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[Midnight Rider]

This is not really a post about customer service, other than it is a part of what I'm about to describe.

I had a minor issue (as it turns out) with my shocks on a recent road trip.  I purchased the shocks in March of 2011 for two reasons:  One, I need to lower the bike to get a better foot hold when parking, backing up, etc.  Two, I have had them on another bike ('06 SEUC) and know they give great ride, and are, IMO, the best overall solution to those of us who have short inseams and ride a relatively tall motorcycle. Like many other things, you don't know what you're missing if you're running stock suspension on your bike...trust me.

Long story short:  I contacted customer service to send the shocks back to have them checked out.  Let me say that both now and in the past I have never received anything other than stellar service from Legend Air.  So, sent the shocks back.  A couple of days after they received them, I got a call from their rebuild/warranty person.  In that conversation, I told him that I had "heard" they had made some change to the shocks recently, and if so, what was the change?  Turns out that what they have done is increase the length of the Kevlar reinforced boot on the shock.  After further discussion, I asked that the new boots be installed on my shocks since they were already up there and were going to be checked out from top to bottom anyway.  They agreed to do so...not for free, but I wanted it done.  The extra length on the boot does two things:  It provides a larger volume of air in the boot (which is basically the preload); It makes the "sweet spot" easier to find when adjusting the shock while riding, especially if you do not have an air gauge in the line.  If you have Legends on your bike, you know what I'm talking about.

I got the shocks back on Friday and got everything installed Saturday, then cleaned the scoot up for a ride on Sunday (she was about as filthy as I've ever let one get).  On Sunday, I took her for a ride of about 80-100 miles on some familiar roads, some sections of which are not in the best of shape, and some parts that have some nice twisties that rival some curves and turns in TN/NC.  This is a subjective opinion, but I think they are a BIG improvement over the previous boot.  For one, on my bike at least, the operation (up/down) seems smoother.  It takes a bit longer to get them pumped up, but we're talking a matter of 3 or 4 more seconds.  Because of the increased volume of air, which effects the preload, the ride seems "plusher", if that's a word.  Sharp edged bumps are absorbed a little better and the compression stroke is more controlled and gradual than it was previously.  Not that it was bad before...it's just better now.

All shocks purchased recently and from this point forward will come with the new boot.  It is not something that Legend is advertising as an "improvement", though, IMO, it is.  I don't think I'd pull the shocks off for the sole purpose of having this change done, but if I were having the shocks serviced, for whatever reason, I would definitely spring (no pun intended) for the new version of the boot.  I have no idea what they might charge for the "upgrade" if your boot is not leaking or has some other issue (they are very durable).  A guess would be in the ballpark of <$200, but don't hold either me or them to that figure.

Nothing mechanical lasts forever, particularly something that gets as much use as a shock absorber, so it's probably a good idea to pull them off and have them "looked at", in your off season, if you have one, every 30K or so.  Again, that's my opinion.  Legend, as far as I know, does not have a recommended "service interval".  But, if I were sending my shocks back for whatever reason, I'd see if they could do this for me.  It's worth it.  Subject to parts availability, of course.

A few tips I've learned:  Do NOT pump up your Legend Shocks when the rear wheel is off the ground...it won't break anything, but it's not suggested.  On the new frames, the compressor/solenoid assembly is located between the frame members, just rear of the oil pan...it's a tight fit, so be careful about placement.  Be careful about where you run the air line...it's poly tubing, so make sure it's not rubbing or too close to any hot stuff.  In fact, just for insurance, I'd put some kind of heat proofing on the tubing down low...I used some heat proof tape I got at Advanced Auto, trimmed to be 1/2" wide (the tubing is 5/32nds OD, so that circumference is .49), then put some shrink wrap tubing over that for extra insurance against friction.  If you do it yourself, you'll know where things are run, but if you have a dealer do it, be sure and check out how they ran both the tubing and the wiring.  One more:  on bikes that already have the schraeder (sp?)  valve behind the left saddlebag for the POS stock air shocks, plumb the Legend Air system up to that T (actually, it's more of a Y fitting) as well.  It will allow you to put air in the shocks in the event of a compressor failure.  Not likely, but chit happens, and the Y is already there, as is the tubing.

[Rollybrick]

Hi from the UK
I’ve been reading lots on the forum about air suspension – Legend and Arnotts and need some help please. I’ve been biking for 46 years; 38 on sports bikes the last few on Harley's…..currently a 2010 CVO Ultra. Normally in the UK when you buy a sports bike, the first mod is to trash the std suspension and put on Ohlins front and back. The key objective of this mod is to make the bike handle better on UK and European roads. We’re helped over here by the press who regularly, objectively and independently test different suspension set ups and publish recommendations. So, if you going to spend £1,000+ on a new set up - you can be pretty sure about the improvement you going to get.
And that’s my problem - I have not been able to find one independent review about Harley suspension, and threads on the forum are generally subjective and often conflicting. In the UK changing Harley suspension is a very rare mod – probably because Legend and Arnott do not have a business presence. Progressive are over here and their shocks look as though they will do the business…..particularly the 944 or 444’s. But, who wants to mess around with a manual spring pre-load every time you load the bags? So….
My objectives;
•   Improve handling of the bike (recognising the limits of a Harley Ultra).
•   Improve the quality of the ride – riding with a pillion and under load for touring.
My questions please;
•   Have there been any independent reviews about either Legend or Arnott air suspension?
•   Is the improvement you get for the $value you pay for them worth the money?

Thanks
Rollybrick

[Midnight Rider]

Rolly,

I can answer some of your questions, bearing in mine that my answers are somewhat subjective.  To my knowledge, there are no independent tests on Legends.

IMO, the top two reasons to get Legends are:

1) If you are short in stature, it allows you to lower the bike when needed without lowering it permanently, so it's easier to "walk" the bike around for parking, backing up, etc.
2) It allows very flexible adjustment for various road conditions, as well as loads due to extra weight on the bike, and you can do so on the fly as well as when you're sitting still.

Yes, it gives a LOT better ride than any stock HD suspension, and improves handling to boot.  Are they better than Ohlins?  I can't answer that question as I've only ever had Ohlin's on a Ducati so it's not even close to comparing apples to apples.  The Legends actually get better with regards to ride quality with additional weight, but they are very good one up.

Value for $$ spent?  For me, they are worth it, as I see them as the best solution for my need to lower the bike when stopped, as well as quick adjustments when I ride two up or have luggage.  Considering that a person is likely to spend upwards of $700 for a good set of "regular" shocks, an additional $600 (if you shop around, you can find Legends for $1300-$1400 US) is worth those two things alone.  Everything else is icing on the cake for me.

Hope that helps a bit...