Some have switched to air shocks. Used ones are not too expensive they say. Never tried it myself but lots of threads about it here. One example I found. HTH

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...installed.html

 

Unfortunately air shocks are not an option. The saddlebags I have have a cutout for the shocks and the air shocks won't fit. They are too wide. I have also read mixed results with them.

 

20 years!.....you should know to start with a plush seat.

Don't the European use 13.5 inch shocks (vs your 12.0) and still retain some style?

Anyway, good luck in your decisions.

 

I agree with Maximus. A Harley forum probably isn't the best place to get advice on leaving Harley and switching to BMW. Kinda like asking Obama which AR-15 you should by.

 

You're not missing anything with HD air shocks over your 412's. I had both on my previous Sportster. Though the air shocks were an improvement over stock and a bit less spine jarring, they're still pretty harsh. I then bought 412's and noticed a slight improvement in ride quality, over the air shocks. The 412's were slightly better, but still very similar to the air shocks. Can't blame you for your apprehension in going with Ohlin's, I wasn't willing to do it either. Just couldn't bring myselt to drop $1k for shocks on a $4k bike. I still have no first hand knowledge of what the ride quality would be with them on a Sporty. But on my FXR which is only 50Lbs heavier, it was a huge improvement. But they're also 14.5" which helps as well. IMO it would be an absolute waste of time, money & effort to replace your 412's with the air shocks.

 

Im pretty sure you can go 13.5" with the more expensive progressive 444 shocks, I wouldnt think there would be too many reasons why you couldnt go to 14.125, the swing arm usually doesnt run into many issues with upward travel, maybe some belt adjustment and some way to raise the front if needed to level it out. but even the cheap 13" may help alot, every inch really makes a difference when travel is so short. a $300, or even a $500 chance may be alot less expensive than a new bike!

 

We have an HDF sponsor who can build Ohlins shocks to a much wider variety of lengths and specs than Ohlins themselves offer and they will have a better quality ride than most, if not all, other brands. In addition Ohlins has a set of Sportster specific fork cartridges due out very soon, which are fully adjustable. You could be one of the first Sporty owners to have Ohlins front and rear (as I do for my Glide)!

 

my bike got the biggest change when fitting the progressive monotube kit ,the rear std. dampers got way better, cause the front end is now dead stabel, i run the road king dampers on the rear the tallest ones(got them after 6 rides with just the front end done), i would recomend the mono tube kit and se if that did not give the boost you wanted after that it´s 13" schocks off some sort and a better seat.


regards

Sören

 

I agree. I had RK shocks on my Sporty and they were way too harsh, even with 0psi. I'd look for some adjustable shocks from a 1200 Sport model. Great shocks.

 

you can drain the oil out of the HD air shocks an replace it with a lighter fluid. I read somewhere that 5 wt fork oil works great for a softer ride. That said...sounds like you're ready to move on from the sporty so I wouldn't drop any more coin on it. Wonder how the Buel's ride? I saw a Dyna today at a HD dealership that had a Buell front end on it....got my mind thinking, which usually costs me money.