[eddienelson]

Im going Monday to pick up a 2016 RG and had decided on the Custom that i test drove. Now Im thinking that I need to go ahead and get the Special for the Gps but I don't know the difference in the rear shocks. I was going to add a 1inch lowering kit to it. Im 5'6" and 135lbs. I also was going to put a low profile seat on it.

 

[! rock103 !]

Check out some of the air ride options as well. Dirty Works has some good affordable options and will allow you to adjust your ride height and quality at your fingertips.

DIRTY AIR - DIRTYWORKS LLC - KANSAS CITY - dirtyworks-kc.com

 

[eddienelson]

Hey thanks ill check them out. Do you know the difference between the 2 shocks from Harley. Their HD website says that they have different shocks on them.

 

[! rock103 !]

I think with the special you get the preload adjustable knob on the shock. But the shocks themselves aren't a premium over the standard. The air shocks mentioned will give 1" more travel, and the benefit of riding on air vs spring.

 

[! rock103 !]

A riding buddy of mine has a set of those air shocks and raves about them over the OEM shock. Been meaning to try them out

 

[eddienelson]

Ok I finally figured it out on the HD web site. They are both air ride but the Special is adjustable. They are saying you can stop at a red light and adjust the ride. Im guessing it has an air compressor built in. On the standard it has to be hooked up to a compressor to add air.

 

[! rock103 !]

The current OEM shocks aren't air shocks bro. The adjustment is just a pre-load adjustment. Just gives a stiffer ride depending on the load.

 

[09Sharknose]

Hey thanks ill check them out. Do you know the difference between the 2 shocks from Harley. Their HD website says that they have different shocks on them.

The custom has the older version air shocks that you need to pump air into. Not so great.

The Special has the HD premium ride hand adjustable shocks. MUCH better ride. These used to be stock only on some of the CVO bikes.


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[! rock103 !]

In order to adjust the shock you will have to take the bag off, or at least unpin it and rock it to the side to access the knob. Certainly not as convenient as adjusting it at a stop light while on the bike

 

[09Sharknose]

The current OEM shocks aren't air shocks bro. The adjustment is just a pre-load adjustment. Just gives a stiffer ride depending on the load.

By "air", I don't mean the high dollar electric version with a compressor. I mean the little bicycle air pump version that can be adjusted up to 50psi and still suck.


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[! rock103 !]

Oh I see what you're talking about. Didn't know they went back to that again for 2016.

2016 Touring Road Glide Special | Harley-Davidson USA

I can tell you my 2015 Special doesn't have those shocks. I have the hand adjustable ones.

 

[! rock103 !]

By "air", I don't mean the high dollar electric version with a compressor. I mean the little bicycle air pump version that can be adjusted up to 50psi and still suck.


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Dirty Works sells this kit for $299. That's the one my buddy raves about. I was thinking of getting the upgraded "fast up" version.

 

[UT_Larry]

I choose to get the custom because I preferred the air shocks, standard brakes, no pin stripe on the vivid black paint, the flat black inner fairing which has less reflected sunlight glare. I did not care about GPS so the 4.3 radio is fine with me. There are some other styling differences that I prefer on the custom over the special.

 

[eddienelson]

The custom has the older version air shocks that you need to pump air into. Not so great.

The Special has the HD premium ride hand adjustable shocks. MUCH better ride. These used to be stock only on some of the CVO bikes.


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Hand adjustable? Does it come with a compressor or one of those hand pumps? How does it work and are they that much smoother of a ride? I just want to make the right decision and not have any regrets.

 

[UT_Larry]

The custom uses the handheld air pump while the special uses a hand turned knob to adjust. Ask the dealer to adjust both types to your weight while you watch & test ride then both again then decide.

 

[smitty901]

Consider this went talking rear shocks You say you are 135 lbs. That is a big difference over many of the heavy riders out here. What works for them may not work for you. The normal HD air shocks have severed me well even two up. As for lowering it either of the RG's sit low to start with

 

[skratch]

Consider this went talking rear shocks You say you are 135 lbs. That is a big difference over many of the heavy riders out here. What works for them may not work for you. The normal HD air shocks have severed me well even two up. As for lowering it either of the RG's sit low to start with

I was going to mention this as well. the hand adjustable premium shocks are a better shock than the standard air shock. IF you weigh enough to take advantage of it. you being 135lbs, the hand adjustable shocks are going to feel like solid struts to you, even at their lowest setting. the lowest weight given in the manual for these shocks is 220lbs (rider+passenger+gear) if you ride solo and aren't wearing a fully loaded backpack, you won't like the ride.

however, there are other 'perks' to going with the special over the regular, so don't let this one thing sway you. in addition, you'll be better able to sell the hand adjustable shocks to get some good shocks in the first place. the stock air shocks are almost a 'give away' item, while you could still get a couple hundred for the premium.

 

[eddienelson]

Thank you for all of your helpful information. For some reason me and the wife keep gravitating to the Denim Black Custom. For some reason neither of us like the Special colors. I guess I see a shock upgrade in the near future. What about the onboard air compressors and tanks that Im seeing a lot of people are running. I noticed you can buy the kits online for about $150 (not including shocks). Are they worth it? The kit in one of the previous posts seemed really nice and economical.