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[erniezap]

Seat and shocks.  Both are easy to change.  Personally, I like the Bitubo shocks since the Progressives and Worx shocks really beat you up.  You can also go with an air shock like Legend Air.

[deaf1]

Deaf1,

As they are saying try 30 - 45 pounds in the rear shocks  (I am running about 30-35 pounds in mine), you may want to try a Sundowner seat or an Air Hawk air ride pad for the Mrs.   They use similiar bladders just smaller in the air hawk as most of the good wheel chair air cushions and you can vary the amount of air in them.   It is a lesser expense item at approx 130 - 150 dollars and can be had from J&P cycle in their catalog.   I bought the large one to give it ago.   That combined with the cushy Sundowner Seat and the air pressure seems to have done the trick.

I would first up the pressure in your shocks, then I would give the air bladder a try prior to buying another seat. 

Best of luck with this.

Going to play with the shocks this weekend (she is out of town right now)

I have tried the AirHawk and no effect

We had a sundowner prior to the Corbin I have now and very little difference..  

Spoke to Corbin,  and the dual tour has the same type padding her current p-pad has now... I would prefer not to buy a different brand of seat like the road zepplin from harley,  as I would have to change the mounting hardware everytime I change seats from the corbin.

Also to answer LarryB... It hurts her after 1 bad bump,  wether it be 10 miles or 100...  We both get the normal ButtAche after 200 miles anyways... Its the big jolts that kill her...

I would have thought the AirHawk would have fixed the problem... Thats why I am hesitant to get other seats or even modify her p-pad.  

Do different type of shocks help???  $1600 AirShocks are out of the question

Scott

[LarryB]

Going to play with the shocks this weekend (she is out of town right now)

I have tried the AirHawk and no effect

We had a sundowner prior to the Corbin I have now and very little difference..  

Spoke to Corbin,  and the dual tour has the same type padding her current p-pad has now... I would prefer not to buy a different brand of seat like the road zepplin from harley,  as I would have to change the mounting hardware everytime I change seats from the corbin.

Also to answer LarryB... It hurts her after 1 bad bump,  wether it be 10 miles or 100...  We both get the normal ButtAche after 200 miles anyways... Its the big jolts that kill her...

I would have thought the AirHawk would have fixed the problem... Thats why I am hesitant to get other seats or even modify her p-pad.  

Do different type of shocks help???  $1600 AirShocks are out of the question

Scott

Then I think the shocks are the cause, start adjusting as stated. Or you could move. riding down LSD or Cicero has got to be hard on the butt. been awhile since I've done it. see, you could move to Tennessee and fill the shocks up all the way for our twisties.

[deaf1]

Then I think the shocks are the cause, start adjusting as stated. Or you could move. riding down LSD or Cicero has got to be hard on the butt. been awhile since I've done it. see, you could move to Tennessee and fill the shocks up all the way for our twisties.

Ok look,  if I cant afford the $1600 air shocks,  how the hell am I going to move the TN!!! 

I refuse to ride in Chgo proper!  Even on a trip to Iowa (land of the endless corn fields)  we would hit a few nasties..

If I plop down for the expensive shocks,  what time of ride can I expect?  Like a 1960 Caddy or a 2010 Viper?

Scott

[harpmr]

I had the H-D Road Zeppelin on my FLHTCSE2 but it won't fit on my FLHTCUSE4 - it is the best seat I've ever experienced on a motorcycle -  2 different zones for passenger to adjust and 3 different zones for rider - everything built in (compressor, switches, etc.)

[1abastarsmda]

Those hard bumps aren't coming from the seat.  It's your shocks bottoming out.  Put some air in there.  You can't get much cheaper for a solution than pumping up your shocks a little.  Your seat is causing the sore buttocks, but that doesn't seem to be your major concern at this juncture.  Even my 09 SEUC was killing me when I hit some bumps on my first ride.  Then I added air to the shocks and all is good now.  You get a pretty severe jolt when you bottom out.  Look for some better roads to ride on, but don't move to PA...our roads seem to be worse than anywhere else.

[Midnight Rider]

Bitubo rear shocks will solve your problems, IMO, IF you set them up properly.  The seat is not the problem from what you are describing, it's the rear end bottoming out.  Increasing the air pressure in the stock shocks will help the bottoming out, but will NOT improve the response of the shock itself, only the preload, which will stop the bottoming at the expense of response.  Correct me if I am mistaken, but the RK has lowered suspension (by 1").  Looks cool, but the suspension has less travel.  If seat height is not a problem for you (your inseam is 30" or more), you might want to consider putting the bike back to a full travel suspension.

Bitubo shocks have three adjustements:  Preload (spring adjustment); compression damping; rebound damping.

The HD "Air ride" shocks are still POS shocks with an air adjustable preload.  You've still got a cheap, low bid shock with an air bladder sitting on top of it.  I have no connection with Bitubo, but just know from personal experience and the experience of many members here on the site that they are excellent.  Give Dan a call at Traxxion Dynamics and he will fix you up.  Then set the shocks up for two up riding from the get go and adjust the compression damping knob for solo, which takes about 30 seconds.  If you want the ultimate solution, get the full height rear shocks, then have Traxxion install their cartridge suspension in the front forks, where they can also give you full travel on the front end.  Night and day over stock, no matter the bike. JMHO.  It ain't cheap to do the front end, but you get what you pay for in this case.  At the very least, get the Bitubos in the shorter version to maintain the lowered look.  I am confident you will be happy with this shock, and your wife will be as well.  Be sure and tell Dan that you are a member of the CVO site.

Here's the deal with suspension:  you don't know how chitty the stock HD stuff is until you ride a bike with decent suspension, then you will never be able to go back.

[miker]

Progressive 440 IAS shocks work good to,,,sesrch ebay for some..It is what I used on my 07 serk

[FNGw/08SERK]

Bitubo rear shocks will solve your problems, IMO, IF you set them up properly.  The seat is not the problem from what you are describing, it's the rear end bottoming out.  Increasing the air pressure in the stock shocks will help the bottoming out, but will NOT improve the response of the shock itself, only the preload, which will stop the bottoming at the expense of response.  Correct me if I am mistaken, but the RK has lowered suspension (by 1").  Looks cool, but the suspension has less travel.  If seat height is not a problem for you (your inseam is 30" or more), you might want to consider putting the bike back to a full travel suspension.

Bitubo shocks have three adjustements:  Preload (spring adjustment); compression damping; rebound damping.

The HD "Air ride" shocks are still POS shocks with an air adjustable preload.  You've still got a cheap, low bid shock with an air bladder sitting on top of it.  I have no connection with Bitubo, but just know from personal experience and the experience of many members here on the site that they are excellent.  Give Dan a call at Traxxion Dynamics and he will fix you up.  Then set the shocks up for two up riding from the get go and adjust the compression damping knob for solo, which takes about 30 seconds.  If you want the ultimate solution, get the full height rear shocks, then have Traxxion install their cartridge suspension in the front forks, where they can also give you full travel on the front end.  Night and day over stock, no matter the bike. JMHO.  It ain't cheap to do the front end, but you get what you pay for in this case.  At the very least, get the Bitubos in the shorter version to maintain the lowered look.  I am confident you will be happy with this shock, and your wife will be as well.  Be sure and tell Dan that you are a member of the CVO site.

Here's the deal with suspension:  you don't know how chitty the stock HD stuff is until you ride a bike with decent suspension, then you will never be able to go back.

I agree with just about everything TC has said here.... it echos my own experience.  My wife loves the ride with the Bitubos. I still think a good "touring" saddle for those times you have a BSR can't hurt either 

[LarryB]

whats the best source for the bitubo shocks

[JCZ]

King tour pack with the Corbin wrap around arm rests will help some.  She can support some of her weight on her arms that way.

[Midnight Rider]

whats the best source for the bitubo shocks

Traxxion Dynamics just outside of Hot'Lanta, GA.  Google them and then call and ask for Dan.  Great people.  

And, like GH said, you may end up having to get a saddle as well, but IMO the first step is to do the shocks.

[deaf1]

Ok,

Gots me the HD AirPump and going to take a freind for a ride.. At 12psi now going to go 18 solo and 28 w/ rider...

If that doesnt work Traxxion is gonna set me up... They are GREAT guys.. I know they are $$$$ but them seem to know their chit

more to follow..

[deaf1]

Ok,

Went to 20psi Solo and it doesnt bottom out.. But it sure is a STIFF ride!!!

Will the Bitubo's fix that?  If yes then I launch the order

Scott

[1abastarsmda]

Ok,

Went to 20psi Solo and it doesnt bottom out.. But it sure is a STIFF ride!!!

Will the Bitubo's fix that?  If yes then I launch the order

Scott

Did you try it around 15 psi solo?  It may be a happy medium.