RWD Shocks, beginning to end
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 5,063
Likes: 2,582
From: On my bike!
Quick, hear ya brother. And as said, Im going to check sag once theyre on the bike, but this is a quote from them:
The sag will come pre-set so you will only have to make adjustments to the black compression **** when adding weight to your bike. Basically all you will have to do is bolt them on and go ride them straight out of the box. The shocks will come with the compression ***** all the way open(turned to the left). This is the smoothest riding setting. Turning the ***** to the right increases rigidity of the shock and allows you to add weight without loss of performance. We hope this answers your questions!
I can, but I cant follow instructions. I absolutely will measure sag prior to going for a ride
The sag will come pre-set so you will only have to make adjustments to the black compression **** when adding weight to your bike. Basically all you will have to do is bolt them on and go ride them straight out of the box. The shocks will come with the compression ***** all the way open(turned to the left). This is the smoothest riding setting. Turning the ***** to the right increases rigidity of the shock and allows you to add weight without loss of performance. We hope this answers your questions!
I can, but I cant follow instructions. I absolutely will measure sag prior to going for a ride
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 449
From: Michigan
I've been running these on my 2020 RGS since new. I did have to adjust the sag and after the first 500 miles rechecked it and it was fine. I would recommend turning the black **** a little more than you think you need, Mine were really soft at the #1 setting and I think I ended up at a 1/3rd or 1/2 turn now and they are perfect. The just soak up the bumps and with the four inches of travel I have never bottomed them out since I got the black adjustment **** set right.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,930
Likes: 8,033
From: poway
I've had them for a few years now and I'm still very happy with them.
One thing of note, I know what the brochure says, but I'd swear the little red ***** adjust rebound...
I mean if I turn them up too much, the bike will literally take 3 seconds to return back to normal ride height.
Mine were basically first runs and I wonder if they are mis-valved or something. I wonder what others are seeing...
One thing of note, I know what the brochure says, but I'd swear the little red ***** adjust rebound...
I mean if I turn them up too much, the bike will literally take 3 seconds to return back to normal ride height.
Mine were basically first runs and I wonder if they are mis-valved or something. I wonder what others are seeing...
They are low speed and high speed compression adjusters. Look at the video.
BTW I don't think the why the want to set sag is correct. Most others say set with rear shock unloaded to loaded with bike and rider... Rider only adjustment doesn't make any sense as is really won't change spring sag unless the shock is topped out.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 909
From: SE Michigan
They’ll be here Tuesday it looks like.. Question for those that have them/use them.
As mentioned, I’ll make sure sag is correct prior to going for a ride.
Question is this, can the black ***** be adjusted without removing the saddle bags?
As mentioned, I’ll make sure sag is correct prior to going for a ride.
Question is this, can the black ***** be adjusted without removing the saddle bags?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 5,063
Likes: 2,582
From: On my bike!
Yes sir they can, just have to kneel down and reach under the bags
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,686
Likes: 4,294
From: Northeast, NJ
I got a set of these shocks a couple of weeks for a newly purchased Road Glide 107. Still dialing them in, but very close to where I want it. I'm now 5 clicks on the black compression **** using the standard weight spring and it's really nice.
Some things that drove me to these shocks.
4" of travel. The most I know of for these kinds of shocks. More is better
Compression is adjustable without having to take off the bags.
In the same price range, the mid tier Ohlins, Pro Action and Legends, while all good, don't have these features.
Have a Traxxion AR25 fork kit that I'm installing next weekend. I've seen it referenced many times where when one gets the shocks installed, one really notices how bad the forks are. These are my findings as well.
Some things that drove me to these shocks.
4" of travel. The most I know of for these kinds of shocks. More is better
Compression is adjustable without having to take off the bags.
In the same price range, the mid tier Ohlins, Pro Action and Legends, while all good, don't have these features.
Have a Traxxion AR25 fork kit that I'm installing next weekend. I've seen it referenced many times where when one gets the shocks installed, one really notices how bad the forks are. These are my findings as well.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 909
From: SE Michigan
Thanks Quick.
It would be really, really nice if I didnt have to adjust sag when I ride 2 up, hoping the HD springs will help. But . Well see.
It was the biggest complaint I had about my Ohlins.
It would be really, really nice if I didnt have to adjust sag when I ride 2 up, hoping the HD springs will help. But . Well see.
It was the biggest complaint I had about my Ohlins.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 5,063
Likes: 2,582
From: On my bike!
I used the standard spring and never again touched the sag after I initially set it. When the wife rode the only thing I did was reach under and turn a couple clicks in on the black ****.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 909
From: SE Michigan
Update.
Placed order mid day Thursday last week, in my hands and on my bike Tuesday, yesterday.
Install was straight forward. The only slight, SLIGHT issue was with the left side resevoir bracket.
As I was torquing the lower shock bolt down, it wanted to turn with the bolt so I use rags and channel locks to hold it in place while I torqued it down.
Added a few minutes to the job…big whoop.
Quick, you were right. The RWD got them pretty damn close out of the box, 3/4” of sag.
I tightened it up a little, took 1/8” of sag out. I went one click, first click, on the black adjusters.
I only got a few miles in yesterday, immediate difference from stock shocks. In SE Michigan, doesn’t take long to find crap roads, potholes, freeze joints, etc.
They’re not dialed in yet, but as is…still much better than stock. The shock bumpers have 1” gap between them and bottoming out, so I know I’m not using all of the available stroke yet and I hit a few doozies yesterday.
I think with both bags on and loaded, sag will go back to 3/4 inch.
My understanding is 1/2 to 3/4 sag is the ideal number, and from videos I’ve watched and reviews I’ve read, they’ve all said the same thing. If you’re going to err on the side of adjustment, more sag vs. less, so closer to the 3/4” number.
Won’t be able to get too many miles on due to rain and going out of town for work over the weekend, but.. next week/week end I’ll get some seat time.
So far, pre-sale, sale, shipping and install, piece of cake and very happy. Bigger test is when the misses gets back home and hops on back.
If I had one single complaint…and this is petty, it’s the collar adjustment. On Ohlins, you have circular holes and one has a plastic lock screw (that nobody actually uses…lol) but it’s a reference point. I’m going to sharpie/paint a spot on each ring so I can count turns. I know…3rd world problems right? LOL.
Placed order mid day Thursday last week, in my hands and on my bike Tuesday, yesterday.
Install was straight forward. The only slight, SLIGHT issue was with the left side resevoir bracket.
As I was torquing the lower shock bolt down, it wanted to turn with the bolt so I use rags and channel locks to hold it in place while I torqued it down.
Added a few minutes to the job…big whoop.
Quick, you were right. The RWD got them pretty damn close out of the box, 3/4” of sag.
I tightened it up a little, took 1/8” of sag out. I went one click, first click, on the black adjusters.
I only got a few miles in yesterday, immediate difference from stock shocks. In SE Michigan, doesn’t take long to find crap roads, potholes, freeze joints, etc.
They’re not dialed in yet, but as is…still much better than stock. The shock bumpers have 1” gap between them and bottoming out, so I know I’m not using all of the available stroke yet and I hit a few doozies yesterday.
I think with both bags on and loaded, sag will go back to 3/4 inch.
My understanding is 1/2 to 3/4 sag is the ideal number, and from videos I’ve watched and reviews I’ve read, they’ve all said the same thing. If you’re going to err on the side of adjustment, more sag vs. less, so closer to the 3/4” number.
Won’t be able to get too many miles on due to rain and going out of town for work over the weekend, but.. next week/week end I’ll get some seat time.
So far, pre-sale, sale, shipping and install, piece of cake and very happy. Bigger test is when the misses gets back home and hops on back.
If I had one single complaint…and this is petty, it’s the collar adjustment. On Ohlins, you have circular holes and one has a plastic lock screw (that nobody actually uses…lol) but it’s a reference point. I’m going to sharpie/paint a spot on each ring so I can count turns. I know…3rd world problems right? LOL.
Last edited by dajogejr; May 18, 2022 at 06:10 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 379
Likes: 38
From: Nebraska
I don't have these shocks but I'm shopping and they are on my radar. Read the install guide on RWD's site and have a question. When you say sag set at 3/4", is that the difference between bike sitting upright on its wheels and then with rider weight on the bike? Or is it the difference between the bike shock length unloaded (bike on a jack, wheel off the ground) and then rider weight upright on the bike? If its the latter of the two, doesn't seem to be much preload.