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[grc]

Sitting on the bike, I rolled forward, grabbed the front brake, the bike's front end moves down a couple of inches, it quickly rebounds. I think the action is faster than stock but it does move down. I am not sure what that means, I think the biggest improvement is in the bikes overall ride and handling.....that may well be related to the addition of the 440HD shocks more than the front end kit...just not sure.

This upgrade really makes me wonder. Why doesn't Harley use better suspension parts day one. It would help them sell new bikes, I am somewhat surprised this suspension upgrade improved my bikes ride and handling as much as it did. While I am sure the new frame would be even better, this addition made me feel much more satisfied with what I have, especially when you consider the cost of upgrading to a new 2010.


Hope this helps
Scottt

The answer to your question is $.  H-D is only looking to cut their cost, not increase it, and as long as Harley buyers are willing to keep paying top dollar for bikes with cheap suspensions, Harley will be happy to oblige.

The brake dive difference is not that easy to measure, especially just sitting in the driveway.  Increased compression damping will slow the brake dive on a sudden application, but it isn't going to eliminate it and you really don't want to eliminate it.  A rigid front end under heavy braking is not a good thing, as any bump will tend to beat the snot out of you while also causing the front tire to lose traction.

A comparison would have been much easier, as you noted, if both ends hadn't been changed at the same time.  Since I doubt you want to remove the rear shocks just to evaluate the front end, just look at this upgrade as performing early maintenance that would have been necessary eventually anyway.


Jerry

[scottt]

Thanks Jerry, that is a good way to look at it.

Scott

[karryall]

I've been told that grabing the brake in the driveway like your doing or pumping the front end with the brake on is not the same action you get when riding. When riding everything happens faster something to do with the speed the fork moves and the internal valving that the oil travels though. So thats probably why it feels better when your riding and the same as the old one in the driveway. But then again I might not know what I'm talking about

[Talon]

I added cartridge emulator valves to my front end. Before the valves if I rolled my bike and grabbed the brakes it would dive several inches, really mushy, now it moves less than an inch. The idea is that compression caused by a bump in the road transferring upward is different than the force cause by the brakes being applied forcing the front end down. The valves act differently to each situation, I really feel the difference. The front end is a little stiffer, not bad, but the original setup was way to soft anyway! When ever I got on the brakes the front end would really dive, now it feels much better, more control and the cornering is greatly improved front end feels planted. I can give less input, not that floating feeling I had before. I think the same should be true of the cartridge setup from progressive. Glad you like it, let us know what you thing in a few 1000 miles.

[BigLew]

I'm really having some issues with my SERG 09. I'm at 280 lbs and wife at 124lbs. Ride at lot 2 up and it sounds and feels like the rear bottoms out on very small bumps.Like the rim is hitting. Tried all kinds of air pressure in the shocks. but the same result. Crap.......haven't even addressed the front. Any suggestions? Ride with the tour pack on but not much in it.

Mike

[HOGMIKE]

I'm really having some issues with my SERG 09. I'm at 280 lbs and wife at 124lbs. Ride at lot 2 up and it sounds and feels like the rear bottoms out on very small bumps.Like the rim is hitting. Tried all kinds of air pressure in the shocks. but the same result. Crap.......haven't even addressed the front. Any suggestions? Ride with the tour pack on but not much in it.

Mike

Sounds like you too are "overloaded", just like me!
I ended up with custom "Works Shocks", tailored to our load.
Works perfect after some fiddling.
There are other shocks on the market, do some research and maybe take a test ride on a bike with what you think you'd like.
I don't work for "Works", but, a couple of people here rode my bike and are sold on aftermarket shocks.
Do a search of "shocks" and you will also see others that have had good luck with different manufactures of shocks.
Good luck in your search!

 

[Beach Bum]

Stock shocks on the 09 SERG are just plain poor imho.  I am currently running Progressive 440's which are much better than stock but I am disappointed in these also.  They bottom out too often and really jolt the bsr.  Also, the rebound is a problem with these shocks as they almost "buck" you off on even a medium bump.  Talked to Progressive and they indicated there was nothing they could do to improve the rebound.  Jim (HD-Dude) sells and highly recommends the Suspension Technology shock.  Doesn't appear to be too many bikes out there with the ST shocks, but Jim says they take the jolt out that he also experienced with Progressives.  I did hear from one other forum member who absolutely loves the ST 13" shock.  I'm making one more adjustment on my Progressives and if I don't like it, I'm ordering the ST 13".

I've been reading posts for the past couple of weeks on shocks, and one thing I've found, is that there is no general consensus out there.  Some say Ohlins, some Bitubo's but each has their plus and minuses.  ST's are priced at $490 with Jim's discount, so they are less expensive than the big names.  I may sound like I'm pushing the Suspension Technology shocks, but remember, I haven't ridden a bike with them on, so it's probable I may not know what I'm talking about......but it won't be the first time.

Scary to think that with the CVO, $500 becomes experimental money.  Oh, well, love the bike.  Now, trying to convince wife that American Legend or Bushtec trailer is a must have.

[BigLew]

"I feel lost and alone" Experimental money......never quite heard it put that way.

Mike