MacAir system

[Keystone]

While visiting Kevin from DK Custom I had the MacAir System installed on my 2015 FLRT. I had the opportunity to give it a good test yesterday on a pretty rough road. I quickly learned that as little as 2 lbs. can change the ride. Been riding HD touring bikes since 2007. Have about 130,000 miles on the air shocks and always thought I knew just how much air I needed for a given load. Found out I didn't. Rough road with just me on the FW. 22 PSI was what the bike wanted. 20 was too soft. 25 was too hard. And I swear that the extra air in the system from the hose(s) makes the ride a bit more, how would I say it.... plush?

They system does take up some room in the trunk (10% ? less in the TG). In my case no more than the small compressor I always carry with me anyway. Instillation on the FLRT is pretty simple. Except for one step I see no reason it could not be done by one person. I never thought of putting an air system in before as the price was far more than I was willing to spend. The MacAir is allot more affordable than other systems.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents....

System without cover installed....

 

[mhgoldwing]

My only concern after reading the info at the link you provided, is there is no automatic compensation when air pressure changes due to temperature changes. I've had straight, non-compensating air systems on several bikes and that two pounds you said made such a difference in the ride is less than what I wound expect to see on almost any day with a typical 20-30 degree air temp change.

My Roadsmith trike has air shocks in the rear but they are compensated by ride height so that it always remains the same. Any change in air pressure for whatever reason will activate the system to compensate to maintain height.

Hope it works for you as is but, you might consider a way to have it automatically compensate for pressure or ride height to keep you from having to adjust several times during the day.

 

[Keystone]

My only concern after reading the info at the link you provided, is there is no automatic compensation when air pressure changes due to temperature changes. I've had straight, non-compensating air systems on several bikes and that two pounds you said made such a difference in the ride is less than what I wound expect to see on almost any day with a typical 20-30 degree air temp change.

My has air shocks in the rear but they are compensated by ride height so that it always remains the same. Any change in air pressure for whatever reason will activate the system to compensate to maintain height.

Hope it works for you as is but, you might consider a way to have it automatically compensate for pressure or ride height to keep you from having to adjust several times during the day.

Since it is so simple to add air while riding I am not the least bit concerned about not having an automatic system that adjust the level of my trike. . No harder than hitting the cruise control switch, passing lamp switch etc.. Road conditions are the biggest factor as to how much air is needed. I have yet to see the PSI drop, or rise, due to ambient air temp or barometric pressure in the week I have had this sytem on my FW. I have had temp differences of over 40f since installation. There has been no drop in PSI. Since all HD touring bikes already come with air shocks already this system allows for adjustments that do not require a hand pump, removing side panel, removing valve cap, adding or removing, then put cap back on and put side cover back on. All of that has to be done at a stop. The Roadsmith AccuRide is a good idea. It adjusts only for load and is available for select Roadsmith conversions. It does not adjust for ride comfort at all. Comfort is a personal thing that will vary wildly from one person to the next.

 

[mhgoldwing]

Sounds like it should work well.

So I'm not accused of misinformation, the Gold Wing OEM bikes have a manual adjustment which uses electric/hydraulic combo to adjust rear shock preload.

My Gold Wing trike, a Roadsmith, has the air shocks with what they call the Accuride System. It automatically adjusts to varying loads, temp, air pressure, etc. to maintain a constant ride height. That way the trike always handles the same. Works well too I might add.

But, all we're doing is adjust preload. I want the full automatic systems like on some cars now that change shock functions as needed several hundred times a second. Wishes.......

 

[msocko3]

IMO if Harley was smart they would do away with the rear air shocks like they did away with the air in the forks years ago. There are quite a few folks who ditch the air shocks in favor of a good coil over. If I had kept my Triglide I would have gone that direction once the air shocks took a dump on me. My 2012 Hannigan come with Progressive coil over shocks in the rear, I've yet had to mess with them. It floats over the bumps and handle corners as hard as I want to push it, just my couple of cents.

 

[msocko3]

Never know, maybe the 16's will come with the 110 engine and the CVO's will go to a 120. I think that's their next and most logical move.