An air suspension system works by using inflatable air springs that could be lowered or heightened to adjust a motorcycle’s ride height. Depending on the type of ride, motorcycle design, and purpose, you could adjust your motorcycle ride height to change the dynamics of your motorcycle.
Adjusting the ride height brings about changes in the handling and comfort level offered by a motorcycle. To explain in short, you could enjoy a smoother ride when the suspension is raised, and when it is lowered, it improves the stability, and handling, and makes the ride a lot sportier.
An Air Ride suspension system kit consists of custom-built shocks, an air compressor, a 200-PSI blow-off valve, airlines, and fittings. The parts are designed to modify a motorcycle’s suspension system to tune it per your needs.
Mostly, this kit is preferred by motorcyclists to soften their ride quality and improve comfort. The kit is capable of absorbing impacts and prevents the energy from being passed onto the chassis and rider. This prevents the rider from tiring soon and aids in covering longer miles without being affected by fatigue. This also helps in preserving a motorcycle’s overall health
One of the biggest advantages of having an Air Ride System- you could fine-tune it with ease, unlike a conventional suspension setup. I’m going to help you choose some of the best Motorcycle Air Ride Systems. Listed below are the best choices available.
Best Motorcycle Air Ride System Reviews
1. TCT-MT Rear Air Ride Suspension
The TCT-MT motorcycle Air Ride Suspension Kit is fully height adjustable and provides maximum comfort, even when the motorcycle’s ride height is at the default setting.
When fully collapsed- the suspension size is approx. 9.64 inches (24.5cm); when fully extended, the size is increased to 14.17 inches (36cm). With the flexibility of this range, this kit would enable you to lower your bike by two to three inches with all of the air released.
The system utilizes an all nickel-plated brass high-flow high-pressure push to connect fittings throughout the entire system with the addition of a manifold-styled dump valve block for optimum performance.
The sturdy system absorbs all shocks and impacts and keeps the motorcycle level during the ride. The design of the TCT-MT Air Ride System is such that it can be used with absolutely no pressure, as the motorcycle drops flat from the rear.
Even in this condition, the rear tire won’t slide against the rear fender provided the fender and the tire are stock. This is ideal in situations where you’re on a ride and you suddenly lose air pressure due to an unexpected event.
This rear Air Ride Suspension Kit is compatible with all touring models of Harley Davidson produced between the years 1994 and 2020.
2. XFMT Adjustable Rear Air Ride Suspension Kit
The XFMT Motorcycle Air Ride System is a complete kit designed and assembled to replace the stock, factory-mounted touring shocks on your Harley Davidson Touring motorcycle. The kit is fully height adjustable and is built to provide maximum comfort, even when the motorcycle’s ride height is at the default setting.
When fully collapsed- the suspension size is approx. 9.64 inches (24.5cm); when fully extended, the size is increased to 14.17 inches (36cm). With the flexibility of this range, this kit would enable you to lower your bike by two to three inches when all of the air is released.
The system utilizes an all nickel-plated brass high-flow high-pressure push to connect fittings for optimum performance. In case there is a loss of air pressure, the rear tire won’t slide against the rear fender provided the fender and the tire are stock. Thanks to the design of the XFMT system that is ideal in situations where air pressure could be lost due to unforeseen circumstances.
This rear Air Ride Suspension Kit is compatible with all touring models of Harley Davidson produced between the years 1994 and 2020.
3. XFMT Rear Shocks Absorber Suspension with Center Stand
The XFMT Motorcycle Air Ride Suspension Kit with an electronic center stand is designed to make your life easy and comfortable. The kit is fully height adjustable and provides maximum comfort, even when the motorcycle’s ride height is at the default setting.
When fully collapsed- the suspension size is approx. 9.64 inches (24.5cm); when fully extended, the size is increased to 14.17 inches (36cm). Given the flexibility, the kit would enable you to lower your motorcycle by two to three inches with all of the air released.
The system utilizes an all nickel-plated brass high-flow high-pressure push to connect fittings throughout the entire system with the addition of a manifold-styled dump valve block for optimum performance. The sturdy system absorbs all shocks and impacts and keeps the motorcycle level during the ride.
The XFMT Air Ride System enables a rider to use the system on their Harley with zero air pressure. Under such conditions, the motorcycle remains almost flat from the rear and yet, the rear tire won’t slide against the rear fender, provided the fender and the tire are stock. This is great if you suddenly lose air pressure in an unexpected event.
The difference between this XFMT kit and the one previously listed at #2 is the value addition of an electronic center stand kit that could be bolted on in minutes. The stand uses a linear actuator to raise or lower the stand’s legs electronically. It is lightweight since it is made up of aluminum and stainless steel and is designed to provide a sturdy base.
The electronic stand is compatible with all Harley Davidson touring models manufactured between 2009 and 2020. The stand cannot be used if the motorcycle uses cross-under exhaust pipes.
The XFMT Air Ride Suspension Kit is compatible with all touring models of Harley Davidson produced between the years 1994 and 2020.
4. XFMT Air Ride Suspension Kit Set
The XFMT Motorcycle Air Ride Suspension Kit for Harley Davidson Electra Glide is a complete kit designed and assembled to replace the stock, factory-mounted touring shocks on your Harley Davidson Electra Glide model and other Harley Touring models made between 1994 and 2020. The kit is fully height adjustable and the air in the system provides maximum comfort, even when the motorcycle’s ride height is at the default setting.
When fully collapsed- the suspension size of this kit is approx. 9.64 inches (24.5cm); when fully extended, the size is increased to 14.17 inches (36cm). The kit would enable you to lower your Harley Davidson Electra Glide by up to three inches with all of the air released.
You could re-fill all of the air back into the system in just a few seconds. With a high amount of convenience, this kit offers a lot of flexibility in terms of adjusting the ride height and tuning the motorcycle’s handling dynamics.
An air spring control system allows you to customize the springs for yourself as per your riding style. By adjusting the pressure level in the system, you can achieve greater rigidity during high-speed riding since this would require greater stability, or increase the severity of shock absorption when riding over rough terrain or while riding off-road. Quality alloys have been used in the system to improve its durability.
The rear tire won’t slide against the rear fender in case all air pressure is lost but provided the fender and the tire are stock (applicable on most ’09-Later models, or ’08-earlier models). Such is the design of the XFMT Air Ride System- ideal in situations where you suddenly lose air pressure due to unforeseen circumstances.
5. SLMOTO Rear Air Ride Suspension Kit with Electric Center Stand
The SLMOTO Air Suspension system is built specifically for Harley touring models made between 2017 and 2020. When fully collapsed, the suspension’s length is 9.64 inches (24.5cm) while a fully extended suspension system is 14.17 inches (36cm) long.
The kit enables your Harley Davidson motorcycle to lower the ride height up to 3 inches with all air released from the system. Air can be refilled in a jiffy to make the ride quality softer. The aluminum center stand uses a linear actuator to raise and lower the legs electronically and is designed to remain sturdy.
6. XMT-Motorcycle Air Ride System
Compatible with Harley Davidson touring motorcycles made between 1994 and 2020, the XMT Moto Air Ride Suspension System is a direct fit kit that lowers the ride height of your Harley Davidson Motorcycle. The kit uses Nickel and Brass fittings for maximum reliability.
The kit can be lowered up to three inches, so low that the motorcycle would seem like it is flat on the road, without the tire scraping the rear fender. Your Harley’s ride height can be adjusted for comfort or a sporty setup for more stability due to the flexibility it offers. The suspension length when collapsed is 9.64 inches (24.5cm) and while it is fully extended; its length is 14.17 inches (36cm).
Benefits of Best Motorcycle Air System
- Gives higher flexibility to riders to tune their suspension.
- The best Air Ride Suspension Systems are made of Brass and Nickel therefore they last longer.
- Air Ride Suspension kits make long rides more comfortable and tolerable.
- Installation is easy and non-complicated which means there are lesser chances of human error.
- Air Ride Systems can easily alter riding dynamics, unlike stock suspension units that don’t provide enough options to adjust settings.
- Helps in improving the handling and high-speed performance of a motorcycle.
- Elimination of Springs is a big plus.
FAQs on Motorcycle Air Ride Suspension System
- How does air ride suspension work on a motorcycle?
An air ride system works on compressed air that is supplied by the compressor to the air springs. The air compression ratio provides the necessary level of suspension stiffness or softness and allows you to get the desired result when driving in various conditions. The lower the pressure in the shock absorber, the lower it sags and vice-versa.
- Which is better- Spring Ride or Air Ride Suspension?
An air ride suspension system is better since it provides the convenience to soften or stiffen the suspension by a large margin. This is ideal for motorcycle enthusiasts since they can adjust their ride quality, no matter where they ride.
- Which is the best air ride system for Harley?
The best air ride kit for a Harley is XFMT Adjustable Rear Air Ride Suspension Kit. The metal parts used in the kit are nickel coated and hence they are highly durable. They include air springs with an air compressor that makes the entire system much more reliable. It fits a wide range of Harley touring models and is easy to install.
- Is Air ride suspension good for racing?
I’m slightly skeptical of suggesting an air ride system kit for racing since every mechanical and electric component in a race undergoes high amounts of stress and heat. An air ride suspension system could suffer from ruptured air springs or a failed compressor due to constant, rapidly changing surfaces and compression.
- Does Air Ride Suspension Improve Ride Quality?
The answer is yes! I’ve been saying all along that an air ride system is a comfort-oriented piece of technology that does wonders in softening the suspension without overdoing it and consequently, improves ride quality.
- What is the best air ride suspension?
The TCT-MT Rear would be the best motorcycle air ride system that lasts long, gives enough flexibility to the rider to choose the setting one desires, provides enough comfort on long rides, makes it easy to adjust the height of the motorcycle, and most importantly- provides maximum value for money.
The best air ride suspension systems have been mentioned and explained above. Which one do you choose?
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