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[Chief2505]

I have read and read and read about all the different suspension options that are out there for the HD baggers.

I have an FLHTCUSE8 2013 and this is the worst riding and handling HD I have ever owned! My 08 Ultra rides better and handles better than this bike. Plus this is the first HD that the front tire has cupped out on me at 26,000 miles!

I know I will get recommendations for every manufacture out there as to which is the best suspension upgrade to go with but that being said I will state my problem, my expectations and my budget and see how it goes.

This thing bottoms out in the front and rear but at the same time feels like there is no resistance what so ever. Expansion joints I swear there is no suspension on this bike. Railroad crossings, forget it! Bang bang bang in both front and rear. I feel the road in the running boards, like this thing is a hardtail!

Sitting still and holding the front brake, I can bottom out the front end!

So what I want is a cushy ride. I am not looking for added performance to make me take curves 10 MPH faster or to scrape the pegs in a curve. I want this thing to feel and ride like the Cadillac of touring bikes that it is supposed to be.

That being said I do not want to spend $2,000 either! So I am leaning towards the HD premium rear shocks and maybe the front tubes as well.

Between the bsr and myself we are around 425#. About 80% of riding is two up.

Let the suggestions fly! and thanks in advance for the help

[HighOnHD]

"That being said I do not want to spend $2,000 either! So I am leaning towards the HD premium rear shocks and maybe the front tubes as well. "

To meet your stated objectives, you seem to be on the right track. It won't ride like a Caddy though. It will take more $$ to get that!

As far as only getting 26k miles on the front tire... I don't know about others, but I was on my third front tire by 45k miles, and 5th or 6th rear. I think you actually got good mileage on that front tire. JMHO

[J-Carr]

I wanted the Traxxion Dynamics and Bitubos that everyone raved about on here a few years back.   Just never made it to my budget.  The HD stuff has worn out on both my bike and my wife's.  We went Progressive on both of them.  The shocks are an improvement.  The forks are a godsend.  Adding the cartridge setup to mine and the springs and spacer setup to the fie's Dyna has improved the handling and braking dramatically.  The shocks make a noticeable improvement in the ride quality, but not so much that you'd ride it and then say you have to have these.  But compared to the worn out factory stuff... yeah it was worth the money.

[HighOnHD]

I wanted the Traxxion Dynamics and Bitubos that everyone raved about on here a few years back.   Just never made it to my budget.  The HD stuff has worn out on both my bike and my wife's.  We went Progressive on both of them.  The shocks are an improvement.  The forks are a godsend.  Adding the cartridge setup to mine and the springs and spacer setup to the fie's Dyna has improved the handling and braking dramatically.  The shocks make a noticeable improvement in the ride quality, but not so much that you'd ride it and then say you have to have these.  But compared to the worn out factory stuff... yeah it was worth the money.

Yea. I put Ohlins in the rear of my older street glide and the Progressive monotube cartridges on the front. The rear end was better. Like you stated the handling in the front and braking was better, but it also made it so I could feel what seemed like every little pebble in the road. Hard hits to the suspension were definitely better though. I also tried it with both washers, then took it apart again and removed one of the washers... still ended with what is described above.
This may not be an issue though for a heavier bike with heavier load. I am only 200 lbs and my wife has her own bike.

[J-Carr]

My front end was so worn out (Insert joke here) that it was an improvement for me on both ripple and crater size bumps in the road.  I'm a big guy (240) and sometimes ride with the wife but usually she rides her own.  I haven't noticed an appreciable difference in the ride quality based on that weight difference.

Her bike on the other hand was totally shot in the front.  Spring sag was different and it road horribly.  Added the progressive spring/spacer kit and it handles tons better but she says she does notice the little bumps more.  She described it as being like my old TA where you'd feel every bump but it cornered like it was on rails.  She's happy as the droopy springs were causing her to drag her pipes so hard it leveraged her off into a field trying to match a bunch of dressers on an exit ramp.  Now she's able to turn right with us on her Dyna Street Bob.  Over all, a worthwhile trade.

[JCZ]

Chief we're riding the same bike, same year and mine rides just fine.  Have you tried changing (or even checking?) the fork oil?  Like neck bearing grease and many other things.....maybe they just dropped the ball on yours.   

[Para Bellum]

Plus this is the first HD that the front tire has cupped out on me at 26,000 miles!

So, you have at least 26,000 miles on the bike.  If you've had the bike since new:  Did it ride the same way then?  If not, very likely the suspension is worn out, especially with 425# regularly.  Almost anything that's recommended will ride like a miracle by comparison.  The cheaper ones, though, will wear out sooner.

If it rode this way since new (how'd you stand it that long?), then JCZ is on to something.

[Puma]

Agree on that tire. It owed you nothing. I've never gotten more than 15k on any tire. I smoothed out one front in less than 7k (VTX-1300). I don't think I've ever gotten 10k out of a rear and I never ride with a passenger. With over 400 lbs. on the bike 80% of the time and close to 30k on the stock stuff, it's time for something. Racetech makes everything they sell custom to each customer, but last I checked, not adjustable. So they will set your stuff up for the 400 lbs. You tell them how you want the bike to handle and ride. Just like you told us. Also less money than Ohlins, but more than HD and Progressive. Made in USA.

[J-Carr]

I ride with 250 (OK 260 damnit) always and 400 or so frequently and get 10-12 on the back and 22-25 on the front.  Never with cupping.  But I have the 08 so I cant use the dual compound tire.  Any chance that JCs suggestions affect those dual compound tires more?  I've had to do all of that on my bike due to the fact that I'm creeping in on a 100k miles.  But I've never had a cupped tire.

I've know some guys who cup every tire they've gotten.  Most of them ride like you lit a fuse.  I don't.  But still, the irregularity of this tire problem makes it really hard to point out one specific item of the suspension/frame as the culprit.

[08glide]

I did like you, I read a lot of posts & research, talked to a lot of people. It's how deep do you want to go. I ride aggressive ( so told ) in the curves, some times 2 up. bike changed characteristics in handling while on 9k trip 2 summers ago. was told that it was overloaded, tires needed to be replaced, etc,etc,etc. after talking with phato 1 at MV last summer, I went with the HD premiums for the rear ( for now) as a start. made a big difference on the rear. doesn't feel like a rigid frame on the expansion joints or other bumps. the front still feels like its worn out, so I'm thinking, change the fork oil to start, maybe 15 or 20 weight & see what that does. then maybe front fork kit ( maybe HD premium there for the money) BTW there's a dealer in ohio that beat my local dealers price on rear HD premiums by almost $100 including s&h.

[Chief2505]

So, you have at least 26,000 miles on the bike.  If you've had the bike since new:  Did it ride the same way then?  If not, very likely the suspension is worn out, especially with 425# regularly.  Almost anything that's recommended will ride like a miracle by comparison.  The cheaper ones, though, will wear out sooner.

If it rode this way since new (how'd you stand it that long?), then JCZ is on to something.

It has been this way since new and I have complained about it to the dealer since new. But of course they never did anything besides tighten the head bearings once. That actually did help the bike go straight down the road though. Prior to that I couldn't take my hands off the handle bars without the bike diving right or left.

After a 1100 mile weekend ride I just decided that I cant take it any longer and I have to do something to improve this ride. Like I said when it comes to ride and handling my 08 is far superior than my 13. But dam I do love the power and creature comforts of my CVO!

As for tires on the 08 and older bikes I generally got 10 -12 thousand out of the rear tire and 35 - 40 thousand out of a front tire.

On the two that I have had, a 12 and now this 13 the rear goes about 15 thousand but cupped around 8 - 9 thousand. The front cupped at 26,000 but still had plenty of tread left.

Thinking I will check to see what kind of special Surdyke is running right now.

[Puma]

My bad. Race Tech G3-S shocks for baggers ARE adjustable. Compression adjust is standard and rebound is optional. I was remembering the softail models when I said they aren't adjustable. $699 per pair. Back in '08 a friend and I both had Vulcan 1600's. Similar to Road Kings. He had this brand on his bike and I still can't believe how much better it was compared to mine with the stock air adjustable shocks. http://racetech.com/page/title/H-D%20G3-S%20Shocks

[Chief2505]

Update

I purchased the HD premium shocks from Surdyke.com, $438 no shipping or sales tax

Installed them right before a 3,000 mile trip. cranked the preload as high as it would go, according to the chart that came with the shocks.

Wife and I and all of our gear, overloaded I am certain! Bike rode great! So great even the wife noticed the difference! That is saying something because generally she is clueless about things.

I rode yesterday, first time one up and empty with the new shocks. Never changed the settings and WOW a very harsh stiff ride! I was thinking one setting would work for most riding but I was certainly wrong on that! I stopped and cranked them the other way, I have no clue how far, I just turned and turned until I felt that was enough. It rode much better after that.

I will see today how it is 2 up and no luggage, might have to make another adjustment at some point.

So in general I am happy with my upgrade and will consider these again should the need arise.

[Darkstar]

I have always seen 20K plus miles on the front tire of my bagger, any of them. I honestly would be looking for problems if I saw less. The back was good for 10,500-13000 on the small tire and I am now seeing 17-18000 on the fat back tire. I go 230, she is 130 so there is a lighter load on my wheel than yours, that may explain part of it.

Just a thought...most cupping issues I have seen could be explained by improper inflation. I am with JCZ about neck bearings too.  A certified Mechanic buddy taught me the importance of bearing maintenance after I wasted a lot of time and dollars (wheeling bearings, truing of spokes) chasing a slight wobble at highway speeds. 

[JCZ]

Chief, if your tires keep cupping prematurely you might want to get them mounted/balanced some place else the next time. 

Have you tried putting the heavier fork oil in?

Riding the same bike, same year all the way across this nation and now from Cali to Colo and back.....still a great ride and I have yet to feel the front or back bottom out.  I'm 220 lbs. and I've been accused of riding aggresively so you'd think it would have happened by now.  For me.....the most comfortable, stock set up bike I've ever owned.