I know it's been asked before, but I'm going to ask it again... I also couldn't figure out the right answer. Some of the answers were confusing. "I'm a simple man." And, baggers are a little new to me as I've been riding a dyna for the past few years.
I have a 2016 Road Glide Ultra. The rear suspension is really "soft". When I hit a big bump in the road (not a pothole, but a dip in the road) it sometimes has launched me off the seat or practically compressed my spine 6 inces. I don't want that. haha.... My question is, add more air or let air out in order to make it stiffer? I've read that it's all pretty much personal preference as to how much air a person likes riding with and the type of riding, 1up vs 2up, and I realize that the owners manual (if i had one) has a "suggested" amount of air pressure...I'm about 210 and do mostly solo riding, but at times I ride 2up. I haven't gone on any long trips with a totally loaded bike yet and I realize the air pressure will change with a rider and gear. I'm just looking for the simple answer, more or less air to make it stiffer?

Thanks.

 

..... more

 

i run 50 lbs I'm 185

 

My question is, add more air or let air out in order to make it stiffer?
Serious question? If so maybe you should 1, go back to a dyna or 2, get aftermarket shocks. HD air shocks suck at best and that is being nice. Even their premium shocks on the new bikes leave a lot to be desired but I have a set I will sell ya if interested.

 

Look at it this way-\
The Schock is your spring, the more air the more it will hold up, more after that point, it will become stiffer.
BUT- there is a spring in there too.
Cheap shocks just will never do the job very well

 

More air. But, as has been said: pointless. I could never put enough air in them to get to a point where I didn't think the damn think is going to melt away under my butt. Those who came up with these so called shocks and those who thought it a good idea to put that in such a heavy bike should be [insert whatever you can come up with that's not nice to say].
It will get unbearable once you go 2-up, not to mention when loading her (= the motorcycle) up in addition. The only way to remediate this potentially dangerous situation is to get better rear shocks. Don't worry too much about the front but the rear is a true problem. Sorry man, that's the harsh reality for our modern RGU!

 

Thank you. I definitely plan on getting new, aftermarket shocks, when I'm able to fork out the dough for the ones I want. So for the time being, I was wondering what the solution would be to solve the problem. And YES! I totally agree that the stock shocks suck!

Yes its a serious question, otherwise I wouldn't have asked. It's not a matter of going back to a dyna...I actually still have they dyna. I got the RG for more comfort for the woman and I and to be able to go on long trips with her. The dyna is just fine for me. Like I stated above, I plan on getting new shocks and YES, stock shocks suck.