HD Premium Ride Hand Adjustable Shocks
Supporter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,133
Likes: 147
From: Grays Creek, NC
I ride primarily two up /tour pac , if I go with the 13" does the seat height necessarily go up one inch with the HD shocks ?
The general consensus seems that the HD shocks are a reasonable upgrade over the air shocks without spending a fortune ? Ebay looks to be in the $200/250 range .
The general consensus seems that the HD shocks are a reasonable upgrade over the air shocks without spending a fortune ? Ebay looks to be in the $200/250 range .
Also I have the 18" rear agitator wheel so that puts the rear much higher than the stock 16", but it was a noticeable difference between the two shocks if your close.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,469
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
No, and for a very valid reason. The rear shocks are not vertical. So, extending them by an inch does NOT make the bike a full inch taller at the seat. It will definitely get taller, and you'll be able to tell the difference, no doubt about it, but not the full inch.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,469
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
Saves money. They only have to build in the adjustment parts on one, not both. Theoretically, if the adjustable one has "double" the preload strength needed, then you only need to adjust one.
Novice
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 23
Likes: 5
From: Germany Dinslaken
I ride primarily two up /tour pac , if I go with the 13" does the seat height necessarily go up one inch with the HD shocks ?
The general consensus seems that the HD shocks are a reasonable upgrade over the air shocks without spending a fortune ? Ebay looks to be in the $200/250 range .
The general consensus seems that the HD shocks are a reasonable upgrade over the air shocks without spending a fortune ? Ebay looks to be in the $200/250 range .
To adjust the hight you just correct the different weight 1 or 2 people, with or without big luggage.
Riding stability comes from the right spring in combination how hard or soft or smooth the damper works.
Again this is just another example to proof you can not have a factory harley call good unless you spend another 1000 USD.
Take a ride on a BMW premium model to compare.. thats a different world of riding.
Nevertheless, I love my RK and wont ride anything else.
Greetz
Heiko
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 582
Likes: 53
From: Greenville, SC
I put the hand adjustables on my Ultra replacing the air. I like em better, seems there is a better control of the bike. I'm 180 and run them at the first click seems good, even with adding my 110lb GF. I'll bump it up a couple 3 when I add tour pack and fill em up for the road.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
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
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 92
From: Michigan
Do Harley tech's every ride a bike after designing the hand adjustable shocks?
If I set mine up according to their book I should be @ a minimum of 6 "full" turns or 12 clicks. If I do this the *** end barely moves and rides like there is no shock. I find 1 click is about as good as it going to get. Tried several different settings but 1 is good.
Think about it, if you haul something that is heavy you need more spring added to obtain ride height and or keep from bottoming out? Well that same theory goes for crank'in up the clicker. For the best ride you want maximum travel without bottoming out or only in a severe condition. You still have to maintain a workable ride height so I guess these shocks are "really" set for people that weight 3-400#. I pity the guy that weighs less than 200. 1 click works for me and have yet to bottom out but there is a dip or hole out there waiting for me now I said this.
If I set mine up according to their book I should be @ a minimum of 6 "full" turns or 12 clicks. If I do this the *** end barely moves and rides like there is no shock. I find 1 click is about as good as it going to get. Tried several different settings but 1 is good.
Think about it, if you haul something that is heavy you need more spring added to obtain ride height and or keep from bottoming out? Well that same theory goes for crank'in up the clicker. For the best ride you want maximum travel without bottoming out or only in a severe condition. You still have to maintain a workable ride height so I guess these shocks are "really" set for people that weight 3-400#. I pity the guy that weighs less than 200. 1 click works for me and have yet to bottom out but there is a dip or hole out there waiting for me now I said this.
