Ohlins versus Ricors-another comparo
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 146
Likes: 1
From: Houston, TX
I guess it's all in how ya ride, how sensitive yer butt is, and what your expectations are. I didn't think my factory set up was bad enough to warrant all that, but maybe it is and I'm just not educated enough about these bikes to know it. It is my first Harley, after all, and I've only had it a few months now. Sure sounds like some well thought out and well executed research for those concerned about it though. My hat's off to ya.
But as for me, I'm just gonna ride the bike, enjoy it, and forget about all the technical details. Maybe some day....
But as for me, I'm just gonna ride the bike, enjoy it, and forget about all the technical details. Maybe some day....
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 560
Likes: 10
From: Livermore, CA
Just for comparison sake, I've got the 12 inch Ohlins without the remote reservoir from Motometal and they are priced about $100 over the Ricors. The Ohlins are also have a single adjustable damping/rebound wheel. I am totally satisfied with the transformation of the ride over the stock shocks and pogogressive shocks that I have tried. The best way to describe the Ohlins is compliant and controlled. I have not tried the Ricor shocks but I do have the terminators in my forks and like the improvement they provided. I'm sure the Ricor shocks are comparable to the non-reservoir Ohlins, but I personally feel the adjustability is worth $100, others may not. The non-reservoir Ohlins have a silver anodized body with black springs and hardware.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
Just for comparison sake, I've got the 12 inch Ohlins without the remote reservoir from Motometal and they are priced about $100 over the Ricors. The Ohlins are also have a single adjustable damping/rebound wheel. I am totally satisfied with the transformation of the ride over the stock shocks and pogogressive shocks that I have tried. The best way to describe the Ohlins is compliant and controlled. I have not tried the Ricor shocks but I do have the terminators in my forks and like the improvement they provided. I'm sure the Ricor shocks are comparable to the non-reservoir Ohlins, but I personally feel the adjustability is worth $100, others may not. The non-reservoir Ohlins have a silver anodized body with black springs and hardware.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 577
Likes: 4
As I indicated, the Ohlins were a huge improvement over stock. I had (have) the fully adjustable ones, i.e. with the remore resoivers. Too me they look really cool. I think what makes the Ricors so good is their new technology, i.e. the inertia valve.
The linked thread from the Touring forum desribes a comparison to the less pricey non resoiver Ohlins, and better explains the Ricor technology, if you have any interest. I also have a touring bike (RoadGlide) and was invloved in this comparison as well.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...omparison.html
The linked thread from the Touring forum desribes a comparison to the less pricey non resoiver Ohlins, and better explains the Ricor technology, if you have any interest. I also have a touring bike (RoadGlide) and was invloved in this comparison as well.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...omparison.html
Just for comparison sake, I've got the 12 inch Ohlins without the remote reservoir from Motometal and they are priced about $100 over the Ricors. The Ohlins are also have a single adjustable damping/rebound wheel. I am totally satisfied with the transformation of the ride over the stock shocks and pogogressive shocks that I have tried. The best way to describe the Ohlins is compliant and controlled. I have not tried the Ricor shocks but I do have the terminators in my forks and like the improvement they provided. I'm sure the Ricor shocks are comparable to the non-reservoir Ohlins, but I personally feel the adjustability is worth $100, others may not. The non-reservoir Ohlins have a silver anodized body with black springs and hardware.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
Hey Greg,
Thanks for the link. It was a good read, a bit contentious, but informative. Couple quick questions:
Did you like the appearance of the Ohlins? I'm still up in the air regarding the yellow spring and gold reservoir and may end up sending them back to Motorcycle Metal for black powder coat and chrome spring.
Can you let me know whether Angels Crest Hwy has re-opened? Will be out in CA with 14 other guys in mid May and plan on riding it.
How do you like the RG? That's the bike I rented for the trip.
Lastly, found the original box my Progressive 440's came in and Ricor has their name on the box. Any idea what Ricor's relationship is (or was) with Progressive?
Thanks.
Thanks for the link. It was a good read, a bit contentious, but informative. Couple quick questions:
Did you like the appearance of the Ohlins? I'm still up in the air regarding the yellow spring and gold reservoir and may end up sending them back to Motorcycle Metal for black powder coat and chrome spring.
Can you let me know whether Angels Crest Hwy has re-opened? Will be out in CA with 14 other guys in mid May and plan on riding it.
How do you like the RG? That's the bike I rented for the trip.
Lastly, found the original box my Progressive 440's came in and Ricor has their name on the box. Any idea what Ricor's relationship is (or was) with Progressive?
Thanks.
As I indicated, the Ohlins were a huge improvement over stock. I had (have) the fully adjustable ones, i.e. with the remore resoivers. Too me they look really cool. I think what makes the Ricors so good is their new technology, i.e. the inertia valve.
The linked thread from the Touring forum desribes a comparison to the less pricey non resoiver Ohlins, and better explains the Ricor technology, if you have any interest. I also have a touring bike (RoadGlide) and was invloved in this comparison as well.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...omparison.html
The linked thread from the Touring forum desribes a comparison to the less pricey non resoiver Ohlins, and better explains the Ricor technology, if you have any interest. I also have a touring bike (RoadGlide) and was invloved in this comparison as well.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...omparison.html
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas NV
.
.
Damn Greg. I didn't know you were such an old fart.
I'm a lot younger fart.
Just turned 60, so I've already lived almost half my life...............
As for being ilickkunt,
yours is a damn nicely written posting.
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I'm with you on this one Greg.
I rode on factory stock HD suspension for 45 years before upgrading
to the same Ohlins you picture above.
The 0s work great.
But, they don't do anything better for me than the Ricors.
I rode the Ricor Research Shocks for two months or so,
7-800 miles in the Texas Hill Country.
Some, very challenging.
Excellent.
Then I put my Ohlins back on for 2-300 miles, to refresh my memory.
Again, on the same Hill Country Roads.
Took the Os off and installed the Production Ricors in the pix below.
13 1/2" eye to eye with a 3 1/2" stroke.
Extremely satisfied with the performance. I couldn't ask for more.
and yessir, the final production shock is way nicer looking than the Research tooling.
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Damn Greg. I didn't know you were such an old fart.
I'm a lot younger fart.
Just turned 60, so I've already lived almost half my life...............
As for being ilickkunt,
yours is a damn nicely written posting.
.
.
.
.
I'm with you on this one Greg.
I rode on factory stock HD suspension for 45 years before upgrading
to the same Ohlins you picture above.
The 0s work great.
But, they don't do anything better for me than the Ricors.
I rode the Ricor Research Shocks for two months or so,
7-800 miles in the Texas Hill Country.
Some, very challenging.
Excellent.
Then I put my Ohlins back on for 2-300 miles, to refresh my memory.
Again, on the same Hill Country Roads.
Took the Os off and installed the Production Ricors in the pix below.
13 1/2" eye to eye with a 3 1/2" stroke.
Extremely satisfied with the performance. I couldn't ask for more.
and yessir, the final production shock is way nicer looking than the Research tooling.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Linking!!!
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Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 894
Likes: 4
From: Newberg OR
Glad you're watching this thread Hal. I have a set of your Ricor shocks, but only have about 150 miles on them, so I haven't really put them to the test yet. So far I like the ride, but I'm not getting the 'oh WOW' factor I was hoping for.
I was wondering if you could please explain the difference between you new line of Ricor shocks and Progressive 440s that claim to have Ricor technology.
I was wondering if you could please explain the difference between you new line of Ricor shocks and Progressive 440s that claim to have Ricor technology.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
Glad you're watching this thread Hal. I have a set of your Ricor shocks, but only have about 150 miles on them, so I haven't really put them to the test yet. So far I like the ride, but I'm not getting the 'oh WOW' factor I was hoping for.
I was wondering if you could please explain the difference between you new line of Ricor shocks and Progressive 440s that claim to have Ricor technology.
I was wondering if you could please explain the difference between you new line of Ricor shocks and Progressive 440s that claim to have Ricor technology.
Do you know what sag numbers you ended up with on the back? You and I have very similar bikes, the difference from stock should be dramatic. Call me to discuss.
The progressive 440's use Ricor IAS technology also. Edelbrock was licensed 1995 and is the supplier of the 440 to progressive. It is an excellent production shock. With that said we have no control over how it is valved or sprung.
The differences are the 440 is a production shock, like any production shock there are stamped parts, powder metal parts, welded parts, molded parts etc. Our shock is 100% CNC machined except for the valving and seals.
Our technology is what we call the next generation of IAS and is derived from what we have learned in the past several years of racing. In laymen's terms it has to do with "processer speed" or how fast and what inputs the inertia valve reacts to.
Brian
888-425-1333