You are correct about the low profile tires being part of it but the majority of it is the rear shock and another small part is the front suspension. The front is far better than in the past though. Contact @Smarty to see about getting you a set of Ohlins rear shocks and you will be amazed at how the bike feels with just switching out the rear shocks. Headed that route myself very shortly.

 

18’s tires are slimmer profile as well. Well if you compare to pre-2013.

Read any H-D forum out there. It’s a well known fact that HD’s shocks suck.

Look at Legends or Ohlins for a great shock and ride.


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They really are designed for the masses, which just pound 10-15 miles every few months to the bar to look bad ass. I find about 120 miles in, I start to squirm and my back starts to hurt and I look for other places to start resting my feet to change position. Most of that is the shocks, the seat certainly doesn't help as it's not a touring seat. I can put around town all day on the seat, but any distance and it gets old real quick.

Adjusting it helps a little, but some of those bumps are just bone jarring. The fact that it's a 12" shock doesn't help either.... lots of things at play here, but my next upgrade will be new shocks for sure.... just can't decide what!!

Good luck and keep us in the loop!!

 

How does the standard Road Glide feel, without 'premium shocks' and more tire sidewall. I didn't see any specs on shock length between the two. Seat height is the same, with the rear tire being the difference. My RGS make me prep myself for a large dip, etc. Just figured my set-up was off, even though this is my
5th Harley(2 Sporty's, Electra Glide Sport, Wide Glide) and hadn't run into this much of a harsh ride, especially from a touring model.

I have progressive 440's on my '03 Wide Glide, and yes they improved the ride but I was lowering it too.

 

Where I live the roads are very well maintained so the stock shocks and Harley Hammock seat which is a game changer work great. I very rarely bottom my shocks out. Your right the RGS is an awesome bike even in the twisties. Tire make also Play a major role. Michelin’s are a far better ride than Dunlop’s in my experience. I ride solo 99% that also makes a big difference in ride.

 

if you're coming off an older bike you prolly had bias ply tires (with taller sidewall and more flex)
new bikes have lower profile tires (130/60B-19). they handle better but are hard to get used to.
they are also multi-compound tires for longer wear.

HD used to put shock travel in their specs but not so much with the newer (lowered) bikes

my rg (standard) is the same tire and lowered shock as the rg special, and yeah, they suck when you hit the big one.

RGUs have more travel and a 17" wheel with more sidewall (130/80B-17)

 

if you're coming off an older bike you prolly had bias ply tires (with taller sidewall and more flex)
new bikes have radial tires. they handle better but are hard to get used to.
they are also multi-compound tires for longer wear.

I'm thinking the bias ply have a stiffer sidewall. I know it is thicker and can handle more weight.

 

It is the limited travel, and crappy rear shock. Changed min with 60 miles.

 

The stock shocks really aren't great, but I found actually adjusting them to what the owners manual says worked wonders for me. I'm a fat guy, and I had to really set them high. I'm swapping them this winter, but they're way better than when I rode it off the floor.

 

I just assumed it was because I'm getting older and I'm less tolerant of potholes and bumps.

 

https://www.bikebandit.com/blog/bias-ply-vs-radial-which-one-is-best-for-you

 

I plan to put a set of Legends front and rear on my RGS soon.

 

Yes, stock rear suspension blows. You might be surprised how good the front is after you put some good NON OEM shocks in the rear.

If you do a search, there are many threads with good replacement ideas.

 

Cranked up the rear shock setting to 15 for two-up. It was a noticeable improvement. Turned up to 19.5 per the manual, I'll take it out to see the change.

Funny the book calls for '0' for my solo weight(175) and close to the top of scale for both of us(295). Time will tell what setting works best. I'm not in a hurry to buy new shocks, right after I bought the bike.

 

I set bike for my weight with gear on plus 40lbs
Gives a firm ride with some give; never bottoms out. Hell the factory “low” shocks are still better than a 1 ton 4x4 with a solid front axle



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Good info!

The Road Glide Special has standard or low shocks? I was going by the standard chart, figured the low was for the Ultra Low.

 

The Road Glides have 12" shocks. The Road Glide Ultras have 13" shocks.

 

Kept bottoming out on bad local roads, riding two up. Replaced stock 12” shocks with 13” Ohlins 159s. Much better, and only bottomed once. Not cheap but good improvement.

 

Ohlins work wonders. Had them on my last 3 bikes