2009 Ultra Ride?

[Evo160K]

One of my Buds traded his 2005 Ultra for a 2009 Ultra about 6-8 weeks ago.  He mentioned during a ride yesterday his wife was saying how rough the ride is, not like the 2005.  He's a knowledgeable, long time, Harley rider who takes care of his bikes.  I'm sure he's read the owners manual, so I'm surprised by the wife's comment. 

What did you 2009 ultra riders do to sort out the ride?  Do the wider rear tire or other suspension changes on the 2009's require some "different" or unusual adjustments?  Any advise for him?  He's not going to change the wife, so that's out.  TIA

[Dennis The Menace]

Check the rear shock air pressure.  I suspect the shocks may have been changed form 05 to 09, so recommended pressures could be different.

Also, is the seat narrower, lower (padding)?  A different seat may help, especially if the newer seats are less padded, or not as wide.  He should have to buy a new seat, but one size doesnt fit all, so to speak.

menace

[slammer]

The shocks have changed and require more pressure than the '05.  I think I am running 28-30 psi.  I also increased my tire pressure from stock to 42 psi in the rear and 40 psi in the front. I am having no problems with the D 407 's @ 11859 miles.

[harleyjt]

Funny - I never cared for the way my 05 rode.  Always thought it was harsh.  It did help when the dealer replaced the rear shocks - one had failed.   Then when I traded for my 08 last year, I found it isn't much better.  In fact there's a noise in the front end when I hit a hard bump or pothole that sounds like the fender hits the frame, but it doesn't.  Anyway, I've ridden several 09s and they don't ride much different.  I do know the rear shocks changed and run higher pressures. 

I just wish they would go back to air forks in the front.  Those bikes rode a whole lot better imo.
jt

[hogdaddy10]

I for one changed the stock seat ( which really sucked ) to my old Road Zeppelin seat. I had to make modifications to fit this bike, and now am a very happy camper. I also adjusted the shock pressure to 30lbs. as me and the Mrs. are not small people. The Mrs. complains a bit but I believe that there are still adjustments that have to be made to the seat and bike as far as shock pressure is concerned. The 09 definitely rides a lot smoother than the 03 and 07 put together, both Ultras. ( the Zeppelin seat makes me sit a bit higher than the stock seat ). Tire pressure is always set to 2lbs over the recommended pressure for longer life.
My .02 cents

[chuckyl]

Not having had a bagger since my '89 I don't have much to compare my '09 Ultra to but I found that I had to go to 50# in the shocks with my wife and I onboard and 42# in rear tire as mentioned earlier.  Wife loves the ride now and the stock seat.  I tried a Mustang seat which I prefer as it's much firmer but wife likes the stocker. YEah, we both wear pants but...

[mrmotoguzzi00]

Rented a 09 EG last week,  30 lbs was not enough in the rear shocks.  I'm guessing together the wife and i are close to 400lbs.  It bottomed out frequently on small bumps.....  I run close to 50 in my 04 rg and with the mustang seat it's perfect.  The dealer told me any more than 30 lbs and it might blow out the shock and i would be responsible for it.......

[hotroadking]

09 shocks in rear can take up to 50 lbs

there is a chart regarding weight to pressure in the manual

basically two up, fully loaded or close to max weight you want 50 and it will be firm compared
to 30...

[Evo160K]

Has anyone adjusted the shock air pressure based upon the "Sag" measurements?  What did you think of the ride and what tire pressure did you settle on?

[FLTRI]

Has anyone adjusted the shock air pressure based upon the "Sag" measurements?  What did you think of the ride and what tire pressure did you settle on?

Rule of thumb:
Use whatever shock pressure that eliminates bottoming through hard freeway undulations or backroad potholes.
For a test I put 100 lbs in the rear shocks and went out and tried to blow out the shocks for over 50 miles. Never happened because the more pressure the better the seal, also the more pressure the more sticktion.
Honda uses the same shock on their land yachts with auto leveling. The pressures routinely go above 50 lbs with rider/passenger/luggage.
Hope this helps,
Bob

[Evo160K]

Bob,
Yes, it does help.  Thank you very much.

[mrmotoguzzi00]

Bob,

If i'm loosing pressure over time what do you think the issue is then ?  time to start spraying the lines with soapy water ?

This is on my 04 RG..

Thanks Mike

[FLTRI]

Bob,

If i'm loosing pressure over time what do you think the issue is then ?  time to start spraying the lines with soapy water ?

This is on my 04 RG..

Thanks Mike

Yep, that'll find the leak.
Bob