Adjusting Harley-Davidson Suspension for Touring & Sportster Chassis Motorcycles
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- Опубліковано 22 лют 2017
- Laidlaw's Harley-Davidson Keith Hurt and Jamie Myers demonstrate the proper way to adjust the new suspension found on Touring and Sportster Chassis Motorcycles. Make sure your taking advantage on the maximum ride quality your new Harley-Davidson is capable of.
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What I like about Matt is we all know he's got a family owned HD dealership, but it goes way beyond that. I'm sure the majority of us will never step foot into his shop but his commitment to the brand and his weekly insights and points let us know it goes a lot deeper than that. I just put money down on a new XL1200 Custom CB( not even sure you have that model in the States, all blacked out) but watching your vlog really inspired me to get off my ass and do it. The shock adjustments in this latest blog now seem even more pertinent. Kudos man!
Just listened to the suspension podcast and watched the adjust preload video. Thanks for great tip. When we ride 2 up be are banging the bump stops. My wife hates to ride. This fixed us right up. What a difference. Wish I knew about this soon. I guess reading is fundamental!!
Mind completely blown.... I got my HD SGS last May and completely forgot that I needed to adjust my suspension. I need change it to the highest level. I'll be doing that this evening. THANK YOU LADS!
Thank you so much for your videos, I have one 883 and now I know how to do it properly. Thanks again.
I learned so much. Awesome video. Thank you!!
Thanks Matt, very informative, looking to get a new bike after a 25 year hiatus. The kids are now grown and out of the house now. I watch all of your videos and they are helping me decide on what to get, right now it's a CVO Street Glide. Keep the videos coming.
How does one hand dial adjust both shocks?
Great work...love your videos...keep it up...
Matt: This was very helpful with adjusting the shocks on my '17 Ultra Limited. Thanks for the information.
Cool, glad I could help.
Great info again, Thanks!
Another Great Video... Thx...
Hi mate, hoping you have a video how to adjust the 2019 street Rod 750 suspension.
Matt, Great video. I have a 2017 Sportster 1200C. I was wondering if you sold the spanner with the protective rubber coding?
Thanks. I am 200lbs and have a 2017 RG Ultra with 13” adjustable shocks. I had my bike loaded up for the ride to Milwaukee from Philly. The ride felt great set at 5. When I got to Milwaukee I switched the shocks out to 12” shocks for a street glide. On the ride home with the fully loaded ultra the ride was still nice but it did bottom out occasionally. Now that I unloaded the bike the ride is kind of harsh. I feel every bump in the road. This is with the 12” shock set at 5. I will try cranking up to 10 and see what it does. These touring bikes are set up for 6’ 250lb guys I think. Not for us 5’8” 200lb guys.
Awesome video. I was just adjusting my 21 road glide, and once I get above 10 on the scale it gets a lot more difficult to turn the dial. And once to 15 next to impossible to turn. I imagine as you go up the more resistance you will get, but it seems like it should be this difficult. Especially since it goes up to 20.
I like my air shocks. Easy to fine tune on the fly. I like to have a soft ride as possible without Bottoming out much. I also do a lot of highway traveling to up and loaded down. Thanks
Thanks guys!
Very impressed with the 412 Series Progressive rear coil overs we installed on 2021 RGS #performancebaggin build!!
Hi Mat! I just watched your shock tech on the new street glide. I'm kinda big as well as tall, 6'4" and 285 lbs. My question is simple. Are the factory spec'd shocks going to be able to handle my weight w/travel in mind?
Hi Matt
I have v rod night rod special 2015 .
So witch shock absorbers brand better and softer and comfortable for my motorcycle ?
Are those saddle bag attachment screw handles available as an upgrade for 2014-2016?
Does that preload chart shown in the video also apply for 2021 suspension on a street glide special?
Matt really enjoy all your videos. I recently purchased my first bike. 2017 Street Glide Special. Would love to get feedback from you on ways to get deeper sound and tunning the engine. I did purchase SE slip on which helped.
Michael Barnes Screaming Eagle slip-ons are 50 state legal which means you're not going to get the maximum sound possible. if you really want to roar you've got to look to the aftermarket companies. I believe at this point Rinehart has come out with pipes for your bike as well as a couple of other companies. on my 16 roadglide special I went with the Rinehart Xtreme true dual full system which eliminated my cat the bike sounds incredible.
Cant you set static and rider sag on this suspension just like you would on any other would have liked to have seen the static to get a better idea of total travel and are the 2020 models the same as the 2017 thanks
Hi matt, i have an 883 iron 2016 i just want to lower it down a bit. I'm 5'3 tall with 100lbs. How many preload dot should i put to lower it down? Thank you
Hey Matt...
I have a 2013 Sportster 72 and I'm 230lbs so of course the stock shocks are not the best for me...I am thinking about getting a pair of the new emulsion shocks that are on current sportsters...
Will there be a noticeable difference with the new shocks or should I save my money...
When he was adjusting the iron's shock for a larger rider, it looked like the shock was being compressed. wouldn't that make the ride harsher? My iron literally bounces me out of the seat on some bumps and I need it adjusted. I weigh the same as the rider they were adjusting for on the iron, so would I just do the same?
Does the seat height get taller when you do such an adjustment?
ty mat and crew
Can this premium shock be installed on an earlier model? I have a 2013 police Roadking. Thanks
Thanks guys
Great Video Matt!! Any Tips on adjusting the rear shocks on my anniversary edition FXDL????
I'm trying to find that out my self for the exact same bike
start position to set the suspension is all the way back? to start the “clicks” .. im just learning so might be a stupid question 😅
I adjusted my ultra way to stiff I’ll try this my rear feel super stiff almost bouncing to the road
So how does the right shock get adjusted since your only doing one shock
Thanks for the video on this. Big help. You are keeping yourself busy!
I watched your shock adjusting video. You stated it was very important to adjust both sides the same. That is what I thought. So, why is there only one adjustment on my 2021 Electra Glide. You can only adjust the left side.
Anyone else take a close look at the preload tables in the Touring owner's manual? For the standard length shock, there's separate tables for with or without Tour Pak. For example: 220# solo rider with Tour Pak, preload #2. 220# solo rider without Tour Pak, preload #4. Doesn't seem to make sense to increase the preload when removing the Tour Pak. Thoughts?
I think they have it reversed and it's a misprint. I ran into this same thing.
Question: I just bought a 2017 Iron 833, according to the manual I need 10 dots showing for the Low Travel Shocks and 13 for the Medium Travel shocks for my weight. How do I tell which I have?
Will Creasman
I would check the part number that's on your shock and google it, or just take your vin number t's a Harley dealership and have the guy at the parts counter verify and assist you.
My bike 2022 Road Glide Special just purchased it 4 days ago there's a label on the shock inside the spring facing the back( left side) . If you look on the right side down between the bag and a fender without taking a bag off you can see it clearly it'll say low if low. also mine was set at 10 for some reason and I'm less than 180lbs I just noticed both of these shocks are entirely different. I can't see why the dampener is only on one and not the other. There's no line connecting them doesn't make sense.. can somebody explain Harley stupid logic for doing this?.
So if I'm 180lbs and want the softest ride possible, I would leave it at zero (fully backed-out)? Still seems like really stiff ride to me. Does adding some pre-load help if you are wanting the softest ride possible at relatively low weight?
BillyCrash if you make it too soft , your shocks will bottom out . Leaving for the shock no travel space will make it even worse .
I made the same mistake. 180 lbs so went as soft as possible cause it was so stiff. I also felt as though it got harder. But it must be that it’s too soft and bottoming out. I’m gonna go back to 4 dots now.
How many miles do I replace them at
37 k on SGS with knob adjuster
I may replace with same shocks cuz cheaper than aftermarket plus harley product rule 🤘
My harley is very stif how to set for soft ride ltight the spring or the other way tks
Great video Matt, I am wondering if I can upgrade my suspension on my 2014 Limited to the new 2017 Limited? It looks like they have changed to a Showa 49 mm dual bending front fork and a Showa emulsion adjustable rear shock. Can I purchase these parts?
Patrick Monroe Unfortunately no, the new Showa Dual bending valve front fork suspension can't be retroactively installed into previous model years.
Thanks Matt, how about the rear shocks are the 2017's the same as the "PREMIUM RIDE HAND-ADJUSTABLE
TOURING SHOCKS* 54000008 or have they been updated and not available also?
@@MattLaidlaw mine is a 14 Electra Glide what can I do?
I wish there was an optional tool to use on the adjuster knob for the touring bike. Not much room for turning the knob with large hands and it's a little harsh on your hands as well.
You could try a Cloth or rubber Strap Wrench. I used a Lisle Rubber one on a pulley I needed to hold once.
Chris Philhower I wonder why Harley hasn’t made the suspension so it adjust electronically. I don’t remember the brand of bike I seen it demonstrated on but they have a switch for the suspension to adjust. Select if it’s 1 helmet or 2 helmet rider and based on which one they select it will adjust to that setting. I like that it only takes a few seconds with a press of a button.
Could you review or do you know of someone who has done a review on the Screamin’ Eagle fully adjustable piggyback shocks; Rear Shocks #54000125, Front Suspension #45400176. They look to have multiple adjustment points. I’m wondering if it’s worth the price to upgrade my stock suspension on my XL1200C.
Ronald Gunther Yea, if actually like to do a review on that suspension. I'll see if I can make that happen
Will this adjustment affect the ride height of the bike? I'd love to lower the rear of my 2016 Roadster. I think there's a bit too much space above the rear tire. Thanks.
Having the same question in mind, hope will be an answer.
Buzz Aldrin not very much if anything at all.
Not really. Your shocks are already pushed out and have a positive charge. Then you sit on it and it sinks a little. Then you hit a bump and the shock sinkers some more before the rebound. The juice moves quicker going down than up so you don’t get thrown out of the saddle. That’s why you can get over run on on rapidly repeating bumps. The preload is making the ride stiffer.
Buzz, did you ever find a good way to lower?
Hey guys, great vid as usual... I'm looking at a 17 FLHR. I'm 310 lbs, my wife is at 145 but if you were to ask her she would insist she's 125 tops... so I've learned not to ask her anymore. My question is, what is the max spring weight on the factory shocks, and I'm sure the both of us go over that limit, so what can I do, aftermarket heavy duty springs? What does HD have?
P.S. and don't say I should lose weight to solve the issue.... I would but then I'd have to get a whole new Harley wardrobe and some of my HD clothes you can't buy anymore. So there.
Does that one adjuster on the touring model effect both shocks or do both shocks have an adjuster?
The one adjuster only affects the left side but the left side controls the whole rear of the bike. The right side doesn’t do much of anything.
Thank you Matt and crew! I wish I had a copy of that adjustment settings page!
They show it at 2:45. Just take a screenshot of it.
It’s in your owner’s manual 🙃
I only weigh 165 lbs....have it set to 1 full clicks with loaded saddle bags....my kidneys are bruised from hitting bumps...feels like i am riding a hardtail...any suggestions on a shock that would be better for someone under 175 lbs?
Mark, You should be adjusted to at least 6 clicks according to the manual specs. If your only on one you are most likely bottoming out on the shock bumper. IMHO...Good luck!
So for just his weight it’s only three full turns or 6 clicks?
Thank you all .....
+Alex Beta you're welcome
I just replaced my stock suspension with new shocks I got from a 2017 road glide but the ride is really firm no matter what setting I have it on. Ideas?
+Warren VanSchalkwyk did you just replace the rear shocks and not the front? What year is your bike?
What happens if is adjusted to a higher number than you need? I have a softail Slim 2020. My dealer did not give me a spanner wrench with my purchase, where they supposed to? Just trying to learn for myself.. thank you!
Under ur seat
@@charlesl7385 it wasn’t there so I went to the dealer and they gave me one. Thank you
Hello Matt, great video, please could you confirm that I have understood the new suspension process correctly. I have a new Street Glide Special and have been trying to figure out the process from the manual. From your video I believe that a rider of 95 kg, solo empty saddle bags would set the suspension to 4 clicks from zero. The same rider with a pillion of 95 kg would set the suspension to 14 clicks from zero. Adding luggage to the weight of 60 kg along with the pillion would mean setting the suspension to about 21 clicks from zero. My dealer said to just rack the suspension to the top, however I don't think that it accurate. Thanks for your help. Mark Hillman in the U.K. Keep up the good work.
Mark Hillman You set the suspension to zero or no clicks. That's your starting point. Yes it sounds like you have it right. I don't have the chart I front of me and I'm American standard so I'm not familiar with Kg. It sounds like you have the right idea though.
Thanks Matt, that's a great help, and thank you for the prompt reply, all the best Regards. MDH
May be a stupid question but what if you weigh more than the highest setting on it will it be fine or do you need to change to something else?
I think it should be fine. Maybe check with the gross wight vehicle capacity and make sure you’re not going above that.
Matt Laidlaw sweet thanks man
What comes in the included spanner wrench pack when you buy a 2019 fxbb?
Yes you get a spanner wrench with a 2019 FXBB
Matt Laidlaw Thank you.
Beautiful ride. But I had this system on my bike, after a week of taking the saddle bag off and on, trying to find a place to put it so it didn’t get damaged, finding the load adjustment...Aaaaa !! For the improvement it made in my solo ride and not much improvement it made in a two up , on the shelf they went.. plus in my opinion in the two up situation the ass end felt shifty in corners. It’s not that hard to make a real improvement to something. Unfortunately a somewhat ride improvement “off the shelf “ and a complete lack of improvement to usability. The little pump was at least simple.
The backseat of your car will work just fine, which is what I do when I detail my bike as well.
Must this be done to both shocks?
Mr. Booch not on the touring bikes. Only one side is adjustable.
When I went to adjust the preload on my 2017 Road King Special it was adjusted to about 5 on the gauge. When I calculate the turns I'm supposed to do am I supposed to turn it the calculated number of turns from where it was from the factory or am I supposed to take it all the way down to zero and then make the appropriate number of turns from there?
I did the former but I'm pretty sure I was supposed to do the latter. The ride is pretty firm how it's adjusted right now. Definitely not the type of ride that got glowing reviews in all the '17 suspension reviews.
Take it all the way to Zero then do the clicks. 2 clicks = one turn
Will a seat off of a 2016 Street glide fit a seat for a 20/20 Street glide
Yes.
Ok, I thought I understood but now I'm confused. I am 180 pounds and usually carry about 20 pounds. So how do I set the schocks?
Tim Marks yes
Has the suspension changed from a 2015 CVO to 2017 CVO Street Glide
easyglide the adjustment method is very similar but the 2017 has 30% more preload ability. I believe they had different adjustment charts. Look at your specific model year manual to see how many turns you need for the load
Thank you
I am not looking forward to the slap in the face when I ask my wife for her weight to calculate the preload! ;-)
Most likely just set it to max.
4x4 Nut .just guess on wife weight , I do it all the time , my wife is happier that way
Bahahaha!!
RIGHT?
I've tried adjusting to the manual and it still rides like I'm riding a hard tail.. For a $26k bike it should ride like a mercedes. I don't see how I could do it wrong.. 1 click is a half turn 2 clicks is a full turn starting from 0...
You failed to mention why only the left shock is adjusted on the Touring bike.
lol.. I have a so referred to as "Premium" HD rear shock set for sale.. I yet to meet a rider at 170lbs or less that are happy with HD premium shocks on the 2017 - later touring bikes.. My Street Glide (not so Glide) rode like a log wagon.. me at 140, with no preload set, the bike and I sat on top of the springs.. no sag (as needed for proper set up) to me the simple adjustment knob was a dainty house wife sales gimmick, but it might have started to function at 200lbs and up.
Adjusting it is a pain in the A##. I have to remove the seat and turn the stupid knob then replace the seat. I loved the air suspension.
So I'm hearing the ride in general on these HD Touring models stinks. Should I upgrade to Ohlins suspension immediately or wait on that????
Ohlins is top notch. If you want the best then yes, switch.
Matt Laidlaw, thanks for your reply. Your definitely an authority in the biking world. Your honesty makes sure as much
FYI....the Ohlins rep at Bike week quoted a bit over $900. for the rear shocks. But yes if the best is what you want then go for it.
I'm 6'4 220 this is something that I'm going to do with my 14 Electra Glide.
Wow. Easier than on a sportbike.
Only adjust on one side?????
Correct
My honest opinion, my dads 15’ flhxs has a softer ride than my 17 flhx.
Man with this system having a slammer suspension it's pretty much a mute point.
HD premium shock. That's a good one! Not nocking HD, they know they can't spec a shock that accommodates all body types/ ride styles, so that suspension is a jack of all trades that really can't hold a candle to the aftermarket stuff. Even after adjusting my 2020 RG Limited through it's entire range of adjustments, I'd be lying if I said I could notice a difference in the harshness of my ride. I bet most would say the same thing if being honest. Save up, go with Olin's, Wilbur, , RWD, or even Legends. Heck, even Progressive makes a better product if that's all your budget will allow, but pretending that HD shocks are worth adjusting is a disservice.
Uh..please make video of fork and rear shocks preload adjustment for older dyna pleaseeeeee..😊👍
This is also the tool I use to convice my wife I need a new seat. Set that baby at zero + find a bumpy ass road= wala new seat! Then remeber to adust it right when you put your new seat on, take wifey on same road. She thanks you for getting the new seat! Says wow you sure know your stuff when it comes to bikes! "Thats right honey, if you only knew!" Oh and while your at it, get her a " loud pipes save lives! " bumper sticker for her car , " Look out for Motocycles" sticker for the other side a her pumper. Stress how important it is for you, but more importantly her saftey, that people are able to hear a bike around thier vehicle. Get her to sit in her car, tell her to start it, roll up the window and tune in your favorite radio station and crank it up a little bit, you know like everyone does. Now take your stock piped bike so you are in her passanger side rearview mirror. Start your stock piped bike and act like you are reving the hell out of it. Quickly shut bike off ( you dont wana over play this, so short time is way better ) go to her passanger window ask her to roll it down and say " You heard that ok right? " again wala! new slip ons at the very least and if you explain before you put the slip ons by themselves on, that head pipes are really what creates the more distict able to hear sound. Blam you get a whole new exhast system. Remember to explain to her, that the way these new bikes are built though, because you have changed that stock exhaust so she dosent become road kill, Now you simply have to invest in a tuner to keep your initial investment of the motorcycle running properly! Boom Tuner as a bonus! Next is crouching with that stock windshield so she gets the bugs on the forehead treatment "Ya know there is a product that sends those bugs right over your head, right?" Solo seats are a much harder sell, But it can be done! "Look baby I know you trust me, as you should, but if I roll outta here to go have a few brews with the boys, that way if some bar tramp bimbo says she needs a ride I got a great excuse why I just cant do it! It saves us both a ton a grief!" Wala New Solo Seat! Or if you used step one of this little tutorial. you can do what I did and get a two piece seat from the get go. When she asks why your peeling off her sissy bar and her butt pad before you go have brews with the boys. Just use the bimbo story to make her know your just thinking a her, and not just trying to look cool. I'm working on somthing for new handel bars, it will come to me.
This is the way. Lol
Just put a SHOTGUN shock for a a bagger, nothing beats it !
Mere budjet sirf HF DELUXE ka hai
That's all fine and well, Harley, but I literally just dropped off my 17 SGS today at rolling thunder to install Ohlins blackline S36DRL because stock shocks are garbage
Michael Biniakewitz How are the ohlins? Worth it?
Brian Newman far and away the best after market I've ever installed on any bike I've ever own. In the box alone you see how quality they are for 880 bucka and 25 minutes to install you essentially get a brand new bike and ohlins builds it specifically to your specs
They still ride like crap!!! The suspension has always sucked on HD's. Love everything else!
Josh Sparkman
It's an own off the line product. It was designed to be BETTER, not BEST.
I just don't understand HD limited suspension travel of 2-3 inch rather than likely twice that in ALL other MCs on the road today. I've seen some concepts of an HD Adventure Tourer so they have likely employed a suspension engineer that can finally find 5+ inches of travel in an HD.
best thing about HD is to see them in my BMW's rearview mirror.
Thanks for coming just to let us know, enjoy your soulless machine every weekend.
It's really funny how it's critical on this bike for both to be the same but all the touring models you're only actually stiffin one shock
This video stunk ...first he moved it before he did the clicks then he went way more then 10 then he never showed where it ended up ..... i have a 2018 and i cannot find q happy spot with this new shock it just sucks ..I get a back ache everytime i ride ..
This never made sense to me. Only rear sag/preload/ride hight adjustment? The front suspension must also be adjusted, and the only way to do this is by changing the fork springs. Anyone who has raced sport bikes, dirt bikes knows this. The factory fork springs can probably handle a small range of rear adjustment from a 160-220lbs rider. But if you crank that rear dial to 15 there is no way the front suspension can handle that. You will be pushing hard in the corners. I'm hoping HD put really heavy fork springs up front, this may allow us fat guys to properly set up our bikes without changing fork springs. But if you are a little 200lb guy it's going to be a bumpy ride. Harley just needs put some adustable forks on these Mo'fos!
Why does everyone look pissed in this video?
No one knows how to act on camera.
@@MattLaidlaw Hey Matt I'm hungry for a full 900 and 1200 BOOM AUDIO 2 REVIEW I have 2017 Street glide special with the stage 2 fairing. I recently invested in the additional lower fairings and saddlebags setup, all Harley components. Still, haven't picked it up from the dealer cause it's being stored, but I love watching different reviews and comparisons. HOT ROD RED FLAKE OF COURSE.
If I was riding with a woman passenger how would I determine her wight without getting my ass handed to me?
Guess lol
It's 20 17 what a joke this shooks are lol