RWD Shocks, beginning to end
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,475
Likes: 3,000
From: Charleston, SC
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.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 909
From: SE Michigan
Update.
I have about 200 miles on these…not much I know, but…Michigan roads can be telling very, very quickly.
I have my set just a hair over 1/2’. I’m going to shrink that down to 1/2” this weekend coming up.
Wife and I finally got a chance to go for a quick 40 mile ride yesterday, I purposely hit some rough roads with lots of asphalt patches, frost heaves, etc.
Before my wife saddled up, i put 3 clicks in on the black adjusters. Just a guess.
Within the first 5 miles, she noted she barely felt a thing in the road and she liked them better than my Ohlins I had prior.
So…being that guy… of course I said…so, worth the purchase price? She said absolutely. So sign off …lol…and confirmation it was a better ride for her.
I’m going to continue to fine tune them, set sag at 1/2 and fiddle with the bleeders. With HD springs for me, I believe I counted 8 threads showing. They came to me with either 4 or 5 showing I believe.
Very impressed so far and it sure is nice to just have to put a few clicks in/out for 1 up vs. 2 up.
Plan on putting a fair amount of miles in over the holiday weekend. I should have a lot more miles of ride report after. Stay safe out there.
I have about 200 miles on these…not much I know, but…Michigan roads can be telling very, very quickly.
I have my set just a hair over 1/2’. I’m going to shrink that down to 1/2” this weekend coming up.
Wife and I finally got a chance to go for a quick 40 mile ride yesterday, I purposely hit some rough roads with lots of asphalt patches, frost heaves, etc.
Before my wife saddled up, i put 3 clicks in on the black adjusters. Just a guess.
Within the first 5 miles, she noted she barely felt a thing in the road and she liked them better than my Ohlins I had prior.
So…being that guy… of course I said…so, worth the purchase price? She said absolutely. So sign off …lol…and confirmation it was a better ride for her.
I’m going to continue to fine tune them, set sag at 1/2 and fiddle with the bleeders. With HD springs for me, I believe I counted 8 threads showing. They came to me with either 4 or 5 showing I believe.
Very impressed so far and it sure is nice to just have to put a few clicks in/out for 1 up vs. 2 up.
Plan on putting a fair amount of miles in over the holiday weekend. I should have a lot more miles of ride report after. Stay safe out there.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 722
From: Ontario, Canada
Update.
I have about 200 miles on these not much I know, but Michigan roads can be telling very, very quickly.
I have my set just a hair over 1/2. Im going to shrink that down to 1/2 this weekend coming up.
Wife and I finally got a chance to go for a quick 40 mile ride yesterday, I purposely hit some rough roads with lots of asphalt patches, frost heaves, etc.
Before my wife saddled up, i put 3 clicks in on the black adjusters. Just a guess.
Within the first 5 miles, she noted she barely felt a thing in the road and she liked them better than my Ohlins I had prior.
So being that guy of course I said so, worth the purchase price? She said absolutely. So sign off lol and confirmation it was a better ride for her.
Im going to continue to fine tune them, set sag at 1/2 and fiddle with the bleeders. With HD springs for me, I believe I counted 8 threads showing. They came to me with either 4 or 5 showing I believe.
Very impressed so far and it sure is nice to just have to put a few clicks in/out for 1 up vs. 2 up.
Plan on putting a fair amount of miles in over the holiday weekend. I should have a lot more miles of ride report after. Stay safe out there.
I have about 200 miles on these not much I know, but Michigan roads can be telling very, very quickly.
I have my set just a hair over 1/2. Im going to shrink that down to 1/2 this weekend coming up.
Wife and I finally got a chance to go for a quick 40 mile ride yesterday, I purposely hit some rough roads with lots of asphalt patches, frost heaves, etc.
Before my wife saddled up, i put 3 clicks in on the black adjusters. Just a guess.
Within the first 5 miles, she noted she barely felt a thing in the road and she liked them better than my Ohlins I had prior.
So being that guy of course I said so, worth the purchase price? She said absolutely. So sign off lol and confirmation it was a better ride for her.
Im going to continue to fine tune them, set sag at 1/2 and fiddle with the bleeders. With HD springs for me, I believe I counted 8 threads showing. They came to me with either 4 or 5 showing I believe.
Very impressed so far and it sure is nice to just have to put a few clicks in/out for 1 up vs. 2 up.
Plan on putting a fair amount of miles in over the holiday weekend. I should have a lot more miles of ride report after. Stay safe out there.
Their site says STD springs are for 299 lbs solo/up to 350 lbs two up & HD springs are for 300+ lbs solo/351+ lbs two up.
We tour a fair bit and ride 2 up probably 75% of the time. I'm 205 lbs and my wife is 125 lbs (no riding gear).
That puts us at 330 lbs combined...throw in the gear & load up for touring and we'd most likely tip the scales at the 351+ lbs for HD springs.
It kind of puts us at the maxed out STD or low end of HD. Guess I just don't want a harsh ride when not touring and loaded up.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 909
From: SE Michigan
I just took a turn out of each and I ended up with 9/16 sag, that was with one bag removed. So Im as close to that 1/2 as I can get.
If I really sat and thought about it, I probably ride 60 to 70% solo. But when I ride 2 up, Id prefer more comfort. If that sacrifices a tad of comfort when solo, Im good with it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,921
Likes: 8,027
From: poway
Im 280, shes 150. With weight in the bags, pack on a normal ride Im easily past the 300lb solo and obviously 350 two up.
I just took a turn out of each and I ended up with 9/16 sag, that was with one bag removed. So Im as close to that 1/2 as I can get.
If I really sat and thought about it, I probably ride 60 to 70% solo. But when I ride 2 up, Id prefer more comfort. If that sacrifices a tad of comfort when solo, Im good with it.
I just took a turn out of each and I ended up with 9/16 sag, that was with one bag removed. So Im as close to that 1/2 as I can get.
If I really sat and thought about it, I probably ride 60 to 70% solo. But when I ride 2 up, Id prefer more comfort. If that sacrifices a tad of comfort when solo, Im good with it.
http://worxshocks.com/html/glossary....2For%20baggage.
While it's a good way to go, RS-1s don't have it. IMO. The way to go on RS-1 is set the sag on the high side for one rider then use the compression adjustments to accommodate the additional weight.. RS1s had 120 lb / in springs with pretty much means you are going to have a little more than 1/2 inch additional sag..
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 909
From: SE Michigan
Sag does not change the rate of the spring. Changing the spring rate allows for a heavier load.. Works Shocks had a good way to allow for changing the spring rate with the ARS system. They used 2 different springs and had a method to change the crossover point between the 2 rate called ARS.
http://worxshocks.com/html/glossary....2For%20baggage.
While it's a good way to go, RS-1s don't have it. IMO. The way to go on RS-1 is set the sag on the high side for one rider then use the compression adjustments to accommodate the additional weight.. RS1s had 120 lb / in springs with pretty much means you are going to have a little more than 1/2 inch additional sag..
http://worxshocks.com/html/glossary....2For%20baggage.
While it's a good way to go, RS-1s don't have it. IMO. The way to go on RS-1 is set the sag on the high side for one rider then use the compression adjustments to accommodate the additional weight.. RS1s had 120 lb / in springs with pretty much means you are going to have a little more than 1/2 inch additional sag..
I dont recall saying sag changed spring rate, only that I set it to spec. I understand that the spring is only to support the weight, and 2UP Im in the HD spring category.
Once I get a little more seat time and it settles, Ill check it again, I expect it to settle in to just a hair more than the 1/2 or 9/16 its at now.
I plan on using the low speed **** as instructed for rider weight. I just took a guess at 3 clicks from wide open and the ride was great for her. Ill try 2, 4, 5 and so on to where she feels its rough and then back off accordingly.
Im very familiar with Works shocks from my Quad/motocross days
. Wasnt a fan then, but that was a LONG time ago in being honest. The dual rate springs sounded good in theory, but I could never settle them in to my liking. Revalved and resprung factory Showa always felt better. Again, long time ago.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,921
Likes: 8,027
From: poway
Fully understand this.
I dont recall saying sag changed spring rate, only that I set it to spec. I understand that the spring is only to support the weight, and 2UP Im in the HD spring category.
Once I get a little more seat time and it settles, Ill check it again, I expect it to settle in to just a hair more than the 1/2 or 9/16 its at now.
I plan on using the low speed **** as instructed for rider weight. I just took a guess at 3 clicks from wide open and the ride was great for her. Ill try 2, 4, 5 and so on to where she feels its rough and then back off accordingly.
Im very familiar with Works shocks from my Quad/motocross days. Wasnt a fan then, but that was a LONG time ago in being honest. The dual rate springs sounded good in theory, but I could never settle them in to my liking. Revalved and resprung factory Showa always felt better. Again, long time ago.
I dont recall saying sag changed spring rate, only that I set it to spec. I understand that the spring is only to support the weight, and 2UP Im in the HD spring category.
Once I get a little more seat time and it settles, Ill check it again, I expect it to settle in to just a hair more than the 1/2 or 9/16 its at now.
I plan on using the low speed **** as instructed for rider weight. I just took a guess at 3 clicks from wide open and the ride was great for her. Ill try 2, 4, 5 and so on to where she feels its rough and then back off accordingly.
Im very familiar with Works shocks from my Quad/motocross days
. Wasnt a fan then, but that was a LONG time ago in being honest. The dual rate springs sounded good in theory, but I could never settle them in to my liking. Revalved and resprung factory Showa always felt better. Again, long time ago.As far as Works shock go, I'm sure that there are applications where other shocks work better. It applies to all shocks. I've had good luck with them on a Dyna, The Softail evo shocks were excellent. On baggers, Works are a little stiff. Most of it can be attributed to adjusting the compression damping. Got a buddy that when to Worx with his bike years ago and had them adjust the valving to his liking.. He's used those same shocks on 3-4 different baggers.
Some purists also claim that changing compression damping is not the way to fix a shock that has too light of a spring.. Still, I do think it's valid to adjust for load once the spring is close.
I do think that spring preload / sag is important but I doubt I could feel 1/16 inch difference. 1/4 inch? Yes, but I mostly feel it in handling. It does help if the shocks are bottoming.
The RS-1 shock is an interesting design as it has variable low speed damping so preload will affect how the damping works.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 722
From: Ontario, Canada
Im 280, shes 150. With weight in the bags, pack on a normal ride Im easily past the 300lb solo and obviously 350 two up.
I just took a turn out of each and I ended up with 9/16 sag, that was with one bag removed. So Im as close to that 1/2 as I can get.
If I really sat and thought about it, I probably ride 60 to 70% solo. But when I ride 2 up, Id prefer more comfort. If that sacrifices a tad of comfort when solo, Im good with it.
I just took a turn out of each and I ended up with 9/16 sag, that was with one bag removed. So Im as close to that 1/2 as I can get.
If I really sat and thought about it, I probably ride 60 to 70% solo. But when I ride 2 up, Id prefer more comfort. If that sacrifices a tad of comfort when solo, Im good with it.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,624
Likes: 4,078
From: Virginia
Thanks for the update! Looks like you went with the HD springs. Question if you don't mind...what are your & your wife's weight?
Their site says STD springs are for 299 lbs solo/up to 350 lbs two up & HD springs are for 300+ lbs solo/351+ lbs two up.
We tour a fair bit and ride 2 up probably 75% of the time. I'm 205 lbs and my wife is 125 lbs (no riding gear).
That puts us at 330 lbs combined...throw in the gear & load up for touring and we'd most likely tip the scales at the 351+ lbs for HD springs.
It kind of puts us at the maxed out STD or low end of HD. Guess I just don't want a harsh ride when not touring and loaded up.
Their site says STD springs are for 299 lbs solo/up to 350 lbs two up & HD springs are for 300+ lbs solo/351+ lbs two up.
We tour a fair bit and ride 2 up probably 75% of the time. I'm 205 lbs and my wife is 125 lbs (no riding gear).
That puts us at 330 lbs combined...throw in the gear & load up for touring and we'd most likely tip the scales at the 351+ lbs for HD springs.
It kind of puts us at the maxed out STD or low end of HD. Guess I just don't want a harsh ride when not touring and loaded up.
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 909
From: SE Michigan
They were very good to work with and quick to respond. Good luck, let us know how you roll.