Hand adjustable shocks
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,618
Likes: 290
From: Johnstown, PA
Hand adjustable shocks
I have a 2015 RG custom / standard that came stock with air shocks. I bought a set of take off shocks from an 18 streetglide off of eBay.
i have read mixed reviews, so I’m not expecting.ng a big change, bout hoping to see an improvement over the air system.
I have a few q’s about set up. First, I weigh in at 235 and Cary about 10 lbs In The saddlebags (mostly tools). Reading the guidelines, I should go 3-4 clicks to start and see where I’m at. i like a softer ride with mot hard bottoming out. I current run the air ones at 28 PSI. How many clicks should I go to start?
i have also read that a number of bikes from the factory were delivered with the right shock mounted upside down. When installing, what is the proper orientation?
i rode an 18 at a rally, and thought the rear suspension was nice. Anyone know what the default setting is from the factory? My guess is they don’t mess with the factory settings on demo bikes.
thanks for your input!
i have read mixed reviews, so I’m not expecting.ng a big change, bout hoping to see an improvement over the air system.
I have a few q’s about set up. First, I weigh in at 235 and Cary about 10 lbs In The saddlebags (mostly tools). Reading the guidelines, I should go 3-4 clicks to start and see where I’m at. i like a softer ride with mot hard bottoming out. I current run the air ones at 28 PSI. How many clicks should I go to start?
i have also read that a number of bikes from the factory were delivered with the right shock mounted upside down. When installing, what is the proper orientation?
i rode an 18 at a rally, and thought the rear suspension was nice. Anyone know what the default setting is from the factory? My guess is they don’t mess with the factory settings on demo bikes.
thanks for your input!
Last edited by steelerdude1; Sep 6, 2018 at 10:28 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 1,137
From: Oklahoma
I have a RGU, without the tour-pack on, I had mine on 2, they were the 13" shocks... I'm 180 with about 20 pounds in the saddlebags. I tried them at several settings and thats what worked for me. I'm currently testing some 14" SuperShox on my RGU, so we put the 13" Premium Hand Adjustables on a neighbors 2011 Street Glide... 150# rider with empty bags and set it to .5 to start with. She thinks they are stiff... but then she was riding around with no air in the factory shocks lol she didn't know to check them.
As far ar the right shock goes, put it on however you want, what ever gives you the most clearance. It will work either way. I have a detach kit and I have had the right shock on both ways without any issue. Wound up with it on with the rod down like the left one... just cause it was more symmetrical lol but a lot of the new bikes come with the right shock "upside down"... it don't matter as long as you have clearance.
As far ar the right shock goes, put it on however you want, what ever gives you the most clearance. It will work either way. I have a detach kit and I have had the right shock on both ways without any issue. Wound up with it on with the rod down like the left one... just cause it was more symmetrical lol but a lot of the new bikes come with the right shock "upside down"... it don't matter as long as you have clearance.
Last edited by Ssitruc; Sep 7, 2018 at 08:55 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 4,725
Likes: 1,787
From: Toledo ohio
I am 230 and I rode in the middle of the adj for quiet a while and still thought it was a lot better ride than air shocks. One day, I decided to drop down to 3-4 clicks and what an improvement.. all that time I rode stiff.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 935
From: Clearwater, Fl
Start at zero. See what you get. If it bottoms out too often go up a couple turns. Do that until you get your best ride
I've put almost 80,000 miles on the 12" hand adjustable shocks the last 4 years on a SGS and dressers.
I've put almost 80,000 miles on the 12" hand adjustable shocks the last 4 years on a SGS and dressers.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 908
Likes: 121
From: VA
13s would be a much better ride..ive got the 13s and Im 240 and they are great..adjusted per owners manual specs...
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 578
Likes: 22
From: Ontario, Canada
I'm 190 and I'm at zero on the 12" . I'd start there and go up if you're bottoming out.. Not overly stiff and better than the air they replaced. When I run with a full load, and the wife, I'm at 5 or 6. She says they are much better than the air shocks before and I agree. Definitely worth what I paid for them.
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2018
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From: On my motorcycle
I have a 2015 RG custom / standard that came stock with air shocks. I bought a set of take off shocks from an 18 streetglide off of eBay.
i have read mixed reviews, so Im not expecting.ng a big change, bout hoping to see an improvement over the air system.
I have a few qs about set up. First, I weigh in at 235 and Cary about 10 lbs In The saddlebags (mostly tools). Reading the guidelines, I should go 3-4 clicks to start and see where Im at. i like a softer ride with mot hard bottoming out. I current run the air ones at 28 PSI. How many clicks should I go to start?
i have also read that a number of bikes from the factory were delivered with the right shock mounted upside down. When installing, what is the proper orientation?
i rode an 18 at a rally, and thought the rear suspension was nice. Anyone know what the default setting is from the factory? My guess is they dont mess with the factory settings on demo bikes.
thanks for your input!
i have read mixed reviews, so Im not expecting.ng a big change, bout hoping to see an improvement over the air system.
I have a few qs about set up. First, I weigh in at 235 and Cary about 10 lbs In The saddlebags (mostly tools). Reading the guidelines, I should go 3-4 clicks to start and see where Im at. i like a softer ride with mot hard bottoming out. I current run the air ones at 28 PSI. How many clicks should I go to start?
i have also read that a number of bikes from the factory were delivered with the right shock mounted upside down. When installing, what is the proper orientation?
i rode an 18 at a rally, and thought the rear suspension was nice. Anyone know what the default setting is from the factory? My guess is they dont mess with the factory settings on demo bikes.
thanks for your input!
Did you replace the air shocks with something else?
If you replaced the air shocks with something else, what is the spring rate of the new shocks, and what is the weight of you and everything (and everyone) else that you're carrying on the motorcycle?
What is your front and rear laden sag measurements?