Harley Davidson 2024 Suspension - did they LIE?

[@TyFromTennessee]

Great point. Yes, dealerships should most definitely help with preload adjustments. Great video!

[@BoDean52]

Thanks my brother from another test tube 😂

[@russmuzik]

I bought the 24 SG and had no issue with suspension. Why? Before I rode it after it was delivered to my house, I opened up the owners manual and followed the very easy instructions for my weight (280). I have ridden over 2,500 miles and have yet to bottom out the suspension. I actually look forward to bumpy roads as I glide right over them. The improved suspension was one of the reasons I bought the 24 over the 23. The last thing I wanted to do was replace the suspension on a expensive bike!

[@BoDean52]

No question and it is so much better than stock on my 21

[@MotoShamann]

Read my manual the night I brought it home end to end. This right here.

[@hydroboy35th]

24’ Road Glide owner here, I’m impressed with the new suspension. I’m coming from a 23’ SG ST and the suspension & seat for that matter are a night & day difference.

[@BoDean52]

agree in 24 is much better

[@kennethcalimpong7919]

Hi BoDean 52, glad you got your suspension dialed in, beautiful day in your part of our beautiful America ❤️always a blast saddling up with you on da Tube, ride Hard💪🏼Be Blessed 🙏🏽, Aloha Kenneth 🤙🏽

[@BoDean52]

Thank you, brother. I always appreciate your comments and support.

[@Cruznwithdad]

Agreed that the dealer should at least make an initial adjustment for the customer, then give us a brief explanation on how to fine tune it to our own liking. I kept my Legends from my 19 RG, but wanted to give my new 24 a fair chance with the stock equipment. I have the right hand side set at 4mm and the left side knob at “0”. (I’m 6’ 225lbs). So far I’m really happy with the ride. Took the Mrs. for a ride this past weekend, and all I changed was the left side knob, turned it in to “10” and was REALLY impressed with the ride quality. It’s such an easy adjustment now to go from 1 up to 2 up riding. I love it.

[@BoDean52]

Good to know as we have not been two up yet

[@markhenry192]

I bottom out ocassionally on my Low Rider despite being a fair bit under the weight setting. It's always a balance between comfort and handling i guess. Glad you are happy with it now. Thanks.

[@BoDean52]

Well said!

[@chasingtrail]

I have the same bike (same color even) and had the same experience. I'm 240 lbs and was bottoming hard on our back roads, many of which are very bumpy and in poor condition. I adjusted the preload for my weight (slightly higher even) per the manual and it is much improved, but I still bottom on really big hits. I suppose there's only so much you can do with 3 inches (just ask my wife). Debating whether or not I will replace the shocks, hoping for some other guinea pigs before I throw money at it. Thanks for the video!

[@BoDean52]

haha on the wife ask. So I had legends on my 21 Road Glide and believe they are better than even these better shocks. Still undecided like you

[@stolnpckup]

That made me laugh. Just ask my wife.🤣🤣🤣

[@1Steson]

The key to setting suspension preload is tightening it down until it just about bottoms out on the biggest hits you expect to be taking on the roads your ride, so give it some more if it's bottoming, you definitely don't want it to do that. The book settings are guidelines for average riding style on average roads, but it sounds like your conditions require more preload.

[@huibertdegraaf9622]

I find it amazing that people buy the new roadglide and don't have an idea that they have to adjust the rear suspension on it. First thing I did when I got my 24 home.

[@1Steson]

Me too, bought mine last week (early January) and was setting the suspension for my weight tonight so when spring comes here in Minnesota, it'll be ready. Only issue I have is the setting for 2-up riding is dramatically different than the setting for me by myself, so I have to move that spring over an inch to be set up for 2-up riding compared to riding alone. Kind of a hassle, I'm going from passenger to no passenger to passenger all summer. Wish there could be a happy medium. Anyway, looking forward to the new suspension, biggest complaint I had about my '20 Street Glide was the suspension so hoping for the best with the new bike. Mine came new set at the lightest setting which is actually correct for my weight, but yeah, I guess I think that's getting a little nitpicky complaining that it wasn't set for you from the dealer, I'm sure they would have done it for you if you asked (if you felt you weren't capable yourself) but I think most people who buy a new bike will go through all this stuff themselves when they get it home, including suspension settings, infotainment settings, clutch / brake / handlebar / shifter position, all those things to dial it in to their preferences. That's what you do when you buy a new bike, that's part of the fun for most of us.

[@RoadReality]

I'm surprised they never mentioned it on your last bike or this one - when I bought my SGS in 2019, the salesman said he could set it up for me, and showed me how to adjust it. Preload adjustment is one of the biggest things you can do to a new bike to dial it in for yourself.

[@BoDean52]

amen to that and guess I assumed

[@RoadReality]

@@BoDean52 Well, at least you figured it out pretty quickly... if you've been watching my videos... I have Suspension Technologies on my Street Glide now, and it took me a few months to figure out what was wrong and how to fix it - I assumed, too.

[@BootsandJeansRiders]

Yeah...I was wondering can you do it yourself. Glad you got it adjusted.

[@Petesmotoadventure]

Ours are electric 😂

[@BootsandJeansRiders]

@@Petesmotoadventure Yes it is, one push of a button,

[@BoDean52]

silly wingers

[@HarleyGeezer1954]

Interesting. I have heard that Harley is very proud of the new suspension. I am torn about getting one. I think I just have too much damn money in my 2020RG. Thanks for the info.

[@tiffanyrene]

I need to adjust mine soon!!!

[@BoDean52]

Noticed on your slip on video, your bike looks awesome

[@BogeyBiker]

Sounds like we’re about the same size. I have stock suspension on my 21 Limited like your last bike, what setting did you use before you changed? Maybe I need to look at doing the same 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@BoDean52]

well crap I don't recall :)

[@BogeyBiker]

@@BoDean52 no prob. I never really know if I have it set right or not, which means I probably just need to replace the stock suspension 😀

[@Guinn1964]

Matt Laidlaw has a great video on setting up the suspension on the new SG,RG 2024’s. My bike rides great. Very simple and easy .

[@BoDean52]

Yeah, I did mine before Matt got his bike. I was talking the service manager at my dealership and he’s like Yep they all come that way. You would think maybe your dealership actually had them set up at least for the average weight person first.

[@bobbywarren7917]

I had a similar incident when I bought my23 Heritage. I tried to adjust my pre-load and the adjuster was locked up. Fortunately, Speedway HD took care of the problem

[@BoDean52]

nice!

[@FlipandTheBlueMule]

0:20 you were .... in HELL 😂😂

[@BoDean52]

hehe

[@ontheothersideoftheroad]

The second most important thing about preloading the suspension is for two-up riding. Can the 2024 handle it?

[@BoDean52]

Sure can

[@rodneybarcus2233]

I’m going to say demo bikes are adjusted. It is a shame they don’t make at least a couple of turns on the adjuster screw when they prep the bike. I learned that a few years ago when I bought a Harley and bottomed out a few times on the way home. Bob you know that bull story has been around forever. My dad told me that story about 50 years ago. I hope your video will help the next unsuspecting buyer of a Harley.

[@BoDean52]

No my bull story is a girlfriend and a comment I made to her Dad 🤦

[@johnkenneally4662]

Pretty sure I have same gloves. My RG is a 2010 and I upgraded rear suspension to the Harley hand adjustable. No problems.

[@BikerJim74]

My 2020 stock suspension was awful. Got Heavy duty Fox shocks now. Sure wish I had changed it out sooner.

[@BoDean52]

I remember when I changed mine on my 21 I was like oh my gosh

[@1Steson]

Yeah my 2020 was awful as well, I adjusted many times and just couldn't get it to feel comfortable no matter what, and a lot of the problem was the front end. My '15 Ultra rides so much better than my '20 Street Glide ever did, didn't even want to ride the Street Glide. And the Ultra still has the air shocks! Hard to believe how much better they work (when set up properly, 37 lbs of air for my wife and I is best) than the '20 Street Glide. The minimal travel and low profile tires of that '20 Street Glide are a very poor combination I think, everyone with that era of bike seems to hate how they ride, worst one I've ever had and I've had about a dozen Harleys since '93. Loved everything else about that bike (including the android auto but that's for a different video). I'm really hoping my new '24 I haven't had a chance to ride yet (until spring) will feel as much better to me as they say it should.

[@whskywolf]

I think you are right, we pay enough for bike they could least adjust the load out for the buyer

[@drewwho4512]

Damn right! It's a safety factor for the rider and an opportunity for both the rider and dealership to dial in the bike and know all the adjustments that are needed for a particular rider. Why expose the dealership and HD to bad reviews over something requiring a seemingly simple and not very time-consuming fix? Sure, it's addressed in the owners manual. Not everyone reads those right away. They'd rather ride. The time wasted for the rider in this video, and that of the dealership to deal with this issue took far longer than the fix itself.

[@brandonmartin506]

I put legends on mine for a day and went back to the stock suspension on my 24 RG due to it riding better with the stock suspension

[@BoDean52]

Interesting as I talked to Legends and instead of a quick recommendation they were asking me to measure current current shocks. Makes me think there is little difference which would confirm your thoughts. Think I am going to run stock for a bit

[@jamessouthworth1699]

For as long as I've been riding people just naturally KNEW they had to adjust their own preload on their shocks. Suddenly riders are incapable of doing this? You don't have to adjust it for a specific numerical weight. You can go by feel like it's been done for decades.

[@BoDean52]

Well now I am educated James

[@1Steson]

@@BoDean52 He's right, and it's not about being "educated", kinda comes natural to most of us, buy a new or used bike, dial it in for your specific needs & feel 'till it fits just right. Part of the fun of buying a new bike!

[@MRGS48]

I have a suggestion: Go back to the Stealeahip and DEMAND your prep fee in FULL…😉😉 Just my .02

[@1Steson]

Yeah how dare they not monkey around setting the preload instead of letting you get on your way home so you could tweak on your new bike yourself! Bastards! They should be reported to the BBB, they'd probably have lost their franchise by the following Monday and been forced to pay huge fines. There is probably grounds for a class action lawsuit here someplace where you could make some well deserved extra money! 🙂

[@painsrides]

I just came off riding a 2024 Road Glide with all of 300 miles on it. Bob, I was not impressed ... Its not because I'm not a Harley guy(I have absolutely no bias toward any brand), its because I wasn't expecting the bike to feel like it did. More on this later...

[@BoDean52]

You can be wrong and we can still be friends 👊

[@painsrides]

@@BoDean52 I don't expect most people to like what I have to say

[@BoDean52]

@painsrides3616 is this a point in your life that maybe you shouldn’t talk and say what you’re thinking out loud?

[@painsrides]

Big monkeys say, little monkeys believe(my twist on an old favorite 😉 ). Once little monkeys pays $30K+ based on what they believe, they now have to convince themselves and perpetuate .... I had just come off my 6 year old, 16k+ mile Goldwing when my friend insisted I try his week old 300 mile 2024 Road Glide... So I did. BS#1 the seat was bad and jamming my tailbone. BS#2 heavy vibrations with a "rattle" like quality. BS#3 nasty amounts of valve train noise, well over the slip-ons. BS#4 power delivery and feel, not even close to what I'm used too(this really surprised me). BS#5 quite a bit of engine heat on my for 60 degree temps. This is just what I picked up in a 5 mile ride...My over arching feeling of the RG was it felt and sounded old....

[@painsrides]

I didn't like what you said too much... but I've let you dangle long enough. The 2024 RG is a good bike, not as bad as I made it out to be. I'm going to borrow it for a real try out sooner or later.... Right now I'm still "eh" about it.

[@bigg2768]

New bikes or old, yep, have to adjust the suspension to ur preference. Manual info is only ‘ballpark’.

[@derfskittlers6125]

You should make the dealer fit check you to the bike and make any necessary upgrades before you drive away. It's part of the package you pay for. If you don't it's extra money they get to keep for doing nothing.

[@1Steson]

I'm not sure setting the suspension is something you "paid" for but it's an elementary thing that can be done in a few minutes, wouldn't be a big deal for the sales guys to help out with that if you're mechanically challenged. Usually I just want to get going when I buy a new bike by the time we get to the parking lot, I'll dial it in myself at home when I'm dialing in all the other misc adjustments on the bike to fit me (levers, handlebars, etc).

[@chromesporty4984]

They should have asked your weight adjusted it at purchase!!

[@BoDean52]

yup and I should know better

[@Petesmotoadventure]

Preload is the key.

[@BoDean52]

agree

[@HDR20]

You should have put the stock suspension back on the old bike.

[@BoDean52]

Yep

[@HDR20]

@@BoDean52 about 5k miles you will be replacing the 24 suspension with Legends.

[@119topdawg]

I’d be looking for a new dealer…seriously BS to put a new bike out on the road without adjusting the suspension to the new owner. I am always amazed that HD owners start talking about having to change out suspension and exhaust as soon as they get their new bike…

[@BoDean52]

fair enough

[@harryhowell5644]

Had two new Harleys. A 17 and a 21 touring. Neither bike had any preload. Both set at zero. Nothing new

[@1Steson]

Yes. They always seem to come set on the lightest setting, you dial it up from their based on your needs. Same for 30+ years from Harley. Japanese bikes I've bought over the years have been the same way.

[@Vladfaitdestattoos]

They suck hard. I am 175 pounds and it bottoms hard. Travel is very small and the way it is designed sucks compared to softails. Will have to put 2 k on ohlins.

[@BoDean52]

Did you adjust it from when you got the bike. They come with no preload on them.

[@Vladfaitdestattoos]

@@BoDean52 I did. Coming from a 22 low rider st difference is huge. Ima go for ohlins complete kit. Just I wish they put twins suspensions on the back, not one side preload, the other rebound

[@1Steson]

@@BoDean52 Actually they don't come with "no" preload, they come with the spring set on it's lightest setting which is the correct setting for a solo rider of 180 lbs or less. If over 180 lbs and/or carrying a passenger, you need to increase the preload. It's really quite simple. If he's bottoming out he needs to increase the spring tension (preload) until he stops bottoming out. This is not rocket science. And I don't think the softails have much more than the 3" of travel these touring bikes have now, do they? Think they're both about the same.

[@OverlandUSAHD]

They should do it as a service free on a purchase

[@BoDean52]

Exactly

[@1Steson]

I'm sure they would if you had all day to hang out there, did you ask?

[@CornholeKing-v5w]

BoDean, your old bike had better suspension.

[@BoDean52]

Agree

[@joel8034]

They call themselves a "luxury" brand. BRAND NEW 2024s shutting down 20 miles down the road--the factory can't make them work properly. COMPUTER REFLASHING??? B/S. VVT in the cvos sucks. And a TON have so many blemishes on the paint it's ridiculous. Want a good bike, BUY ANYTHING ELSE.

[@BoDean52]

Lucky there are plenty of bikes for people to buy Joel, ride safe

[@ronisley9716]

Bob will you please get that windscreen / shield replaced!! It is terrible. That optical line is a no go.

[@BoDean52]

Thanks for the feedback, Ron

[@jimmin9802]

30 k motorcycle and they cant adjust them or even explain how to do it is Harley sad!

[@keithdickson8364]

Just pretend it’s a hard tail. 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@BoDean52]

haha

[@thomascollins7932]

Harley isn't the only brand where the dealer does not adjust first. I rode a different brand for 2 years before I asked the dealer to look at me on the bike. He did, made the adjustment for preload and it was a different bike.

[@BoDean52]

for sure

[@garrygiesbrecht4544]

Yep the suspension sucks. Should have kept the limited. Sorry dude !

[@chrischaney9492]

Hello from Indiana

[@BoDean52]

Hi Indiana 👊