Harsh suspension
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: New Ulm,Mn.
Harsh suspension
I have an 07 FLHT with street glide shocks installed to lower it an inch.No matter what psi I run,doesn't seem to change the harsh ride. I like being able to flat foot while parking,but thinking of installing the stock shocks again.Any suggestions?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Hi from the UK and welcome to HDF. This is a regular question in here and there are dozens of threads about lowering or not, ride quality, etc. IMHO you don't need to flat foot, but you can improve your footing by simply using sturdy riding boots, and/or modifying your seat to improve your reach.
Spend a little time in here reading past threads. You will find that SG owners complain about their shocks ans swap them for longer ones, while other riders do as you have!
Spend a little time in here reading past threads. You will find that SG owners complain about their shocks ans swap them for longer ones, while other riders do as you have!
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Northwest OH
Stock shocks no matter if they are the street glide or the Ultra, they are junk. Depending on what you want to do, you could talk to Howard at motorcycle metal and look into some JRI 12B's if you want to spend some money and have the best ride possible or you could put the stock back on with a lowering kit. The best one I have seen is the LA Choppers 1" lowering kit as is just as easy to intall as the shocks themselves.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Republic of Texas
Now on my 4th set of shocks on my 12 SG (last 3 were not air shocks), and am pretty much convinced that a soft, compliant ride devoid of any surprises is unattainable. 12" shocks don't provide enough travel to deal with harsh road conditions, IMO.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,154
Likes: 2,562
From: CT/FL
I'm getting ready to jump on the JRI bandwagon myself. Their 12" shocks have 3 or 3.5" of travel - equal to the HD 13" shocks. Spendy but should be worth it. Joe
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,489
Likes: 23
From: East of Tulsa
If you were happy with your stock 13in shocks try them with the lowering block/kit. Cost about $30-35 to try. Several choices on eBay.
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You replaced your OEM shocks with 3" of travel, with Street Glide shocks with 2" of travel. What did you expect to happen, an inch of travel would magically come from nowhere? Why do you think most of the SG guys (me included) are looking for aftermarket shocks. Try the Progressive 944's . . . . you actually get the lowered look, AND you get 3" of travel. 
There are others out there . . . that's my chosen route.
And, for the record, I loved the OEM shocks on my '02 Road King. Put many 1,000+ non-stop miles on that thing, and it was like a caddy. So, I respectfully disagree that they are junk. Ten plus years on that bike and I loved 'em. The shorter shocks on the SG, that's another story. You know what they say . . . just one more inch . . .
There are others out there . . . that's my chosen route.And, for the record, I loved the OEM shocks on my '02 Road King. Put many 1,000+ non-stop miles on that thing, and it was like a caddy. So, I respectfully disagree that they are junk. Ten plus years on that bike and I loved 'em. The shorter shocks on the SG, that's another story. You know what they say . . . just one more inch . . .