Is air ride worth the expense?
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From:
Is air ride worth the expense?
Considering an air ride on my 2010 Heritage. Is it worth the expense and will it really improve the ride? What are the pros and cons of available systems? I there a good, better, best?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
I have shotgun shocks and yes, it does improve the ride. Everyone's finances are different so I can not say if it is worth it to you. 422's, works shocks... will also improve the ride but if you want to slam the bike or ride from 1up to 2up, then air ride is very convenient. Also, do not disregard upgrading the front suspension as it makes as much of a difference in ride quality and handling as the rear. Tires also improve things. Its taken a few years of slowly adding stuff, buying most of it used as this hobby is expensive, and my bike rides and handles sooo much better now. 18" rims with radial tires front and rear, Ricors in the front suspension, shotguns shocks rear and leaving it stock height, 2up 50%, mostly back roads and twisties.
Others will respond, no doubt. Tbone???? lol Keep in mind that everyone rides differently and many with air shocks have their bikes lowered. Although not ideal for 2up, handling and ride quality.
Others will respond, no doubt. Tbone???? lol Keep in mind that everyone rides differently and many with air shocks have their bikes lowered. Although not ideal for 2up, handling and ride quality.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: spokane
Just put a shotgun on my 09 Heritage and it is worth every dollar i spent on it .had some lowering bolts on it for a season and they kinda sucked and now it feels like i can ride i all day and night.my lower back dosent feel compressed and the wow factor is really cool when u pull in a lot and slam it.the only problem is now i know every bike i get from here on out will have to have on on it.i even scraped my floorboards with the stock ones and now i can turn on a dime and not scrape a thing,unless its slammed
Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 73
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Shotgun Shock = Kate Upton
Stock Shocks = Miley Cyrus
Sure, you can ride 'em both, but you'll eventually want to get off of one of 'em...
Stock Shocks = Miley Cyrus
Sure, you can ride 'em both, but you'll eventually want to get off of one of 'em...
Last edited by jam436; Sep 16, 2013 at 05:13 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 875
Likes: 10
From: Corp of Discovery trail, Missouri
Me want some Kate Uptons, they just look like they would make a plush ride.
Just need to save my pennies for a while.
Just need to save my pennies for a while.
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Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Nothing,, IMHO.. Just make sure U have them adjusted for Ur weight.
Just two weeks ago 4 of my friends and I did a 4 day trip down to the Dragon.
We rode almost 10hrs a day on all four days and about 1500 miles total, 95% back roads, very little interstates.
At 64 and with my bad back (shattered L-3 yrs ago) and messed up right Knee, I just took a couple Aleves in the morning and didn't have pain one the whole trip and I still have stock shocks.
I will add I just added a set of HD Hi-way pegs for that trip.. Now, I Wish I had added them Yrs ago to my bike on all the trips I've taken.
With them, They took all the pressure off my Knees, Hip's and back because I could stretching out and change position a lot more VS having to keep Ur feet on the Floor Boards all the time. They are a really Big help.
As far as Air shocks, They ARE probably a little better ride, but, I'am not unhappy with the stock ride and I think a lot of people have them more for just the COOL factor.
As one member in here that just installed Air Shocks, said last week,
(Nothing like pulling in somewhere and then hitting the switch to bottom Ur bike out.
Then watch and lesson to all the - OOHS and AAHS when all the people say "How Cool is that")...
.
Just two weeks ago 4 of my friends and I did a 4 day trip down to the Dragon.
We rode almost 10hrs a day on all four days and about 1500 miles total, 95% back roads, very little interstates.
At 64 and with my bad back (shattered L-3 yrs ago) and messed up right Knee, I just took a couple Aleves in the morning and didn't have pain one the whole trip and I still have stock shocks.
I will add I just added a set of HD Hi-way pegs for that trip.. Now, I Wish I had added them Yrs ago to my bike on all the trips I've taken.
With them, They took all the pressure off my Knees, Hip's and back because I could stretching out and change position a lot more VS having to keep Ur feet on the Floor Boards all the time. They are a really Big help.
As far as Air shocks, They ARE probably a little better ride, but, I'am not unhappy with the stock ride and I think a lot of people have them more for just the COOL factor.
As one member in here that just installed Air Shocks, said last week,
(Nothing like pulling in somewhere and then hitting the switch to bottom Ur bike out.
Then watch and lesson to all the - OOHS and AAHS when all the people say "How Cool is that")...
.
Last edited by oct1949; Sep 17, 2013 at 09:36 AM. Reason: added more
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 267
Likes: 14
From: Texas
I just did 1000 miles on the BO. i lowered it with bolts,but for the trip i raised it to stock height,because the girlfriend rode.im gonna do shotgun now because i hate the gap in the fender but its a pain to adjust stock shocks..
