Thanks for the video. New Harley owner here. 2017 Street Glide Special and I absolutely hated the stiff ride and have been researching options. I can't wait to try this in the spring.
Great video. I’m 5’10” 190 lbs. just checked my setting on my 2020 ultra and it was set at 15 from the dealer. It always felt a little top heavy while riding solo. I just set it to 5. Thanks. 🤙🏽.
Thanks for the video, i went as loose as i could and have been riding figuring thats as good as it gets, i turned them in and out and rode some and settled on 9 and it feels way better! I am 250 use a lepera seat that moves me back 2 inches. Bike feels better in the turns and overall. Aftermarket would be best but this is good.
Hello from the UK and yes I think your correct about a heavier rider having an advantage on these bikes.I am six foot three and weigh approximately 310lbs, with my bike gear on, I have the shock set up at 15 and it rides very nicely I don't really have any complaints I will click the shock up about another three clicks when fill up the bag's and everything functions well.
My dealership uses @ 5 turns for a solo rider. My road king shock doesn't budge when I get on, but rides really great when it's loaded down! I am 190 with gear on.
I’m 195 lbs I have a 2022 Road King I tried settings 0 ,5,10,12,15 and found 12 was ok but still bottom out on big bumps I finallly gave up and put on a set of Super Shox
Dude you are absolutely right. I own XL1200T equipped with the same touring shocks 11.75 inches, at Zero is absolutely not working for the reasons you mentioned. I dial it to 6 clicks and it felt ok, but best was 12 clicks ( 6 turns) . All this to say Harley chart is absolutely inaccurate. For 2up ride i crank it all the way to maximum. I'm planning to replacement with Harley 13 inch suspension for 220 euro. Anyone here did tried the 13 inch from Harley?
I have the same bike you have in the video. You are right that there is about zero movement on any setting for someone 180lbs. I was told that my rear bounces a lot. Now, I am worried I have destroyed my rear tire. I guess my options are sell the bike and buy a different bike, or spend $$$$ for upgraded suspension.
So the more preload the further the shock will travel. So this helps with a heavier load! I.E. I weigh 270 so I should be going higher in a preload number, correct???
Pain Killer in theory yes because the more preload you add the longer the shock gets. If you’re 270 I would check your manual and adjust to what it says for that weight. According to my manual, you should be in the 12-15 mark in the preload adjuster. But you may want to dial it in once you get out riding it.
Hi, thanks for this informative vid. I still have a question for you. I'm all OK with adjusting the shock but this is just on one side only. Doesn't it effect the bike's performance if you adjust it rather high in comparison to the other side (which is not adjustable)? I got a 2016 SGS and stock shocks.
Absolutely. It’s a must to better the performance and tide of the bike by going to an aftermarket system. The point of the video was to inform owners of the inferior system that HD installs on these bikes. The difference is amazing from the stock to an aftermarket configuration. But keep in mind the front forks also need to be done to balance the chassis setup and truly have the best setup!!
Thank you for sharing, excellent information. How does the other side adjust if there’s only “1” dial on that side you showed? Is there another dial on other side?
Hi, thanks for the info. My question is I'm 299lbs and my son 100lbs, I just got my 18 street glide and it was set at 20. The guide only goes to 260 but I added 140 to it and I came up with about 18, is that correct?
San Tiago probably close. Ride it and see. They try to get you close. It’s been my experience that the heavier you are the better they work. Now keep in mind my bike has the 12” shocks, and the 13” certainly work a bit better. More travel etc.
I just changed my factory air adjust shocks on my 2016 road king to a set of those manual dial shocks, super cheap & one of my shocks was leaking oil, anyway, had those same manual dial ones put on 13” and rode home 70 miles set on 5 & I weigh 220lbs and loved the ride, if my spouse 175lbs gets on, what setting would you recommend? due to those shocks not on my road king originally, I’m not sure the setting I should be on… Thanks, any help greatly appreciated.
You would have to get a copy of the owners manual, as it has the recommended settings in it. I honestly don’t have a suggestion for the settings as the shocks really aren’t very good. They’re marginal at best. Worth a try, just dial them and ride….. see what works for you. Cheers!!
Helps immensely. The stock fork setup is notoriously soft, hence the nose dive. The added spring rate, combined with their oil makes a difference that’s noticeable immediately. The progressive rate spring assists not only in the dive issues, but the handling benefits are much needed as well. Huge change. You won’t regret your decision to go Wilbers at all. In fact you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
So I've got a 21 roadglide special with the 114. I'm 250lbs . With minimal gear in the bags , what would you suggest my setting be ? I haven't found the sweet spot or anywhere close to it . Any help is greatly appreciated.
Make the investment and get the Wilbers LDC Nivomat setup. You won’t regret it. The stock suspension is not good to say the least. You’ll never find a sweet spot. They’re just there to get the bike on the road, and the dealers wanna sell you aftermarket setups to improve the bike. Sad but true. Wilbers will be your saviour. Best investment you’ll make on your bike.
Yea, I'm 135lbs, short in height, and the ride is about the only thing I don't like about my 2021 Street Glide.. the sharp bumps causing the bike parts to rattle.. I believe its the harshest road bike ive owned in almost 40 years. I need a solution for the front and rear that isn't going to break break the bank (otherwise I just would have chose a different bike)
Also how do I find info on lowering the over all bike. I have a 2019 street glide standard and it looks so high of the ground. I have absolutely no problem flat footing the bike I’m even bent knees. This is purely for a more aggressive appearance! Thx for any help...
Pain Killer I wouldn’t lower my bagger all around personally. The roads I ride are twisty and these bikes are real hot rods. I would consider a proper suspension setup from me and I think you’ll get the look and ride you’re looking for. If you lower your bike all around I think you’ll run into a lot of problems with scraping the ground, and sacrifice suspension travel. And as you’ve mentioned you’re a larger rider, so you may want to keep as much suspension as possible. I’d advise giving me a call and we can chat about what you’re looking for and tailor your bike to you for sure.
My road king is constantly bottoming out on bumps. I’m definitely not the typical rider at 120 lbs. The bike doesn’t move when I get on. With gear and packed for a trip there’s about 150-160 lbs. Do I need to add more preload? I feel like the stock suspension should be fine because It’s really not that much weight on the bike b
I almost guarantee you aren’t bottoming the stock suspension out. What you’re feeling is probably the suspension bucking you. And when it does move a little in the larger bumps it rebounds don’t quickly that it hits the top on f the shock and unloads the rear tire. Honestly they require a suspension upgrade no matter the weight of the rider. I hear from customers 100% of the time that they wish they had upgraded day 1.
Hi . Great videos regarding the wilburs LDC Nivomat suspension upgrade. I contacted you on your website as well. I am convinced that wilburs is the way I wish to go and have looked at many others .Is there someone in the Toronto area that you trust and have experience installing these ? I wish you could do them for me but 4500 kms might be a bit too long of a ride for me .
Have you see “Delboy’s Garage” vid on swapping the rear shocks out with a sportster set. He’s confident that it makes a massive improvement. Plus when he sits on the bike, you see the difference in sag. Their cheap on the secondhand market. I’m going to give it a go.
What does the lowering blocks do to the settings preowner had it lowered I could go higher but I want ride and handling eliminate blocks or do they help at a different wheel base? I assume shorter wb equals more response?
Won’t really change the recommendations in the manual. Essentially it just lowers the bike. No change in wheelbase. But on that note, as you lower the rear of the bike the trail on the front changes…….. making the wheelbase longer. The higher the rear the trail would be less, and shorten. But not too much.
HD stock shocks are the worst experiences I've had no matter what the setting, they leak after a while. I have currently Progressive 944UT and doing ok but I live in NYC and the roads here are horrendous it is why I don't ride in the city always go to the country.
great videos, what is your recommendation for budget-priced shocks for a 14 flhtk ultra limited ? I know you getting what you pay for and shocks are imporntant but the factory air shocks are removed and replaced with progressiuve 412 sewries. but i am 220lbs and the bike is like 900lbs just sitting there and i get a hard ride if im on a bumpy road. thanks
Honestly the best thing to do is contact me directly so we can discuss your needs. Suspension is such a confusing topic because of all the options on the market. And yes, you get what you pay for. So the units you purchased may not be the right choice for you, but could be for the next guy. Truthfully an off the shelf shock is exactly that. It’s just a general upgrade that fills the gap in the weekends of the factory shock. In addition to the shock, an upgrade is needed in the forklift as well as they work together to balance the chassis. I do have a video on my channel that explains the differences and I recommend watching it. If interested in chatting with me check my website or reach out on Instagram and I can forward my number. It’s also on my site. Cheers!!
if your 150lbs or under the stock shocks do nothing your forced to go by something aftermarket it pisses me off you spend 29k on a new bike and the suspension sucks.thanks for the video
Turning the knob clockwise to add more preload effectively lengthens the shock and raises the rear of the bike. Conversely, turning the knob counter-clockwise will shorten the shock and lower the bike.
Because when you add preload to the spring it’s holds the shock in a higher position. Unfortunately on the stock shocks that theory does not work. It pertains to a “Real” shock….not these stock units.
Well if you watch my other videos, and I touch on it in this video, source a good quality custom suspension. You’ll never be disappointed in your decision. It’s literally the first mod I make before anything shiny. But I stress the good quality. Find a reputable suspension guy with experience to help guide you. If you live in Canada I have great options for you. Cheers!!
Buy an M8 Softail. After spending a fortune on shocks for my '98 Road King and my 2004 and 2010 Ultra's, including custom tuned Ohlins I gave up!! My stock 2020 FLHCS rear suspension is fine.
Not really. There’s lots of mono shock systems out there on premium bikes. It’s based on the idea of a perfectly rigid swing arm and physics. Wilbers is an example of an assymetrical design and they’re touted by many as a top of the line system. HD’s problem is simply the main spring being too stiff for lighter riders so that there no sag to put the suspension in a neutral position in the stroke. Heavier riders in the 250lb range and up experience a better ride than us lighter 190lb guys. Harleys one-size-fits-all heavy duty springs are really the cause of the problem.
If the suspension isn’t moving at all when you get on and off it’s not working right. I just switched to Legend Revo-A’s. And all I can say is shame on Harley for putting such a shit system on a touring bike. The front is next.
