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couple of questions about suspension.

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Old Jul 6, 2019 | 06:21 AM
  #1  
West Virginia rider's Avatar
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Default couple of questions about suspension.

I am seriously considering buying a touring model for me and the wife to ride. Looking at the ultra limited 2014 - 2016 model year.
We are bigger folk and will be around 500 plus pounds together. The questions I have are about weight and suspension.
Do you think I will need to upgrade the rear shocks ? And if so what are some good shocks for heavy rider and passenger?
Would love to hear from others who are heavier people. We sat on my friends ultra classic and we are comfy on it. But not sure how the bike will handle our combined weight.
Thanks.
 
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Old Jul 6, 2019 | 06:42 AM
  #2  
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Lots of people will tell you lots of things, some of it may even be correct.

My suggestion is to contact a suspension specialist and talk to them about what you want to do.
Traxxion Dyanmics (located in Georgia), Motorcycle Metal (Florida), and Race Tech (California) are the three places I would recommend to start. These three outfits are not just parts resellers, their business is to develop suspensions for all types of motorcycles.

Most folks just slap a set of shocks on their bike with no regard to what they really need, ignoring the fact that is the spring rate that important. There are things like dynamic and static sag that need to be addressed.
The three places I mentioned will be a good start. Each of them has a decent website and my experience with them all has been positive. None of these choices are cheap.

By the way when (if) you call Motorcycle Metal, be ready for a real conversation. While Howard is a 'strong cup of coffee' and certainly has hurt the feelings of several members on this board, he knows his stuff about setting up a Harley.

Good luck and happy hunting.

Joe
 
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Old Jul 6, 2019 | 08:07 AM
  #3  
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Originally Posted by possum528
Lots of people will tell you lots of things, some of it may even be correct.

My suggestion is to contact a suspension specialist and talk to them about what you want to do.
Traxxion Dyanmics (located in Georgia), Motorcycle Metal (Florida), and Race Tech (California) are the three places I would recommend to start. These three outfits are not just parts resellers, their business is to develop suspensions for all types of motorcycles.

Most folks just slap a set of shocks on their bike with no regard to what they really need, ignoring the fact that is the spring rate that important. There are things like dynamic and static sag that need to be addressed.
The three places I mentioned will be a good start. Each of them has a decent website and my experience with them all has been positive. None of these choices are cheap.

By the way when (if) you call Motorcycle Metal, be ready for a real conversation. While Howard is a 'strong cup of coffee' and certainly has hurt the feelings of several members on this board, he knows his stuff about setting up a Harley.

Good luck and happy hunting.

Joe
 
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Old Jul 6, 2019 | 08:24 AM
  #4  
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Possum is giving you the best advice you can get.
 
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