Premium ride lowered suspension on 2014 Limited. First impressions.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 84
From: New Jersey
Premium ride lowered suspension on 2014 Limited. First impressions.
I had the HD Premium Ride Hand-Adjustable Low Ride Height Rear Shocks (54680-10) and the Low Profile Premium Ride Single Cartridge Fork Kit (45500157) installed last week on my 2014 Ultra Limited along with chrome fork lowers.
The product names are a mouthful
The ride height is perfect for me now. 5'11" with a 32" inseam. I can put both feet down flat with a very slight bend to my knees. Man handling the bike around the garage is much easier. I'm more comfortable riding two up. The ride position is much closer to what I'm used to on my 2002 Fat Boy.
Some of the over-cushy feeling has been traded for a far more controlled ride. Over ripples, the suspension is much better damped with less "pogo sticky" up and down motion. There is almost no nose dive on braking. The turn in on tight corners is missing that "falling into turns" that the stock suspension had.
You absolutely have to adjust the preload dial on the left shock to match the weight on the bike. (I'm getting really good at taking the left saddle bag off and on.) Solo, 4 full turns, wife on the back, 16 full turns. There is no set and forget setting. If you have too much preload, the ride is overly stiff. If you don't have enough, it's too bouncy and you will bottom on big bumps. Adjust to the weight according to the chart and it always feels just right regardless of total weight. The stock shocks seemed to be able to stay at one setting and be ok for one or two up riding.
It's a trade off but the less plush, more controlled ride is preferable for me. It's no sport bike, but it feels lighter and more nimble with the new suspension, something I wasn't particularly expecting along with the lower ride height.
So far I'm very happy with the decision to go with his setup. It's a big improvement over the stock touring suspension.
The product names are a mouthful
The ride height is perfect for me now. 5'11" with a 32" inseam. I can put both feet down flat with a very slight bend to my knees. Man handling the bike around the garage is much easier. I'm more comfortable riding two up. The ride position is much closer to what I'm used to on my 2002 Fat Boy.
Some of the over-cushy feeling has been traded for a far more controlled ride. Over ripples, the suspension is much better damped with less "pogo sticky" up and down motion. There is almost no nose dive on braking. The turn in on tight corners is missing that "falling into turns" that the stock suspension had.
You absolutely have to adjust the preload dial on the left shock to match the weight on the bike. (I'm getting really good at taking the left saddle bag off and on.) Solo, 4 full turns, wife on the back, 16 full turns. There is no set and forget setting. If you have too much preload, the ride is overly stiff. If you don't have enough, it's too bouncy and you will bottom on big bumps. Adjust to the weight according to the chart and it always feels just right regardless of total weight. The stock shocks seemed to be able to stay at one setting and be ok for one or two up riding.
It's a trade off but the less plush, more controlled ride is preferable for me. It's no sport bike, but it feels lighter and more nimble with the new suspension, something I wasn't particularly expecting along with the lower ride height.
So far I'm very happy with the decision to go with his setup. It's a big improvement over the stock touring suspension.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,820
Likes: 587
From: Michigan
Nice. Good looking ride.
I added the standard height premium suspension to my '14 TK as well. Much improved ride on the stock suspension & well worth the cost. Big difference over expansion joints; they just kinda disappear.
Enjoy!
I added the standard height premium suspension to my '14 TK as well. Much improved ride on the stock suspension & well worth the cost. Big difference over expansion joints; they just kinda disappear.
Enjoy!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,749
Likes: 16
From: sand mountain Alabama
I have a 29 inch inseam and could flat foot the 2014 Ultra. I was really surprised. It is close to the same as my 2012 CVO Street Glide which comes with the shock you spoke about. I am sure it helped with the footing for you but I am use to not being able to flat foot any bike.
I can lower the rear with the shocks but the ride sucks for me but I can flat foot the bike. I run them at 3/4 all the time. Loaded for a trip, it's okay.
but that is me.
I can lower the rear with the shocks but the ride sucks for me but I can flat foot the bike. I run them at 3/4 all the time. Loaded for a trip, it's okay.
but that is me.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,275
Likes: 241
From: Highlands, NJ
Installed a set of the std height on my 11 RKC this past weekend. At 235, I set them at 3 turns and they feel great. The OP is right, follow the chart and the ride is great.
The front double cartridge system is next.
The front double cartridge system is next.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 84
From: New Jersey
It's hard to say exactly but is seems close to an inch, which is a big difference. It's pricey (labor) but there really is no down side to it for me. Lower AND handles /rides better.
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Normal
I had a similar kit installed on my 13 FLHTK. I am also somewhat vertically challenged at 5'7", with a 30-inch inseam. On the stock setting, I was tip-toeing the bike at the dealer. I had the touring front lowering kit and the low profile shock absorber installed as I wanted to retain the air suspension. Now, I am flat footed and as others have said it handles great!! The dealer did not charge me labor as it was at the time of purchase, along with some other goodies that he installed.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Lewisville Texas
I traded my 2012 FLHTK w/ a Super low Harley seat "which I removed" for 14-FLHTK and part of the deal they installed lower air shocks. Ride is great (one up) & feet are flat. Need to put the wife on with gear and see how they perform.