softail shock adjustment
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 100
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softail shock adjustment
I usually "stiffen" the rear shock on my 05 Heritage when riding 2 up or carrying a full t-bag, then go back to medium setting when riding alone. Really is a pain to change it , so I was wondering if anyone routinely rides in the full stiff positon, when riding solo and if so does it help/hurt handling?
Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 467
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RE: softail shock adjustment
I would think riding with a stiffer suspension would help handling, but it just might be a harsher ride for you. Probably the easiest thing would be to just try riding solo with the stiffer suspension and see how you like it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,525
Likes: 4
From: Montreal, Canada
RE: softail shock adjustment
I weight 185Lbs and I have my preload at it's max stiffness.
I'm always solo and the reason for the stiffness was to get
my rear fender as low as possible without rubbing. I have it
an inch and a half and she never rubbed. As for the ride. She's
pretty close to being a rigid. She goes down 3/4 of an inch when
I sit down and hardly travels when hitting bumps. Handling
is awsome for the type of bike she is. Hope this helps man.
I'm always solo and the reason for the stiffness was to get
my rear fender as low as possible without rubbing. I have it
an inch and a half and she never rubbed. As for the ride. She's
pretty close to being a rigid. She goes down 3/4 of an inch when
I sit down and hardly travels when hitting bumps. Handling
is awsome for the type of bike she is. Hope this helps man.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 71
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From:
RE: softail shock adjustment
I turned mine 1 turn out after I was scraping pipes with the wife on. I havn't touched it after that, don't seem to have a problem. I will adjust it all the way out as we have a 3 state ride this weekend. This is due to the extra weight of luggage and the 55 gal. drum of make-up that the wife "needs".
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 899
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From: South Carolina
RE: softail shock adjustment
I ride solo 80%/2-up 20%...I have mine set one turn from max and just leave it there. I like the firmer ride.
I'm going to firm up the fork with the SE fork oil this weekend (10,000 mile service). After I ride it a bit, I may decide to change the springs to firm up the front some more...
I'm going to firm up the fork with the SE fork oil this weekend (10,000 mile service). After I ride it a bit, I may decide to change the springs to firm up the front some more...
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 37
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From:
RE: softail shock adjustment
Sounds like my wife....a bag for make up, one for shows, one for jewelry, one full of various brushes...no room for my stuff.
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Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 71
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From:
RE: softail shock adjustment
We did ok after all. I forgot to turn 'em out but had no problems. I did scrape floorboards but I was taking some of the turns pretty hot. Once I got the ringing out of my ears from the wife yelling at me and slowed down a little we had no problems.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 1
From: Knoxville TN
RE: softail shock adjustment
I ride mine(deluxe) all the time with it about as stiff as it will go. Sure it is not as soft of ride now, but you get used to it. Dont notice much handling difference. But it s not as bad to scrape when the ol lady is on and we be loaded down. ifn I rode by my self all the time I would soften it back up.