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You weigh 138# riding a bagger designed to accommodate 2 over average weight passengers with some luggage. The bike is grossly over sprung in your case. You could re-spring the stockers. I am sure that there are springs out there or other shocks in similar size with a reduced rate that would work but you would still be too stiff due to the compression damping. I think your best case is a set of shocks set up for you. You may want to give Howard at Motor Cycle Metal a call. He can custom valve and spring a set for you.
Thanks for your input. I took your advice and gave Howard a call.....great guy. He feels he has the right solution for me and price wasn't bad at under $500.
Had to play with it some but I finally hit the sweet spot..at 270 lbs solo 5 and a half seems to be the spot..previous posters were right about theSuspension being oversprung..glad I don't have to add another pair of stock shocks to my already out of control parts Cashe.
Had to play with it some but I finally hit the sweet spot..at 270 lbs solo 5 and a half seems to be the spot..previous posters were right about theSuspension being oversprung..glad I don't have to add another pair of stock shocks to my already out of control parts Cashe.
IMO the suspension on the M8 is far superior than all the previous touring bikes.
I believe this is true.....IF you are a heavy rider (over 200 lbs). My hubby had a an expensive aftermarket suspension on his 2012 CVO SG but finds the stock suspension great on his 2017 CVO SG. For me, being a light rider (138 lbs) it is HORRIBLE. However, yesterday we rode and he put a 40 lbs of steel in my bags and centered them (just to make the bike more comfortable to ride). That was a BIG improvement but obviously a temporary one. I will be ordering Ohlis from Howard.
I love my Road Glide and you can sugar coat it any way you want but the ride will beat the $@#@ outa you, bought an air cushion and its tolerable now, got a set of Michelin C2's ready to stick on it, hoping that helps some too.
If thats good Im done, if not I will try a different seat if that works Im done, if not I will trade back to an Ultra.
Best/joe
WOW I test rode a 2017 Ultra Limited today and it was like heaven compared to me 2017 RGS. Don't know if it's the fluffy seat of the UL or the extra inch travel of the rear shocks...or combination of both. Thinking of going with 13" in the rear and I think I should be ok. Any opinions about that move? Will probable go with the New Fox series shocks in 13" as I've always had good luck with their products.
WOW I test rode a 2017 Ultra Limited today and it was like heaven compared to me 2017 RGS. Don't know if it's the fluffy seat of the UL or the extra inch travel of the rear shocks...or combination of both. Thinking of going with 13" in the rear and I think I should be ok. Any opinions about that move? Will probable go with the New Fox series shocks in 13" as I've always had good luck with their products.
It's a combination of both.. I am quite comfortable on the Limited but the King was killin' me. Air Shocks on the King and a CVO Seat and I'm happy again
I played with the settings till I turned purple.. Could never get it right but my biggest problem was clearance, especially with NYC pot holes, speed bumps, and stuff.. I kept scraping the bottom, and that was without passengers. Anyway I wanted to swap out shocks but didn't want the same height so I looked into 13s. Air shocks with compressors, and electrical wiring was not for me.. Wanted something plug and play and easy to use. Went with Yelvington. Glad I did.. For me it was a huge improvement.. and easy swap. Both sides are now fully adjustable and bike sits pretty much the same, or appears to look the same, but now has a bit more clearance.
It's exactly what I needed. no more scraping and no issues with passengers and cargo.
On longer ride it also seems more compliant too. I can still flat foot with my 5' 8" frame with 30" inseam. For me 13 was the magic number.
