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[Texas 103]

Got a sweetheart deal ($200)  on almost a new set of '13 HD premium shock for my '16 RGU. Got about 300 miles on them,wondering if they require a break in or get a little softer  I weigh 225 , slipped them on there ,preload 6 turns, bit too harsh, At 1 click now and I can tell they are there, feel the ride ,ride not objectionable like it to be a tad softer , am going to try zero  preload and see what's up with that.

Hopefully some of the sharp suspension guys here can chime in. Seems like I am noticing that the front end now seems stiffer and can feel the bumps more..,not sure what's up with that. Are the front forks on our bikes very poor or ??.

Had read in several places and here as well that if you upgrade the rear shocks ,you should also do something with the front.

On a more positive note, I took it through some bumpy sweepers in the Hill country and can defiantly tell the difference.  The rear of the bike dosen't  wagback back and forth like it used to. Handles much better, says planted. Im sure there's room for more improvement!!

[Mr D]

Got a sweetheart deal on almost a new set of '13 HD premium shock for my '16 RGU. Got about 300 miles on them,wondering if they require a break in or get a little softer  I weigh 225 , slipped them on there ,preload 6 turns, bit too harsh, At 1 click now and I can tell they are there, ride not objectionable like it tobe a tad softer , am going to try zero  preload and see what's up with that.

Hopefully some of the sharp suspension guys here can chime in. I am noticing that the front end now seems stiffer and can feel the bumps more..,not sure what's up with that. Are the front forks on our bikes very poor or ??.

Had read in several places and here as well that if you upgrade the rear shocks ,you should also do something with the front.

On a more positive note, I took it through some bumpy sweepers in the Hill country and can defiantly tell the difference.  The rear of the bike dosen't  wagback back and forth like it used to. Handles much better, says planted. Im sure there's room for more improvement!!

My 12's settled in about 700 miles.. overall, much improvement over OE 

[Texas 103]

My 12's settled in about 700 miles.. overall, much improvement over OE 

good deal thanks, just another reason to ride more in the hill country. How many clicks are you running?   

[ultrarider123]

Hey Tex, since you purchase at that price point, you may not have received the instructions and pre-load adjustment chart.  Here it is for your information:

http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_us/media/downloads/service/isheets/-j05421.pdf

As for me, I'm running mine at 10 clicks which works for me.  No, I'm not a large feller...I just like a firm, controlled ride.

[Mr D]

good deal thanks, just another reason to ride more in the hill country. 
How many clicks are you running?

I'm 175
solo, 3 clicks
two up 290 combined 5-6 clicks, works for me

[Texas 103]

I'm 175
solo, 3 clicks
two up 290 combined 5-6 clicks, works for me

Got it thanks!  I take it it's a different more firmer ride that our wonderful Air Shocks ..

[Texas 103]

Hey Tex, since you purchase at that price point, you may not have received the instructions and pre-load adjustment chart.  Here it is for your information:

http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_us/media/downloads/service/isheets/-j05421.pdf

As for me, I'm running mine at 10 clicks which works for me.  No, I'm not a large feller...I just like a firm, controlled ride.

Thanks !

[Mr D]

Got it thanks!  I take it it's a different more firmer ride that our wonderful Air Shocks ..

German car handling to Domestic car handling 

[FlaHeatWave]

Got a sweetheart deal ($200)  on almost a new set of '13 HD premium shock for my '16 RGU. Got about 300 miles on them,wondering if they require a break in or get a little softer  I weigh 225 , slipped them on there ,preload 6 turns, bit too harsh, At 1 click now and I can tell they are there, feel the ride ,ride not objectionable like it to be a tad softer , am going to try zero  preload and see what's up with that.

Hopefully some of the sharp suspension guys here can chime in. Seems like I am noticing that the front end now seems stiffer and can feel the bumps more..,not sure what's up with that. Are the front forks on our bikes very poor or ??.

Had read in several places and here as well that if you upgrade the rear shocks ,you should also do something with the front.

On a more positive note, I took it through some bumpy sweepers in the Hill country and can defiantly tell the difference.  The rear of the bike dosen't  wagback back and forth like it used to. Handles much better, says planted. Im sure there's room for more improvement!!

After riding a '15 CVORGU I felt that the stock front end was really good...

I would recommend playing with the shock adjustments until the front and rear are balanced together...
For example if you have the rear shocks too soft the front might feel harsh. It might take a while with some fiddling to find The Sweet Spot. At least it is easy to do with the single adjuster knob.

[Texas 103]

German car handling to Domestic car handling 

Got it, been on air shocks for a number of years. Just different in a good way.   

[Mr D]

Got it, been on air shocks for a number of years. Just different in a good way.

 
Definitely more "sure footed"

[Texas 103]

Definitely more "sure footed"

Amen on the sure footed! Just got back form the hill country . After 900 miles, think they are settling in and I like them  Big difference in the bumpy twisties & sweepers. Now for the front end....Thinking Progressive cartridges...

[Mr D]

Amen on the sure footed! Just got back form the hill country . After 900 miles, think they are settling in and I like them  Big difference in the bumpy twisties & sweepers. Now for the front end....Thinking Progressive cartridges...

 

I kept all HD.. no regrets
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store/standard-single-cartridge-fork-kit

[Dan_Lockwood]

According to the setting chart, I'm over gross weight for the bike.  I go 250# and my wife puts us combined well over the gross, and I have a tour pak.

So do I run them full down at 19 turns?

Also, I see guys saying "clicks" not turns.  Aren't there multiple clicks per full turn?

I have 12" premium shocks and I have them pretty much full turned.  I think I'm about 1 or 2 turns from full heavy load.

As it is right now, I don't see a lot of improvement over the quite new Progressive 444's I sold to Mikeytee.  He loves them on his bike and I was hoping for more of an improvement with the premium shocks.

Maybe I need to try mid way, but the chart tells me not to.

Any suggestions?

[FlaHeatWave]

According to the setting chart, I'm over gross weight for the bike.  I go 250# and my wife puts us combined well over the gross, and I have a tour pak.

So do I run them full down at 19 turns?

Also, I see guys saying "clicks" not turns.  Aren't there multiple clicks per full turn?

I have 12" premium shocks and I have them pretty much full turned.  I think I'm about 1 or 2 turns from full heavy load.

As it is right now, I don't see a lot of improvement over the quite new Progressive 444's I sold to Mikeytee.  He loves them on his bike and I was hoping for more of an improvement with the premium shocks.

Maybe I need to try mid way, but the chart tells me not to.

Any suggestions?

Dan, Are you still running the stock front end??

For me, the stock front end was the pig on the '09... Like most, I did the shocks first (easier, cheaper), then I realized the real problem was the front end... 'could have done the front first and probably been happy with the stock rear... I switched the air shocks from the '09 over to the '05 (which has a much firmer stock front end) and continue to be happy with the ride / handling of the '05...

'Have the HD Premium stuff F&R on the '09, and am very satisfied with the handling and ride quality... 'Having met "The Ball & Chain" and I, you know that we weigh in at the upper end of the scale... Well me anyway

As far as counting turns, clicks, I can't say, once the new front end settled in, I just played back and forth from the initial settings until I found the "sweet spot".

For any good suspension, the front & rear have to play well together...