Just a follow up on the Legend Air Rides on the SERGU. We finally got to do some real riding yesterday...some interstate, some normal two lane highway, some twisties, and some bumpy chit. Like my experiences on the '06 bike, you have to develop a "feel" for when you are in the "sweet spot" on these shocks. I will say that they seem to have made a bit of a change in the shock with regards to bottoming out...not as harsh as the '06 version, but that only happens when I've got them lowered temporarily. I still like the ability to adjust these things on the fly for different road conditions...it just takes a little while to figure out where they need to be for any given situation, but once dialed in, they work fine. Again, I'd have to say that they are not the "best" shock on the market (that award would have to go to the Bitubos), but if you need to lower the bike due to being vertically challenged (in other words, you're a short f'er, or gettin' old...or both), it is a very good solution, and a very good shock. On a scale of 1-10, I'd give 'em a solid 7/8 for performance, and a 10 for getting my a$$ closer to the ground when needed. I'm sure the Aldan Arnott's are good as well, but these go about 1/2" lower, and for me, that was the decision maker to go with what I knew from past experience. On a side note: The Arnott "regular" air shocks...the Bilstien version...I think the air bladder on those expands as you fill them with air, which "could" be an issue for clearance on the saddlebags, though I don't know this for a fact. The Legends bladder does NOT expand, as it is made from a Kevlar reinforced material. The Aldan version does not have a visible bladder, so this would not be an issue with them.
I must say, however, that these new Ultras (either specie, RG or UC) are taller. It must be a combination of the new seat design, and the fact that the bike seems "wider" to me than my '06, plus, the damned adjustable passenger floorboards kind of get in the way. I guess if you had a long legged BSR, that wouldn't be a problem, as you could have them adjusted all the way down (everything vertical), but with a BSR who is 5'2", the boards are up and forward just enough to put them closer to my legs when my feet are on the ground. Just something to get used to.