Ohlins Shock
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,953
Likes: 1,170
From: Northern Colorado
I've only went high $ on suspension on one bike I've owned. Had a 00 Dyna that I did BiTubo's out back and a full RaceTech front build. Everything was spec'd to my weight and riding style, almost 3k total. I tried really hard to justify the cost because I felt very little difference, definitely not 3k difference. I used to canyon ride with some fast dudes every weekend and it was the same overall effect. Did get some cool stickers and the guy I sold it to ended up paying more because if it but yeah, I guess everyone's got different butt-o-meters
And before anyone asks, yes my Dyna had full Sputhe stabilizers and even the chassis was aligned by a known shop so the bike overall was as dialed as a Dyna can get.
And before anyone asks, yes my Dyna had full Sputhe stabilizers and even the chassis was aligned by a known shop so the bike overall was as dialed as a Dyna can get.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 686
From: Forest Hill, Md
I went from stock to Progressives on my old 05 Ultra Classic and it was a bit of an improvement. A few years later I swapped those out for Ohlins from the late Howard Messner(Motorcycle Metal) and the difference was amazing. Even my wife agreed how much smoother and comfortable the ride was. I moved them over to my 14 Ultra Limited when I bought it and still love the ride.
The ONLY thing I don't like is that you are supposed to have them serviced every 4 years at a cost of $400-$500 so that makes them less desirable to me. To be honest, I didn't know that when I bought them and have yet to have any service done but they still feel like they did the day I bought them so...
The ONLY thing I don't like is that you are supposed to have them serviced every 4 years at a cost of $400-$500 so that makes them less desirable to me. To be honest, I didn't know that when I bought them and have yet to have any service done but they still feel like they did the day I bought them so...
Cruiser
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 118
Likes: 38
From: Riverside, CA
I have the Ohlins on my bike. Not the SE ones. The problem with the SE version is it has a progressive spring for a one size fits all approach. Getting the Ohlins ones you can get the spring for your weight. My ole lady just got a lowrider S as well. Same tires as me. Riding them back to back I forgot how bad the stock suspension was. She agreed and we already ordered the Ohlins fork tubes and rear shock for her bike. The bike feels significantly more connected to the road and not nearly as harsh on some of the less maintained roads.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,548
Likes: 548
From: MN
Reading about some of the older bikes with riders not noticing much ride difference from an upgrade makes me wonder if MoCo cheapened the suspension with M8 model intros? Because there is a huge difference on my softail. The factory suspension is basically junk.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 140
Likes: 81
From: Wisconsin
I went with the Progressive 465 rear shock. My bike is set up for 2 up riding so I went with the heavy weight spring. It is great. I paid a bit over $900 for it at Daytona bike week, show price. The problem with Progressive shocks is, they make 3 or 4 different levels of shocks. People buy the cheapest ones ($400) and complain they aren't any good. Then go and spend $1,200 on something else and say how crappy Progressives are. My 465's are the top of the line and work amazing. My experience.
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