rear performance shock comparison
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 682
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From: fallbrook, socal
rounder - excellent point on Works - I hadnt relaized that
Im in complete agreemnt witht he 412s, which is why I really didnt consdier them on here - I dont know much about the 418s so I did put them up for trial by fire if so necessary :')
please feel free to add others and their benefits/detriments
i really wanna here of guys that have the works and ohlins in this comparison currently or prior to give real world feedback too!
thanks guys for comments so far
Im in complete agreemnt witht he 412s, which is why I really didnt consdier them on here - I dont know much about the 418s so I did put them up for trial by fire if so necessary :')
please feel free to add others and their benefits/detriments
i really wanna here of guys that have the works and ohlins in this comparison currently or prior to give real world feedback too!
thanks guys for comments so far
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
rounder - excellent point on Works - I hadnt relaized that
Im in complete agreemnt witht he 412s, which is why I really didnt consdier them on here - I dont know much about the 418s so I did put them up for trial by fire if so necessary :')
please feel free to add others and their benefits/detriments
i really wanna here of guys that have the works and ohlins in this comparison currently or prior to give real world feedback too!
thanks guys for comments so far
Im in complete agreemnt witht he 412s, which is why I really didnt consdier them on here - I dont know much about the 418s so I did put them up for trial by fire if so necessary :')
please feel free to add others and their benefits/detriments
i really wanna here of guys that have the works and ohlins in this comparison currently or prior to give real world feedback too!
thanks guys for comments so far
I want to use the difference in 2 autos for comparison. Say you narrow down your next family car to the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. You can get all the feedback praising one over the other. thing is each car is quite a bit different in the way they ride and handle. Your personal preference is the deciding factor between the two. I don't really know if a properly set up Works tracker rides any much differently than a Ohlin or Yss, but if they do, your preference will completely lie on which you feel you like better. This is regardless of who has better technology. The thing about Works, If they send you an Accord and you wanted a Toyota, they will modify the shock to feel more like a Toyota.
This was just something I thought about and it may not really apply with Motorcycle shocks. I could be way off base with this, just thought I would throw it out there.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 577
Likes: 4
When I ordered my Ohlins, I immediately had buyers remorse, I was sure i had spent way too much, and they could never be worth it.
After installing them, and riding a few hundred miles in the twisties and on the crappy Ca freeways, I think they were one of single best mods I have ever done on any bike I have owned over the last 45 years. The difference was better than I hoped for.
Still expensive as all get out though. With a "blow out" sale at Hard Racing they were just under $1,000 delivered. Howard at FastHarley has some great pricing as well, but thsy are still twice the others.
After installing them, and riding a few hundred miles in the twisties and on the crappy Ca freeways, I think they were one of single best mods I have ever done on any bike I have owned over the last 45 years. The difference was better than I hoped for.
Still expensive as all get out though. With a "blow out" sale at Hard Racing they were just under $1,000 delivered. Howard at FastHarley has some great pricing as well, but thsy are still twice the others.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
FXDX take offs would be the poor mans answer. Plenty of FXDX and FXDXT owners that wanted a lower more traditional look and took those 13 inchers off and swapped em out for something else. Also if your looking for a more plush ride and a little more ground clearance a set of Electraglide shocks will get the job done cheap. And still if you want a softer ride without the extra hieght of the FLH shocks there's 12" Street Glide take offs and knock offs of those as well. I should also mention that pretty much any of the above air shocks will ride better than Progressive 412s for less money. I also don't think my Heavy duty 412s ride all that bad, it's not like I'm motocrossing the thing.
Last edited by SPECIAL ED; Mar 11, 2009 at 08:38 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: Pacific Northwest
Ideally, you want a shock that is sprung for your weight and riding style, you want a shock that reacts to uneven surfaces fluidly, you want a shock that is adjustable, preload for extra weight, they all have that, rebound, so you adjust out how fast it comes back up so it won't feel "bouncy", too stiff or too much rebound you'll lose traction, compression, how fast it goes down, most people leave it at the softest setting, then you have to adjust the front and rear sag, I'm no "expert" there's lot's of people who know more than I do, living in the PNW, I get caught in the rain a lot so I set rear sag to 14MM, this helps traction, front 30MM, both static. This works for me and my weight and riding style, not saying it will be right for you. There is a huge benefit to throwing on high quality rear shocks, but without addressing the front you are only doing half the battle, they kinda have to work together. I am so pleased with all the threads about suspension of late, I kinda wasted some money getting to where I really like the handling of my bike, I wish I knew then what I know now.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,500
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From: Brunswick, OH
FXDX take offs would be the poor mans answer. Plenty of FXDX and FXDXT owners that wanted a lower more traditional look and took those 13 inchers off and swapped em out for something else. Also if your looking for a more plush ride and a little more ground clearance a set of Electraglide shocks will get the job done cheap. And still if you want a softer ride without the extra hieght of the FLH shocks there's 12" Street Glide take offs and knock offs of those as well. I should also mention that pretty much any of the above air shocks will ride better than Progressive 412s for less money. I also don't think my Heavy duty 412s ride all that bad, it's not like I'm motocrossing the thing.
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: fallbrook, socal
do you need to space the fxdx shocks or are they dorcet bolt on? im not fearful of fabrication - just curious - Always wondered why they wouldnt fit truthfully.
im all about poor man alternatives - and this is exactly my intent for this post - get some idas flowin!
Special Ed - truth be known, i guess im not totally dis-satisifed with my hd412s (how much you weigh? Im 245 if I dont eat breakfst :')) and im runnign them on setting 3 - middle setting- but when I hit a good bump it sends me outta the saddle - addmittedly, this is coupled with a fricken ROCK of a front end that needs to be fixed.
Ive just been reading alot lately about true suspension - and how much it can help push harder - plus at the 11 inch height, i drag mid control peg around every corner!
im all about poor man alternatives - and this is exactly my intent for this post - get some idas flowin!
Special Ed - truth be known, i guess im not totally dis-satisifed with my hd412s (how much you weigh? Im 245 if I dont eat breakfst :')) and im runnign them on setting 3 - middle setting- but when I hit a good bump it sends me outta the saddle - addmittedly, this is coupled with a fricken ROCK of a front end that needs to be fixed.
Ive just been reading alot lately about true suspension - and how much it can help push harder - plus at the 11 inch height, i drag mid control peg around every corner!