Need softer ride....
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 797
Likes: 166
From: MA
Need softer ride....
Hey guys, Not wanting to hijack someone else's thread, I love the way my 2011 Superlow handles, but I would like to soften up the ride a bit. Got a bad back, replaced the seat with a Mustang which helped a bit, but I am thinking changing out the rear shocks would help. I should note that its a one-up bike only..no passengers.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks.....
Any thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks.....
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 11
From: Colonial Beach, Virginia
The best way to improve the ride is to gain more shock travel but then your bike will no longer be Super Low. You may have to give up some of that, broken bike look, for some decent ride improvement. You could use 13.0" shocks and lowering blocks, The lower blocks make the ride a little choppy because the lower pivot point is now behind the axle.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 207
Likes: 3
From: england
The best way to improve the ride is to gain more shock travel but then your bike will no longer be Super Low. You may have to give up some of that, broken bike look, for some decent ride improvement. You could use 13.0" shocks and lowering blocks, The lower blocks make the ride a little choppy because the lower pivot point is now behind the axle.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 4
From: MI
If you still have stock tires on it change your tires. You will be surprised how bad a ride the stock tires are. As far as ride quality they are the worst tires I have riden on.
The Michelin Comander 2 tires have A real smooth ride to them, but just about any tire you put on it will improve the ride. Also if you only do 1 up, look into a lower load index. As long as your load index is over the GAWR you are good to go, avoid tires made for the half ton bikes and you will be good.
The Michelin Comander 2 tires have A real smooth ride to them, but just about any tire you put on it will improve the ride. Also if you only do 1 up, look into a lower load index. As long as your load index is over the GAWR you are good to go, avoid tires made for the half ton bikes and you will be good.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 797
Likes: 166
From: MA
Thanks for the replies....
I was hoping that all it would take is a shock with different spring and damping rates..guess not.
The bike does have the Michelin Commander II tires (radials)....I've read pretty good reviews on them; are you suggesting that I should change them out? I have the spring preload on the lowest setting as I am not a heavyweight.
I was hoping that all it would take is a shock with different spring and damping rates..guess not.
The bike does have the Michelin Commander II tires (radials)....I've read pretty good reviews on them; are you suggesting that I should change them out? I have the spring preload on the lowest setting as I am not a heavyweight.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 4
From: MI
Thanks for the replies....
I was hoping that all it would take is a shock with different spring and damping rates..guess not.
The bike does have the Michelin Commander II tires (radials)....I've read pretty good reviews on them; are you suggesting that I should change them out? I have the spring preload on the lowest setting as I am not a heavyweight.
I was hoping that all it would take is a shock with different spring and damping rates..guess not.
The bike does have the Michelin Commander II tires (radials)....I've read pretty good reviews on them; are you suggesting that I should change them out? I have the spring preload on the lowest setting as I am not a heavyweight.
Make sure you have the right psi in the tires. Sometimes too little air makes for a bad ride as much as too much air. Also play with the psi, a little bit can make a big difference and when you find what works best for your bike and your weight, you will know it.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Stock SuperLow tyres are fine. As for shocks you get back what you spend! There is no doubt the stock SuperLow shocks leave a lot to be desired. Like Jim I have 13" Hagons, although I made do with their ordinary version.
It is very likely that your front forks, like mine, sag about 2/3rds of their total travel when you sit on it, which means you only have 1/3rd left to ride over bumps and potholes. You can improve the ride up front simply by rectifying sag, for which I used Race Tech single-rate springs. That will lift the front of your bike about an inch, but give you around 2 3/4" of useful travel.
That in turn means that if you fit longer shocks the bike will stay level, roughly an inch higher at both ends, plus you have more travel. From my own experience I recommend you buy good quality shocks and skip past the cheap ones, to get better quality damping, hence comfort.
It is very likely that your front forks, like mine, sag about 2/3rds of their total travel when you sit on it, which means you only have 1/3rd left to ride over bumps and potholes. You can improve the ride up front simply by rectifying sag, for which I used Race Tech single-rate springs. That will lift the front of your bike about an inch, but give you around 2 3/4" of useful travel.
That in turn means that if you fit longer shocks the bike will stay level, roughly an inch higher at both ends, plus you have more travel. From my own experience I recommend you buy good quality shocks and skip past the cheap ones, to get better quality damping, hence comfort.
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth,Texas
overthehill:
I have a 2012 Superlow and went the Mustang seat route as well,helped some.I just added Progressive 412 shocks,12.5" and Progressive fork springs.For a total of $300.00 I made a BIG improvement in ride quality and only raised the bike by about 1".I'm 5'8'' w/29" inseam and weigh 210,no problem flatfooting at stops.
John[the old]
I have a 2012 Superlow and went the Mustang seat route as well,helped some.I just added Progressive 412 shocks,12.5" and Progressive fork springs.For a total of $300.00 I made a BIG improvement in ride quality and only raised the bike by about 1".I'm 5'8'' w/29" inseam and weigh 210,no problem flatfooting at stops.
John[the old]
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 797
Likes: 166
From: MA
Wow...great information.
I had a feeling that my stock tires were pretty good....I'll try moving the preload up a notch to see if that helps. If not - well, I am just under 5'10" and weight just about 150lbs, so I have plenty of room for clearance - I may go the route of new springs and shocks.
Again, thanks
I had a feeling that my stock tires were pretty good....I'll try moving the preload up a notch to see if that helps. If not - well, I am just under 5'10" and weight just about 150lbs, so I have plenty of room for clearance - I may go the route of new springs and shocks.
Again, thanks
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 858
Likes: 20
From: USA
Don't overspend money on crappy overrated Progressive shocks that "EVERYONE" seems to rave about. Do yourself a favor, first consider going the cheapest route possible. Consider getting a pair of used "touring shocks" from a Street Glide, "Air Shocks" you maybe spend around $120 or $150 and if you don't like them you can always reselled them, try those out FIRST, also consider upgrading the stock seat of modifying it to fit your needs. Many options to consider, Mustang is a nice seat, so are others.
I wouldn't do Progressive Shocks even if they were given to me for FREE! Period.. So many other "REAL" shocks out there to consider than the highly overrated "Progressive" crap... Grant it, they do have some OK springs for the front end though.. But shocks, NOPE!
Suspension Technology shocks will outperform ANY progressive shocks! Ok enough of my rant! lol
I wouldn't do Progressive Shocks even if they were given to me for FREE! Period.. So many other "REAL" shocks out there to consider than the highly overrated "Progressive" crap... Grant it, they do have some OK springs for the front end though.. But shocks, NOPE!
Suspension Technology shocks will outperform ANY progressive shocks! Ok enough of my rant! lol