Best shocks for Dyna less than $800
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Central Indiana for now
Best shocks for Dyna less than $800
I have 2009 Low Rider fxdl and if I'm still earning any money next year I need recommendations for good rear shocks and I would also want to upgrade the fork springs after that when I can afford it.
What are the best brand of shocks and springs? Which would be at least "2 steps up" in quality over original?
Stock shocks are 12" but I have read some opinions saying taller is better handling and smoother ride. I want both and I don't mind going taller to get it. I was thinking 12-1/2" if available, maybe as much as 13" but hopefully no more. 13" seems like it might be too much additional overall height. But I'm willing to hear arguments for and against whatever anyone recommends.
I don't foresee ever being able to spend more than $800 for a pair of shocks unless I win the lottery so I'm hoping there are a couple good options between $400 and $800.
As for fork springs, I had a shop install Progressive kit same length as original but supposedly better a little over a year ago but I have put about 30k miles on since so I could upgrade in the not-too-distant future.
Any helpful suggested upgrades for shocks and fork springs would be greatly appreciated. The bumps are killing me because of arthritis and damaged neck and spine discs and beating my kidneys to death.
What are the best brand of shocks and springs? Which would be at least "2 steps up" in quality over original?
Stock shocks are 12" but I have read some opinions saying taller is better handling and smoother ride. I want both and I don't mind going taller to get it. I was thinking 12-1/2" if available, maybe as much as 13" but hopefully no more. 13" seems like it might be too much additional overall height. But I'm willing to hear arguments for and against whatever anyone recommends.
I don't foresee ever being able to spend more than $800 for a pair of shocks unless I win the lottery so I'm hoping there are a couple good options between $400 and $800.
As for fork springs, I had a shop install Progressive kit same length as original but supposedly better a little over a year ago but I have put about 30k miles on since so I could upgrade in the not-too-distant future.
Any helpful suggested upgrades for shocks and fork springs would be greatly appreciated. The bumps are killing me because of arthritis and damaged neck and spine discs and beating my kidneys to death.
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Joined: May 2014
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From: Fort Worth, TX
A really nice inexpensive aftermarket shock with adjustable rebound that sells for roughly $550 is the Racing Bros Bazooka shocks. They have a lot of the same features as more expensive stuff (i.e. Legends, Ohlins, RWD, JRI etc.) but are less money. If you can expand your budget a bit, closer to the $1000 mark you open yourself up to much better stuff though...
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Central Indiana for now
dfwhockey17, much better stuff as in what? I will look at it all to see if I can convince myself to save more money for the higher purchase price.
I just don't have the already-accumulated bike and parts manufacturers quality knowledge to pick a research starting point after hdforums. I've heard the names Ohlins, Works (or is it Worx?), Progressive, Legends, etc. but I know nothing about them.
I just don't have the already-accumulated bike and parts manufacturers quality knowledge to pick a research starting point after hdforums. I've heard the names Ohlins, Works (or is it Worx?), Progressive, Legends, etc. but I know nothing about them.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 80
Likes: 47
I have 2009 Low Rider fxdl and if I'm still earning any money next year I need recommendations for good rear shocks and I would also want to upgrade the fork springs after that when I can afford it.
What are the best brand of shocks and springs? Which would be at least "2 steps up" in quality over original?
Stock shocks are 12" but I have read some opinions saying taller is better handling and smoother ride. I want both and I don't mind going taller to get it. I was thinking 12-1/2" if available, maybe as much as 13" but hopefully no more. 13" seems like it might be too much additional overall height. But I'm willing to hear arguments for and against whatever anyone recommends.
I don't foresee ever being able to spend more than $800 for a pair of shocks unless I win the lottery so I'm hoping there are a couple good options between $400 and $800.
As for fork springs, I had a shop install Progressive kit same length as original but supposedly better a little over a year ago but I have put about 30k miles on since so I could upgrade in the not-too-distant future.
Any helpful suggested upgrades for shocks and fork springs would be greatly appreciated. The bumps are killing me because of arthritis and damaged neck and spine discs and beating my kidneys to death.
What are the best brand of shocks and springs? Which would be at least "2 steps up" in quality over original?
Stock shocks are 12" but I have read some opinions saying taller is better handling and smoother ride. I want both and I don't mind going taller to get it. I was thinking 12-1/2" if available, maybe as much as 13" but hopefully no more. 13" seems like it might be too much additional overall height. But I'm willing to hear arguments for and against whatever anyone recommends.
I don't foresee ever being able to spend more than $800 for a pair of shocks unless I win the lottery so I'm hoping there are a couple good options between $400 and $800.
As for fork springs, I had a shop install Progressive kit same length as original but supposedly better a little over a year ago but I have put about 30k miles on since so I could upgrade in the not-too-distant future.
Any helpful suggested upgrades for shocks and fork springs would be greatly appreciated. The bumps are killing me because of arthritis and damaged neck and spine discs and beating my kidneys to death.
If only doing rear shocks, the Pro Actions can be had for $825, so just a little over your budget. When I spoke to DK Custom, they spoke very well of the Bitubo shocks, which are closer to $525. I went with the Pro Actions as I preferred the adjustments and that they are American made. Not to mention I also spoke with a gent at Pro Action, which again being here is much easier to do and he was quite helpful. But I gave a lot of consideration to the Bitubo's, the price is attractive for sure.
If you went that route, you could also add the Intiminator valves in the front end for $165, and still be below your budget. If you read my thread, I got something of an accidental Progressive springs with/without those valves. The valves without question made another big improvement to the springs.
Good luck!
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Central Indiana for now
COOSMAN, thanks for the info. I had the fork springs replaced with the basic $100 kit they sell last year but I don't know sh*t about bikes and forks so I didn't know there were separate valves that could be thrown n fr some added upgrade.
Is it worth putting these Intiminators in with the Progressive springs or do I need to upgrade the springs even more to match the quality of the Intiminators?
I'm going to read your thread later but wanted to get these questions to you now. Thanks again.
Is it worth putting these Intiminators in with the Progressive springs or do I need to upgrade the springs even more to match the quality of the Intiminators?
I'm going to read your thread later but wanted to get these questions to you now. Thanks again.
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Joined: May 2008
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COOSMAN, thanks for the info. I had the fork springs replaced with the basic $100 kit they sell last year but I don't know sh*t about bikes and forks so I didn't know there were separate valves that could be thrown n fr some added upgrade.
Is it worth putting these Intiminators in with the Progressive springs or do I need to upgrade the springs even more to match the quality of the Intiminators?
I'm going to read your thread later but wanted to get these questions to you now. Thanks again.
Is it worth putting these Intiminators in with the Progressive springs or do I need to upgrade the springs even more to match the quality of the Intiminators?
I'm going to read your thread later but wanted to get these questions to you now. Thanks again.
Front end dive greatly reduced as well as the rise back up. And the overall vibrations from the road are so much better now. I'm 52 and so is my wife and we're starting to feel it these days. While the improvement was immediate, the system has kind of broke in. It wasn't until the end of our ride yesterday that we reached that point of being ready to be off the bike. Partially due to it getting hot and partially just ready to stretch our legs and bend the knees a bit. Not bad for 350 miles and 8 hours riding with lots of twists. No more bone jarring with this upgrade.
The rear shocks do need a little bit of adjusting and finding the sweet spot, but this is quite easy to do especially with the shocks exposed on your Dyna.
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Central Indiana for now
COOSMAN, I'm 60 and the last 3 weekends before this one I rode from 30 miles west of Indianapolis down to east Tennessee and parts of North Carolina and Virginia, of course traveling through Kentucky to get there and back. That was at least 1,000 miles in 2 days, and last weekend I went for almost 3 days and about 1,300 miles.
I think the worst pain was arthritis related pretty much everywhere. I've got degenerative disc disease (otherwise known as old and falling apart) in my cervical spine/neck and bad back, shoulders, knees, hips, etc. from work and life. And wearing a Shark Evo One 2 full modular helmet that weighs about 3+ pounds doesn't help the neck AT ALL!
So, with 63k on the bike now having put over 44k on since April 2018, I really need to soften up the ride and I can't afford a touring bike new or used so I have to do the best I can with this Low Rider.
What did the shop charge you to install the valves? Or if included with spring installation price, that would still give me a guestimate to work from. I need to figure out if I have to do it myself because of the cost.
I think the worst pain was arthritis related pretty much everywhere. I've got degenerative disc disease (otherwise known as old and falling apart) in my cervical spine/neck and bad back, shoulders, knees, hips, etc. from work and life. And wearing a Shark Evo One 2 full modular helmet that weighs about 3+ pounds doesn't help the neck AT ALL!
So, with 63k on the bike now having put over 44k on since April 2018, I really need to soften up the ride and I can't afford a touring bike new or used so I have to do the best I can with this Low Rider.
What did the shop charge you to install the valves? Or if included with spring installation price, that would still give me a guestimate to work from. I need to figure out if I have to do it myself because of the cost.
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Joined: May 2008
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COOSMAN, I'm 60 and the last 3 weekends before this one I rode from 30 miles west of Indianapolis down to east Tennessee and parts of North Carolina and Virginia, of course traveling through Kentucky to get there and back. That was at least 1,000 miles in 2 days, and last weekend I went for almost 3 days and about 1,300 miles.
I think the worst pain was arthritis related pretty much everywhere. I've got degenerative disc disease (otherwise known as old and falling apart) in my cervical spine/neck and bad back, shoulders, knees, hips, etc. from work and life. And wearing a Shark Evo One 2 full modular helmet that weighs about 3+ pounds doesn't help the neck AT ALL!
So, with 63k on the bike now having put over 44k on since April 2018, I really need to soften up the ride and I can't afford a touring bike new or used so I have to do the best I can with this Low Rider.
What did the shop charge you to install the valves? Or if included with spring installation price, that would still give me a guestimate to work from. I need to figure out if I have to do it myself because of the cost.
I think the worst pain was arthritis related pretty much everywhere. I've got degenerative disc disease (otherwise known as old and falling apart) in my cervical spine/neck and bad back, shoulders, knees, hips, etc. from work and life. And wearing a Shark Evo One 2 full modular helmet that weighs about 3+ pounds doesn't help the neck AT ALL!
So, with 63k on the bike now having put over 44k on since April 2018, I really need to soften up the ride and I can't afford a touring bike new or used so I have to do the best I can with this Low Rider.
What did the shop charge you to install the valves? Or if included with spring installation price, that would still give me a guestimate to work from. I need to figure out if I have to do it myself because of the cost.
I would call your shop and ask what it takes to service the front end. Id guess a couple of hours however.
With as much as you ride, you may as well replace the fork fluid while youre there, oil is cheap.
The rear shocks are simple. If you have a lift, you just raise the bike enough to lessen the load on the shocks, unbolt the old ones and put the new ones on. Half hour of work or so.
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 613
Likes: 33
From: Central Indiana for now
COOSMAN, yeah I'm not worried about the rear but I may still have to attempt the front work myself even though I've never taken forks apart before because I may ne be able to afford 2 hours Harley shop labor on top of cost of parts needed. Around here, they charge $95/hour.
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