Your settings on the SE Öhlins rear shocks?
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 161
Likes: 39
From: huntington beach
I had Öhlins 044 on my 22 street glide and could never get the sag right, even though my weight was correct for the spring, I think I needed a lighter spring. I ditched them for pro-action and it's waaay better, (probably because of the lighter spring) I used. I had the SE Öhlins and got rid of those, To get the best out of those you need to change the spring, talk to Ohlins, they will tell you which spring to go with.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 921
Likes: 303
From: Kincardine, Ontario, Canada
There isn't, the progressive springs are only found on the Screaming Eagle Ohlins and you have to use the supplied charts for set up, not what is found on the Ohlins website
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,034
Likes: 1,524
From: Bunola pa
unless i misread, theres a couple people in here posting thats what they did, thats what had me confused.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 921
Likes: 303
From: Kincardine, Ontario, Canada
I'm now at 14.0mm preload with rebound at 12 and compression at 16. Last nights test ride was better, probably the best I've experienced. I was chasing the wrong direction by reducing preload to get closer to the 1/3 sag you normally strive for
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 921
Likes: 303
From: Kincardine, Ontario, Canada
The story continues. While the ride is better, I'm still not happy. I've had performance shocks on other bikes and snowmobiles and have a good idea of how the ride should be.
I called John at Accelerated Technologies, where I purchased my performance snowmobile shocks. They also do look after motorcycles and racing of all types. John firmly believes the progressive springs are my problem, as they are a one-size-fits-all. The stiff section is just too stiff for my weight. They are an Ohlins retailer and approved service/repair shop for Ohlins. New springs for my weight, redo the valve shim pack, and service the shocks with new oil and nitrogen…all in around $1,000.00 CAD. I took the afternoon to mull that over.
I had a chat with George from Pro Action earlier in the week (he actually called me in the evening after hours), and he said basically the same thing as John from AT. Yesterday, I called them back and ordered their standard shock for $950 US or roughly $1,310 CAD plus shipping. The standard shock because I do not need as a street rider the piggyback system, we don't run hard enough or work the shocks hard enough to warrant it, and personally, I don't care for it sticking out.
The SE Ohlins has a lot of nice bells and whistles, it was a tough decision ordering new PA's vs swapping parts on the SE, but in the end once I have things set for me, I believe I'll be happier with the simplicity of the PAs
Thank you everyone for your input
I called John at Accelerated Technologies, where I purchased my performance snowmobile shocks. They also do look after motorcycles and racing of all types. John firmly believes the progressive springs are my problem, as they are a one-size-fits-all. The stiff section is just too stiff for my weight. They are an Ohlins retailer and approved service/repair shop for Ohlins. New springs for my weight, redo the valve shim pack, and service the shocks with new oil and nitrogen…all in around $1,000.00 CAD. I took the afternoon to mull that over.
I had a chat with George from Pro Action earlier in the week (he actually called me in the evening after hours), and he said basically the same thing as John from AT. Yesterday, I called them back and ordered their standard shock for $950 US or roughly $1,310 CAD plus shipping. The standard shock because I do not need as a street rider the piggyback system, we don't run hard enough or work the shocks hard enough to warrant it, and personally, I don't care for it sticking out.
The SE Ohlins has a lot of nice bells and whistles, it was a tough decision ordering new PA's vs swapping parts on the SE, but in the end once I have things set for me, I believe I'll be happier with the simplicity of the PAs
Thank you everyone for your input
Last edited by Candubrain; Sep 20, 2025 at 08:12 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 921
Likes: 303
From: Kincardine, Ontario, Canada
End of season update on the ProAction shocks with about 2,000 miles of riding time.
The shocks were sent with 120lb springs, and with the minimum of preload I'm about 1/2" from bottoming. I'm guessing this is a good thing as it allows that last 1/2" for those really big hits. I get the best (firmer) ride with both bleed offs set to +3, but I think I prefer the mushier +2 on the bleed offs. They were sent with +4 on the throttle side and 0 on the clutch side, being OCD they have to be set the same for me.
The linear springs on the PA shocks are better IMHO than the progressive springs I had on the SE Ohlins. Gone is that back end lift on anything more than a subtle bump. I definitely don't miss the piggy backs sticking out and it makes it easier for cleaning....lol
I also believe that the spherical bearings that are at the ends of the PAs make sense compared to the rubber mounted bushing the SE Ohlins use, the bearings allow for misalignment, and movement without binding. Very surprised that the SE don't use it as well.
In the end I'm happier. I see that the new for 2026 SE Ohlins now come with linear springs and new valving to match. The SE Ohlins with their individual adjustments for Compression and Damping allow for better tuning, but for the average Joe the PA single bleed offs are more than adequate.
Snow today, salt on the roads, that's the season end for me.
The shocks were sent with 120lb springs, and with the minimum of preload I'm about 1/2" from bottoming. I'm guessing this is a good thing as it allows that last 1/2" for those really big hits. I get the best (firmer) ride with both bleed offs set to +3, but I think I prefer the mushier +2 on the bleed offs. They were sent with +4 on the throttle side and 0 on the clutch side, being OCD they have to be set the same for me.
The linear springs on the PA shocks are better IMHO than the progressive springs I had on the SE Ohlins. Gone is that back end lift on anything more than a subtle bump. I definitely don't miss the piggy backs sticking out and it makes it easier for cleaning....lol
I also believe that the spherical bearings that are at the ends of the PAs make sense compared to the rubber mounted bushing the SE Ohlins use, the bearings allow for misalignment, and movement without binding. Very surprised that the SE don't use it as well.
In the end I'm happier. I see that the new for 2026 SE Ohlins now come with linear springs and new valving to match. The SE Ohlins with their individual adjustments for Compression and Damping allow for better tuning, but for the average Joe the PA single bleed offs are more than adequate.
Snow today, salt on the roads, that's the season end for me.
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