I did the exact same thing. I couldn't see wasting the time with intermediate 'fixes'. I've been there... Done that. Had the Ohlins front/rear at the same time.

 

I agree. Going from the 08 SG with the air and an 11 RGU with the air to the 16 with the premium shocks is night and day. Turning the **** does actually change things. Unlike adding and and no air still riding like ****.

 

it takes a while and a lot of short rides, but, once you get the shocks dialed in they are not bad at all.

 

I ride with wife 99% of the time. I have removed my RK 13" air shocks last year and installed a new set of 12" premium rides (take offs). I started shocks set at 4 full turns, road well. Set down to 3 turns, bottomed out bad. Went up to 5 turns, road stiff/harsh. Went back to 4 turns and left it there. I am 210 lbs, I estimate wife to be 150 lbs.
I have not gone past 5 turns from bottom. What have been you been setting with regard to cargo/riders?

 

My air ride on the my 2011 RK surprised me how rough it was. My old frame 2005 RK rode much better then the 11. I will not drink the kool aid and buy $700+ rear shocks, it is not "that" bad. I bought a new take off 12" set of the premium OEM's. Improvement over the air ride? yes. $200 worth? yes. Would I do it again? Yes. Would I spend $1000-$1700 to upgrade the front and rear suspension. Hell no, I'll go buy a Goldwing.

 

I'm at 4 turns and I leave it there. 1 up and with b the wife. I'm 230 and she's about 145. Never bottomed. When I first got it I left it at 0. And still didn't bottom but was a bit loose. I like where it's at now.

And no way in hell will I touch the kool-aid on the rears. More power to ya if a marginal improvement is worth 700 bucks.

I do however believe the Progressive Mono tubes $500.00 upgrade for the front is well worth it.

 

Thanks for confirmation. Mine only bottomed out when set a 3 or less. My wife may be heavier then yours, but I'm not going to ask her. I Did change the fork oil last month because it was due. I installed the SE fluid, which is almost too stiff(harsh) but better then the OEM fluid. The front end can use an upgrade, but the price for that is reasonable.

 

Harley Davidson specializes in producing high end motorcycles that have basic components so miserable they must taken off, thrown in the trash and replaced at the owner's expense.

Anybody who says HD is gonna go out of business is full of it. When a company gets to a place where customers pay more for their product KNOWING parts are going to have to be replaced if they actually intend to ride it is doing very, very well.

 

And they also sound good!