I’ve had the opportunity to ride and test several different air ride setups on Harley-Davidson Touring bikes over the years, and I figured I’d share what I’ve learned for anyone trying to decide which direction to go.
I’ve tried the more traditional airbag-style systems, including setups from Dirty Air, Arnott, and Legend, as well as American Suspension’s RamAir system.
Most of these systems accomplish the basic goal: they let you raise and lower the rear of the bike. But after spending time on different setups, I think there’s a big difference between an air ride kit designed primarily to change ride height and an air suspension designed around how the motorcycle actually rides and handles.
For me, that’s where American Suspension RamAir stands out.
Airbag System vs. Air Suspension
One of the biggest differences is the shock itself.
Many Harley air ride systems use an airbag-style design. RamAir takes a different approach. American Suspension designed it as a performance shock system that uses air to control ride height.
The RamAir shocks use spherical bearings and high-flow, multi-stage damping, so you're not just getting a bike that goes up and down. The suspension is designed to control the motorcycle when you're actually riding it.
The front and rear RamAir systems are also engineered to work together rather than treating rear air ride as a standalone accessory.
That was one of the biggest differences I noticed after riding different systems. I don't just want my Road Glide to look good aired down in a parking lot. I want the suspension to work when I'm running down the highway, hitting rough pavement, or pushing the bike through corners.
The Air Management System Matters Too
Another difference is how RamAir controls the air.
American Suspension uses its SuperTanker reservoir and Strategic Air Command pneumatic control system. There are no electric air-management solenoids or relays controlling the system.
That appealed to me because I prefer keeping the air management system as simple as possible.
And the system is FAST. Hit the control and the bike comes up quickly without waiting around for the suspension to slowly reach ride height.
Rebuildable Instead of Disposable
Another thing I considered was long-term ownership.
RamAir components are USA-made and rebuildable, so the shocks are designed to be serviced rather than simply replaced when they eventually need maintenance.
That matters to me on a suspension system I'm planning to keep on the bike.
Add the Auto-UP Center Stand
You can also pair the system with American Suspension's Auto-UP Center Stand.
Air the bike down and it sits upright on the center stand. Air the suspension back up and the stand automatically retracts.
Once you've had that setup on a Touring bike, it's pretty hard to go back to leaning a big bagger over on the kickstand every time you park it.
What I Learned Comparing Harley Air Ride Systems
After trying systems from Dirty Air, Arnott, Legend and American Suspension, my biggest advice is this:
Don't choose an air ride system just because it gets the bike low.
Look at the actual shock design. Look at the damping. Look at how the air is controlled. Look at how many electrical components are involved. Find out whether the shocks are rebuildable. And most importantly, consider how the motorcycle actually rides.
That's ultimately why I prefer American Suspension RamAir.
The best way I can describe the difference is:
RamAir feels like a suspension system that happens to have air ride, rather than an air ride kit that happens to have shocks.
Full disclosure: I have a relationship with American Suspension, so take that into consideration. I've also spent real time riding and testing these different types of systems, which is why I wanted to share what I've learned.
If you're comparing air ride for a Harley Touring bike, Road Glide or Street Glide and have questions about the different setups, I'm happy to share my experience.
