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[JoeVibe]

My 14 RK came with the adjustable HD shocks (not air shocks) and I have Bitubo's on my Ultra. The back tire on the RK doesn't feel like it holds the road in the curves the way the Ultra does. My guess is that it's the shocks but I know they're different bikes so could it be something else?

[110tHunDer]

Joe, if you are noticing a difference primarily in the curves, my guess is it is the front suspension.  I think you upgraded the Ultra if not mistaken? 

[ultrarider123]

My 14 RK came with the adjustable HD shocks (not air shocks) and I have Bitubo's on my Ultra. The back tire on the RK doesn't feel like it holds the road in the curves the way the Ultra does. My guess is that it's the shocks but I know they're different bikes so could it be something else?

Maybe the RK has too much power for that back tire there, Joe....

I'm with 110 on this.  The premium adjustable shocks aren't that shabby from the MoCo.  The front suspension on the '13 is pre rushmore sorry, forgot your SERK is a '14...it does have the larger front forks.  It may well be the premium shocks since you are used to your bitubo's on the Ultra.  I know you've thought about this but consider the different weight from the Ultra to the RK and it would handle much different. 

Different topic but same bike, let me know when you need that backrest hardware.  If you need it before your next trip over this way, I can ship it to ya....

[FlaHeatWave]

With your Bikes it it could be any number of things, different Bikes? All HDs have their own personality? More power on a lighter Bike ? A mechanical issue, alignment? Tire Wear? etc...?

You have the Suspension F&R dialed in on your Ultra, so you know what a good setup feels like on a Bagger...

I've been real happy with the HD stuff on the '09...

One easy thing to do, play with the adjustment (both ways)on the HD Shocks and see if it gets better or worse 

Keep us posted!

Ed


 

[JoeVibe]

Joe, if you are noticing a difference primarily in the curves, my guess is it is the front suspension.  I think you upgraded the Ultra if not mistaken?

I did upgrade the Ultra's crappy front suspension but I went with HD's premium stuff. I thought that's what they put in the 14 RK as standard. I'm I wrong?

Maybe the RK has too much power for that back tire there, Joe....

I'm with 110 on this.  The premium adjustable shocks aren't that shabby from the MoCo.  The front suspension on the '13 is pre rushmore sorry, forgot your SERK is a '14...it does have the larger front forks.  It may well be the premium shocks since you are used to your bitubo's on the Ultra.  I know you've thought about this but consider the different weight from the Ultra to the RK and it would handle much different.

Horsepower isn't the issue. I'm a go fast in a straight line guy, not so much in the curves. I thought that the lighter RK would be sportier and it sure feels like it, except in the curves. I'm not a great rider so I'm know I'm not pushing it's limits but it does feel loose in the curves. Definitely doesn't hold the road like the Ultra.

Different topic but same bike, let me know when you need that backrest hardware.  If you need it before your next trip over this way, I can ship it to ya....

I don't need the backrest hardware just yet but if you don't mind hang on to it for me. I bought a rider backrest from a vendor on this site and have a sissy bar for Janet for the stock RK passenger seat but Janet hasn't rode on it yet. (She's having eye  surgeries and I'm worried about her getting something in her eye from the wind.) I don't think she's going to be comfortable on the little bitty pillion vs the Ultra's hammock and the hardware you have will let me put my touring seat on the RK and use the HD rider backrest if Janet decides she likes riding on it.

One easy thing to do, play with the adjustment (both ways)on the HD Shocks and see if it gets better or worse 

Keep us posted!

Ed

I'll give that a try. When I got the bike I set the shocks up for my fat azz, maybe they're set too stiff?

[GregKhougaz]

Joe,

The tour pak hanging off the back of your Ultra weighs in at just over 60lbs. That will change the handling and feel, especially in the rear.  Shocks, tire compounds, pressure and age contribute as well.

GK

[RayG]

Have you considered swapping the shocks out for the Bitubo's for a test ride?  I'm guessing you are using the 13'', and even if you aren't it would be a quick and easy way to find out how it would handle with the Bitubo's.  I would be real interested in your findings.  Last winter I sent out Kiro's Traxxion unit & mine to be rebuilt along with my Bitubo's which had 45K on them.  When I finished installing them on both bikes I took them out for a test ride. Since I have a spinal injury from my tailbone to my upper cervical area I'm very sensitive to a harsh ride.  Even though my 08 SERK handles the rough roads significantly better than it did when it was stock it was rough compared to Kirk's 2013 Ultra. 

[JoeVibe]

Joe,

The tour pak hanging off the back of your Ultra weighs in at just over 60lbs. That will change the handling and feel, especially in the rear.  Shocks, tire compounds, pressure and age contribute as well.

GK

Both bikes have reasonably new rear tires and I'm fanatical about checking tire pressure. Different tire compounds is possible. I know the rear tire was replaced before I bought the bike but I never looked to see what it was. I'll check that out. I expect the two bikes to handle differently, I was just hoping the RK would be the better one.

[JoeVibe]

Have you considered swapping the shocks out for the Bitubo's for a test ride?  I'm guessing you are using the 13'', and even if you aren't it would be a quick and easy way to find out how it would handle with the Bitubo's.  I would be real interested in your findings.  Last winter I sent out Kiro's Traxxion unit & mine to be rebuilt along with my Bitubo's which had 45K on them.  When I finished installing them on both bikes I took them out for a test ride. Since I have a spinal injury from my tailbone to my upper cervical area I'm very sensitive to a harsh ride.  Even though my 08 SERK handles the rough roads significantly better than it did when it was stock it was rough compared to Kirk's 2013 Ultra.

Haven't thought about swapping the shocks. The Ultra has 13" shocks and I'm pretty sure the RK comes with 12" but it would be an interesting test. Would sure be a lot cheaper than buying new Bitubo's to see if that fixes it.

[skratch]

Haven't thought about swapping the shocks. The Ultra has 13" shocks and I'm pretty sure the RK comes with 12" but it would be an interesting test. Would sure be a lot cheaper than buying new Bitubo's to see if that fixes it.

just fyi, the shocks are definitely 12'' on your roadking.  same shocks as on my custom.

[110tHunDer]

Could very well be the difference in travel that you're noticing then.  It would probably be worth the effort to swap them out and take a ride to see if it makes the RK feel more like the Ultra.  Wouldn't leave it for any length of time other than a test ride with the mis-matched ride height but it would probably tell you if you're on the right track or not.

[FLSTFI Dave]

I have the 13 SERK with the same shocks as you.  My 12 SERK had those shocks too.  I always felt the rear was well planted.  Have to play with them to get them adjusted right.

Then I got my 15 SERGU I thought the rear was loose, scared me in a few curves.  Changed to some Ohlins in the rear now it handles a bit better than the King.  Seriously looking at adding 13 Ohlins to the king for more travel, but the handling is fine.

Play which shock adjustment and check rear tire and tire pressure.

[RayG]

I went for the 13" Bitubo's when I installed my first pair back in 08 or 09.  There is still a misconception that installing the 13" over the 12" will raise your bike 1".  That is false because of the shock angle, my seat height increased slightly more than 1/2".  Well worth the height difference for the extra clearance and additional suspension travel.  I would definitely try swapping them out for a definitive answer as to what difference they will make for your specific needs.  Heck it's like a free test ride before you drop the big bucks for a high quality set of rear shocks.  I have ridden allot of bikes and I honestly believe that with both bikes set up to the best suspension upgrades you can make the Road King will be the choice for any type of high speed riding versus the Ultra which will be the best over rough roads and longer rides.  The Ultra will give you a better ride over long distances due to it's ergonomics and wind protection.  That is not to say that there are some Ultras that can't keep up, I just believe the Road King lends itself to a more spirited ride.  You have the best of both worlds, and modified for the kind of performance anyone would like to have. 

If you do the swap you may wish to try them as they are before you adjust your pre-load, compression and dampening for the lighter RK.  There is a sweet spot, you will just have to make a few minor adjustments to find it.   

 

[phato1]

I did upgrade the Ultra's crappy front suspension but I went with HD's premium stuff. I thought that's what they put in the 14 RK as standard. I'm I wrong?

I believe your RK has the larger diameter tubes but it has a single cartridge setup and not the dual cartridge setup that I think you have on the Ultra - I think you  installed the same premium ride dual cartridges that I have in my Ultra.  This may account for some of the difference in feel.

You have to remember though that even if the bikes are based on the same HD touring platform they are indeed very different in terms of comfort and handling. RK has lower center of gravity which gives you a way different feeling than the Ultra with it's higher CG, different seating position in  relation to the foot controls and bars, different bars ect...

[JoeVibe]

I believe your RK has the larger diameter tubes but it has a single cartridge setup and not the dual cartridge setup that I think you have on the Ultra - I think you  installed the same premium ride dual cartridges that I have in my Ultra.  This may account for some of the difference in feel.

I looked it up and you're right. Single cartridge front end vs dual cartridge in my Ultra. So, can I buy a single cartridge kit and add it to the other side or do I need to get a dual cartridge set up, assuming I stay with HD?

You have to remember though that even if the bikes are based on the same HD touring platform they are indeed very different in terms of comfort and handling. RK has lower center of gravity which gives you a way different feeling than the Ultra with it's higher CG, different seating position in  relation to the foot controls and bars, different bars ect...

I understand what you're saying and I expected it to be different, I was just hoping this one would be the better one. I'm very happy with the bike in general  except for the loose feeling in the curves, the bike feels nice and solid, much better than the Ultra did when stock. I was hoping the suspension changes made in 2014 would be enough.......guess not.