Good shocks suck now?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 482
From: MA
Good shocks suck now?
I took the 13" JRI shocks I had on my 2008 RG that felt awesome, and installed them on my 2018 RG without doing any adjustments.
Now on the 2018, they ride like crap. I would think the weight and everything adjustment-related should be the same or very close.
Is there anything on the newer bikes that would cause this? I know I need to try to adjust them and will, but I'm surprised they weren't just as good from one RG to another...anyone else experience this?
Now on the 2018, they ride like crap. I would think the weight and everything adjustment-related should be the same or very close.
Is there anything on the newer bikes that would cause this? I know I need to try to adjust them and will, but I'm surprised they weren't just as good from one RG to another...anyone else experience this?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 3,412
From: OH
I have run the same set of shocks on a 2010/2016/2017/2020 touring bike and they switched over fine without any major adjustments. There are differences on how they felt on the 2010 to the 2017/20 but it was more how the bike sat that the ride quality.
Your bike the 08 was the last year of the older frame that was less rigid than the newer ones are. Maybe that is some of what you are feeling.
Set them back to a factory neutral position and go through your setup again.
Your bike the 08 was the last year of the older frame that was less rigid than the newer ones are. Maybe that is some of what you are feeling.
Set them back to a factory neutral position and go through your setup again.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 3,176
From: Central Indiana
In 2009 there was a swingarm design change to the touring line. This is why the Harley adjustables are not designed to fit pre-2009 bikes. Not sure if this has anything to do with your situation or not, but there have been 2 rounds of changes since your 2008 bike was built.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
I have run the same set of shocks on a 2010/2016/2017/2020 touring bike and they switched over fine without any major adjustments. There are differences on how they felt on the 2010 to the 2017/20 but it was more how the bike sat that the ride quality.
Your bike the 08 was the last year of the older frame that was less rigid than the newer ones are. Maybe that is some of what you are feeling.
Set them back to a factory neutral position and go through your setup again.
Your bike the 08 was the last year of the older frame that was less rigid than the newer ones are. Maybe that is some of what you are feeling.
Set them back to a factory neutral position and go through your setup again.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,925
Likes: 8,027
From: poway
I have run the same set of shocks on a 2010/2016/2017/2020 touring bike and they switched over fine without any major adjustments. There are differences on how they felt on the 2010 to the 2017/20 but it was more how the bike sat that the ride quality.
Your bike the 08 was the last year of the older frame that was less rigid than the newer ones are. Maybe that is some of what you are feeling.
Set them back to a factory neutral position and go through your setup again.
Your bike the 08 was the last year of the older frame that was less rigid than the newer ones are. Maybe that is some of what you are feeling.
Set them back to a factory neutral position and go through your setup again.
The M8 motors are heavier, OP can try setting sag and see if that helps. I'd simply try adding about 3/8" preload to the shock and see if it helps.