Can't get a straight answer about 11" shocks!
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
Can't get a straight answer about 11" shocks!
Hi All!
I need to change my shocks. I think I have the original ones on there still. I have searched every where on line and I can't seem to get a definate answer on whether 11" shocks are too low for my 1998 Dyna super glide. It's like 50/50. Some say it's great and doesn't rub and others say it's too low. rubs the guard or wiring, and rides too rough. 11.5" shocks aren't as readily available for my bike and I would really like to go with the 11" but I don't want it to be too rough especially with my 110 pound wife on back. It has taken all I can do just to finally get her on the bike with me and I don't want to lose that.
Also no one can decide on whether progressive shocks are good or crap! If they are so bad why is it most used bikes for sale have them and "advertise" they have them. They seem like the most popular shocks going from what I can tell unless you want to spend over a grand for air shocks.
Thanks for your help!
Rich
I need to change my shocks. I think I have the original ones on there still. I have searched every where on line and I can't seem to get a definate answer on whether 11" shocks are too low for my 1998 Dyna super glide. It's like 50/50. Some say it's great and doesn't rub and others say it's too low. rubs the guard or wiring, and rides too rough. 11.5" shocks aren't as readily available for my bike and I would really like to go with the 11" but I don't want it to be too rough especially with my 110 pound wife on back. It has taken all I can do just to finally get her on the bike with me and I don't want to lose that.
Also no one can decide on whether progressive shocks are good or crap! If they are so bad why is it most used bikes for sale have them and "advertise" they have them. They seem like the most popular shocks going from what I can tell unless you want to spend over a grand for air shocks.
Thanks for your help!
Rich
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 196
Likes: 1
From: Amersfoort, The Netherlands
So many people, so many opinions. Those who go for looks will probably choose the 11" and those who want comfort and better riding overall (for that you need shock travel) will choose longer shocks. 11" gives you hardly any travel, so yes the ride will be rough.
The more expensive series of Progressive shocks are better then stock, however they still are off the shelf shocks, not specific made for your ride and weight.
Do yourself a favor and save up some cash for really good shocks like Ricor, Ohlins or Works, sprung for your weight and riding style.
I myself ordered 12 1/2" Ricor shocks, wich is (imo) a good compromise between looks and function. And they are without a doubt (again imo) the best looking shocks available for dyna's!
The more expensive series of Progressive shocks are better then stock, however they still are off the shelf shocks, not specific made for your ride and weight.
Do yourself a favor and save up some cash for really good shocks like Ricor, Ohlins or Works, sprung for your weight and riding style.
I myself ordered 12 1/2" Ricor shocks, wich is (imo) a good compromise between looks and function. And they are without a doubt (again imo) the best looking shocks available for dyna's!
no it will be fine, my personal opinon is not good on progressive rear shocks (well more how they stand behind them) i dig their front setups, but then again there is nothign to fail on them
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,419
Likes: 1
From: Ashland Ore.
Check the Works site.Go to page 4 on the application pdf and you'll see they make 11.5" shocks for a reasonable price. They will set them up for your weight and riding style. Much better than progressives. I have an 11" set of Progressive 411s and they suck.
http://www.worksperformance.com/pdf/...ide/harley.pdf
http://www.worksperformance.com/html/home.html
http://www.worksperformance.com/pdf/...ide/harley.pdf
http://www.worksperformance.com/html/home.html
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 4,889
From: Missouri City,TX
You're right about the 50/50 reviews...I recently bought a set of the Progressive 440's 11 1/2" black shocks from Phat Performance that will be installed tomorrow... I wanted to slightly lower the bike.
BUT I'm gonna keep the stock 12" shocks just in case I don't like the feel of the 11 1/2" 440's.
I paid 454.00 with free shipping and no sales tax for the Progressives.
BUT I'm gonna keep the stock 12" shocks just in case I don't like the feel of the 11 1/2" 440's.
I paid 454.00 with free shipping and no sales tax for the Progressives.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
You have two things that don't mix! One is you want a low look for your ride, the other is you want to carry your wife. You have to make a choice between those and IMHO you can't have both.
Take a look at your bike. You sit roughly over the swingarm axle, so when your bike goes over a bump the rear wheel moves more than your butt. When your wife is on the back, she gets that same thump right underneath her. She has a very different riding experience than you.
If you love your wife and want her to enjoy the ride as much as you do get yourself some high quality stock length shocks and forget about going low! Or go low after you buy her a bike of her own....
Take a look at your bike. You sit roughly over the swingarm axle, so when your bike goes over a bump the rear wheel moves more than your butt. When your wife is on the back, she gets that same thump right underneath her. She has a very different riding experience than you.
If you love your wife and want her to enjoy the ride as much as you do get yourself some high quality stock length shocks and forget about going low! Or go low after you buy her a bike of her own....
Last edited by grbrown; Dec 8, 2010 at 10:49 AM. Reason: Expanded.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
Yes Progressives are cheap shocks and they may not work as well as the stock ones you already have.The reason you see allot of them on Harleys is that most Harley riders care more about getting that low look than they do about performance or ride.Now it's all well and good for the people on this board to recomend Ricors or Ohlins and Penske and what have you but notice none of them are telling you what they cost.Which brings us back to the real reason you see allot or Progressives on Harleys they don't cost $1000
PS. I just swapped out my 11" Progressives for a set of 12" FLHX air shocks I picked for about $200 on Ebay
PS. I just swapped out my 11" Progressives for a set of 12" FLHX air shocks I picked for about $200 on Ebay
Last edited by SPECIAL ED; Dec 8, 2010 at 11:32 AM.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,949
Likes: 150
From: South of Mordor
I think the biggest problem you get with people opinions are the facts you don't get. If a guy that weights a buck fifty answers your question it will more than likely be that they have no problems, however if a guy weighting twice that rides the same bike he will tell you that it has problems. I weight just shy of 200 and I have the burly slammers on my ride (10.5") and the only time I have had any issues is when I hit those unexpected big *** holes in the road. I lowered my ride for two reasons 1) looks, 2) so I can get my feet flat on the ground (5'7"). I am sure that 11" or 11.5" would have done the job. Also, to avoid the possible wire rubbing issue, talk to your dealler and ask them if you can order the side channel pieces that come in the chopped fender kit, this allows you to run your wires along the inside side with the fender bracket and not across the inside top of the fender, if I can find my paperwork from when I installed mine I will get you the part numbers and post them.
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 305
Likes: 1
From: Fairmont West Virginia
I put 12" progressive 430's on my dyna last summer and i like them alot, ride way better than stock and if my girlfriend rides on back i just hand crank the adjusters on the shocks and it works great. I considered the 11" ones but i like the softer ride and laying it down alot in curves. Just my 2 cents. BTW i'm about 175lbs and my girlfriend is about 115lbs.
Last edited by jwright302; Dec 8, 2010 at 12:33 PM.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 252
Likes: 5
From: OC, CA
Open ended questions like this tend to generate quite a bit of forum chatter which may become even more confusing.
Let's avoid that and stick with the facts. Your bike came with a 12.5" shocks and had a little over 3" of total suspension travel in the rear. Assuming you have sag set correctly (apx 1/3 of total travel is consumed with the weight of the bike and the rider), that leaves you only a few inches of travel before you hit the bump stops. Fairly typical of most street bikes.
That number with an 11" shock (on your make and model) is now just 1/2 - 3/4" of travel before you hit the bump stops (assuming less sag with a lowered shock).
No matter who manufactured the shock, your ride quality will be hampered by substantially reducing travel. In some cases, you may have no choice (height constrained), or it may not matter (not riding big miles).
On another note, ALL Progressive Suspension shocks are travel limited to prevent the tire from touching anything (OEM shocks do the same), no matter the length of the shock. You can mount our shortest shock on your bike and the OEM diameter tire WILL NEVER hit your tailight wiring.
Riding two up and maybe big miles? An 11" shock will not make you happy. What would work best? I'm sure lots of other will chime in here, but as long as you're asking, we'd recommend a 12" or 12.5" 430 Series shock for your combination of bike/riding/passenger.
http://www.progressivesuspension.com...ies/index.html
Happy to share more info if you are interested!
Let's avoid that and stick with the facts. Your bike came with a 12.5" shocks and had a little over 3" of total suspension travel in the rear. Assuming you have sag set correctly (apx 1/3 of total travel is consumed with the weight of the bike and the rider), that leaves you only a few inches of travel before you hit the bump stops. Fairly typical of most street bikes.
That number with an 11" shock (on your make and model) is now just 1/2 - 3/4" of travel before you hit the bump stops (assuming less sag with a lowered shock).
No matter who manufactured the shock, your ride quality will be hampered by substantially reducing travel. In some cases, you may have no choice (height constrained), or it may not matter (not riding big miles).
On another note, ALL Progressive Suspension shocks are travel limited to prevent the tire from touching anything (OEM shocks do the same), no matter the length of the shock. You can mount our shortest shock on your bike and the OEM diameter tire WILL NEVER hit your tailight wiring.
Riding two up and maybe big miles? An 11" shock will not make you happy. What would work best? I'm sure lots of other will chime in here, but as long as you're asking, we'd recommend a 12" or 12.5" 430 Series shock for your combination of bike/riding/passenger.
http://www.progressivesuspension.com...ies/index.html
Happy to share more info if you are interested!
Hi All!
I need to change my shocks. I think I have the original ones on there still. I have searched every where on line and I can't seem to get a definate answer on whether 11" shocks are too low for my 1998 Dyna super glide. It's like 50/50. Some say it's great and doesn't rub and others say it's too low. rubs the guard or wiring, and rides too rough. 11.5" shocks aren't as readily available for my bike and I would really like to go with the 11" but I don't want it to be too rough especially with my 110 pound wife on back. It has taken all I can do just to finally get her on the bike with me and I don't want to lose that.
Also no one can decide on whether progressive shocks are good or crap! If they are so bad why is it most used bikes for sale have them and "advertise" they have them. They seem like the most popular shocks going from what I can tell unless you want to spend over a grand for air shocks.
Thanks for your help!
Rich
I need to change my shocks. I think I have the original ones on there still. I have searched every where on line and I can't seem to get a definate answer on whether 11" shocks are too low for my 1998 Dyna super glide. It's like 50/50. Some say it's great and doesn't rub and others say it's too low. rubs the guard or wiring, and rides too rough. 11.5" shocks aren't as readily available for my bike and I would really like to go with the 11" but I don't want it to be too rough especially with my 110 pound wife on back. It has taken all I can do just to finally get her on the bike with me and I don't want to lose that.
Also no one can decide on whether progressive shocks are good or crap! If they are so bad why is it most used bikes for sale have them and "advertise" they have them. They seem like the most popular shocks going from what I can tell unless you want to spend over a grand for air shocks.
Thanks for your help!
Rich
