Air Ride?
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3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Northwest Washington
Air Ride?
After having my ‘22 SGS for 7 months & just over 15k miles I’ve decided to finally go with JNR AirRide system so just maybe I can get my feet planted completely on the ground 😂. Anyone have any thoughts on this system? And what about going with the lowering blocks that they also sell, are they needed? Just curious.
Hope everyone had a great Christmas & looking forward to an exciting New Year.
Hope everyone had a great Christmas & looking forward to an exciting New Year.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 808
Likes: 1,525
From: Bloomington, IN
I had air ride for two years and hated it. It was cool to lower it on bike night and things like that, but terrible for long distance touring. It would clog, blow fuses, etc. If you just do some local weekend cruising you may be alright, otherwise I'd look into other options. No air ride system will perform as good as a quality coil shock that is set up correctly.
I am short also, about 5'8". I just bought 14" Super Shox. These shocks have the same ride height as 12" stock HD units due to a relocation mount for the bottom bolt. Their 13.5" and 13" shocks actually sit lower than stock HD 12" while still having more travel. With options like this available, air ride wouldn't even make my top 10 list to remedy the situation. Lastly, ProAction makes an 11" shock with as much travel as an HD 12". Still, I'd opt for Super Shox with the relocation mount so you can have the best of both worlds.
I am short also, about 5'8". I just bought 14" Super Shox. These shocks have the same ride height as 12" stock HD units due to a relocation mount for the bottom bolt. Their 13.5" and 13" shocks actually sit lower than stock HD 12" while still having more travel. With options like this available, air ride wouldn't even make my top 10 list to remedy the situation. Lastly, ProAction makes an 11" shock with as much travel as an HD 12". Still, I'd opt for Super Shox with the relocation mount so you can have the best of both worlds.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,087
Likes: 1,962
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
I would figure out how much lower you need to get to to be flat footed. Start with a couple pieces of 2x4 under your feet and if that works you need about 1 1/2" to get lowered. A seat mod and shocks would be better than the air stuff IMO.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,238
Likes: 5,784
From: On the Big Blue marble
IMO this system is a visual 'bike night' item and not a riding solution also stated above. I know 2 guys who had this and removed it also for the reasons above. There's a gal in my HOG who's maybe 5'1' and thru a seat and suspension mod (think HD Lo) is comfortable on the SGS.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 172
Likes: 34
From: Normal, Illinois
I have had my JNR system for 3 years and love it. Mostly local riding but have done some 500 mile days. Far better ride than the stock air shocks and has the cool look for bike nights. I do lower the bike on gravel to give me better footing when backing up. Only problem I ever had was after initial install. Too much slack in the left side airline and the drive belt rubbed a hole in it resulting in a 10 mile hard tail ride home. JNR also has super customer service.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 8
From: Chattanooga Tn
Had Shotgun air ride set up on my Nighttrain and put a JNR set up on my Glide. I’ve enjoyed it so far with no issues and has been upgrade over stock set up. Good buddy has the dirty air on his Glide and loves it as well.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 280
Likes: 209
From: Laconia, NH
I have the Taildragger Air Ride Suspension for the rear on my 2019 FLHXS. I had it installed and purchased it from Xotic Customs https://www.facebook.com/therealxoticcustoms/ 9-29-21 while at the Biketoberfest rally down at Myrtle Beach. I had Burley low rider shocks. I am vertically challenged at 5' 4" on good day. The Burley shocks were OK at first but after doing the first 1,500 or so miles on a multi-day 6,000 mile journey, I knew I needed a better solution. Xotic Custom's air ride package looked like the ticket for me. There were two other vendors doing air ride installations as well. I went with Xotic Customs. I have had no regrets and the ride is awesome. Having my feet firmly planted is awesome. Just my two cents.
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 43
Likes: 13
From: Barto pa
I have a 21 rgs with a dirty air setup on it and have been very happy. Ride quality is night and day to stock and if you install it correctly shouldn’t have any issues with its operation. I ride with a few guys on air ride and have never seen the clogged lines or issues mentioned above.
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