Shocks upgrade
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 78
Likes: 4
Good comparative shock tests are hard to find, but this one from DK is pretty good. It does fail to include some popular choices, sadly.
http://www.dkcustomproducts.com/over...-shocks-15.htm
http://www.dkcustomproducts.com/over...-shocks-15.htm
this is is a great article thanks !
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 130
From: Vancouver
That article missed all the premium choices.
oh air suspension as someone mentioned. If you just want comfort...that's def something to consider.
oh air suspension as someone mentioned. If you just want comfort...that's def something to consider.
Last edited by bigbadpoppa; Sep 28, 2018 at 03:34 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 250
Likes: 8
From: Steel City
I'm pretty happy with the 13" Bitubos. Never ridden a bike with Ohlins or Legends, though.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 961
Likes: 192
From: Chicago
Depends on a few things.
Riding style?(aggressive or touring) knowing this will get you proper valving for your style
spring rate(your weight with gear or two up) plus how much do you ride percentage wise solo vs with passenger this is to achieve proper sag for YOUR personal setup
do you like fine tuning your shocks other than setting sag? (Rebound: the speed at which your shock returns after hitting a bump on quality shocks you can adjust the speed in very small increments, ohlins comes to mind. Legends is more broad in there rebound adjustments as their are only 6 settings)
Compression: how you shock first reacts going over a bump you can adjust whether you want it firm in order to stay planted or more relaxed for a long trip. This feature is only available on shocks around 1000+ and most average riders won’t get the full benefits of this given that Harley’s were never performance oriented to begin with but it’s out there and great to have if you do build a canyon carver dyna or fxr.
Best Thing to do is be completely honest with yourself on what you want out of your ride. Don’t blow 2k on front and rears you cant fully utilize and come back complaining on here that it don’t ride like a caddy. Research research research because the money you try to save by getting cheap shocks will soon and most likely cost you as you’ll be disappointed you didn’t spend the extra 200 on quality shocks!.
Btw stay away from progressive lol but that’s just MY opinion
Riding style?(aggressive or touring) knowing this will get you proper valving for your style
spring rate(your weight with gear or two up) plus how much do you ride percentage wise solo vs with passenger this is to achieve proper sag for YOUR personal setup
do you like fine tuning your shocks other than setting sag? (Rebound: the speed at which your shock returns after hitting a bump on quality shocks you can adjust the speed in very small increments, ohlins comes to mind. Legends is more broad in there rebound adjustments as their are only 6 settings)
Compression: how you shock first reacts going over a bump you can adjust whether you want it firm in order to stay planted or more relaxed for a long trip. This feature is only available on shocks around 1000+ and most average riders won’t get the full benefits of this given that Harley’s were never performance oriented to begin with but it’s out there and great to have if you do build a canyon carver dyna or fxr.
Best Thing to do is be completely honest with yourself on what you want out of your ride. Don’t blow 2k on front and rears you cant fully utilize and come back complaining on here that it don’t ride like a caddy. Research research research because the money you try to save by getting cheap shocks will soon and most likely cost you as you’ll be disappointed you didn’t spend the extra 200 on quality shocks!.
Btw stay away from progressive lol but that’s just MY opinion
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,870
Likes: 498
From: Alberta
We live an hour east of the start of the Alaska Highway. If you haven't ridden up here, you don't know how bad roads can get when exposed to a year round diet of -40 winters and heavy oilfield traffic...
Have ridden everything from BMW to HD and have had an XL, FXDXT and currently an FXDF. FXDXT had manually adjustable rebound and dampening front and rear; nice feature. Wife's stock FXDL rear suspension was hurting her; switched to 444 Progressives and she's happy. My FXDF "lost" it's rebound dampening and was really kicking me on frost heaves and bad bumps; 412's were a great improvement as well as Progressive front springs. We both ride our bikes solo, so once set up, might get one click of pre-load if bikes are loaded for a long tour.
The BMW ESA suspension is incomprable, but I'm not a North American BMW fan. We've both ridden FLH's, too, but find them too ponderous for our riding style.
Having ridden other bikes, I don't think thousands on suspension alone will make a silk purse outta these sow's ears we love to ride. A ride improvement can be had and enjoyed within budget
Just my opinion after 30 states and 6 provinces, as well as having ridden a variety of motorcycles. Your results may vary
Have ridden everything from BMW to HD and have had an XL, FXDXT and currently an FXDF. FXDXT had manually adjustable rebound and dampening front and rear; nice feature. Wife's stock FXDL rear suspension was hurting her; switched to 444 Progressives and she's happy. My FXDF "lost" it's rebound dampening and was really kicking me on frost heaves and bad bumps; 412's were a great improvement as well as Progressive front springs. We both ride our bikes solo, so once set up, might get one click of pre-load if bikes are loaded for a long tour.
The BMW ESA suspension is incomprable, but I'm not a North American BMW fan. We've both ridden FLH's, too, but find them too ponderous for our riding style.
Having ridden other bikes, I don't think thousands on suspension alone will make a silk purse outta these sow's ears we love to ride. A ride improvement can be had and enjoyed within budget
Just my opinion after 30 states and 6 provinces, as well as having ridden a variety of motorcycles. Your results may vary
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,145
Likes: 2,855
From: New York
First, if you want to drastically change the rideability of your Dyna you have to change the suspension “system” which includes both ends of the bike.
Second, you state you are willing to spend $1000 if in the end the bike will ride like a touring bike you may be looking in the wrong place. I have owned a touring bike and a Dyna with upgraded suspension. They both offer all day riding comfort. However, the Dyna will never ride like a touring bike for many reasons not the least of which is the weight, the combination of front suspension and wheel/tire and overall heft of the touring bike.
I much prefer the Dyna now as I am not riding two up very often. With a removeable Windshield and Leatherpro bags my bike is now a “ Sport Tourer”, the best of both worlds.
Last edited by Antonio Balls; Sep 30, 2018 at 09:51 AM.