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[RickC]

After (a) observing a lot of discussion here about the Traxxion Dynamics AK-20's and Bitubo shocks; (b) being unsatifisied with the ride/handling of my 09 SERG, particularly when riding 2-up; and (c) having my ribs bruised by my BSR when she grabs hold after every significant bump in the road; I decided to bite the bullet and invest. I called Mike at T-D (Hmmm... T-D for my H-D...) on Tuesday and made an appointment for today.

Got up at 4:30 this morning (CST). Left at 5:00am and rode the 240+ miles to T-D. I've been sitting in their break room with my work laptop connected to their wireless network. I'm connected to the corporate VPN and using Skype to attend conference calls and customer meetings. I even did a 1-hour demo for a customer this morning!

Karen, who is the first person you see when you walk in the front door, made my first cup of coffee for me and brought me a sandwich from Jersey Mike's for lunch. When I've had a few minutes to stretch my legs, the guys in the shop have let me watch the work on my SERG and they've patiently answered my questions.

I trust that the results are going to be as dramatic as everyone has said here. Between the improvements to the scooter and the way I've been treated all day while monopolizing their break room, I have to say this has been an incredibly good experience. Every company in the motorcycle business should treat it's customers this way. Those that do are going to survive the economic downturn. Those that don't may not fare as well.

Thanks everyone for helping me find yet another way to spend $$$$ on the SERG!

RickC

[TN]

best 24 hundred mod i've done. ....what length did you choose for the rear?

and Karen is a peach.


enjoy


TN

[hard10]

... I've been sitting in their break room with my work laptop connected to their wireless network. I'm connected to the corporate VPN and using Skype to attend conference calls and customer meetings. I even did a 1-hour demo for a customer this morning!

What you didn't get the back massage while you were there?
Can wait to hear the ride report.
AJ

[RickC]

best 24 hundred mod i've done. ....what length did you choose for the rear?

and Karen is a peach.


enjoy


TN

TN... with the forum discount is was under $2300 for me. I went with 11.5" Bitubos on the rear... same as stock on the SERG.

Karen is definitely a Georgia peach!

[RickC]

What you didn't get the back massage while you were there?
Can wait to hear the ride report.
AJ

Damn, AJ, I didn't think to ask. Next time... 

[RickC]

O...

MY...

GOD...

 

Three words... MUCH MORE PREDICTABLE AND PRECISE...

Okay, that was five words. So sue me...

Basically, I feel like I upgraded the suspension from an American luxury car with a "squishy comfortable" ride to a finely-tuned European sport car with precision handling.

As soon as I got on the SERG, I noticed the difference. The bike didn't "squat" so much with I mounted up. I'm a relatively heavy guy at 250+/-. The stock shocks and forks squashed a lot when I got on. The AK-20s and Bitbuos... they don't...

Driving out on Rope Mill Pkwy, I coiuld immediately tell that everything was "tighter."

When I made the left off of Sixes Rd onto the I-575 South entrance ramp, I had my first "OMIGOD!" moment. This turn is a downhill left-hander. The road surface is off-camber. I leaned into the turn like I always have... and the front end felt like it scooted to the right an inch or two. As my heart skipped a beat or two, I straightened her up just a little and got on the throttle.

On the 250-mile ride home, there were a lot of little revelations about how different this bike rides now.

• Bumps encountered at speed are not nearly as "bone-rattling" as they once were.
• The bike now responds marvelously to much more subtle input. It's almost "you think about it and the bike does it."
• The bike seems even more stable at high speeds. I rode 75-95mph most of the way home. The little front-end wiggle I'd been getting above 85mph is almost completely gone. What's left I attribute to the Avon Cobra skins. They are radials, but not quite as good a ride as the D407s.
• The bike doesn't nose-dive when breaking even in a quick-stop. AMAZING! It also does not squat so hard when accelerating.

Another great investment in these bikes. Thanks everyone for the tips.

[Twolanerider]

When I made the left off of Sixes Rd onto the I-575 South entrance ramp, I had my first "OMIGOD!" moment.

I remember all that .

I was there one day and TC the next right after I discovered Traxxion Dynamics and told the crew here I was going to go try them out.  That immediate difference is startling.  You really do have to relearn how to ride the bike just a bit.  Entries and exits aren't quite the same because you have to do a little less to make the bike do more.

Did you notice how used you used to be to how much the front wheel wasn't on the ground as the old suspension bounced?  And it is now.

[hard10]

O...

MY...

GOD...

As soon as I got on the SERG, I noticed the difference...

Another great investment in these bikes. Thanks everyone for the tips.

Being that you rode to TD made somewhat of a difference. You still had the memory of that 250+ mile ride in your head when you mounted your "new" ride. This is one upgrade that is money well spent. Glad to hear you like the setup. 

[Indenial]

How does your BSR like the new shocks?

[RickC]

Did you notice how used you used to be to how much the front wheel wasn't on the ground as the old suspension bounced?  And it is now.

Yes, sir! It was a little scary at first. After a few miles though, it is just sweet, sweet, sweeeeeeettttt!!!

My favorite part of the ride home? Approaching my driveway at 60+ and locking down the brakes for a quick stop to make the turn into the drive. I swear the bike didn't dive at all... dead level all the way to the end.

Rock On!

[RickC]

This is one upgrade that is money well spent. Glad to hear you like the setup. 

This is probably the best $2.3K I've spent on the SERG.

Yes, I do like it... boy, oh, boy, do I like it!

[RickC]

How does your BSR like the new shocks?

Haven't had her on yet. We've been running in opposite directions today since my 18-year-old son came in from Texas. He'll be here until Wednesday, so her first taste of the new setup just might be the morning we leave!

Sure hope she likes it...

[hard10]

Haven't had her on yet. We've been running in opposite directions today since my 18-year-old son came in from Texas. He'll be here until Wednesday, so her first taste of the new setup just might be the morning we leave!

Sure hope she likes it...

Linda says she doesn't lean as much with the Bitubo's installed. I did it a little different and installed the Bitubo's before the TD's so I could feel the difference between front and back.

[Twolanerider]

Yes, sir! It was a little scary at first. After a few miles though, it is just sweet, sweet, sweeeeeeettttt!!!

My favorite part of the ride home? Approaching my driveway at 60+ and locking down the brakes for a quick stop to make the turn into the drive. I swear the bike didn't dive at all... dead level all the way to the end.

Rock On!

After the surprise at just the initial feel leaving their parking lot that lack of bounce is what took me longest to figure out.  Knew there was nothing about the differences that I didn't like.  But for about five miles just could not figure out what was this startlingly different and even slightly unsettling feel from the front.  Then finally realized it was the front wheel being on the road all the time.  Had to laugh at myself that it actually took a bit to get used to the front wheel not hopping anymore.

[Hotrod50]

Please explain what this upgrade is.

[hard10]

Please explain what this upgrade is.

The AK-20's are replacement shocks for the front forks and the Bitubo's are replacement shocks for the rear. You can get the full story here.

[rheiner]

I put the bitubos & Traxxion AK-20s on my SEUC4. Had the bitubos on for 2 month before the AKs. Between the two, the AKs are a better performance improvement. I don't cringe when I'm about to hit a pothole, rough spot or railroad tracks on the road anymore. I never bottom out with the AKs but often bottom out with the bitubos hitting a bad spot in the road. I think I need to dial in another click or two. I'm already at 8 clicks on the bitubos. But when I am just riding over regular road with the regular bumps, the ride is great and a huge improvement over stock.

[tlr]

great write up and I am very happy fpr you, but damn, $2400.  thats smart!!  whats the recommendation for an upgrade with 50% less expense. 

[Twolanerider]

great write up and I am very happy fpr you, but damn, $2400.  thats smart!!  whats the recommendation for an upgrade with 50% less expense. 

One fork and one shock ?

[sadunbar]

One fork and one shock ?

You know, I almost said that, but then I thought - why spoil Twolane's fun!

(and you came thru!!)

[Twolanerider]

You know, I almost said that, but then I thought - why spoil Twolane's fun!

(and you came thru!!)

Thank you .  Buddies like that are the best .

[09S/E roadglide]

Rickc thats awesome. Im gonna go this week and get the bitubos done I already have the ak-20 and love them. Its kinda nice for this one I live about 2o min. from TD. 

[bandit]

Hi RickC,
the information about the TD I found on the net, but
do you have any more detailed infos about the bitubos?
Partnumber, length and anything like that. I'm trying to
find someone who could do that here in switzerland, but
I have to know precisely what I buy, before I ask one
to put it together.

thanks, Bandit

[Hoist!]

Hi RickC,
the information about the TD I found on the net, but
do you have any more detailed infos about the bitubos?
Partnumber, length and anything like that. I'm trying to
find someone who could do that here in switzerland, but
I have to know precisely what I buy, before I ask one
to put it together.

thanks, Bandit

bitubo's are made in Italy. The P/N on the box my 330mm's came in says HD004WMT03; HARLEY D. POST. INT. 330
The numbers under the Bar Code are 033914  069032

I imagine bitubo in Italy can tell you where to get these over there. Switzerland isn't that far from Italy. Why not take a trip to the bitubo Factory and tell us what you think and get some pics!

bitubo Translated Home Page

Board Bitubo snc Via A. Volta, 24 - 35037 Selve di Teolo (PD) · Tel.: +39 0499903475 Fax: +39 0499903447 P.IVA: IT 02007650282 Volta, 24 - 35037 Selva di Teolo (PD) Tel: +39 0499903475 Fax: +39 0499903447 P. IVA: IT 02007650282

Hoist!

[09S/E roadglide]

got an appointment on Friday AM for the bitubos.....cant wait !

[Hoist!]

got an appointment on Friday AM for the bitubos.....cant wait !

You're gonna freakin LOVE EM!!!

300mm or 330?

Hoist!

[Twolanerider]

You're gonna freakin LOVE EM!!!

300mm or 330?

Hoist!

300 on the left and 330 on the right.  Set up for oval tracks .

[bandit]

Thanks Hoist!

one direction around 300miles and 5h.
I see, if I can make an appointment.

Bandit 

[09S/E roadglide]

You're gonna freakin LOVE EM!!!

300mm or 330?

Hoist!

the 300mm he said those match stock ride hight~ 

[Hoist!]

the 300mm he said those match stock ride hight~ 

Yes they do. This SERK's are originally 12" too.  Reason I asked is I raised mine with the 330's. I raised the front too with 1" taller AK-20 Cartridge conversion. The taller ride height allows for a greater lean angle, increasing cornering ability. I did that to my FXR3 also. While doing this work, you have the ability to change back to a standard height suspension for better handling. Just making sure you're aware of that option.

Hoist!

[09S/E roadglide]

Yes they do. This SERK's are originally 12" too.  Reason I asked is I raised mine with the 330's. I raised the front too with 1" taller AK-20 Cartridge conversion. The taller ride height allows for a greater lean angle, increasing cornering ability. I did that to my FXR3 also. While doing this work, you have the ability to change back to a standard height suspension for better handling. Just making sure you're aware of that option.

Hoist!

Thanks but i like it low !! she leans over far enough for me. Havent been out run in the twisties yet ( by another harley )   

[TN]

the 300mm he said those match stock ride hight~ 

i installed the 300mm also.

you won't regret it, that's for sure.


TN

[bandit]

what i found on the web:
WMT Performance Twin for 250-1200cc
        
Pair of rear shock absorbers with separate tank, compensated by pressurized gas (Nitrogen). Specific calibration for each motorcycle model.
Shock absorber body in high resistance steel alloy, with head in aluminium alloy fashioned from a single block by CNC Machine.

Adjustability:
- Micrometric metal ring for spring preload.
- Rebound (continuous ring)
- Compression (clicking knob on the top of separate tank)
Available version "02" (black springs) or "03" (crome springs), depending on the the application (Custom/Naked motorcycle)

NOTE: The displayed product is generic for WMT. Some characteristics (eg. attachments) can differ depending on the model application.

Are these the right ones?

[TN]

what i found on the web:
WMT Performance Twin for 250-1200cc
        
Pair of rear shock absorbers with separate tank, compensated by pressurized gas (Nitrogen). Specific calibration for each motorcycle model.
Shock absorber body in high resistance steel alloy, with head in aluminium alloy fashioned from a single block by CNC Machine.

Adjustability:
- Micrometric metal ring for spring preload.
- Rebound (continuous ring)
- Compression (clicking knob on the top of separate tank)
Available version "02" (black springs) or "03" (crome springs), depending on the the application (Custom/Naked motorcycle)

NOTE: The displayed product is generic for WMT. Some characteristics (eg. attachments) can differ depending on the model application.

Are these the right ones?

yes they are.


TN

[bandit]

What about the Nitrogen-reservoirs, don't they
scratch our saddle-bags? Are they mounted
reservoir down, as shown on some pics in this
forum?

thanxs, Bandit

[09S/E roadglide]

yes down with the res. forward. they rock got mine done this morning and i love em. take some getting used to cause is a drastic change but you can actually feel the road and she is much more responsive. I'm very happy with the money I spent. 

[Hoist!]

yes they are.


TN

I gave you the P/N yesterday bandit. Make sure you order the HD version. They're slightly different than the version shown. The P/N I gave you comes right from the label on the box. Also, the reservoir goes in whatever direction you want, and you need to do to avoid it interfering with the saddlebags or anything else. On my FXR, it interferes with the belt guard, and can only be installed one way!

Hoist!

[bandit]

For the factory-visit, they are on holidays now.

Does anyone who has installed the bitubos can show pics
of them mounted. I remember a pic with the scarfs on the
inner-sde of the saddle-bags, but can't find it and don't
know if it were the bitubos or other shocks with resevoirs.

thanks, bandit

[04se103]

Here is the pics http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=35024.msg561397#msg561397

[bandit]

thanks, I appreciate your help!!!!!

bandit

[bandit]

Yes HOIST! you gave the p/n!!

but you have to view a pdf-catalog with 68 pages
to find them. They don't refer to the RoadGlide there,
cou'll find ElectraGlide and Roadking, but not RoadGlide.
Also the production-year is not very actual. The prize is
617 Euro, about 925$ no shipment included.

Bandit

[Hoist!]

Yes HOIST! you gave the p/n!!

but you have to view a pdf-catalog with 68 pages
to find them. They don't refer to the RoadGlide there,
cou'll find ElectraGlide and Roadking, but not RoadGlide.
Also the production-year is not very actual. The prize is
617 Euro, about 925$ no shipment included.

Bandit

Don't know much about dealing directly with bitubo. I deal with their US ditributor, Traxxion. Maybe you can buy them from Traxxion cheaper than directly from bitubo. And don't go by the bike model. The shocks are all the same on the touring bikes. Even the FXR shock is the same. You just need to know whether you want 300mm's or 330mm's!

Traxxion Dynamics Ask for Dan or Mike.

Hoist!

[bandit]

Hi Hoist!,

don't forget I'm living in Europe, so buying at Traxxion would add
the shipping and the tax, which could end up at the same price
like here in switzerland. I know a guy working for their distributor,
(here in switzerland) so maybe I could make a deal with him.
Keep you informed.

thanxs, Bandit

[bandit]

Highjagger mentioned Oehlins and Wilbers. I contacted Oehlins
and they gave me another contact of a bike-shop selling their
shocks, because they have nothing in program which will fit.
I 'll have to bring one shock in, and he will measure everything
and maybe he'll make a special edition, if the price is alright.
When I have to bring my SERG for the rear-wheel-check and
abs-update, I'll do it. Let you know what will happen.

Bandit

[Hoist!]

Highjagger mentioned Oehlins and Wilbers. I contacted Oehlins
and they gave me another contact of a bike-shop selling their
shocks, because they have nothing in program which will fit.
I 'll have to bring one shock in, and he will measure everything
and maybe he'll make a special edition, if the price is alright.
When I have to bring my SERG for the rear-wheel-check and
abs-update, I'll do it. Let you know what will happen.

Bandit

Some have tried the Ohlin's. They claim they're similar in performance to the Works Performance shocks. Those are somewhere between the Progesssive 440's and the bitubos. To get better adjustability and ride than the bitubos offer, the next step up is Penske's. But they're about $1200+up USD!

Good luck on whatever you decide bandit!

Hoist!

[bandit]

Let's try it. It's just 1h drive and he's a specialist
in shocks and forks and Oehlins proposed him,
because of his experience and manufacturing skills.
For the time being, I'll go to the European Bike Week
in Austria at the 5th of sept., our biking season will
end with middle of October so I'll have plenty of
time.

international: http://www.ohlins.com/
national: http://www.oehlins.ch/Oehlins/News.php
because it is swedish company.

Bandit