The Everything 2018+ Heritage Thread
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 103
Likes: 54
From: Minnesota
I just recently pulled the trigger on a Penske triple adjustable shock and GP cartridges in the fork. Night and day difference. It now rides like a sport touring bike. Firm and responsive, yet glides over bumps.
What you're adjusting with the stock shock is preload, not height adjustment. Preload sets sag based on rider weight. Stock does not have height adjustment. Most higher end shocks will have adjustments for height, preload, compression (high and low speed preferably) and rebound damping. Get the best suspension you can, your back will thank you, and the twisties will get immensely more enjoyable.
What you're adjusting with the stock shock is preload, not height adjustment. Preload sets sag based on rider weight. Stock does not have height adjustment. Most higher end shocks will have adjustments for height, preload, compression (high and low speed preferably) and rebound damping. Get the best suspension you can, your back will thank you, and the twisties will get immensely more enjoyable.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 511
From: Colorado
I just recently pulled the trigger on a Penske triple adjustable shock and GP cartridges in the fork. Night and day difference. It now rides like a sport touring bike. Firm and responsive, yet glides over bumps.
What you're adjusting with the stock shock is preload, not height adjustment. Preload sets sag based on rider weight. Stock does not have height adjustment. Most higher end shocks will have adjustments for height, preload, compression (high and low speed preferably) and rebound damping. Get the best suspension you can, your back will thank you, and the twisties will get immensely more enjoyable.
What you're adjusting with the stock shock is preload, not height adjustment. Preload sets sag based on rider weight. Stock does not have height adjustment. Most higher end shocks will have adjustments for height, preload, compression (high and low speed preferably) and rebound damping. Get the best suspension you can, your back will thank you, and the twisties will get immensely more enjoyable.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 511
From: Colorado
I've got my 2021 Heritage pretty close to what I want, but have been reading about rear shocks.
Stock shock is 'ok', servicable, but wonder if maybe going to a slightly longer shock like Fox 13.5" long might be better / softer? Ohlins too short, Progressives close.
If I adjust the stock shock too high it rides harsh an jittery. Too soft and it bottoms over edges and train tracks.
Is this the right thread for this question?
Stock shock is 'ok', servicable, but wonder if maybe going to a slightly longer shock like Fox 13.5" long might be better / softer? Ohlins too short, Progressives close.
If I adjust the stock shock too high it rides harsh an jittery. Too soft and it bottoms over edges and train tracks.
Is this the right thread for this question?
As far as a rear shock... Well ya just about anything is going to be better riding. Preload is necessary unless you can quickly and easily change the spring to one right for you... Then it won't be 2 up. There is nothing good for both. After that a spring is a spring. Sure there is progressive rates, quality materials... But a spring is a spring. The "ride" is all about controlling the spring. Rebound damping, is necessary for a good ride. Compression damping I personally find less useful. I little is good, I never use a lot. If I don't have it, no big deal.
And with all that adjustability, you can tune the ride to you and your weight and your ride. That's what makes a good ride. But if you have nothing up front... Just stock... Then you can't ballance front and rear... And front is arguably more important.
So, what is it you are trying to accomplish? Because preload is not softness control. Preload is for setting correct ride hight within the shock travel. And that's it. Less preload just sets you deeper in the travel. So what are you trying to improve?
Last edited by Powermankw; Jul 28, 2024 at 01:09 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,545
Likes: 545
From: MN
But what are you trying to do? Most increase shock length for more ground clearance. If you get a longer shock, it's more travel instead of a spacer. But there are physical limits to longer or more travel.
As far as a rear shock... Well ya just about anything is going to be better riding. Preload is necessary unless you can quickly and easily change the spring to one right for you... Then it won't be 2 up. There is nothing good for both. After that a spring is a spring. Sure there is progressive rates, quality materials... But a spring is a spring. The "ride" is all about controlling the spring. Rebound damping, is necessary for a good ride. Compression damping I personally find less useful. I little is good, I never use a lot. If I don't have it, no big deal.
And with all that adjustability, you can tune the ride to you and your weight and your ride. That's what makes a good ride. But if you have nothing up front... Just stock... Then you can't ballance front and rear... And front is arguably more important.
So, what is it you are trying to accomplish? Because preload is not softness control. Preload is for setting correct ride hight within the shock travel. And that's it. Less preload just sets you deeper in the travel. So what are you trying to improve?
As far as a rear shock... Well ya just about anything is going to be better riding. Preload is necessary unless you can quickly and easily change the spring to one right for you... Then it won't be 2 up. There is nothing good for both. After that a spring is a spring. Sure there is progressive rates, quality materials... But a spring is a spring. The "ride" is all about controlling the spring. Rebound damping, is necessary for a good ride. Compression damping I personally find less useful. I little is good, I never use a lot. If I don't have it, no big deal.
And with all that adjustability, you can tune the ride to you and your weight and your ride. That's what makes a good ride. But if you have nothing up front... Just stock... Then you can't ballance front and rear... And front is arguably more important.
So, what is it you are trying to accomplish? Because preload is not softness control. Preload is for setting correct ride hight within the shock travel. And that's it. Less preload just sets you deeper in the travel. So what are you trying to improve?
The OEM bike shock is harsh yet can still bottom. In my view, it's a shitty shock.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 511
From: Colorado
I'd use the analogy of a Bilstein nitrogen-over-oil shock that has ported damping ring vs. OEM stock supplied all oil shocks. The combination of liquid and gas provides softer spring rate and the ported damping ring shortens the damping.
The OEM bike shock is harsh yet can still bottom. In my view, it's a shitty shock.
The OEM bike shock is harsh yet can still bottom. In my view, it's a shitty shock.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 789
From: France
My best friend has one and it's really a very nice bike, on the other hand don't complain, in the US there is only $2500 surcharge, in France you have to add €7300 to the price of the Heritage, it's a lot and not necessarily justified...
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,545
Likes: 545
From: MN
Good on you for puling the trigger.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 26
Likes: 19
From: Northern Michigan
They do fit. The only reason it says they don't fit the Heritage is because they don't have the driving light symbol stamped on the left switch. You just have to remember that's where you turn on the driving lights.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,465
Likes: 625
Did you install the GP cartridges? Curious how it went. I saw an install video a long time ago and it talked about having to machine the lip off the bottom of the fork tube. Is that still the case?
Zach
Zach
I just recently pulled the trigger on a Penske triple adjustable shock and GP cartridges in the fork. Night and day difference. It now rides like a sport touring bike. Firm and responsive, yet glides over bumps.
What you're adjusting with the stock shock is preload, not height adjustment. Preload sets sag based on rider weight. Stock does not have height adjustment. Most higher end shocks will have adjustments for height, preload, compression (high and low speed preferably) and rebound damping. Get the best suspension you can, your back will thank you, and the twisties will get immensely more enjoyable.
What you're adjusting with the stock shock is preload, not height adjustment. Preload sets sag based on rider weight. Stock does not have height adjustment. Most higher end shocks will have adjustments for height, preload, compression (high and low speed preferably) and rebound damping. Get the best suspension you can, your back will thank you, and the twisties will get immensely more enjoyable.