Fxdwg Shocks
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Joined: Jun 2016
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From: CT and LI
Fxdwg Shocks
So I'm sure this question has been answered 1000 times in the past, so let's make it 1001. I am curious what would be a good spring and shock upgrade for my 12 wideglide? I'm looking for something that can handle the weight of 2up riding without bottoming out and then also be good for going out solo. Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.
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From: Galt's Gulch - MI
I've yet to have a compelling reason to change out the rear shocks; I weigh 145 pounds and never ride 2 up so the rears set to a #4 preload have worked well for me.
That front needed to be done though, and with a quickness; it's wildly under sprung for a bike of this weight. I could easily bottom out the forks during threshold/maximum braking practice and the front had head shake during deceleration, unstable with surface irregularities, and felt nervous and wanted to drift wide during cornering.
I installed the Progressive Heavy 11-1546 springs and followed Progressive's recommendations on 15wt fluid, spacer length, and fluid measurement; the difference was like night and day. The bike is firm and planted under heavy braking practice, she's solid and stable in corners; the bike feels solid now, not squirming about.
Those springs are most likely why I didn't bother with the rear shocks; she's that good now; those Heavy springs are one of the best bang for the buck upgrades you can do; cost you just over one Benjamin. You'll find best pricing of the Heavy springs on Amazon and it will take 2 liters of 15wt fork fluid to do the job on these 49mm forks. This is a job you can do yourself with a lift and a few simple tools and it's an upgrade every Wide Glide owner should do. When you see the garbage HD put in those front forks, then you'll understand
One day I'll be looking at Öhlins for the front, but for now, I'm a happy camper...
That front needed to be done though, and with a quickness; it's wildly under sprung for a bike of this weight. I could easily bottom out the forks during threshold/maximum braking practice and the front had head shake during deceleration, unstable with surface irregularities, and felt nervous and wanted to drift wide during cornering.
I installed the Progressive Heavy 11-1546 springs and followed Progressive's recommendations on 15wt fluid, spacer length, and fluid measurement; the difference was like night and day. The bike is firm and planted under heavy braking practice, she's solid and stable in corners; the bike feels solid now, not squirming about.
Those springs are most likely why I didn't bother with the rear shocks; she's that good now; those Heavy springs are one of the best bang for the buck upgrades you can do; cost you just over one Benjamin. You'll find best pricing of the Heavy springs on Amazon and it will take 2 liters of 15wt fork fluid to do the job on these 49mm forks. This is a job you can do yourself with a lift and a few simple tools and it's an upgrade every Wide Glide owner should do. When you see the garbage HD put in those front forks, then you'll understand
One day I'll be looking at Öhlins for the front, but for now, I'm a happy camper...
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Joined: Jun 2016
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From: CT and LI
Thanks for the advice, called and talked to Howard last night and put in my order for ohlins shocks this morning.
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 98
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From: CT and LI
Ended up going with #3, #3 B Ohlin's Blackline adjustable height shock. He suggested several different models, but in the end the one I went with met everything I was looking for.
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Joined: May 2010
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I've yet to have a compelling reason to change out the rear shocks; I weigh 145 pounds and never ride 2 up so the rears set to a #4 preload have worked well for me.
That front needed to be done though, and with a quickness; it's wildly under sprung for a bike of this weight. I could easily bottom out the forks during threshold/maximum braking practice and the front had head shake during deceleration, unstable with surface irregularities, and felt nervous and wanted to drift wide during cornering.
I installed the Progressive Heavy 11-1546 springs and followed Progressive's recommendations on 15wt fluid, spacer length, and fluid measurement; the difference was like night and day. The bike is firm and planted under heavy braking practice, she's solid and stable in corners; the bike feels solid now, not squirming about.
Those springs are most likely why I didn't bother with the rear shocks; she's that good now; those Heavy springs are one of the best bang for the buck upgrades you can do; cost you just over one Benjamin. You'll find best pricing of the Heavy springs on Amazon and it will take 2 liters of 15wt fork fluid to do the job on these 49mm forks. This is a job you can do yourself with a lift and a few simple tools and it's an upgrade every Wide Glide owner should do. When you see the garbage HD put in those front forks, then you'll understand
One day I'll be looking at Öhlins for the front, but for now, I'm a happy camper...
That front needed to be done though, and with a quickness; it's wildly under sprung for a bike of this weight. I could easily bottom out the forks during threshold/maximum braking practice and the front had head shake during deceleration, unstable with surface irregularities, and felt nervous and wanted to drift wide during cornering.
I installed the Progressive Heavy 11-1546 springs and followed Progressive's recommendations on 15wt fluid, spacer length, and fluid measurement; the difference was like night and day. The bike is firm and planted under heavy braking practice, she's solid and stable in corners; the bike feels solid now, not squirming about.
Those springs are most likely why I didn't bother with the rear shocks; she's that good now; those Heavy springs are one of the best bang for the buck upgrades you can do; cost you just over one Benjamin. You'll find best pricing of the Heavy springs on Amazon and it will take 2 liters of 15wt fork fluid to do the job on these 49mm forks. This is a job you can do yourself with a lift and a few simple tools and it's an upgrade every Wide Glide owner should do. When you see the garbage HD put in those front forks, then you'll understand
One day I'll be looking at Öhlins for the front, but for now, I'm a happy camper...
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