You probably shouldn't compare a 2009 Touring model to earlier editions, since the entire frame was changed for 2009. If you want a valid comparison, ride another 2009 Ultra. A more rigid frame can change the ride characteristics significantly.
Before blaming the shocks, make sure you are setting the preload correctly. Preload does not directly affect the stiffness of the springs, it is used to adjust the length of the shock when the bike is loaded. For example, let's say you have a shock with 3" of total travel available. You want to adjust the preload so that the bike sags when you place your normal load on it (bike,rider, luggage, passenger, etc.) only a certain percentage of the total travel. For this example, let's say you want to let the bike sag 1.2" of the total travel, leaving 1.8" available to absorb bumps before bottoming out. With the rear wheel off the ground, measure the length of the shock from eye to eye. Then with the bike back on the ground and your normal load on it, have someone measure the eye to eye length of the shock again. The difference is your preload.
If you were to do as many have, you might assume that running minimum air pressure or spring preload would lower the bike and make it ride softer. Well, it may lower the bike a little but it will make it ride much harsher since it will be bottoming out often on relatively minor bumps. This becomes even more critical when you substitute shorter shocks, since they have less total travel available.
btw, I forgot to mention that you need to know the total travel of the shock. The manufacturer should have those specs so you don't have to remove the spring to measure the actual shock travel.
Jerry
Author
Topic: 2009 Ultra Classic Suspension (Read 3328 times)