Fork oil
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 4
From: pittsburgh, pa
Has anyone changed the fork oil using a heavier grade? The one thing I'm unhappy with on my '12 RGU is excessive front end dive during braking and low speed handling, and it was suggested to me that changing to a heavier fork oil would help with that.
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.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,156
Likes: 41
From: So Cal
Changing to a heavier oil will slow the action a little and you may like the ride all you can do is try for your self. I think they all ride better with heavier fork oil, I've changed all of my bikes. But in most cases a spring change with oil or better yet Mono tubes or valves with springs will make the biggest difference
I'm running Monotubes in my road glide and the forks are the best yet of all my HDs to date. My Fatboy and sportster had progressive springs and SE fork oil , I left my RKCuston stock and my road glide has the Monotubes
I'm running Monotubes in my road glide and the forks are the best yet of all my HDs to date. My Fatboy and sportster had progressive springs and SE fork oil , I left my RKCuston stock and my road glide has the Monotubes
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 7
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....
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,453
Likes: 2,839
From: Oklahoma
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.
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