09 suspension sucks
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 963
Likes: 0
From: pa
if i spend 20 grand on a bike, why the hell should i spend 1000 bucks to change the shocks? my air lines are fine i already checked them. my gripe is, i run 20 pounds single i am only 165-170...and i need 50 with my wife who only weighs 115...there is no in between..my 08 i was running 10 pounds single and 12 to 15 with 2 up. so with the 09 you go from semi good ride, to a neck jolting rock hard ride...not the way it should be
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
From: Willis, Texas
I agree. The rear shocks are a dissapointment. If I put my wife on the back I have to put in 50 psi or the bike will ride like shiit. My 08' Road Glide rode much smoother than my 09' SERG. Sounds like an opportunity for the after market people. T.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 963
Likes: 0
From: pa
yes, i think harley missed the boat on this new set up. i am curious to see if they did anything to improve it on the 2010's. i went to the dealer yesterday to pick up something for the bike and the salesmen told me he gets alot of complaints about the suspension
No problem with mine just did 4000 miles through Europe two up with full size tour pack and tour bag with another 20 lbs in on the rack on top of the tour pack. ran at 45 psi no problems at all. I go about 250 lbs and the wife about 120 lbs.
I normally run about 25 psi two up and 15 psi solo.
I normally run about 25 psi two up and 15 psi solo.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Bellevue, WA
I also noticed a much stiffer ride between my '04 RG and my '09 RG. The difference is like going from a Cadillac to an Infiniti or 3 series BMW. A stiffer supension is typical of a better handling machine. You decide which is more important. Just remember to hold on tight over those bumps as you do get light on these '09 touring bikes.
I don't have a rear bottoming-out problem, though.
I don't have a rear bottoming-out problem, though.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Denton,Texas
if i spend 20 grand on a bike, why the hell should i spend 1000 bucks to change the shocks? my air lines are fine i already checked them. my gripe is, i run 20 pounds single i am only 165-170...and i need 50 with my wife who only weighs 115...there is no in between..my 08 i was running 10 pounds single and 12 to 15 with 2 up. so with the 09 you go from semi good ride, to a neck jolting rock hard ride...not the way it should be
Lets face it air shocks have always been junk from bikes to auto's ... just the way it is. I think the main reason there on touring bikes is because the wide range of riders weights and theres noway to get a shock as "One size fits all" thats why there air.
It pretty simple really i mean on anything you buy there is always some upgrades that will improve it. You can can get Ohlins for around $500ish range from Howard on the forum here with the HDforums discount.
To me spending $500 on a set of shocks to make the ride tons better and not having to screw with a air pump is well worth it.
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