Need Advice on Shocks
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 77
Likes: 1
From: new rochelle, ny
Just installed Ohlins 039 on my special...they seemed to be most recommended on this forum. Was only able to take a short ride...but seams like a big improvement. Got them from Howard...very helpful.
Forget about the HD premium...rode like a stagecoach. I think they are designed for adding touring weight. Now I'm thinking about the front end.
Forget about the HD premium...rode like a stagecoach. I think they are designed for adding touring weight. Now I'm thinking about the front end.
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Advanced
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 59
Likes: 22
From: Nebraska
I also thought that after some sort of break in they would level out a bit. I've got just over 7000 miles on, and I'm thinking they should be broke in.
I'm a bit peeved that you pay this amount of money on a nice bike and it rides like crap. I want my old Heritage back at this point.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 17
From: Rosamond, Cali
At 165# I don't know that the HD adjustables will be the ticket. I'm 205 and had the 12" HD hand adjustables and they were stiff as heck. I hear the 13" are a little better, but still at your mass they're going to be stiff.
Progressives with 'standard' (not the heavy duty) springs might work. The 944's probably won't because they seem to be designed for two-up. Look at the 444's (I think that's the model number).
I had JRI A's. They were ok. 12" again.
I currently have the Ohlins 3-3's from Howard. That's my recommendation. Give Howard your specs and let him set a pair up for your weight. All that jarring, back-bone whackingness (new word) should be history. Then the front-end will become more the issue. But the front's a lot less problematic regarding ride. You might not even have an issue with the front. It's those stock air-shocks that get ya'.
Alan
Progressives with 'standard' (not the heavy duty) springs might work. The 944's probably won't because they seem to be designed for two-up. Look at the 444's (I think that's the model number).
I had JRI A's. They were ok. 12" again.
I currently have the Ohlins 3-3's from Howard. That's my recommendation. Give Howard your specs and let him set a pair up for your weight. All that jarring, back-bone whackingness (new word) should be history. Then the front-end will become more the issue. But the front's a lot less problematic regarding ride. You might not even have an issue with the front. It's those stock air-shocks that get ya'.
Alan
Last edited by AlanStansbery; Apr 3, 2015 at 09:19 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 19
Yes, I bought the air pressure pump from Harley, another 50 bucks, and read the manual, and adjusted them according to the chart, and I can't seem to find the sweet spot. I've tried 10 lbs, 7 lbs, 5 lbs, 0 lbs, it doesn't seem to make a difference.
I also thought that after some sort of break in they would level out a bit. I've got just over 7000 miles on, and I'm thinking they should be broke in.
I'm a bit peeved that you pay this amount of money on a nice bike and it rides like crap. I want my old Heritage back at this point.
I also thought that after some sort of break in they would level out a bit. I've got just over 7000 miles on, and I'm thinking they should be broke in.
I'm a bit peeved that you pay this amount of money on a nice bike and it rides like crap. I want my old Heritage back at this point.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 502
From: Northern WV
I think the main problem is there's only 2.1" of total suspension travel on these bikes. Set with the minimal 25% sag leaves only 1.5" of compression travel available! Harley could design in a longer travel suspension, say 4" and we'd have a much, much better ride. But no manufacturer puts style over function more than HD and that much suspension would completely alter the "slammed" look most HD buyers value. Premium shocks and springs specific to our load weight will improve the ride but there's only so much that can be done with 2" of travel.
If I were buying premium or aftermarket shocks for a SG they'd be the longest ones that work.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 141
Likes: 3
From: WA
Look into around 68 Corvette shock they are air ride modifiable to put on baggers. I've seen it done on a lot of baggers. I did hear there is not a lot of travel in the newer stock baggers. Softer seat helps also and bars that sit you in more of a seated position. Slammed bikes just mean slower speeds.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,903
Likes: 29,883
From: PNW
I ordered my Ohlin 2.5s from Howard. I chose to buy them from Howard vs anywhere else because he basically pioneered the marriage of Harley and Ohlin. Also, I was thinking I wanted the 2.5 and it is proprietary to him I believe. I chose Ohlins because they have been at the top of the suspension food chain for years. I was well familiar with them from my BMW days. Not to mention, it's very difficult to find a bad review of Ohlins here or anywhere else. The same can't be said for any other shock manufacturer other than maybe JRI.
Ordering is a process but easy. Go to his website -
http://www.motorcyclemetal.com/index.html
Click on "Touring Ohlins", read and scroll down to click on the links -
"Basic: What's The Difference in Shocks and How They Work?"
and
"Shock Pre-Purchase Considerations".
Once you have some knowledge under your belt, call Howard to get insights on what you need. I found him to be very pleasant to speak with. That was on a Sunday afternoon btw. Next, fill out the build sheet -
http://www.trac3.net/motorcycle-metal/orderform.cfm
and send it in. Once Howard looked over my sheet, he sent me an invoice, which I paid immediately, and he had them on their way that day. They are due to arrive Thursday so I will start a full review after I install them.
It was a reassuring process and I know I got the right shock for my needs. Anything short of the way Howard does it would make me question if I got the right tool for the job.
Ordering is a process but easy. Go to his website -
http://www.motorcyclemetal.com/index.html
Click on "Touring Ohlins", read and scroll down to click on the links -
"Basic: What's The Difference in Shocks and How They Work?"
and
"Shock Pre-Purchase Considerations".
Once you have some knowledge under your belt, call Howard to get insights on what you need. I found him to be very pleasant to speak with. That was on a Sunday afternoon btw. Next, fill out the build sheet -
http://www.trac3.net/motorcycle-metal/orderform.cfm
and send it in. Once Howard looked over my sheet, he sent me an invoice, which I paid immediately, and he had them on their way that day. They are due to arrive Thursday so I will start a full review after I install them.
It was a reassuring process and I know I got the right shock for my needs. Anything short of the way Howard does it would make me question if I got the right tool for the job.
Last edited by nevada72; Apr 4, 2015 at 11:33 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 36
From: Lafayette La
I ordered my Ohlin 2.5s from Howard. I chose to buy them from Howard vs anywhere else because he basically pioneered the marriage of Harley and Ohlin. Also, I was thinking I wanted the 2.5 and it is proprietary to him I believe. I chose Ohlins because they have been at the top of the suspension food chain for years. I was well familiar with them from my BMW days. Not to mention, it's very difficult to find a bad review of Ohlins here or anywhere else. The same can't be said for any other shock manufacturer other than maybe JRI.
Ordering is a process but easy. Go to his website -
http://www.motorcyclemetal.com/index.html
Click on "Touring Ohlins", read and scroll down to click on the links -
"Basic: What's The Difference in Shocks and How They Work?"
and
"Shock Pre-Purchase Considerations".
Once you have some knowledge under your belt, call Howard to get insights on what you need. I found him to be very pleasant to speak with. That was on a Sunday afternoon btw. Next, fill out the build sheet -
http://www.trac3.net/motorcycle-metal/orderform.cfm
and send it in. Once Howard looked over my sheet, he sent me an invoice, which I paid immediately, and he had them on their way that day. They are due to arrive Thursday so I will start a full review after I install them.
It was a reassuring process and I know I got the right shock for my needs. Anything short of the way Howard does it would make me question if I got the right tool for the job.
Ordering is a process but easy. Go to his website -
http://www.motorcyclemetal.com/index.html
Click on "Touring Ohlins", read and scroll down to click on the links -
"Basic: What's The Difference in Shocks and How They Work?"
and
"Shock Pre-Purchase Considerations".
Once you have some knowledge under your belt, call Howard to get insights on what you need. I found him to be very pleasant to speak with. That was on a Sunday afternoon btw. Next, fill out the build sheet -
http://www.trac3.net/motorcycle-metal/orderform.cfm
and send it in. Once Howard looked over my sheet, he sent me an invoice, which I paid immediately, and he had them on their way that day. They are due to arrive Thursday so I will start a full review after I install them.
It was a reassuring process and I know I got the right shock for my needs. Anything short of the way Howard does it would make me question if I got the right tool for the job.
Worth noteing is when filling out Howard's form for the percentages of riding solo and 2 up for the weights. Insure the weights are correct, if you ride solo with the TP off you will need to let him know. The TP is around 55lbs and Iv read a reviews from guys that could not get the shocks dialed in to there low body weight.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 434
From: PA
Good Info thanks for posting the Links, anyone care to share the out of pocket cost for these shocks
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 36
From: Lafayette La
The 2~A is the shorter, adjustable spring rate shocks, $635 from Howard.