Front Suspension Upgrade?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 187
From: Near St. Louis Mo.
Front Suspension Upgrade?
Working a deal on some Ohlin STX36's for the rear. Looking for suggestions and feedback on a good match for the front. Ohlin cartridges are kinda out of my budget. Thinking Legend or Progressive... Looking for feed back on what would match up well or should I just save up and go all in on the Ohlins?
Thanks
Thanks
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 84
From: New Jersey
Working a deal on some Ohlin STX36's for the rear. Looking for suggestions and feedback on a good match for the front. Ohlin cartridges are kinda out of my budget. Thinking Legend or Progressive... Looking for feed back on what would match up well or should I just save up and go all in on the Ohlins?
Thanks
Thanks
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 233
From: North East, MD
I went with Progressive (monotubes on front and 13.5" 444SDs on the rear) It's way better than stock but in my opinion it could be more compliant. I'm not a fan of the way the one sprung/one damped leg system Progressive uses misaligns the axle bolt. But, the price is right on the Progressives and as I already stated it's far better than the stock setup.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 328
From: Southern Utah, USA
I also have the Progressive in the front and it works pretty good. Be sure you get a later release with the heavy damper spring. The progressive setup is known to have "CLUNK" if the return is too rapid. My kit came out before the updated spring and it will occasionally clunk. Progressive sent me a replacement spring but it does not do it often enough to warrant tearing the whole front end apart. Otherwise, I'm happy enough with the results.
The idea of one spring supporting the front of this monster and the other leg in charge of ride control seems retarded, and I personally don't like it. If I'd had that knowledge beforehand, I'd have saved my dollars and gone with Ohlin.
I've seen springs break, and believe me, things DO break...and if that one single front spring were to ****, it wouldn't be pretty...BUT...I'm stuck with Progressive and probably won't change until I absolutely need get into the front end again.
The idea of one spring supporting the front of this monster and the other leg in charge of ride control seems retarded, and I personally don't like it. If I'd had that knowledge beforehand, I'd have saved my dollars and gone with Ohlin.
I've seen springs break, and believe me, things DO break...and if that one single front spring were to ****, it wouldn't be pretty...BUT...I'm stuck with Progressive and probably won't change until I absolutely need get into the front end again.
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 10,734
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From: SWFL
I agree with this. Once you get great shocks on the rear youll really notice the deficiencies of the stock forks. Live with it a while, save money and do it right. I have the Ohlins FKC-102s which are about half the price of the NIX 30mm carts and they are great. Not adjustable, but great anyway. Plus my dealer was able to intstall them.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
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From: Bear Flag, lower end
I have to ask, is your statement based on experience with the H-D Single Cartridge front setup?
Thanx,
Paul