Front forks heavier weight oil or upgrade to progressive mono's
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,578
Likes: 11,816
From: 3rd stone from the sun
I got tired of the stock front end lowered it at one point with Progressive spring kit. Got tired of lowered ride and destroying my pipes on turns. Dropped in progressive mono tubes, NICE so much better and did a nice job of soaking up bumbs and the front end handles 10x better now, no more front end diving on heavy front brake use .There are other ways to modify front end as others have shown. These work good for the price point which for my ride at the time was $235 ...I did them in 2019 ....price may be way off of that figure in todays market.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 974
Likes: 328
From: Midwest
Just had the the forks re-done after 60k new seals and 20wt oil they feel so much different, no dive or harshness....now in a couple weeks when I put on new rear suspension (supershox) I may sing a different tune about the front
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 115
Likes: 41
From: Calgary, AB
Firstly, damper tubes are 1970's technology. Shameful for the prices Harley charges for their motorcycles that this is what they use. The best bang for the buck and quite adjustable is the RaceTech spring with gold valve(emulator) kit. You have to take the forks completely apart to install this kit but you have to do that to yours anyway so it's pretty much a slam dunk.
A key factor here is that Harley uses super soft(spongy spring rates and light oil in the factory set forks. Just going with heavier oil will make a minute difference but no enough to make you feel like you have "good" suspension.
Go onto the RaceTech website or call them and talk about your riding style, body weight, load on the bike if you tour/camp and they will have a proper rate spring for you to use. I did this and ended up with a great front end. Absorbs the small stutter bumps very well and at highway speeds when you hit that hole or bump you didn't see in time the front end will take it in stride. You still know you hit a big bump but it doesn't upset the bike. Added bonus, brake dive is way less. Not eliminated but way less of a influence under regular and hard braking.
Or, if you want he kick *** suspension and you have the cake to do it then just go all the way and get Ohlins cartridges for the front. Forget Progressive or Legends, overpriced mediocre at best equipment.
A key factor here is that Harley uses super soft(spongy spring rates and light oil in the factory set forks. Just going with heavier oil will make a minute difference but no enough to make you feel like you have "good" suspension.
Go onto the RaceTech website or call them and talk about your riding style, body weight, load on the bike if you tour/camp and they will have a proper rate spring for you to use. I did this and ended up with a great front end. Absorbs the small stutter bumps very well and at highway speeds when you hit that hole or bump you didn't see in time the front end will take it in stride. You still know you hit a big bump but it doesn't upset the bike. Added bonus, brake dive is way less. Not eliminated but way less of a influence under regular and hard braking.
Or, if you want he kick *** suspension and you have the cake to do it then just go all the way and get Ohlins cartridges for the front. Forget Progressive or Legends, overpriced mediocre at best equipment.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 486
Likes: 155
From: British Columbia
try the oil first.
If it were me, I'd try the different weight oils first. Even if you go to someone else's shocks, it'll give you an idea of the different response to heavier oils. I went to heavier oil in my stock Fatboy front end and it made a positive, noticeable difference in dive with brake application. And it's a lot cheaper than a new shock kit if it all works out for you.
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 979
Likes: 351
From: Wisconsin
I installed the progressive monotubes 10 years ago and never looked back. Love the way they keep the front tire firmly planted on the road. Under $250 and less than 2 hours install, plug and play - no adjustments. This was after spending better part of a summer swapping springs, preload spacers, different weight oil and oil levels, nothing felt right about the front end. Had things apart on a weekly basis. Is there better performance than the monotubes? yes.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 43
Likes: 15
From: Colorado springs, CO
I installed the progressive monotubes 10 years ago and never looked back. Love the way they keep the front tire firmly planted on the road. Under $250 and less than 2 hours install, plug and play - no adjustments. This was after spending better part of a summer swapping springs, preload spacers, different weight oil and oil levels, nothing felt right about the front end. Had things apart on a weekly basis. Is there better performance than the monotubes? yes.
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