Rough riding

[molokaimike]

I know that the trike will never ride like a 2 wheeler but mine seems to be really rough. I've got a 2020 TG that is basically stock except that I've added the DK lift kit. I reduced the rear tire pressure to 20lbs, set the pre-load on the shocks to my weight according to the owners manual but this thing beats me to death sometimes. Maybe I'm just getting old and like to complain. I've thought about adding air shocks but that's a big investment only to find out that it didn't really help that much. I am saving up for Papa Zooks rake kit to help with the steering but I'm open to suggestions to smooth out the rear end suspension as much as possible. I ride one up most of the time and weigh around 240.

 

[DK Custom Products]

I know that the trike will never ride like a 2 wheeler but mine seems to be really rough. I've got a 2020 TG that is basically stock except that I've added the DK lift kit. I reduced the rear tire pressure to 20lbs, set the pre-load on the shocks to my weight according to the owners manual but this thing beats me to death sometimes. Maybe I'm just getting old and like to complain. I've thought about adding air shocks but that's a big investment only to find out that it didn't really help that much. I am saving up for Papa Zooks rake kit to help with the steering but I'm open to suggestions to smooth out the rear end suspension as much as possible. I ride one up most of the time and weigh around 240.

The stock suspension on the Tri Glides, especially 2019 & 2020 sucks. But it does not have to be as bad as you are experiencing by using the HD recommendations for pre-load. I have found them to be WAY OFF base. See the video below.



So, ignore the suggested settings in the manual, and experiment to find the best ride for you. You've already got your rear tires down.

If, after adjusting the OEM shocks to what feels best (forgetting the manual) it is still too rough for you, I suggest getting the Twin Adjustable shocks that you can see at this LINK.

They will provide a HUGE improvement in ride quality, and can be used with the lift kit you have...AND are less expensive than the top of the line Trike Series Shocks™ by 50%, but you will still get 70-80% of the improvement that you would get from the TSS.

Couple more thoughts...

Make sure you have 20-22 psi in the rear tires. When they drop down into the 17-18 psi range they have so much sidewall flex that they start pogoing and making the ride rougher.

You should be able to get a pair of 13" take off air shocks on ebay for around $100. The ride will be a little better (not a lot, so no big hopes there) than the OEM shocks.

Kevin

 

[PosseRider]

I know that the trike will never ride like a 2 wheeler but mine seems to be really rough. I've got a 2020 TG that is basically stock except that I've added the DK lift kit. I reduced the rear tire pressure to 20lbs, set the pre-load on the shocks to my weight according to the owners manual but this thing beats me to death sometimes. Maybe I'm just getting old and like to complain. I've thought about adding air shocks but that's a big investment only to find out that it didn't really help that much. I am saving up for Papa Zooks rake kit to help with the steering but I'm open to suggestions to smooth out the rear end suspension as much as possible. I ride one up most of the time and weigh around 240.

That chart is WAYYYYY off. Also I know I readjusted 3-4 times on every ride & never could get it for 2 up. Closest we got was down around 4-7.

 

[molokaimike]

The chart said that mine should be at 4 for my weight which was a very rough ride. I lowered it down to 2 so I'll see how it rides.