Rear Shock Pre-Load

[HD2Rocket3]

I have the original rear shocks on my '07 Classic and they are still on factory setting "1" on the pre-load adjustment. Has anyone adjusted the pre-load to a higher setting, the manual says with a passenger adjust to 2 and passenger and luggage to 5. I was wondering if you have adjusted the settings and if you can tell the difference. I want to get the settings right before Maggie Valley. New shocks aren't in the budget right now. Thanks!

 

[NM ROCKET]

You have to go by feel.
I rode with mine on 2-3 as I am 230 , 1 was too soft for me.
I would suggest trying 3 and see how they feel.

 

[HellFire]

With stock shocks they all rice like dump trucks, but only dial them up when they sag from load. If your butt bounces out of the seat over bumps at 1, it will be even worse at higher numbers.
Pre-load is just to adjust the ride height of the bike under loaded conditions. It's just raising the sprung part of the bike the distance of the notches.
It's hard to realize just how horrible Triumph shocks are until you try something else.

 

[dracul]

With stock shocks they all rice like dump trucks, but only dial them up when they sag from load. If your butt bounces out of the seat over bumps at 1, it will be even worse at higher numbers.
Pre-load is just to adjust the ride height of the bike under loaded conditions. It's just raising the sprung part of the bike the distance of the notches.
It's hard to realize just how horrible Triumph shocks are until you try something else.

I'm having custom heavy duty front springs cut for my forks. Checked into several exotic and expensive alternatives for the Progressive HD 440's but none seem practical and Ohlins are out of sight expensive and have to be adapted for the rocket. Guess I'll stick with what I've used before on another bike: the 440's.

 

[biker1059]

I have mine on 3. I actually bought a set of Roadster shocks from a memeber here and really like them. I was previously running Progressive 412s. I'm just shy of 200 lbs.

 

[HellFire]

I'm having custom heavy duty front springs cut for my forks. Checked into several exotic and expensive alternatives for the Progressive HD 440's but none seem practical and Ohlins are out of sight expensive and have to be adapted for the rocket. Guess I'll stick with what I've used before on another bike: the 440's.

You will have to let us know how those front springs work out. I like the progressive better than stock, but they still leave room for improvement. The progressive fronts have a nice ride initially, but firm up quickly under a load. Probably good for anti-dive but get a little rough over deeper travel. It's not a matter of needing lighter fork oil, it's a travel thing.
I was spoiled by Honda's old TRAC system and Yamaha's adjustable forks ... Rockets just don't have any adjustment or variable fluid restrictions. The bikes weight would probably make that kind of thing either too expensive or weak.
Just having adjustable rears helps sooo much, keeps my ass in the seat and the tire on the ground. I can live with it now, we get along much better when she doesn't try to throw me.

 

[Jim/Maine]

I have 440's on my Speedmaster, difference is day and night. Got to suspect the same with my new Roadster-- not happy with them as they are that's for sure. Anyone try Hagons?