Seeking rear suspension opinions
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 45
Likes: 17
From: NC
Seeking rear suspension opinions
Hey there. I've read through pages and pages of everybody's thoughts on different options for the rear of a street glide. But everyone's mods, weight, riding style, and desired feel is obviously different. So here is one more suspension post to add to the pile.
I already changed out the front suspension because it was so sloppy on braking and cornering. Love the front feel now, but this change just reinforced how bad the rear is. I have looked at Ohlins and JRI, and I'm open to any other suggestions. I'd appreciate a few opinions on what my best choices would be given these assumptions:
- The bike is a 2019 Street Glide Special, 9k miles
- Rear shocks are OEM-currently have a Covington 1" lowering kit on the rear and prefer to keep the rear height where it is.
- Front suspension has been changed to Progressive monotubes, lowered.
- I like a performance/firm suspension but for the occasional 2-up, I do want comfort in the rear
- Solo weight is 220 and 2-up is 220+145. About 80% solo riding.
Your thoughts?
Thanks for your time.
I already changed out the front suspension because it was so sloppy on braking and cornering. Love the front feel now, but this change just reinforced how bad the rear is. I have looked at Ohlins and JRI, and I'm open to any other suggestions. I'd appreciate a few opinions on what my best choices would be given these assumptions:
- The bike is a 2019 Street Glide Special, 9k miles
- Rear shocks are OEM-currently have a Covington 1" lowering kit on the rear and prefer to keep the rear height where it is.
- Front suspension has been changed to Progressive monotubes, lowered.
- I like a performance/firm suspension but for the occasional 2-up, I do want comfort in the rear
- Solo weight is 220 and 2-up is 220+145. About 80% solo riding.
Your thoughts?
Thanks for your time.
Last edited by 83883; May 18, 2023 at 04:46 PM. Reason: .
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 721
Likes: 374
From: Daytona
I had a 2017 Street Glide, I feel your pain, literally. I spent the grand and went the Ohlins route, it was a minor improvement. Let’s face it, nothing will make up for lack of suspension travel.
I did finally fix the issue though. I traded it for a 2019 Heritage. These are the best riding Harleys since the FXRs were discontinued.
I did finally fix the issue though. I traded it for a 2019 Heritage. These are the best riding Harleys since the FXRs were discontinued.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 45
Likes: 17
From: NC
I had a 2017 Street Glide, I feel your pain, literally. I spent the grand and went the Ohlins route, it was a minor improvement. Lets face it, nothing will make up for lack of suspension travel.
I did finally fix the issue though. I traded it for a 2019 Heritage. These are the best riding Harleys since the FXRs were discontinued.
I did finally fix the issue though. I traded it for a 2019 Heritage. These are the best riding Harleys since the FXRs were discontinued.
Oh well... thanks for the input.
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From: Knoxville
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 668
Likes: 246
From: San Diego, CA.
Investing in a quality aftermarket shock upgrade will ABSOLUTELY be noticeable in a positive riding experience. You already improved your ride with the fork component upgrade.
There are more threads on this forum than i can count covering the “which shocks or front suspension should i buy” - search them out & read to your hearts content.
Having run oem, then Bitubo and Ohlins - I too am surprised at the comment that Ohlins was a “minor improvement” for that rider…..maybe that rider feels the HD oem suspension is acceptable……who knows, they might be in the .5%……Harley oem shocks compared to any of the fantastic $800-$1000 aftermarket shock options = no comparison = oem is exceptionally lacking……
Most all of the Great aftermarket shock options fall into the $800-$1000 range (Ohlins, RWD, ProAction, JRI, Suspension Technologies, SuperShox, Legends, etc…) and for the most part, all offer significantly improved ride characteristics- then you jump to the top $$ at $1500 for a set of the remote reservoir shocks - unless you race or really ride hard, there are many who believe the additional $500+ expense from the aforementioned Quality Aftermarket shock pool to the arguably best/premium Remote Reservoir shock set is negligible…
If you are on a tight(er) budget or just don’t feel like spending $800+ = check out the Bitubo Twin Adjustable Italian Racing shocks (version WME) = $475 setup for you and your details from SuperBikeUnlimited = in my humble opinion the Best Bang for the $$$ - I put them on my last bike and would not hesitate to buy them again
My current ride I went all in - Ohlins cartridges in the front and Ohlins shocks - and i would not hesitate to buy either Bitubo or Ohlins and recommend both to everyone.
In the end - your money - your choice - if you choose any of the quality options you will be happy with the improved ride.
Happy Shopping
There are more threads on this forum than i can count covering the “which shocks or front suspension should i buy” - search them out & read to your hearts content.
Having run oem, then Bitubo and Ohlins - I too am surprised at the comment that Ohlins was a “minor improvement” for that rider…..maybe that rider feels the HD oem suspension is acceptable……who knows, they might be in the .5%……Harley oem shocks compared to any of the fantastic $800-$1000 aftermarket shock options = no comparison = oem is exceptionally lacking……
Most all of the Great aftermarket shock options fall into the $800-$1000 range (Ohlins, RWD, ProAction, JRI, Suspension Technologies, SuperShox, Legends, etc…) and for the most part, all offer significantly improved ride characteristics- then you jump to the top $$ at $1500 for a set of the remote reservoir shocks - unless you race or really ride hard, there are many who believe the additional $500+ expense from the aforementioned Quality Aftermarket shock pool to the arguably best/premium Remote Reservoir shock set is negligible…
If you are on a tight(er) budget or just don’t feel like spending $800+ = check out the Bitubo Twin Adjustable Italian Racing shocks (version WME) = $475 setup for you and your details from SuperBikeUnlimited = in my humble opinion the Best Bang for the $$$ - I put them on my last bike and would not hesitate to buy them again
My current ride I went all in - Ohlins cartridges in the front and Ohlins shocks - and i would not hesitate to buy either Bitubo or Ohlins and recommend both to everyone.
In the end - your money - your choice - if you choose any of the quality options you will be happy with the improved ride.
Happy Shopping
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 11,155
From: San Diego, CA
My touring shock experience is with a '12 Ultra Limited and a '16 Ultra Classic. Both have 13" shocks versus the 12" shocks that come on the Street Glide...
I went to Supershox (model SR1, when they first came out with their HD touring shocks) on the '12 Limited. Night & day difference from the air shocks.
I went with Ohlins (HD772, Blackline 329) on the '16 Classic. Night & day difference from the air shocks.
I think I prefer the Ohlins, but Super Shox has been improving their shocks and now offer two more models above the original SR1 shocks.
One thing I really like about Super Shox, is they take into consideration the use of their lowering mount on their shocks. No other shock manufacturer I have read about, talks about how their shocks will handle the affect of using a lowering mount.
Super Shox says, "With the Super Shox Premium and Platinum Series riders can be assured that the overall ride quality will NOT be compromised. We have engineered the proper shock valving and spring rate to work with the increased angle and location and an end result being an incredible ride that is better than in the stock location."
Since you have and like your lowering mounts, I would probably suggest the Super Shox...
Good luck with your decision...
I went to Supershox (model SR1, when they first came out with their HD touring shocks) on the '12 Limited. Night & day difference from the air shocks.
I went with Ohlins (HD772, Blackline 329) on the '16 Classic. Night & day difference from the air shocks.
I think I prefer the Ohlins, but Super Shox has been improving their shocks and now offer two more models above the original SR1 shocks.
One thing I really like about Super Shox, is they take into consideration the use of their lowering mount on their shocks. No other shock manufacturer I have read about, talks about how their shocks will handle the affect of using a lowering mount.
Super Shox says, "With the Super Shox Premium and Platinum Series riders can be assured that the overall ride quality will NOT be compromised. We have engineered the proper shock valving and spring rate to work with the increased angle and location and an end result being an incredible ride that is better than in the stock location."
Since you have and like your lowering mounts, I would probably suggest the Super Shox...
Good luck with your decision...
Last edited by hattitude; May 19, 2023 at 09:38 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 45
Likes: 17
From: NC
Thanks guys.
Man, great reply and very helpful... I appreciate that. I will check out the Bitubo's as I know nothing about them. Cost isn't a huge deal (within reason), I just want the best shock for my application.
Interesting info right there. Thanks for taking the time to share all this info and experience, it is definitely appreciated. Hope you guys all get some good riding weather this weekend.
Man, great reply and very helpful... I appreciate that. I will check out the Bitubo's as I know nothing about them. Cost isn't a huge deal (within reason), I just want the best shock for my application.
......
One thing I really like about Super Shox, is they take into consideration the use of their lowering mount on their shocks. No other shock manufacturer I have read about, talks about how their shocks will handle the affect of using a lowering mount....
Good luck with your decision...
One thing I really like about Super Shox, is they take into consideration the use of their lowering mount on their shocks. No other shock manufacturer I have read about, talks about how their shocks will handle the affect of using a lowering mount....
Good luck with your decision...