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Let me throw another name in the basket...Geezer Engineering, one that just happened to show up in my feed the other day, anyone use this set-up? https://geezerengineering.com/
Their pricing and the looks of their suspension products are really sharp and definitely competitive with other premium brands - but i know nothing about them - I too stumbled upon them in my suspension upgrade research - I am definitely looking forward to hearing feedback from Riders using the geezerengineering components.
I went with the Screamin Eagle/Ohlins route. After last season on the stock set up, I had to upgrade it before this season. Plus dealer gave 10% Veteran discount, so why not. Install was a breeze. Cant wait to put some miles on them.
I wanted to get back on my suspension decision on my new to me 25k miles '17 SG.
Went with Pro Action front and rear. Damper rod in the front. 3 1/2" travel shocks in the rear.
Surprisingly the damper rod set up uses 20wt oil. Never done that before. Of course the Pro Action set up has larger holes to make it work.
I ride 95% of the time solo, so my rear springs are figured for that load.
The shocks have 3 stage incrementally pressure sensitive self-adjusting compression valving and 2 stage pressure sensitive rebound system (copy & pasted lol).
Plus a bleed off valve that control both (stiffer or softer overall).
With that said I was told this is more of a sporting suspension vs just plush. I tend to agree with that.
Very in control suspension & the front feels pretty dialed. The rear is close - I increased preload 1/4 turn as it was right on bottoming too easily. I believe my next adjustment will be a small bleed off adjustment to acquire just a bit more plush.
Anyway I tend to push the backroads and I feel this is a good suspension for that. Not maybe smoother than stock but I feel more in control (I had weave before).
Hope this helps.
I wanted to get back on my suspension decision on my new to me 25k miles '17 SG.
Went with Pro Action front and rear. Damper rod in the front. 3 1/2" travel shocks in the rear.
Surprisingly the damper rod set up uses 20wt oil. Never done that before. Of course the Pro Action set up has larger holes to make it work.
I ride 95% of the time solo, so my rear springs are figured for that load.
The shocks have 3 stage incrementally pressure sensitive self-adjusting compression valving and 2 stage pressure sensitive rebound system (copy & pasted lol).
Plus a bleed off valve that control both (stiffer or softer overall).
With that said I was told this is more of a sporting suspension vs just plush. I tend to agree with that.
Very in control suspension & the front feels pretty dialed. The rear is close - I increased preload 1/4 turn as it was right on bottoming too easily. I believe my next adjustment will be a small bleed off adjustment to acquire just a bit more plush.
Anyway I tend to push the backroads and I feel this is a good suspension for that. Not maybe smoother than stock but I feel more in control (I had weave before).
Hope this helps.
Glad it worked for you. I sent back my proaction in 2 weeks. No matter how much I tweaked didnt work for me.
Put on RWD and much happy. Its got 4 of travel and plusher than Pro Action.
Let me throw another name in the basket...Geezer Engineering, one that just happened to show up in my feed the other day, anyone use this set-up? https://geezerengineering.com/
On my old 2005 Ultra I had stock air, Pro Action then Ohlins 357 out back, and Progressive mono tubes in front.
I took the 357 off my 05 when I traded it in and put them on my 19 Limited.
Due to a very unfortunate circumstance, I went with Russ Weirnmont RS1s got new Ohlins 357 back and have had Legend Axeo up front on my 19 limited.
Heres my take, roughly 45K or so miles between both bikes (25K on the latter).
Stock is junk, but you already know that.
Both the ProAction and RS1 were really good shocks, slight nod to RS1 for their ease of adjustability. Customer service at ProAction and RWD was outstanding, period.
Im a big guy, 290 geared up, wife is 155 geared up. I was sold on the RS1 as just changing the bleed valve settings from 1 to 2 up. That wasnt the case for me.
I tried 3 different sag settings per RWD, 1/2, 3/4 and full 1 inch.
In the end, from my own experience, the Ohlins rode as good if not better solo than the others, but 2 up is where they really shine. 26 nm springs on them I should add.
They shined over rough roads, pot holes, rail road tracks, etc. They soak up the bumps the best and leave a planted feeling in corners.
ALL the shocks are very, very good. But I got the best ride, again especially 2 up, with the Ohlins.
On the front end the Legend Axeo are better than stock. But Im still not a fan. Theyre simply too harsh for a touring bike.
When I have the time/energy, Ill be swapping them out for Ohlins NIX up front and be done.
Over the course of a few weeks earlier this year, I did the blind shock challenge with my wife. Same roads changed the settings several times on both the RWD and then the Ohlins.
She didnt know which were on the bike. She noticed an immediate difference from RWD to Ohlins . And again, i tried different sag settings and bleeder adjustments as instructed, I even went a bit out of the range of suggestion just to know. She was happiest with the Ohlins as was I. Theres a particular road by me with more cold patch than should be allowed by law lol. It can feel like a washboard or be 90% absorbed by the shocks and barely feel like a ripple. The Ohlins shined here big time.
Again, Im not bagging on any of these companies, the ProAction and RWD were quality, really good shocks.
For me, my weight, passenger weight, riding style and crap roads in metro Detroit, the Ohlins work best for me.
As far as adjustment for Sag, the Ohlins are hands down WAY better. I wasnt a fan of the lock collars and spanner wrench needed for the RWD. As much as I switch from one up to two up, I simply turn the collar on the Ohlins 6 full turns from one up to two, if Im geared up for a trip with luggage and more of her stuff I give it 7 turns.
General rule is one turn for every 25lbs of weight. Ive been using the preload calculator (on Ohlins website) for ring settings instead of sag measurements and Ive gotten the best overall results from that.
All good choices, I simply found the best one for me.
I had similar experiences with RWD and Ohlins.
Last year, I bought a 2022 RG 107. I was coming off of a 2013 Dyna Switchback with Racetech GoldValve Emulators and springs, with Hagon 13" Nitro shocks with adjustable preload and rebound. My wife also has a 2013 Switchback with Bitubo Twin Adjustables.
Especially, after the test, I knew going into this bike purchase, suspension was at the top of the list for mods. For the front, I went with Traxxion's AR-25 fork kit. For the price of $499 at that time (their kit includes 2 qts of fork oil as well), the performance is very good. There is still a touch of sting in the front on hard hits, but I think that's also related to the 19" front rims. Quick sidebar, a couple of weeks ago, my buddy and I went riding and swapped bikes for most of the ride. He has just bought a totally stock 2017 RK, and I was shocked how much of plushness difference the RK's 17" front and 16" rear rims make.
For shocks, I originally wanted the Ohlins HD 044's, but couldn't take the hit of $1,500. I considered the Bitubo's that my wife has on her bike, but started reading about RWD's. The 4" of travel, remote rez, a few click adjustment for 2up...I was sold. As you had mentioned, anything is better than stock, and the RWD's are a very nice upgrade. However, I always had a "sting" in the ride, and had literally gone through every combination of the 2 clickers in search of a great balance of plushness and sport. Initially set the sag at 1" (per instructions), and also tried 3/4" and 1/2". 3/4" was best for 2up. Also, for 2up, I found the claim of not having to adjust for preload not to be true. Again, this is not to disparage the shocks as they are a worthy upgrade. Also, I understand, they now have a "soft valve" option upon request. I'd love to give those shocks another whirl with that option some time.
So, I bought the Ohlins HD 044's. With zero adjustment on the shocks, during my 1st ride out, the experience provided was much more to my liking. I did some research on optimal settings / starting points for settings, and am now at 14 clicks in for Rebound and 15 clicks (the middle of the range I believe) for compression. It is by far the best shock set I've had experience with. My wife also noted the difference. When riding her own bike, she comments that the ride provided by her Bitubos is not as nice as my bike 2up.
I had similar experiences with RWD and Ohlins.
So, I bought the Ohlins HD 044's. With zero adjustment on the shocks, during my 1st ride out, the experience provided was much more to my liking. I did some research on optimal settings / starting points for settings, and am now at 14 clicks in for Rebound and 15 clicks (the middle of the range I believe) for compression. It is by far the best shock set I've had experience with. My wife also noted the difference. When riding her own bike, she comments that the ride provided by her Bitubos is not as nice as my bike 2up.
I really I liked the ProAction and RWD..they were pretty good solo. I liked the idea of free bleed tuning only on the RWDs, but it just never worked out.
I did not like the lesser quality lock rings and scanner wrench needed to turn preload rings. Onlins is MUCH better and is easily done by hand.
Both had great customer support.
I didnt take the same hit you did. I bought mine used from a friend with very low miles, similar setup to me who traded his bike in.
He bought them from Howard (RIP) and I got them for about half price.
I sent them into Howard for a rebuild, and as most of us know the story, he passed.
A few guys here helped me get a set back, they were brand new in a box as they couldnt locate my particular shocks despite me being able to give them an undeniable description (one of my reservoir line bolts was shaved due to a little rear pulley contact lol).
I had the Pro Action prior to my first set of used Ohlins. I picked up the RWD because I didnt think Id get my Ohlins back due to circumstance.
I really lucked out with the good guys here helping out Howards family cant say enough about how gracious and appreciative I am of TJ and Dave for doing that.
I think most of these shocks are fairly close for solo riding. Its the HD044 or 357 that really, really shine 2 Up. And you know what they say happy wife happy life.
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