Suspension gurus- Loading question:
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
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From: 'Noke, VA
As for GSs, Mrs B and I travelled with several of them through Europe for 2,500 miles on our old Glide. The remarkable thing to us, from the comfort of our #3-3 Ohlins, was how much they all got blown around in cross winds and how often they changed gear. I don't think they represent any standard a Glide cannot be compared with - after a few modest improvements! 
A GS, especially an Adventure, rides and handles far, far better than an ElectraGlide, even one with upgraded suspension. Howard's shocks are very, very good, but they don't remove 300 pounds from the bike, allow 9" of suspension travel, or add 20 degrees to the lean angles.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: sunny florida
Graham , I have read many of 05Train's post in the past , he is obviously a guy that has rode many brands and types of motorcycles and is intelligent in speaking of them , he also seams to have a good understanding of suspension , but based on many of his past threads I always felt he was a rider who favored BMW motorcycles but for what ever reason always seamed to return to and enjoyed Harley's as well , for me I too have owned many brands of motorcycles and types of motorcycle and nothing compares to a Harley touring bike when I factor in all things important to me , my wife and I will take a vacation an often ride through 5 states during the coarse of the vacation , the way my bike is set up it is very comfortable for us both , with my modes it has plenty of power and handles , the Harley dealer net work is very good should I need it , I enjoy the fact I have customized the looks to fit my personality and I enjoy the fact no matter where we stop because it is a Harley people old and young will come over to look at it and start up a conversation , it's all about the journey and adventure along the way for me , there will always be a bike that does one thing or another better but Harley Touring bikes when you consider everything are hard to beat
Last edited by tj316; Jul 16, 2013 at 12:59 PM.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,132
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From: NorCal
Graham , I have read many of 05Train's post in the past , he is obviously a guy that has rode many brands and types of motorcycles and is intelligent in speaking of them , he also seams to have a good understanding of suspension , but based on many of his past threads I always felt he was a rider who favored BMW motorcycles but for what ever reason always seamed to return to and enjoyed Harley's as well , for me I too have owned many brands of motorcycles and types of motorcycle and nothing compares to a Harley touring bike when I factor in all things important to me , my wife and I will take a vacation an often ride through 5 states during the coarse of the vacation , the way my bike is set up it is very comfortable for us both , with my modes it has plenty of power and handles , the Harley dealer net work is very good should I need it , I enjoy the fact I have customized the looks to fit my personality and I enjoy the fact no matter where we stop because it is a Harley people old and young will come over to look at it and start up a conversation , it's all about the journey and adventure along the way for me , there will always be a bike that does one thing or another better but Harley Touring bikes when you consider everything are hard to beat
Owning a Harley is a lot more fun for sure, and a lot more social. I do miss the BMW feeling that it's cut from a piece of billet aluminum, but not enough to choose one over a Harley. I may add a GS or RT as my next bike, but I won't ever ditch Harleys all together.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
The GS Adventure is the most versatile bike on the planet. I freaking loved it. It'd go over and through anything, was amazing to race through a mountain road, and was just stupid comfortable as a long-distance highway cruiser. Had it not been for one thing, I would have kept it forever. My bike had a voracious appetite for oil.....4 gallons of it between services in 19,000 miles. With that much oil going through the engine, it was a ticking time bomb, and I didn't need that.
My other issues were not nearly as severe. Thanks to my busted up knee and wrists from my wreck, the riding position became dodgy after about 8 hours. And there was the fact that as a guy in my mid-40s, I was still younger than everyone else who had a Beemer.
And as sick of the Harley Bar-and-Shield-blowing nitwits as I am, the Roundel-fellating dip$hits that ride BMWs are worse. It's freaking frightening how similar the two groups are.
At some point when I can swing it financially, I'll pick up a used GS. They're just great fun.
My other issues were not nearly as severe. Thanks to my busted up knee and wrists from my wreck, the riding position became dodgy after about 8 hours. And there was the fact that as a guy in my mid-40s, I was still younger than everyone else who had a Beemer.
And as sick of the Harley Bar-and-Shield-blowing nitwits as I am, the Roundel-fellating dip$hits that ride BMWs are worse. It's freaking frightening how similar the two groups are.
At some point when I can swing it financially, I'll pick up a used GS. They're just great fun.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
Thanks for the insight TJ. I owned BMWs from 1977 until a couple of years ago, alongside the Harleys I have owned since 1974 and still do! I haven't swapped between them, in fact have done more miles on them than my Harleys.
I ain't tall enough to bother trying to getting on an Adventure, but have tried many of the earlier GS family, which frankly leave me cold. They're neither off road bikes nor road bikes IMHO and there are better BMWs to compare with our Harleys.
My brother is on his third, or is it his fourth, GS, the latest version. Darned thing tells him where the next filling station is, when he gets low on gas. Now where is the fun in that?! Anyway I'll leave that topic alone now -forewarned is forearmed.....
I ain't tall enough to bother trying to getting on an Adventure, but have tried many of the earlier GS family, which frankly leave me cold. They're neither off road bikes nor road bikes IMHO and there are better BMWs to compare with our Harleys.
My brother is on his third, or is it his fourth, GS, the latest version. Darned thing tells him where the next filling station is, when he gets low on gas. Now where is the fun in that?! Anyway I'll leave that topic alone now -forewarned is forearmed.....
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Hampden Me
The GS Adventure is the most versatile bike on the planet. I freaking loved it. It'd go over and through anything, was amazing to race through a mountain road, and was just stupid comfortable as a long-distance highway cruiser. Had it not been for one thing, I would have kept it forever. My bike had a voracious appetite for oil.....4 gallons of it between services in 19,000 miles. With that much oil going through the engine, it was a ticking time bomb, and I didn't need that.
My other issues were not nearly as severe. Thanks to my busted up knee and wrists from my wreck, the riding position became dodgy after about 8 hours. And there was the fact that as a guy in my mid-40s, I was still younger than everyone else who had a Beemer.
And as sick of the Harley Bar-and-Shield-blowing nitwits as I am, the Roundel-fellating dip$hits that ride BMWs are worse. It's freaking frightening how similar the two groups are.
At some point when I can swing it financially, I'll pick up a used GS. They're just great fun.
My other issues were not nearly as severe. Thanks to my busted up knee and wrists from my wreck, the riding position became dodgy after about 8 hours. And there was the fact that as a guy in my mid-40s, I was still younger than everyone else who had a Beemer.
And as sick of the Harley Bar-and-Shield-blowing nitwits as I am, the Roundel-fellating dip$hits that ride BMWs are worse. It's freaking frightening how similar the two groups are.
At some point when I can swing it financially, I'll pick up a used GS. They're just great fun.
BTW the real 'bike snobs' are us Ducati riders.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: MD
I was thinking exactly the same thing! I have the JRI "B" shocks in 13" and they are great with me or me and my wife. It takes about 5 min to adjust the sag/preload of the shock for my wife's weight. It would only take about the same amount of time to pop on the shocks! Just get one of those little jacks the harley shops use when the bike is on a table lift, jackup the rear of the bike, and 4 bolts. Easy swap. Of course if you have to adjust every day, I would say it is a pain. The 13" shocks offer much more travel as you know. Your bike looks way cool slammed like that, but it is a compromise like all other things in this world!
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