As you know, Spinner just got some 'new feet.' my stock Sportster shock absorbers were never much good, they started to become problematic at about 5K to 6K and then utterly failed when they were replaced at about 9K.

(BTW, my 10K tune-up was done at about 9K. Two things. I had to order the shocks so we set a "tentative date." The shop has been busy and so I set the date ahead several weeks, figuring that by then I would have run up 10K real miles. The shocks, however, came within three days, the shop had some openings, and it rained mercilessly during the time I wanted to ride. After the bike started to 'bottom out,' I feared damage to the rear wheel or its spokes. We did the tune-up and mods at about 9K. And I'm glad. Full disclosure.)

Frankly, I have been avoiding certain roads and certain areas, taking a "detour" if you will. I have set the new progressives at the third setting of the five provided. Unlike the progressives on Betty which can be changed with your bare hands, the model(s) on Spinner require the standard shock tool, which was in the kit.

The worst road section I utililize is the far eastern portion of Madison's East Washington Avenue, a road that I take to the gym every morning. While I now take the first exit near Easte Towne Mall and use their frontage road, today I'll take East Wash. The heat and more maintenance have pushed up sections forming sharp humps. The road crews repair sections by sawing up areas about three foot square and then using cold patch. That becomes a 'crazy quilt' of uneven sections. Finally there are Madison's famous potholes...

Later today I will run a report here. Not only about East Wash, but about the first four miles of Interstate 39/90/94 which area residents use as a city thoroughfare. It was widened and "fixed" two years ago, and it also is a crazy quilt of uneven sections, except people hit these areas at +70 MPH.

If funds allow, I intend to buy video glasses or a lipstck camera later this year for my jaunts to show real-world events when riding. If I can I will now take photos of the these roads for demonstrations. If the traffic is not behind me I can stop and snap a quick picture.

This news bulletin just in: Go buy yourself some progressive shocks!

I rode Spinner everywhere--East Wash, frontage roads, the slab, suburban subdivisions. I cannot relate the improvement!

Oh, I still feel the bike take a hit on bad bumps--but I don't feel that much. In only one case--the most severe test bump on East Wash--did I feel any disturbance that I would consider a major discomfort.

It's not a Gold Wing, but with a bigger gas tank and by re-setting the shocks to the second position for a cushier ride, I could take Spinner to Sturgis. She was up on the slab in what I call a "loping speed." She was running comfortably, not over revving, I was comfortable and in control and I had no dramatic illusion of uncontrolled bonzai speed over my head. In my case, that would be 73 MPH, and that includes over uneven concrete seams and tar joints.

The ride was so enjoyable that my 'fuel light' went off and I had to do a quick U-turn on the slab to get back to my home station. All I had was a pocket full of quarters and 2.50 left on my fuel gift card. When I'm in the zone I have to watch those mile markers...

You sound pretty happy....
Nice to hear.

RK, I just got back from a short evening spin. My 'sister' just got a Road Glide, and tipped it over in her driveway this morning. I went over to inspect the damage (a few scratches to a saddlebag cover that came off--we know a custom painter) and possibly a small burr on her left side skid bar. I consoled her and she managed to fanagle a micro-fiber cloth out of my possibles bag. She likes them, and I'm a soft touch...

To get to her place I have to leave the slab, take my life in my hands switching from the New Beltline to the Old Beltline and cross two or three of the worse kept intersections in the city. For convenience sake, the Roselawn Memorial Park is a block away! Big potholes! Dangerous repaired sections. Cagers dumber than you can believe!

Turned out to be a nice cooler temp evening jaunt. Sis started laughing, the way back to the slab now had lighter traffic, and more to the point the shocks gave me a great ride.

Now with those new shocks you can sell your kidney belt.

...and with the profit I can buy a new kidney...

It was a satisfying sound when those worthless shocks hit the bottom of the shop scrap barrel.

Just for S&G's have you considered trying them on a different setting?

Not yet. I am happy with the mid-point setting ("three") as a daily driver. Now, if I had a bigger tank (or plot my longer course as I do now for gas stations and more distance) I would set them for setting "two." In that mode I would be cruising, not 'sport' riding. I do have a replacement seat, and it's okay, but I'd like some form of Sundowner next.

I do have Betty's progressives on "two." She still handles well and she's very comfy on the slab at speed.

I just wanted an update and present a thought.
You know since it's a lighter bike the lower settings might sill be sporty but get just a little more cushion for dem bones.
What the hell do I know, I have "Air" shocks on my bike and bad back...

"The Jeffster" once said about racers, "put a fast guy on anything and he'll be the first guy over the line."
The credo belief that "sporty" is in the hand on the throttle, not in the settings on the shocks.
Why not enjoy the best/softest ride? it'll still go faster than you should be going anyway.

For me it's more than 'personal comfort.' It's dealing with the horrble roads here, coupled with buckling from the intense heat.

For example, we have some major creases in sections of roads. Over the past few weeks I've learned where the 'low spots' are on these creases. If you find a lower one you get a bump, hit a higher one and you can be justled from your seat. I've had to memorize the terrain.

Even our section off 39/90/94 is frought with humps, seams, cracks and construction. A lower setting might be 'softer,' but the question of handling never goes away. I plan to discuss this issue with the service writer today.