Hello fellow HD owners. So, I have my first HD, a 2014 1200T Superlow. Was thinking since I picked it up 5 weeks ago that the harsh ride is part of the superlow sacrifice. However, had another HD owner at work check it out with me and although I have the preload set to zero as low as it can go on the dial, and the fact that I weight 233lbs, the rear suspension pretty much does not move at all if i sit on bike and bounce in the set. I am talking like 1/4 inch movement maybe......are these pre-load systems known to have problems? should I replace the rear shocks with something more conventional ??? Please help my sore backside...

 

I had a 2014 XL1200t, you have me by about 100 lbs, I remember it was stiff, it would bounce me off the seat sometimes going over bumps. I got about 4k miles on it and decided it was time for a softtail and longer rides. Getting just 1/4" compression doesn't sound right though.

 

Fit a springer seat; worked for me.

 

Ok, so I stopped by my local HD dealer and got exactly what i thought I would. Told them I have about 1/4 inch movement in rear suspension. All they could say was.........do you want to drop it off for a service appointment for us to check it out........ Well, I didn't and have ordered some 13" Progessive 412 shocks. Once received and installed will let you all know my thoughts on them.......heres too some rear suspension...

 

The 412's are slightly better, but not much. The deal with shocks is, the good ones aint cheap.

 

^^^This. I recently installed 412's on my '05 XL1200C and got a disappointingly small improvement. Plus the 412's (as it turns out) are known to creak quite a bit. I'm trading the bike in by the end of the season, so I refuse to dump any more money into it.

 

I got Progressive 444 12.5 shocks on my Superlow. They may not be the best out there but they are way better than stock.

 

Not sure if this will work for you but I replaced my Sportster shocks with Dyna shocks and I no longer have issues with bumps in the road. I am 240 and the stock shocks didn't seem to handle my weight well. Got them off eBay for cheap - they were take-offs with low mileage.

 

I'm much lighter (165 lbs) but hated my 2017 XL1200T suspension. Went with Progressive 12.5" 412s on the rear and Progressive monotubes on front. They really helped.

 

Does your 2014 bike have the single sided adjustable shock, I know the 2015 MY and newer do?

Going by the manual you need to be at least 190lbs for any preload at all. I think it is a very solid ride.

I went with Progressive 430s as they can be adjusted by hand.