Riding through Panama City, Florida, on a 2025 Harley-Davidson® Tri Glide® Ultra is about as satisfying as it gets on three wheels. You’ve got the unmistakable rumble of the Milwaukee-Eight® 114, full-dresser comfort, and that confident stance that makes every ride feel like a statement. But no matter how good the engine rumbles or how sharp the paint looks, your ride’s comfort and control ultimately come down to one thing: suspension.
And when you’re navigating everything from sand-dusted beach roads to patchy inland pavement, getting your suspension right isn’t optional. It’s essential. So, if you’re rolling through Gulf breeze mornings or crossing town for a long-haul launch, this one’s for you.
Let’s dig into how the suspension system of the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Tri Glide® Ultra works, what makes it unique, and how riders in the Panama City area can get the best performance and comfort out of it.
The 2025 Harley-Davidson® Tri Glide® Ultra comes straight from the factory with a suspension system tailored to handle the added weight and geometry of a three-wheeled touring setup. That means front dual bending valve forks and a rear emulsion shock system, both of which are designed to offer more consistent damping across a wide range of road conditions.
The rear suspension also includes a single-knob preload adjuster, giving you an easy way to fine-tune for cargo and passenger load without pulling out tools or heading into a shop. And considering the trike’s ample storage, thanks to a King Tour-Pak® and locking trunk, that adjustability isn’t a bonus. It’s crucial.
If you’ve spent any time riding around the Florida Panhandle, you know the roads have their moods. You’ve got stretches of coastal highway that feel like freshly paved runways, and then you hit inland routes with wear-and-tear from rain, sun, and salt. That mix of conditions is where a well-tuned suspension really proves its worth.
Suspension affects more than how smooth the ride feels. It plays a big role in how well your trike responds to braking, cornering, and weight transfer. Get it wrong, and you’re fighting your ride through every pothole and speed bump. Get it right, and you float across the pavement like it’s second nature.
Tip #1: Don’t Ignore the Preload Adjuster
This is the one suspension feature every 2025 Harley-Davidson® Tri Glide® Ultra owner should get familiar with. Harley-Davidson® built the 2025 model with a single external knob to adjust preload on the rear suspension. No guessing games. No crawling under the frame. Just twist to increase or decrease the tension on the springs based on your load.
Let’s say you’re heading out for a solo afternoon cruise across Hathaway Bridge. Lighten the preload a bit and enjoy a softer, more relaxed ride. But if your weekend plan includes a co-rider, full bags, and that “just in case” gear we all swear we need, bump that preload up. This simple change keeps the suspension from bottoming out and improves overall control.
The road from Panama City to Destin is a great example of where this comes into play. On a smooth highway, improperly set preload can still lead to a bouncing or wallowing feel when cornering or transitioning lanes. Dialing in your setup can make the entire trip feel more planted and stable.
Tip #2: Tire Pressure and Suspension Are Teammates
Your 19-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels play a supporting role in how your suspension performs. And like any good support act, they need to be tuned just right to let the main show shine.
Check your tire pressure regularly. It’s one of those quick checks that has an outsized impact on suspension feel. Too low, and your tires absorb more road than your shocks, leading to sluggish handling and faster wear. Too high, and you’ll feel every pebble on the road like a jackhammer. Properly inflated tires help your suspension do what it’s meant to do: manage movement, not fight it.
Around Panama City Beach, where road temperature and surface conditions can shift quickly throughout the day, keeping your tire pressure in check can mean the difference between a confident cruise and an unpredictable slog.
Tip #3: Use the Local Terrain to Test and Tune
One of the benefits of living near Panama City is having a variety of road types within easy reach. Want to test suspension under braking and slow turns? Try cruising through the neighborhoods off Thomas Drive. Need some longer sweepers? Route 98 east toward Mexico Beach gives you time to feel how the suspension handles smooth pavement at speed. Want to see how it handles with a full load? Pack up and hit Route 20 inland toward Blountstown.
Each road gives you insight into how your 2025 Harley-Davidson® Tri Glide® Ultra is behaving. Take note of any excessive bouncing, bottoming out, or wallowing in turns. Then make small adjustments and go again. It’s trial and error, but the good kind, one that pays off every time you hit the road after that.
Tip #4: Don’t Overload One Side of the Bike
With 6.8 cubic feet of luggage space, it’s easy to get carried away loading up your trike. But keep in mind that weight distribution matters. It’s not just about how much you carry, but where you carry it.
Try to keep heavier items centered and low. Load evenly between the trunk and the Tour-Pak®. Avoid piling too much gear on one side, which can lead to body roll or uneven suspension compression that’s tough to feel until you're already mid-turn. On longer rides, especially when navigating curvy coastal routes or backroads, poor distribution can result in vague handling or rear-end instability.
So yes, bring the gear, but pack smart.
Tip #5: Watch for Changes Over Time
Suspension components don’t last forever. Even with the Harley-Davidson® emulsion tech keeping things smooth, shocks will eventually lose their damping efficiency, especially in hotter climates or after repeated long-distance rides.
If you start to notice that familiar roads feel rougher or your trike doesn’t recover from dips the way it used to, it could be time to service or replace your suspension components. It’s a subtle shift at first, but it can lead to fatigue on long rides or diminished safety when braking hard.
If you’re unsure, take your trike in and have it checked by someone who knows Harley-Davidson® three-wheelers inside and out.
What sets the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Tri Glide® Ultra apart in its class is that it wasn’t built with a one-size-fits-all mindset. The engineers clearly knew the rider who would buy this trike was going places. Big places. The suspension reflects that.
The front dual bending valve forks are designed to provide a linear damping curve, which means they respond consistently over a variety of road surfaces. You won’t get that harsh jolt when hitting minor road imperfections. Instead, it’s a fluid reaction that keeps the front end planted while preserving feedback to the rider.
Out back, the emulsion rear shocks paired with the manual adjuster give you control, comfort, and simplicity. It’s a thoughtful combination that suits both the solo rider and the two-up tourer who takes Panama City Beach’s shoreline routes one weekend and crosses state lines the next.
If you want to get the most from your 2025 Harley-Davidson® Tri Glide® Ultra, your suspension needs to work with you. And while some tweaks can be made at home, sometimes it pays to let a team of experts fine-tune it to perfection.
Visit Harley-Davidson® of Panama City Beach near Panama City, FL, to schedule a test ride or a suspension checkup. Our staff knows what local riders need and can help set your trike up to match your riding style and the terrain you ride most.
A better ride is just one knob twist away. Get your suspension dialed in and hit the road with the comfort and control your 2025 Harley-Davidson® Tri Glide® Ultra was built to deliver.