Emulators vs. Cartridge Kit
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 438
Likes: 57
Emulators vs. Cartridge Kit
I am looking to upgrade the front end of my 2008 Street Bob. I was thinking about the Race Tech emulators but my local Indy is steering me towards a Progressive cartridge w/ external preload adjust. Says for a difference of $100 the performance is significantly better. Can someone get me opinions on the Progressives?
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 961
Likes: 192
From: Chicago
Had monotubes hated them
have ohlins nix 22s love them
the monotubes did nothing for me, brake dive was still there and they bottomed out to quick for my liking. If youre on a budget I suggest you look at race tech emulators with weight matched springs and preload adjusters. you just need to know how to properly set them up to your liking and fyi they would run close to the price of the progressives
have ohlins nix 22s love them
the monotubes did nothing for me, brake dive was still there and they bottomed out to quick for my liking. If youre on a budget I suggest you look at race tech emulators with weight matched springs and preload adjusters. you just need to know how to properly set them up to your liking and fyi they would run close to the price of the progressives
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 562
From: Indiana
I did emulators on a 1985 Honda and was beyond impressed with their performance. I did the rebuild of the forks, send the internals to Race Tech for the machining. So outside of that and the cost of the emulators it was a DIY. If you aren't going that route and the difference is only $100, I'd go spring for the Progessive/external adjustment option. THe Race Techs are adjustable but you have to remove the cartridge. You can change the spring and preload of it with a screw driver.
OR get a hold of Matt Wiley from Race Tech. VERY helpful guy who will go the extra mile for you. He can tell you exactly how to set up your forks for your weight/style of riding. The guy is a suspension set up genius. Writes for classic motorcycle rags and does "Ask the tech" type of columns. You can find him on facebook last I knew. I don't do FB anymore.
There isn't much to a standard fork. For the cost of paying someone to do the job you can easily buy a quality seal driver and do it yourself. Follow the service manual and have fun. These designs are 50 years old. Nothing special until you get into full on cartridge forks and NEED very specific tools. A good seal driver and drill/drill press would do a Race Tech upgrade.
Good luck, keep us posted what route you take and impressions.
OR get a hold of Matt Wiley from Race Tech. VERY helpful guy who will go the extra mile for you. He can tell you exactly how to set up your forks for your weight/style of riding. The guy is a suspension set up genius. Writes for classic motorcycle rags and does "Ask the tech" type of columns. You can find him on facebook last I knew. I don't do FB anymore.
There isn't much to a standard fork. For the cost of paying someone to do the job you can easily buy a quality seal driver and do it yourself. Follow the service manual and have fun. These designs are 50 years old. Nothing special until you get into full on cartridge forks and NEED very specific tools. A good seal driver and drill/drill press would do a Race Tech upgrade.
Good luck, keep us posted what route you take and impressions.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 227
Likes: 45
From: Santa Maria
Between the two options i'd go emulators and preload adjusters over the progressive cartridge setup. I ended up going with Terry Cable dampening rods with 15wt oil and preload adjusters. Terry sent me the rods for free so it was a very cheap option as I only had to purchase the oil and the adjusters. Night and day difference for me.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,321
Likes: 1,884
Had monotubes hated them
have ohlins nix 22s love them
the monotubes did nothing for me, brake dive was still there and they bottomed out to quick for my liking. If youre on a budget I suggest you look at race tech emulators with weight matched springs and preload adjusters. you just need to know how to properly set them up to your liking and fyi they would run close to the price of the progressives
have ohlins nix 22s love them
the monotubes did nothing for me, brake dive was still there and they bottomed out to quick for my liking. If youre on a budget I suggest you look at race tech emulators with weight matched springs and preload adjusters. you just need to know how to properly set them up to your liking and fyi they would run close to the price of the progressives
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 10,734
Likes: 3,755
From: SWFL
I’ve had Racetech springs and emulators in three bikes so far, currently in my FXR. IMO they are the best solution short of high end cartridges (Ohlins, etc.). Make sure to get the proper spring rate for your bike/weight.
Trending Topics
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 356
Likes: 47
From: freedom
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Cruiser
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 227
Likes: 45
From: Santa Maria
Again, im actually curious what other options you may have tried and why you like the racetech setup better.