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[cyril]

Why is the 09 & up Ultra so hard where did the soft layer on top go ? or is it me. ?

[JCZ]

I believe they had to forsake some of the cush for better handling......kind of like the difference between a Cadallac and a BMW.  A little stiffer ride but handles so much better!

[GregKhougaz]

A little stiffer ride ... handles so much better!

          That's what she said!       

[guppytrash]

Make sure your shocks are pumped up.  I run 35psi solo and 50psi two up.  Never had any where near that in my older bikes but it seems to be a must for the newer frames.

[kraut]

right - and control them frequently. Or getter even get rid of them. Almost 50 % of our dealers last years 09 touring didn't keep the air pressure for more than 50 m. Leaking like mad. I had a demo-bike for a trip last june and had to pump it up every 40 - 50 m!

[cyril]

Thanks for the feedback . I am talking of the hard ride my 08 soaked up smaller bumps the 09 doesn`t I have no other issues and so far no oil loss ( unlike my 08) my back dont like it much.

[guppytrash]

cyril

I have been riding motocross more years than I care to admit, and as the race bike frames became stronger/stiffer the suspension settings became more critical.  It is the same for the big heavy Harley.  The frame flex and overall slop had one advantage...the bumps were absorbed by the shocks and forks and the frame.   Now you have only the forks and shocks to soak up those bumps.  The good news is you can have both handling and ride but you will need to be much more attentive to air pressure in your shocks.  
If your shocks are low on air your bike will sag in the rear and then in a small way your forks will be more raked out (think chopper).  Then your forks don't work properly either, they are too raked and they are "unloaded".  In this situation both handling and ride will stink.  
  

[guppytrash]

A couple other things to check:  make sure you do not have a kinked or pinched air line, one of our members had that problem.
when you add air don't use a compressor, check and make sure your shock are holding the air you put in.

[cyril]

A good explanation, thanks i have checked the airlines both ok & i have an HD pump i`ll keep adding a bit ata time and see what changes. I test rode the LTD Ultra today doesn`t have the go but it is softer & smoother.