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[boerne free bird]

Well, I've put about 1500 miles on my (new to me) 2009 SERG after converting to Bitubo rears and Traxxion fronts.  Chalk up one more believer – this is money well spent.   I weigh about 240 lbs and usually carry 30 lbs of stuff on the bike.   I usually ride solo, often on chip seal  roads  in Texas Hill Country.  Hill Country roads offer numerous gentle and moderate curves, but are  often improperly banked and frequently have washboard texture. If you're too young to know what a washboard is, I'm sorry, but that's the best term I know to describe the surface.

I returned from a very nice rally this weekend at TX Sate HOG in Wichita Falls.  I have ridden all types of roads and surfaces since the upgrade.  If you weigh 175 lbs, never carry gear or ride two-up, always ride cautiously, never brake while using the throttle or while leaned over, then you might be happy with your stock H-D suspension.  Otherwise, you know how wimpy stock is.

Suspension feel is obviously very subjective. I just sold a 2010 Ultra Classic with 10.000 miles riding on Progressive 440 heavy duty rears and the Progressive fork upgrade in the front.  While this as definitely a big improvement over stock, I'd rate it as moving from 2 to 5 on a scale of 10. Bitubo and Traxxion is the 10 for me. The bike is planted, stable, and very predictable.

I rode two up for part of the rally. This is something I've generally avoided, because my wife usually rides her own and riding two up previously felt like riding a lumbering elephant with weak knees. Not anymore – other than parking lot speeds. Above 5 – 7 mph, this bike handled very similar to the way it rides without a passenger. My wife's decision to give up riding is going to be much easier now that I have this suspension setup.

I had the work done at Raceworx in Alvarado, TX.  Hat's off to Jim Cambora for doing a super job for me.

[Billy]

How would you rate the change form 440's to Bitubos. I have 440's now , they are better but I still am looking for improvement. How much form 1 to 10 did the bitubo's improve .   I have 07 SERK and ride solo 185#  Thanks Billy

[boerne free bird]

How would you rate the change form 440's to Bitubos. I have 440's now , they are better but I still am looking for improvement. How much form 1 to 10 did the bitubo's improve .   I have 07 SERK and ride solo 185#  Thanks Billy

The 440's were a huge upgrade over stock, I'd say going from one to six. You may not have noticed that much improvement as you are closer to the 175 lb design criteria and I used 440 HD. However, the only 440 adjustment available is preload. For many riders, that's enough. Bitubos were specified with a spring to match my weight and they offer both rebound and compression damping in addition to preload. These additional adjustments can be very useful especially for aggressive braking and leaning, or to fine tune for varying road conditions. Most Harley's are not ridden this way, but if you need additional improvement over your 440's, then Bitubos would be the way to go. This is especially true if you are willing to experiment and fine tune your suspension for different road.  I'd suggest you find a good suspension shop to help you set up the bike correctly. Used 440s bring a decent price on eBay, etc, so you could recoup some of your investment.

[Billy]

Thanks Free  bird, I will be upgrading to the Bitubos this winter. I need more adjustments. The 440's still just bottom out to early and if I change the pre load then are to stiff for the other roads.  We were in the hill country in Feb but hit rain all week so we did not get to ride . We will try next year in April instead. Very beautiful  country.  Billy