I have a 2005 Ultra with 112,000 miles on it. Latley the factory rear air shocks seem to ride real ruff. The shocks are holding air and I have played around with the air adjustment a lot but I can't seem to get them to where they don't feel like they are jarring me to death. Is it possible to have worn them out?

 

I'ld say you definitely got your moneys worth out of them. You can find a used set on ebay for a reasonable price. Also now would be a great time to upgrade to Ohlins.

 

Are Ohlins that much better than the factory rear shocks?

 

In one word- YES.
It's hard to explan, but there is a world of difference between poor shocks and excellent shocks. Factory shocks are poor shocks new and you wore them out 90,000 miles ago!
When I purchased my 11 RGU I road it about 1000 miles before I put the Ohlins shocks on. I took them off my 03 RK. I wanted to see if HD had improved their shocks-they didn't.
On my Road King I had gone from factory to Works shocks (bad shock to good shock) I then went from Works to Ohlins (good shock to excellent shock). My only regret was not going directly to Ohlins.

 

Everything Dragon sez is true but he left out the price - just sayin...... There was a long
thread on replacing the factory shock oil with 15w or 20w suspension fluid and the huge
difference it made. My '06 SG shocks are terrible no matter where I set the air and I just
bought a set of standard length / 13 in. pair. Now I'm going to proceed to replace the
oil in both and give them a try - probably us a 1 inch drop kit with the 13 inchers. BTW -
your shocks take 12 oz. each.

 

For under $15,you can try to change the oil.

 

So the factory shocks have oil and air both in them? I was thinking air only. What does a pair of Ohlins cost?

 

600-1200 a set

http://www.oncycles.com/browse.asp?p...s&brand=ohlins

 

Seems like my left oem shock seeps oil but loses no air ever..
Must be separate Rez.
Might want to try changing/adding oil to yours to see what happens.

 

The ones I am running 3-3 ran me just under $800.00 from Howard at Motorcyclemetal. Howard is a sponsor on this forum.
Yes that is a large sum, but worth every penny. More important to me to have a great handling bike then one with a lot of chrome. I get a kick out of someone who will spend more then $1500 for wheels and then look shocked at the cost of high quality shocks.