First, a big THANK YOU to lo-rider for a great deal on the shocks and pump! He was true to his word, and the items arrived in two days!

So I have been modding my bike to be more 2-up and touring friendly. Especially on those 13-14 hour days. Someone brought up a great idea about the RK shocks, and maybe a seat upgrade. Well the seat is next, but I have the shocks on now.

There is a BIG difference in many ways, which I'll list below. Took about 1 hour with my son in tow in the garage. Had to take the bags off in order to access the bottom shock bolt. If not for that, this would have been very quick. As always, there is a casualty when I wrench my own bike, forgot to clean the inside of the struts and ended up with a large scrape on my fender (but at least I already have a new fender to go on soon).

Now, I need to give you the vitals. I find that many people who talk about touring shocks never talk about the load between them and their passenger. I have also found that many who do not like the shocks are on the heavy side. I am 225lbs, my wife is 130lbs. I can see where these shocks would not be as functional with a passenger as big, or larger, than the rider.

These are 2010 Road King shocks on a 2009 Street Bob. I was running around 30PSI last night, and just as happy when riding solo.

Pros:

-This is a VERY smooth ride. Night and day difference. I find myself speeding because the bike is so smooth and it doesn't feel like I am going as fast as I am.

-Wife was VERY happy with the bike. We took a 30 mile ride last night, went down the worst highway around here when it comes to pot holes and uneven bridge joints, etc. No groans or complaints.

-Personally, I really like the look of them. Seems industrial to me, stripped down. My personal taste.

-Great mod option for a cheap price.

-They bike handles very well once you get a feel for the shock. No bounce at all in corners. Love it.


Cons:

-These did raise the bike a small bit, which I am still getting used to. This affected my stance in the saddle, arm height, seat position, etc. Not a fan of this change, but I can live with it. I must also admit, when 2 up, they compress back down to about the same level as the springs.

-Front forks are crap now. Mainly because of the new height difference in the rear, but also because the suspension in the front seems weaker now than that in the back. I'll be looking for a good upgrade on the front, and height to match the back (any suggestions welcomed).

All in all, I am VERY happy with this mod, and would recommend it to anyone with similar vitals. The pros outweight the cons, and I plan to raise the front to match.


2010 Road King shocks on a 2009 FXDB Street Bob:



Close up:



You can see the clearance is very close on the belt guard, but there is no rubbing:

 

If I could make a suggestion for your front end. The factory has installed progressively wound coils in their but they are usually on the weak side. A simple fix is to properly set the sag on the front. In order to do this you need to make longer spacers. You can use PVC pipe that is available at just about any home improvement store. Use schedule 40 which has the thick wall. Estimating by the weight you have listed I would go with 1/2 - 3/4 inch longer that the factory spacer in there. Installing this only requires loosening the top clamp and removing the fork cap. Once you do this you can simply remove the spacer and replace it with your longer one. I don't recall right now but I believe the right size PVC is 1.5 inch but may be 1.75.

 

Wow! Thanks. I have never played with the front end, so I am not sure how to mess with the clamps and forks, but I'll look into this!

 

Thanks for the review!
I am going to get a pair of Street Glide 12.5" shocks, the only thing holds me back is the ride height, I currently have 12" on my SB, I really don't want to raise the bike since I am comfortable with the ride height. I have searched progressive RK shocks, the lowest they made is 12.5, too bad.

 

The front end is real simple. The only special tools you will need are the Torx bit for the top clamp and a 36mm socket for the cap. You can find the socket at most auto part stores for about $20. You will need to either tape up the cap or use a rag on it so it doesn't mark the finish on it. Pm me if you need more detailed info. I did this and noticed a great improvement. The bike no longer takes a dive every time you shift or go into a turn.

 

Thanks for that! I'll give it a try!

 

I always thought this was a good idea. Good on you !

 

Great review! I put them on my bike a couple years back and exactly as you mentioned, they were dreamy for just me but sucked with a 230lb wife (hope she doesn't read this). One up riding was like riding on glass. Smoothest shocks I have ever owned. Smoother than my 440's if you can believe that. If my wife weighed a buck-ten, I never would have gotten rid of them. But thats another issue.

 

Thanks for the review and the lowered street glide shocks are 12" if I remember right. That could be an option to get the rear back down.

As for the PVC in the forks I was planning on doing that when I do my service. Here's a thread I found a while back that gave me the idea.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...wered-low.html

 

Great review thanks, I have an 07 SB and was very interested to read this. So I take it the RK shocks are air shocks ?

Also you might want to consider replacing your front tubes and springs with 07 Wide Glide ones. They are the same 49mm dia but 2" longer. Some guys have done this even with no raise in the rear.