08' SG shocks? A PITA....
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 4
From: Log home in SE Michigan full time. Log cabin in east TN, Smoky Mountians part time
08' SG shocks? A PITA....
I've owned a 08' Street Glide since new. I now have a little over 13,000 miles on it. I have changed the seat to a 09' SERG seat as the stocker was not comfortable for me or my wife at all. We both believe the seat was an improvement. However, Saturday was our first ride of the year ( gotta love living in Michigan---NOT ) and this bike hurts to ride it the following day. I mean, my hips and lower tail bone ache. It's better riding two up than one. I am now thinking of changing the stock air shocks to something that has real metered compression and rebound. Progressives ???...but man, a trip to their web site and my head now hurts with all the choices....WTF? Is it that hard to build a shock for normal street use, like one or two.....not 22 models? This bike isn't a Indy car or Nascar. I don't need a bazallion adjustments...I just want to ride....in somewhat comfort. I ride mostly by myself just day tripping---no highway 500 mile a day stuff for me, I'm 6-0, 180#. The first change is to add a rider backrest to the SERG seat...which I just purchased over the weekend. As far as air pressure in the shocks, I've tried lowering it until it bottoms on the slightest bump to so much air that the shock hardly moves. Past experience with "air shocks" on a car when I was younger tells me I'm NOT going to get these things to work and be smooth. Someone please prove me wrong. If this bike can't be fixed then I'm selling it and buying a Honda Goldwing. I've ridden street bikes for over 30 years ( I'm 48) Honda Nighthawks, Harley --Low rider and DWG3 Wide Glide. This SG, while is a cool looking bike IS NOT a "Touring" bike IMO. Help with suggestions for shocks???? Or ..... Real cash offers on a Black SG with Rineharts, Power Commander, 180 rear tire---yeah I know it's a 08', and PM wheels. ohhh by the way it rides harsh.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,132
Likes: 25
From: NorCal
'08 SG shocks suck. '09's are a little better.
'08 Electra Glide stock shocks are great! Ride like a Caddy. At least when two-up and inflated to 35psi.
'09-up Electra Glide shocks ride harsher than the '08 shocks, but better than any year SG shock. At least this has been my experience.
Best shock option out there? In my opinion there are two. Ohlins and Ricor.
'08 Electra Glide stock shocks are great! Ride like a Caddy. At least when two-up and inflated to 35psi.
'09-up Electra Glide shocks ride harsher than the '08 shocks, but better than any year SG shock. At least this has been my experience.
Best shock option out there? In my opinion there are two. Ohlins and Ricor.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 4
From: Log home in SE Michigan full time. Log cabin in east TN, Smoky Mountians part time
Does anyone have real seat time with the Ohlins or Penske shock offering? What kind of coin are we speaking?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
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From: eastern oklahoma
there's a way to improve the ride on your 08 streetglide and it's not too expensive. i also have an 08 streetglide and it was harsh to ride. so much that with riding on bad roads like here in oklahoma, it sucked to go riding. then i got a pair of 09 roadglide shocks. wow, what a great improvement. they're the full length shocks like you'll find on an ultra or other full dress harley that isn't lowered like our streetglides and the new lowered roadglides. find a pair of stock electraglide shocks and you'll be happy. i know i sure am. i also swapped out the fork oil for the s.e. heavy oil and it helped a lot with the front end fork dive when coming to a stop. my streetglide is a pleasure to ride now.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Central Jersey
Did this change the look of the streetglide also and did it rasie your riding position?
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,117
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From: Log home in SE Michigan full time. Log cabin in east TN, Smoky Mountians part time
I have to believe it does as the SG shock is 12" VS the EG at 13". The EG shock isn't like a coil shock where they actually have "sag" built in. There still an air /oil shock.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,783
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From: Oh
I put RK 13" shocks on my 08' SG and it did make an improvement in the ride. But, my new 10' RKC is so smooth a ride, it makes me smile every time I think about trading in my SG. Best decision I ever made on a bike (my wife hated my SG).
