I am new here got a few quick questions.

I bought a 2013 Road Glide Custom, I wanted a Road Glide Ultra just because I want to take my wife riding with me and have the touring pack as well. The dealer has told me if I want to do this with the custom I would have to change out the suspension. If this is the case can any one recommend what suspension I should get ?

I was looking at Bagger Nations air suspension so when the tour pack was stripped of I could still slam it for a low ride and just pump it up with the wife and tour pack on for road trips.

Any advice ?

 

Best option I have found are the Ohlins from Howard @ Motorcycle Metal, they are custom built to your riding and weight, depending on what model you get are also fully adjustable. Good luck as the 12" shocks that slam the look, don't offer the best ride, talk with Howard and get some great advice, be warned he does tell it like it is.

 

Your bike has short shocks, which come with short travel. That means there is less wheel travel available to absorb bumps and thumps. In addition the stock Harley suspension has poor damping, which adds to that. Longer shocks have more travel, hence are better able to deal with road irregularities.

You will find hundreds of threads on HDF about shocks! It is a common subject and there are a great many members asking the same question as you. It is well worth reading through a few, to get a measure of the subject and the true significance of your question, but don't spend too long doing that.

While you are riding your bike, you are located over the swingarm axle, so any motion of the suspension is softened by the fact your butt is right there. On the other hand your wife will sit right over the rear wheel axle and will get a very different riding experience. It is just possible that is what your dealer has in mind.

Now you can choose to do nothing, until your wife complains: you can spend/waste a lot of time looking around the extensive shocks market, getting increasingly confused: or you can follow roadglider05's suggestion and call HDF sponsor Howard at Motorcycle Metal. He will custom build you a set of shocks that will knock spots off all others. I know, because I am also a customer and Mrs B is one of the happiest Harley passengers on the Planet!

 

The HD premium ride shocks have gotten good reviews. Also the 944 from progressive. Both are much more affordable than the luxury shocks. The money you save can be put into the front suspension, thats where you need it the most.

 

+1 on the Harley premium shocks. I'm sure the Ohlins are better but there allot of money. You can but the 13inch Harley premium shocks for 20% off and stick them on your RG and no one will no the difference from the 12's unless you point it out. I had 13 inch shocks on my past two Street Glides and no one has ever asked or noticed. The premium 13 touring shocks run very well. No complaints

 

Ignore the dealer and see if she complains. Enjoy the ride while the weather is fit. The seats are 4" thick, she nay not feel a thing.

 

If she is in the 180+ range you probably have a concern. If she is closer to the 120 range, the above advice is a good place to start. If you have air rear shocks, look in the book for the recommended pressure for two up riding. If that isn't to her liking, THEN get ready to spend some money. Don't forget to check with her to see if she thinks the anticipated improvement is worth the money or if she will live with what you have rather than spending that much.

 

If you have the budget call Howard at Motorcycle metal and order a set of JRI, if $ is a concern go with Terry cable, Progressive 944 or 444 or last choice is HD hand Adjustable Premium shocks.

if your looking for comfort stay at the 13" like the Ultra have not he 12" that you have now. Any shorter shock comes with a decrease in travel

 

+1 AND, with the Premium Adjustables, no more air to dick around with. Simple to dial them in, and they come with a chart to set them for load with & without a tourpak. They work great for me.......