Need rear shock advice?
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 56
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From: Home is WV, but somehow ended up in Michigan
Need rear shock advice?
I am looking to lower my bike and have been looking at some 11" shocks. The service manager at the Harley Dealer said buy Progressive shocks and don't get shorter Harley shocks cause they ride bad. I have been looking at Progressive 412 shocks with chrome covers. My wife rides some so should I get Heavy Duty or when I ride alone will they be too stiff. Any clearance issues dropping 1.6"? Any advice would be appreciated!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Palm Harbor fl.
ride is horrendous if you hit any bumps. Avoid your dealers advice.... go to www.worksperformance.com. Now get a set of tracker series shocks built to your weight and riding style. Contact them and talk shocks with em. You'll learn some stuff and find out they will sell their shocks a good 10-20% less than listed on their site. You can go 11" I would not go below 11.5" though.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 56
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From: Home is WV, but somehow ended up in Michigan
Thanks for the help! I do alot of riding so I don't want it too stiff. I checked out the worksperformance website, looks like know what their doing. I'll give them a call tomorrrow. Thanks!
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
If you lower the rear end you inevitably end up with less wheel travel to absorb bumps and the extra weight of your wife. I hope you have a really comfortable seat for her! An alternative shocks supplier is HDF sponsor Howard of Motorcycle Metal, who builds Ohlins to your needs. You also get a discount as an HDF member!
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,122
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From: Abingdon, Maryland
The ride gets worse the lower you go. I had 11" shocks on mine and bottomed out going off my hill too fast and started leaking oil. Took it up to 12" and it looks good and rides so-so. Of course at my age I should put the stock ones back on and call it a day but I just take it out for bar runs with the guys. My Road King gets the majority of the work now.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
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From: Palm Harbor fl.
If you lower the rear end you inevitably end up with less wheel travel to absorb bumps and the extra weight of your wife. I hope you have a really comfortable seat for her! An alternative shocks supplier is HDF sponsor Howard of Motorcycle Metal, who builds Ohlins to your needs. You also get a discount as an HDF member!