rear shocks??
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45
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From: hell
rear shocks??
hey guys I got a 2013 SG and I find the rear shocks suck, im about 240lbs and ride solo with about 13-15 psi in the rears but find it still hit bumps hard I run 15-20 with the wife and I feels like it bottoms out with some bumps"bucks" talked to one of the bike shops and they tell me stock shocks only last about 8000miles and they start to crap out, ive never been a big fan of air stuff, always finds a way to leak. what you guys run and why?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,341
Likes: 713
your sg has 12 inch shocks, u can go cheep and look for 13 inch stock take offs from any of the other glides, next step up is the harley premium hand adjustable, then the progresives, then theres ohlins they get the best reviews but come at a premium price. lots of info already in here on shocks.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,747
Likes: 419
From: Vermont
hey guys I got a 2013 SG and I find the rear shocks suck, im about 240lbs and ride solo with about 13-15 psi in the rears but find it still hit bumps hard I run 15-20 with the wife and I feels like it bottoms out with some bumps"bucks" talked to one of the bike shops and they tell me stock shocks only last about 8000miles and they start to crap out, ive never been a big fan of air stuff, always finds a way to leak. what you guys run and why?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
hey guys I got a 2013 SG and I find the rear shocks suck, im about 240lbs and ride solo with about 13-15 psi in the rears but find it still hit bumps hard I run 15-20 with the wife and I feels like it bottoms out with some bumps"bucks" talked to one of the bike shops and they tell me stock shocks only last about 8000miles and they start to crap out, ive never been a big fan of air stuff, always finds a way to leak. what you guys run and why?
The very fact that the two of you are riding alters things. By that I mean that when solo the rider can get a decent ride using most aftermarket shocks. However as soon as we take along our favourite passenger things change. They do that for two reasons, one being the passenger is sitting directly over the rear shocks and gets to feel more of what is going on than the rider. In addition the extra weight seems to overcome all but the better quality shocks.
You can try different budget shocks, or leap straight to the cream and buy Ohlins. An increasing number of us are finding that they really are the only way to travel. I'm confident that Mrs bigdawg will agree!
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,308
Likes: 11
From: Colorado
I finally replaced my junker stock shocks and switched to Ohlins. I've only had them on for about 2 weeks, but so far I've been very impressed. I was skeptical about the price tag, but they are super nice shocks and eat up the super human pot holes we have here in Colorado...
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 37
From: Rockland County, NY
Three main points from the responses above:
You're running way too little pressure for yourself, let alone you and a passenger.
Street Glides come with 12" shocks and Ultras and Road Kings come with 13" shocks. You've lost one inch of suspension travel (2" vs 3").
The replacement shocks listed above could be the most dramatic thing you can do to improve your ride. (Be sure to buy only 13" shocks.)
You're running way too little pressure for yourself, let alone you and a passenger.
Street Glides come with 12" shocks and Ultras and Road Kings come with 13" shocks. You've lost one inch of suspension travel (2" vs 3").
The replacement shocks listed above could be the most dramatic thing you can do to improve your ride. (Be sure to buy only 13" shocks.)
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,790
Likes: 1,186
your way too low in air pressure for that year of factory shock. I made that mistake also on the newer bike. They like way higher air pressure. Start high and work back... But they do suck unfortunately . One reason I will NEVER waste money on a brand new bike only to strip off junk parts and replace.
I made the same mistake as you when I first began with the SG. Then I read somewhere that these shocks like much higher pressure than the ones on the older Glides. So I went up to between 35 and 40 psi, and it made a big difference.
The shocks still aren't great, but with a higher psi, they became somewhere between tolerable and okay.
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45
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From: hell
thanks guys, I just want to say I did try a search before I posted and nothing came up, but im not a it guy so maybe I did something wrong.
as for pressure its a used bike I bought after my nightrain wasn't cutting it for me anymore. when I went back to the dealer and bitched they told me you cant run more them 25psi.
I think im going to look into the ohlins,
as for pressure its a used bike I bought after my nightrain wasn't cutting it for me anymore. when I went back to the dealer and bitched they told me you cant run more them 25psi.
I think im going to look into the ohlins,
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 449
Likes: 29
From: Scottsdale, AZ
I just installed Ohlin #3-#3 from Howard, Motorcycle Metal. No difference in actual seat height between the 12" stock shocks and the 13" Ohlins. Initial ride impressions are these are fantastic! Night and day difference and I can't wait until I have 1k miles on them for the break-in, I understand they will only get get much better. Howard was fantastic. What I don't like - the thought of removing the bags and adjusting the spring pre-load everytime you switch from one up to two up but I knew that going into it. Going to try them and see how it goes. If they live up to their expectations it will only be a small sacrifice for an amazing ride. More to follow. Its 110 deg out so it will have to a while.