Need some help on air shock pressure, on my 09 street glide. I have only rode it 500 miles so far. Always had softails before, so far not overly impressed with ride I am getting. My wt. is 170#, When my wife rides with me add another approx 150-160 # she won't tell me! any suggestions appreciated.

 

Hello and congrats on the new ride. What you need to do is get a H-D air pump for the rear shocks and look in the owners guide for the chart on the right pressure for your weight.

 

I'm not riding a 09' but I keep 20 lbs in my 08' and the ride is great. If your 09' tourer isn't riding better than a softail' somthing is really wrong.

 

Traded my Fatboy for a SG about three weeks ago and I agree. Based on input here, I put 14 pounds for solo (I am 195 pounts) and 50 when the wife is on back (she won't tell me either). Use a hand pump with guage, because it does not take much air to raise the pressure. Still bottoms out with the wife on back. The stock rear seat is not as thick as the Sundowner on my Fatboy so she may be feeling the bumps more.

 

According to the owners manual, Harley recommends something between 20 and 30 psi in the rear shocks or someone of my weight (230 lbs). I started at 15 and worked up from there. Currently, I've settled to something between 30 and 35 psi. All I'd suggest is that you start with what the manual recommends and experiment up or own from there until you find a setting that works for you. I'm also not that impressed with the suspension on the bike, especially the rears, but I've got it where it's working well enough most of the time.

Good luck & Ride Safe,
Steve R.

 

I hate to be ignorant, but is the adjustable suspension standard on ALL 09 touring models?

Scott

 

I think the combination of the new frame and revised suspension settings make the 09 ride "firmer" than previous years regardless of how much air you put in the rear shock. I had a chance to test ride an 09 street glide back to back with my 08 road king and it felt almost jolting over some bumps in comparison. That firmer ride contributes to and is probably the trade-off for the 09's having better handling.

 

Thanks for the feedback, I do have a air pump and been trying different pressure so far up to 30. we also are feeling the jolts.

 

Your air pressure is probably really low. Get the pump and set the pressure to the right setting for your needs and you'll find it much improved.

 

You guys are really missing the key reason "you think the ride is bad" --- the 09 SG has lowered rear shocks. the travel is tighter like all lowered shocks. If you want a softer ride get different shocks a different model or go back to the slop tails.