Jenkins; Feb 4, 2011 at 08:33 AM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 683
Likes: 3
From: Florida
Unless you've swapped to progressive- or multi-rate springs, changing the spring preload does not affect ride quality/stiffness. The reason for increasing the spring preload is so the suspension rides at the correct level for the load (approximately 1/3 through the wheel's upward travel). Thus avoiding hitting the bump stops at full travel in either direction.