Why & How to Upgrade your Harley-Davidson Suspension (H-D Suspension 101)

Your motorcycle's suspension is one of its most important systems. Yet suspension is often overlooked by many H-D owners. In this video we'll talk about two topics - first, the three reasons WHY you should upgrade your Harley suspension - and second, HOW to upgrade your suspension.
We'll avoid making specific product or manufacturer recommendations here, but rather try to cover the basics of Harley-Davidson suspensions, and talk about why and how you can upgrade this vital system on your bike.
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Thanks for watching!

[@Elkslaya1]

I upgraded to RWD RS1’s within 2 months of owning my 22 SGST and love them! Highly recommend!

[@ryantopcop3632]

This video was such a huge help in dissecting the rear shocks. Thank you for the knowledge!

[@caloc8576]

Dynamite video for anyone new to HD motorcycles

[@performancebagger3506]

Very impressed with the 412 Series Progressive rear coil overs we installed on 2021 RGS #performancebaggin build!!

[@dillensweeten7911]

Hey man, you obviously know what you’re talking about. I truly enjoy your videos and you have explained and touched bases where others seemed to have looked over. Please, keep the Videos coming! Just try to work out the phrase “umm” in future videos. Like I said you know what you’re talking, stay confident 👌🏼

[@amg5795]

Would be great to see video about the brakes upgrade.

[@jrfish954]

Good 👍 way to Break it down from all the other videos I watch thank u 🙏 just wish u show a bit more shock options

[@stizzoforizzo898]

What?????😀🤯i didn't know i could adjust the shocks on my dyna. Thanks for the help

[@BraulioMolaguero]

Hello, what you have actually explained about slow rebound and a softer ride it seems to be wrong. If you slow down your shocks to the minimum you are going to feel a harder ride. The shocks won’t be ready for compress again. I saw that data on the legend channel. Thanks for your time and correct me if I am wrong.

[@nealmoyer7216]

To adjust the preload do turn it up to carry a heavier load or turn it down.

[@dirtbikedave]

In short, you turn it towards the spring, to compress it. So it depends if your collars are on top of the spring, or at the bottom. Think of it in the simplest terms. A spring gets stiffer the more it is compressed. Any weight put on the bike is a load. Load compresses the shock and spring. Preload isolates and compresses the spring (but not the shock) prior to additional loads being applied. Pre-loading the spring gets you through the sag zone and into the stiffer action sooner. So tightening the collar against the spring will eliminate sag and stiffen the ride. Some slight sag is desirable. But too much sag means you're blowing through the weaker (earlier) portion of the spring action and bottoming out the shock before the spring can get into the later stage of it's stroke, where it will stiffen up. The spring carries the load and restores the bike's geometry after it's altered by normal impacts. The shock just guides and dampens the bouncing action of the spring so that the motions are 'fluid' (due to the oil inside, slowing the movement down).

[@stizzoforizzo898]

I didn't get a lowrider to make it higher. 😕

[@BIG-AL6808]

Dude did you watch king of the bagger 5 days ago

[@nickthinkpainting1978]

I’ve been dissatisfied with my suspension upgrades. Gas legends n front RWD shocks in rear. My impressions are eh really not that much better slight improvement but in no way worth the $$$

[@stizzoforizzo898]

Interested to hear more about this

[@PeterRides247]

I feel you on the money, I have 14" Legend piggybacks. They are noticeably better than stock, especially when riding 2-up, but the price tag makes you question your life hahah. But I can confirm that I can absolutely smash anything from pot holes to train tracks and not poop out my intestines so that's nice.

[@justinelliott1550]

“Essentially”

[@ut1004bp]

Hmm, I'm going to have to disagree with your assumption that 80% are satisfied with the stock harley suspension, I'd have to flip it to 20%, and 80% are disappointed with them. I was looking for more info about Front suspension upgrades which you hardly covered.

[@IronAnchorCycles]

In fact, most do not upgrade their suspension - despite the fact that they should. We also have several other videos on front suspension.

[@ut1004bp]

@@IronAnchorCycles Good Grief, I can't image people wouldn't (besides they feel the bike already cost them too much) my 2021 Street Glide rides like a log wagon compared to all my other bikes.

[@a.r.o7697]

Harley creates a product that is meant to be a "blank canvas" for the prospective owner. That's why there's so many aftermarket parts out there to choose from and make it your own. This isn't the case with other brands like BMW where you can just hop on, ride, and have it be what you want it to be GS, RT, etc. When you get on an FXR or Road Glide and you want it to handle better, be ready to drop thousands of dollars on suspension and control components.

[@vmotobiker]

Too much blah blah too many opinions 🙄

[@GeraldBlondelMY]

HD produces a great looking and sounding shitty bikes around a very reliable engine. This is what it is. I don't think 80% of the riders are happy with their suspensions. it is more likely to be 20%, but I believe you wanted to be politically correct.

[@vicmanjw]

@Gerald… couldn’t agree more, bought a 22 RG standard this weekend and you know what I bought last night a set of Drag Specialties 13” Heavy Duty shocks