Fork oil
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 86
From: Centeral Coast, California
I have a 2012 Road Glide Ultra, and didn't like the front dive either. I recently changed the oil and went with Bel Ray 10 Wt. It made an appreciable difference, and didn't compromise on handling or the front tire staying planted on the road. My change was made at 8K miles, and I could not believe how much metal falke was in the oil at such low miliage. I flushed each fork leg with the Bel Ray 10 Wt. before refilling and buttoning it back up.
Good results for me with the Bel Ray.
Good results for me with the Bel Ray.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
I did. And I didn't like it. While the heavier oil (SE Heavy) did improve the brake dive, it compromised other aspects of handling too much for my liking. My biggest issue with the heavier oil was that the front end seemed to be less planted as it would "pogo" over bumps in the road rather than follow the road. This was most noticeable through higher speed curves on a less than perfect road surface. This observation was on my Limited. The SE Heavy oil is fine in my Duece.
I changed mine at 20k and the oil was nasty. So nasty that I disassembled them and cleaned them. I was amazed that forks could get so much metal particles in the oil. I went with the se heavy fork oil and couldn't be happier. Much less brake dive and the bike seems more planted to the road....
The front forks vary by machine. In 08, at least, the fairing machines had extra valving in the forks not put in the Road King series. The results of heavier oil may be more noticeable in the forks with the extra valves. I went to 20 weight in my King and will try 30 on the next change. I suspect that if I had the other forks with the extra valve, the 20 wt. would be too stiff.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
Likes: 1,305
From: Jayhawk Country
I think a fairing bike might benefit more than a non fairing bike with the heavier fork oil. The SE Heavy in my RKC was way too much, the suspension didn't work at all and the bike was all over the place.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
Mine is a fairing bike and my assessment of the heavier oil is the same as yours. It handled like **** through turns on anything but a perfect road surface. The suspension was too slow reacting over the irregularities of the road and traction was therefore compromised.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
Likes: 1,305
From: Jayhawk Country
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
I use 15 wt Maxima or Bel Ray. Stops much of the dive and still soaks up the bumps.
It's gone in a '92 Sporty, '95 EGC, '03 WG, '06 SG, '07 Heritage as well as several other bud's bikes and all liked the 15 wt. fork oil.
It's gone in a '92 Sporty, '95 EGC, '03 WG, '06 SG, '07 Heritage as well as several other bud's bikes and all liked the 15 wt. fork oil.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 4
From: pittsburgh, pa
I did. And I didn't like it. While the heavier oil (SE Heavy) did improve the brake dive, it compromised other aspects of handling too much for my liking. My biggest issue with the heavier oil was that the front end seemed to be less planted as it would "pogo" over bumps in the road rather than follow the road. This was most noticeable through higher speed curves on a less than perfect road surface. This observation was on my Limited. The SE Heavy oil is fine in my Duece.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 174
Likes: 1
From: Harrisburg, PA
Progressive monotubes will eliminate your brake dive. Easy to install. Costs between 250-300 depending on it you are getting stock size or lowering 1-2 inches.
