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[Rollybrick]

I live in the UK and have just changed my CVO V-Rod to a 2010 CVO Ultraglide. Doing quite a few miles (over 7,000 in 6 months - Europe and the like, and hope to visit the USA next year) - the bike is great. Being new to the big Harley's, I would really appreciate some advice from you more experience riders about improving the handling of the Glide; not interested in lowering (the UK's roads are tricky enough), but a smooth ride and good cornering. FYI - I always ride 2 up! In younger days on sports bikes, you would ditch the standard shocks and forks and put on Ohlins.....haven't got a clue with Harley's.
Thanks
Graham

[Joelgonia]

If you don't get some response tomorrow, check the other posts in here -- I'm tracking (4) all discussing the same subject.  The other guys have got me thinking if I can really improve my ride, or not!  My bike is all stock right now and handles fine -- Bumps are a little hard when 2-up, but I thought they all were!!  This bike handles far better than my previous Road King, so I was surprised to read where a lot guys are changing the shocks.  I plan on doing some performance mods, so new shocks are just more money I don't want to spend, unless of course it will improve the ride.

[cyril]

Wether my input will help i dont know! There are so many threads on this subject but from my experience of stock bikes 08 cvo Ultra & 09 cvo Ultra. My 08 was comfortable for me the 09-10 is much stiffer and the ride is harder i have experimented with lots of pressures and although it may sound odd the more air i put in on the 09 the better currently 40 pounds single rider, having recently been to the rally in Lugano this suited me fine .
As someone more experienced with shocks explained the more the back end sags the futher out the forks are reducing the weight on the front it worked for me anyway. Please bear in mind the air pressure difference between up to 08 & from 09 up is very different due to mojor frame changes.
From what i have read after market shocks are an improvement but i haven`t been there (yet)
( point of interest no air loss in the 2000 mile trip)

JMO Hope it helps.

[Rollybrick]

Thanks for the comments much appreciated. I agree, improving the handling of a Glide is a "relative" business - and you can spend a shed load of cash on things that don't actually work. Question - in the UK, Motorcycle news for example does loads of objective independent tests on bikes and aftermarket parts......such as suspension. Hasn't any mag in the USA done a test on Harley aftermarket suspension?

PS Cyril, I went to the European rally in Lugano, 2,100 miles and 7 countries in 2weeks - fabulous