Which shocks do I buy?
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: RI
Which shocks do I buy?
I weigh 215 and ride a 05fxd what shocks do you recomend to increase handling and ride. I checked the progressive site and it is very vague. whats the difference between each shock? If I buy the cheap ones is that worse than stock?Also my girls rides on the back alot. also Im thinking of going shorter but dont want to scrape.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
From: Milford, Kansas
Works Performance are great shocks as well; you can get a dual rate spring if you stay with a 12" or longer shock. I love mine. Give them a call, they are very friendly and will get you in a shock that is focused on how you ride and weight window.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
You'll hear a few different answers. One like the previously posted response regarding Ohlins. One saying "Progressive XXX" (xxx=model number 412,418,440,etc), or Works. Works and ohlins are made to fit YOU and your riding style. Progressives are off the shelf and not custom made for YOU. I've had a set of 412's on an old metric I owned and they worked very well and that bike was heavy. Definitely heavier than my WG. I also had the Progressive fork springs on that bike. I can't say how it performs on 'our' late model harleys. You'll get a lot of mixed responses about that one concept.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 2
From:
works, yss, ohlins...I have yss 310mm (12 1/4) & I'm more than satisfied with em, noticed a big improvement over my 440's, they cost me about 650. Works are a little less & ohlins are a little more. Have never heard anything bad about these 3, guess it just depends on what one can afford. I'm no expert on shocks but did a good amount of research before I pulled the trigger!
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 577
Likes: 4
I think the previous responses are accurate..I do think, with the 3 brands mentioned, you get what you pay for..all are better than the stock shocks.
Lower shocks will tend to degrade the ride (less travel), and will increase the likelihood of dragging parts IF you like to corner at speed (?). If you ask any of the companies mentioned they will tell you this.
Do a search on this forum, lots of recent posts on shocks/suspension/handling. Some great info.
Lower shocks will tend to degrade the ride (less travel), and will increase the likelihood of dragging parts IF you like to corner at speed (?). If you ask any of the companies mentioned they will tell you this.
Do a search on this forum, lots of recent posts on shocks/suspension/handling. Some great info.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 0
From: Carroll County, Maryland
Im 230 and the progressive 412 heavy duty shocks work great for me. Would like to have had the 440's but couldn't justify the price. The ohlins are just stupid expensive. I envy dudes who can afford those.
But I'm happy with the 412's. Don't ride my bike "hard" anyway. I just ride normal.
But I'm happy with the 412's. Don't ride my bike "hard" anyway. I just ride normal.
Novice
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Albany NY
just bought a 09 FXD and want to improve handling, thinking about starting with Progressive 412 shock, I'm from years ago, always mounted a fork brace. Are they still needed or just for show ? Any other suggestions ?