Shocks recommendations for Low Rider
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 4,384
Likes: 8,742
From: Texas
Hello,
I have a friend who has a 2005 Dyna Low Rider. 99% of the time she rides solo but once in a while will carry a passenger. She is motivated to put new shocks on her bike and needs suggestions. I think she is budgeting $500. She would like black instead of chrome, if that is available.
I would love some recommendations for her with a little description of why you like them. Thank you in advance!
I have a friend who has a 2005 Dyna Low Rider. 99% of the time she rides solo but once in a while will carry a passenger. She is motivated to put new shocks on her bike and needs suggestions. I think she is budgeting $500. She would like black instead of chrome, if that is available.
I would love some recommendations for her with a little description of why you like them. Thank you in advance!
Too stiff..., not stiff enough..., bottoms out - Ride height too high / too low
More importantly: what's she trying to achieve
What's her riding style - laid back / speed racer / somewhere in between
No need in fixing a $200.00 problem with a $600.00 solution (money left over for gas)
Most don't push their suspension hard enough to know the difference..., nor need they care
Ghost
Last edited by Ghost_13; Aug 3, 2016 at 02:11 PM.
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Club Member
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What's her motivation
Too stiff..., not stiff enough..., bottoms out - Ride height too high / too low
More importantly: what's she trying to achieve
What's her riding style - laid back / speed racer / somewhere in between
No need in fixing a $200.00 problem with a $600.00 solution (money left over for gas)
Most don't push their suspension hard enough to know the difference..., nor need they care
Ghost
Too stiff..., not stiff enough..., bottoms out - Ride height too high / too low
More importantly: what's she trying to achieve
What's her riding style - laid back / speed racer / somewhere in between
No need in fixing a $200.00 problem with a $600.00 solution (money left over for gas)
Most don't push their suspension hard enough to know the difference..., nor need they care
Ghost
her shocks are quite rusty and she doesn't like the ride. They are the original shocks, 11 years old, and she doesn't want to pay to re-chrome them. She doesn't like the feel when she has a passenger.
She is a seasoned rider and rides a bit aggressively.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 2,554
From: UK
I'm running 13" Hagon Nitros. Purchased 2 years ago. Then, they were $500, I think they're somewhere around $550 these days. I was also considering Progressive 444's. Went with the Hagon since they build them specifically for your weight, riding style, etc. Like the 444's, they have adjustable preload. Unlike the 444's, the Nitros have dampening adjustment. Futzing with both preload and dampening has allowed me to really dial in the shocks for me. Also, went with 13" shocks since they have 3.2" of travel vs. the 2.1" of travel in the stock shock. In reality, since the shocks are at an angle, they only lift the rear about 1/2"...barely noticeable. Having said that, I think due to the slightly increased height and because of the shocks themselves, I find it's rare I scrape the floorboards in turns where previously I was scraping notably more. I would emphatically recommend not going shorter than stock length as ride quality will be compromised.
I also vote for the Hagon Nitros. Pretty much the best you will find for the money and fully adjustable. Call Hagon and talk about rider weight, riding style etc. They will build them to this spec. Black and other colour options available to suit....
13" will give a much better ride than the stock 12" as well.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,416
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From: San Quirino, Italy
Hello,
I have a friend who has a 2005 Dyna Low Rider. 99% of the time she rides solo but once in a while will carry a passenger. She is motivated to put new shocks on her bike and needs suggestions. I think she is budgeting $500. She would like black instead of chrome, if that is available.
I would love some recommendations for her with a little description of why you like them. Thank you in advance!
I have a friend who has a 2005 Dyna Low Rider. 99% of the time she rides solo but once in a while will carry a passenger. She is motivated to put new shocks on her bike and needs suggestions. I think she is budgeting $500. She would like black instead of chrome, if that is available.
I would love some recommendations for her with a little description of why you like them. Thank you in advance!
Last edited by Northbound Southerner; Aug 3, 2016 at 06:21 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 4,384
Likes: 8,742
From: Texas
Setting aesthetics aside for a bit (new one's will take care of that
)You didn't mention height - so I'll assume current shock length is fine
Could you expand on "she doesn't like the ride." & "She doesn't like the feel when she has a passenger."
Solo:
Ride too harsh = over the hwy
Or
Ride too harsh = RR Tracks / pot holes / bumps / and the like
Or
Both
=============
2 up:
Is the ride (bike response) overly sluggish by chance
=====
Apologize for playing 20 questions - but it the only way to provide half way decent feedback / recommendation
Her current springs (spring rate) - may be too stiff for solo.., okay for 2 up
But the shocks shot and exacerbating poor handling while 2 up
Just looking for confirmation this is the case
I'm thinking - current springs too stiff.., and shocks shot
Side note
Buying new shocks - no matter the brand/ price..., w/ too stiff a spring for her weight - won't accomplish anything - the ride will still be rough as all get out
Any chance of her visiting a local suspension shop
Getting lower priced shocks w/ properly fitted springs = she'll be riding in comfort and control
Be nice if there were a one size fits all answer..., there isn't
Ghost
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 4,384
Likes: 8,742
From: Texas
Ghost
That said I'm going to be putting Hagon Nitros on my bike when the time comes, Unless I can afford the price jump to pro actions.
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Howdy Ma'am
Setting aesthetics aside for a bit (new one's will take care of that )
You didn't mention height - so I'll assume current shock length is fine
Could you expand on "she doesn't like the ride." & "She doesn't like the feel when she has a passenger."
Solo:
Ride too harsh = over the hwy
Or
Ride too harsh = RR Tracks / pot holes / bumps / and the like
Or
Both
=============
2 up:
Is the ride (bike response) overly sluggish by chance
=====
Apologize for playing 20 questions - but it the only way to provide half way decent feedback / recommendation
Her current springs (spring rate) - may be too stiff for solo.., okay for 2 up
But the shocks shot and exacerbating poor handling while 2 up
Just looking for confirmation this is the case
I'm thinking - current springs too stiff.., and shocks shot
Side note
Buying new shocks - no matter the brand/ price..., w/ too stiff a spring for her weight - won't accomplish anything - the ride will still be rough as all get out
Any chance of her visiting a local suspension shop
Getting lower priced shocks w/ properly fitted springs = she'll be riding in comfort and control
Be nice if there were a one size fits all answer..., there isn't
Ghost
Setting aesthetics aside for a bit (new one's will take care of that
)You didn't mention height - so I'll assume current shock length is fine
Could you expand on "she doesn't like the ride." & "She doesn't like the feel when she has a passenger."
Solo:
Ride too harsh = over the hwy
Or
Ride too harsh = RR Tracks / pot holes / bumps / and the like
Or
Both
=============
2 up:
Is the ride (bike response) overly sluggish by chance
=====
Apologize for playing 20 questions - but it the only way to provide half way decent feedback / recommendation
Her current springs (spring rate) - may be too stiff for solo.., okay for 2 up
But the shocks shot and exacerbating poor handling while 2 up
Just looking for confirmation this is the case
I'm thinking - current springs too stiff.., and shocks shot
Side note
Buying new shocks - no matter the brand/ price..., w/ too stiff a spring for her weight - won't accomplish anything - the ride will still be rough as all get out
Any chance of her visiting a local suspension shop
Getting lower priced shocks w/ properly fitted springs = she'll be riding in comfort and control
Be nice if there were a one size fits all answer..., there isn't
Ghost
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