Curious what made you switch to Legends cartridge ?

I was planing to add Fox Cartridge in the front but switched my mind to Traxxion damper rod kit. Just because it's easier to service and also I ride my bike really easy. All I need is front end brake dive gone and better bump absorption.

 

Just an FYI, installed Progressive monotube's on my Ultra, way too stiff and non-compliant. I installed them per instructions with two spacers, I will remove them and try with only 1 spacer. Anyone else experience this? I am the poster child of normal, 200lbs 6',0"

 

Yeah, they are not what you'd call "plush", but the control in corners and when braking is great.

 

I went with Fox. Used their spring kit up front and their QSR HD on the rear. The setup was a little too stiff at first but after a couple hundred miles they really smoothed out great. Beyond night and day difference in ride and handling. Almost no front end dive. Was under $1k for the set.

 

I've been super pleased with the Revo A's in the back. They took a while to break in, maybe 500-600 miles but now they're smooth yet the bike feels solidly planted.
Definitely want something less divey up front now.

 

On my 2021 Electra Glide std, that I ride 99% solo, I had adjusted the factory premium "low" shocks at #5 for my 200lbs, but it was still harsh on "rough" stuff. I contacted DK Customs and ordered 13" Bitubo shocks for a "plush" ride. My order is on the way, but based on many reviews, I'm sure I'll be happier with the upgrade.

I had done the "progressive" shock route on my 2012 sportster, but as other has noted they tend to run on the stiffer side and those that switched to Bitubo setup enjoyed a much more compliant ride.

DK Customs are great to deal with and very responsive to customer inquiries/orders.

 

I have the Bitubo WMEO 12" dual adjustable shocks and JBH front cartridges that are fully adjustable on my '21 SGS. The shocks are excellent and you will be very happy with the performance and comfort. Their JBH cartridges are equally as good and have full adjustments externally. It is too bad more people are not aware of Bitubo as their products are on par with Ohlins, Legends, etc. but at a much better price. Best value out there.

I have Progressive 944 shocks and their front cartridges on my '01 Electraglide and they are great. Those 944 shocks soak up any type of road condition. Their gas pressurized cartridges for the older touring models that are the same for both tube work really well.

 

Same here....way too stiff. I prefer the Progressive spring kit, just right and not too stiff.

 

My previous bike - my ‘99 Road King - I installed the Bitubo Twin Adjustable 13” shocks on the rear, and had the older style sealed Progressive Monotube Fork Cartridge kit - and absolutely loved the ride. The shocks setup per my specs were perfect! No brake dive at all with that Progressive Monotube fork cartridge kit! The ride front and rear was just perfect - i was astounded, and actually almost held onto that bike because of how well it rode…..

Both cartridges in the older Monotube kit were identical sealed nitrogen charged pistons, with minimal oil in the fork tubes for lubrication, the cartridges did all the dampening and spring rebound - NOT to be confused with newer version/kit where only one side has the sealed nitrogen piston, and the other side is literally just a rebound spring. I am NOT a fan of that style of fork cartridge kit like the new-er Progressive kit or the very physically similar Fox kit with one sealed cartridge and one rebound spring….but like anything, there are riders out there who love and swear by them……

Onward to my current bike - 2015 FLHTK - love this bike too! I was lucky enough to grab a deal on some gently preowned Ohlins shocks on this forum, from a member who traded off his bike i believe, and I am super happy with them - they are fantastic.

If I were buying new shocks again, I would probably opt for the Bitubo’s - again, as i think the bang for the buck simply cannot be beat - the performance was phenomenal, and essentially $550 plus any forum discount from forum sponsor DK Customs - versus - essentially $900-$1000 or more $ for Ohlins - Legend - RWD - JRI - ProAction - Supershox - Fox - etc….. I believe Bitubo can perform every bit as well as any of the premium shock options.

Front Suspension - as mentioned, I am not a fan of the Progressive or Fox options for my bike, due to the single sided design. I decided i wanted to again go with cartridges in the forks, as I believe, in my case, cartridges are virtually maintenance free. If a rider is putting on 10k-20k+ miles per year, regular service should still be minimized with cartridges in my opinion, as simple oil changes, which unfortunately still requires the forks be removed. I am sure riders who put significant miles on their bikes with cartridge kits in their forks can chime in with what real-world maintenance items come up every 2-3 years and or 20k+ miles……

That said - I came to a short list for fork cartridges - Legends, Ohlins, Bitubo, RacingBros, RWD, JRI, and Suspension Technologies. I chose Ohlins, basically to get the best, with the most well established support system, and a reasonable Holiday price, which was not much more then Legends…..my Ohlins cartridges will hopefully arrive on time - next week!

Then my bike will be all Ohlins - nice and matched - which was not a real determining factor…..The Holiday pricing I found was as of December 1-15, 2022, and all info. Here is assuming 2014-2016 Bat Wing HD installations, and costs indicated were OTD (out the door - shipped)

Fork Cartridge Kit - Cost - Externally Adjustable? - Warranty - Country of Origin

Legends - $780 - No - Lifetime - USA
Ohlins Nix 22 FKS 226 - $900 - Yes-adj - Lifetime? - Sweden
Bitubo - $655 - Yes-adj - 6-yr - Italy
Progressive - $440 - No - Lifetime - USA
Fox - $500 - No - 1-yr - USA
RacingBros Scepter 25mm - $480 - Yes-adj - 2-yr - Japan
JRI - $988 - Yes-adj - Lifetime - USA
Suspension Technologies - $875 - No - 2-yr - USA

4 of 8 options above offer external adjustability, albeit most likely requiring the forks be loosened & lowered in the triple-tree to do that, due to the proximity of the handlebars over the top of the fork tube caps on Bat Wing bikes, the other 4 require complete removal of the cartridges for adjustments……this of course leaves out some VERY great options - at considerably higher expense = Ohlins 30mm and 32mm kits, the GP kit, RWD, and a couple others……and also leaves out some VERY great economical spring & emulator options, from ProAction, Traxxion, Ricor, Racetech, etc…..all in the $300-$400 price range every day….

Good Luck - Your mileage may vary

 

2 spacers here on my 07 flhtc but I’m 280 lbs and rode it hard in the hills. It loosened up after a while . I love the ride on mine with the Ohlins on the rear.