Softail Suspension
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 594
From: Alabama
Softail Suspension
Talk to me about softails and rear suspension travel. How is it compared to a Dyna or a Touring bike? How much travel is there? Just asking...a friend of mine basically talked me out of a softail for my first HD, but I still like the way they look.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,677
Likes: 141
From: haverhill mass
i got the 2010 fatboy lo with 2 up she ride very hard solo very good . i tryed playing with shocks still rides hard. i had the 2009 lowrider 2 up very nice girl never complained, be carefull what you buy
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 594
From: Alabama
Yeah..guess my buddy knew what he was talking about. He has been riding HDs for 30 years and owns at least three of them. My buddy has a Rocker and he decided to lower that thing to the max...I saw him after he lowered it and he bitched that the fender scraped the tire when he hit a bump...I just looked at my Dyna FXD and smiled. LOL.
He may look cool....If I want that look maybe I should do what I wanted to do years ago; build a rigid framed custom and ride it now and then.
Still like the look though.
He may look cool....If I want that look maybe I should do what I wanted to do years ago; build a rigid framed custom and ride it now and then.
Still like the look though.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
I've had a couple of Softails over the years and presently have another one. I have also owned a road King. Softails are set up from the factory pretty soft in the shock area. I am 200 #'s and the rear would bottom easily. I adjusted the shocks and the ride is much better now. I say buy the bike you really like and make it work for you. No bike out of the box will fit everyone. Just my 2 cents and it ain't worth much!
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 480
Likes: 1
From: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Check out Platinum Bleed Feed for Softails. Search the forum!! Dr V-twin can give you the low-down on this great shock setup. I'm going to get me one in a couple months for a winter project.
Supporter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,685
Likes: 36
From: Hoboken, NJ
I dropped the rear of my Train 2" with the HD Lo Profile Shocks. At first, the pre-load was WAY too soft and concequently, I was bottoming out over the smallest bumps. I had them adjusted and now it's fine. And still low- like all Trains should be! HOLLA BACK!
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
Just changed fork oil to a heavier weight. $20 total including new seals and oil and made a nice difference in damping. Reduced brake dive and bike feels more planted/sure footed in the twisties.
Rear shocks are adjustable.
Like some one mentioned, these bikes are setup for lighter loads.
Rear shocks are adjustable.
Like some one mentioned, these bikes are setup for lighter loads.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,415
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio, Republic of TEXAS
[QUOTE=Sycho01;6986655.... Softails are set up from the factory pretty soft in the shock area. I am 200 #'s and the rear would bottom easily..... [/QUOTE]
really? I guess the factory 'forgot' to set mine soft. I'm 230 lbs, the gf around 130. we ride a '08 Fatboy. the shocks are stock and at the factory settings and we have never bottomed out.
really? I guess the factory 'forgot' to set mine soft. I'm 230 lbs, the gf around 130. we ride a '08 Fatboy. the shocks are stock and at the factory settings and we have never bottomed out.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 3
From: Long Island, NY
I have no complaints what so ever about the shocks on my softail. Used to ride it stock and 2 up or solo I had no complaints. True the roadking or Glides have a slightly better comfort ride with their shocks for true long distance travel, but honestly i can travel just as many miles on a softail.
Recently i lowered mine by 1.5inch. Rides a little harder but i was expecting that. Still I would ride thousands of miles on her and would have nothing to complain about.
Recently i lowered mine by 1.5inch. Rides a little harder but i was expecting that. Still I would ride thousands of miles on her and would have nothing to complain about.