Rough ride

[giff]

Hi everyone,

Haven't been riding for a year or so. Been getting on my 2000  standard lately and she's still a "brute". I picked up a starter bike (1995 Virago 750) for my son in law and I was shocked to see that I could barely feel a bump when I rode it. I'm realizing that the Valk is really hard on the bumps. What can I do , if anything, to soften the ride. The hard ride is taking the joy away. Seems like I forgot what a soft ride is like since I've had the Valk. Help !

giff

[Michvalk]

Lower the settings on the rear shocks? Check air pressure in tires? make sure the forks are free, and sliding like they should. Valks do ride different than some cruizers, and they do ride stiffer. I put progressive springs in the front, and it made the ride better on that end

[WintrSol]

When was the last time the fork oil was changed? Maybe it was overfilled?

[Ricky-D]

You feel bumps more pronounced with the Valkyrie because of the weight of the wheels and tires. Valkyrie wheels and tires

are probably twice as heavy as those on the Virago.

***

[WintrSol]

That may be true, but it feels smooth as a Cadillac when compared to my VS800 and CB450.

[Northern Valk]

I agree that the ride can be harsh at times, esp. when hitting pot holes etc.  I've been looking into getting some new rear shocks in hopes that will help. A good winter project!