230 pounds, 6'2", don't double up
90% of my riding is commuting
stock 1995 XLH 1200

What would be the best inexpensive rear shocks for me?

Thanks in advance.

 

Inexpensive is relative but I see a lot of guys posting about Progressive shocks. After reading a bunch of reviews I went ahead and bought a set. I have not had the chance to install them yet and they set me back about a $100.00 and change, so for me, it wasn't a big hit and I would consider them "inexpensive".

One thing I can say from (recent) experience is make sure that your pre-load is set properly. The stocks on my 48 were not set right for a guy my size and the ride was pretty hard on my back. But after I changed the pre-load, the ride was better. I'm still going to put the Progressive's on though.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. Two questions. Where do you have your preload at? I have mine in the middle. Second, where did you buy your progressives?

 

Hi Jim. If the shocks on your bike are old or original, they are probably worn out and in need of replacement. Unfortunately even when new stock shocks have poor quality damping, as do cheap, low cost, or inexpensive shocks from other manufacturers.

You can simply replace yours with cheap new shocks, which may feel fine, simply because they are new. Some Sporty owners use touring bike air shocks, but they are also cheap and are widely available secondhand, because the touring owners change them!

Personally I suggest you look at your options and check that the seller describes the damping system used. That alone will isolate the poor ones from the 'inexpensive' ones that are made and sold by someone who cares about their product.

 

You can always put some RG/SG Showa take offs on, makes a world of difference and adds air adjustment ability, so it's quick for luggage/2Up adjustments.

 

I'm 6' even and 220 so I have them set in P-3, they were in P-1 and my back felt it, much better now. This is out of my Sportster manual, I'm not sure if it's applicable to your shocks though. I bought them off of the Dennis Kirk website. Great customer service (they matched a lower online price) no hassle returns (a return label was in the box) and fast shipping. I'm a fan of DK now...

 

If you have the stock seat,changing to softer foam will make the world of difference.

 

Mustang Solo. that was the first change I made.

 

I'm 210 lbs and put RoadKing shocks on my 48 about half way through this past summer. The RK shocks are a significant improvement if I leave them at atmospheric pressure (don't add any air) for solo riding. When my wife gets on, I put 8-10psi in each side via the schrader valves I installed (a $8 modification) and it rides even better than it does solo.

My RK shocks were $60 bucks on craigslist from a guy who put struts on his electraglide. I'm glad I went that route instead of progressive but for my 48, I do need some lowering blocks. You probably won't notice a difference in ride height

 

That's exactly what I was thinking myself... Can't get cheaper than that...