Shotgun Shocks
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,919
Likes: 3,724
From: Hill Country, TX
I did explain myself but you want to keep spamming the board because you are a forum sponsor selling the product I think is a waste of money.
I will ask again:
When was the last time you had your Softail with Ohlins suspension on the track and kept up with the sport bikes?
I will ask again:
When was the last time you had your Softail with Ohlins suspension on the track and kept up with the sport bikes?
It's never a waste to have excellent suspension on your motorcycle...a point lost on many Harley riders. Doesn't matter if it's a Softail or a FXR.
No, Ohlins aren't going to make your Softail be able to run with sport bikes on the track...different bikes, different applications. What the Ohlins suspension will do for you is enhance the riding experience of your Softail, and make it a better handling, more comfortable bike to ride, by far. Certainly not a waste of money.
Unofficial HDF Chaplain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,160
Likes: 18,083
From: san diego
I agree and disagree. I put the SS for touring models on my Street Glide. Personally, I do like the ride better than the stock suspension, but it's not a huge difference. The ride just feels a bit tighter. So I mostly agree with you there, from my experience - slight improvement, but not worth the $$$ just for that - (As with most things, YMMV). Candidly, that was not the primary reason why I upgraded to SS, nor was it so I could lower it to look cool in front of a bar - (that, I couldn't care less about). The main reason that I did it was to be able to lower it so I could maneuver the bike better while not riding - I'm 5'8" on a good day and short legs to boot, so pushing that beast around was a bear. At one point, I almost got rid of the bike due to my inability to push it around at stock height. I thought it was a matter of time before I dumped it. Lowered with the SS it's a breeze. So for me, between easier maneuverability, and the performance improvement, albeit not drastic, it was worth the investment
I just know that a whole bunch of the custom bike guys used rear air suspensions for that slammed look despite what the ride quality was, so my experiences are mostly derived from all of that
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,719
Likes: 60
From: Los Angeles
yes I have and I found little difference, I also rode custom cycle controls that control rebound similarly. I give you that rebound seemed better but overall ride quality, seemed to me to be very close. I haven't ridden shotguns for long rides, but I see them as little else than dropping the ride height. I had CCC on one of my bikes, and I thought it was ok ride wise, nothing great but it did drop the bike a lot and without having the external comp. I believe a good shock system under there is a much better deal. And I didn't take your comment personally, No problem!!
I do know that the guys who run the SS love them, and are very serious about them. I appreciate that. I wasn't as sold on them. If you feel the system adds to ride quality, then I believe you. I just never saw the attraction to it. The CCC system was better suited for me as I was building a custom bike and I didn't need to try to hide the compressor, (was built into the shock block)
I do know that the guys who run the SS love them, and are very serious about them. I appreciate that. I wasn't as sold on them. If you feel the system adds to ride quality, then I believe you. I just never saw the attraction to it. The CCC system was better suited for me as I was building a custom bike and I didn't need to try to hide the compressor, (was built into the shock block)
I NEVER slam the bike with my SS, though I could. So, no, they are not for people who just want to slam the bike in front of the bar. You are absolutely wrong about that.
I do lower the bike about 1.25 inches from stock, and leave it there. The bike not only looks good like that, but that's the best spot for me in terms of setting my feet down (I'm 5'9'') and not having to worry about scraping my boards too much. If I am riding a particularly bad road, which can happen lots in L.A., I may raise up a bit, or adjust the firmness of the ride a bit. I can do this easily and safely, while riding.
This is the thing, and I can't emphasize it enough for people considering the SS, particularly on a Softail.
If you were to lower your Softail even a modest 1.25 inches like me, with the stock suspension, you will feel it. Your ride will get rougher. Unless all you do is ride smooth roads. I know this, because I tried that, and couldn't abide it. My **** hurt.
With the SS, you can go 1.25 inches to 2.00 inches lower and still enjoy a smooth ride. In fact, a smoother ride than you would at stock height with your stock suspension.
And if you used your SS to raise to the stock height? Forget about it. The SS absolutely would kill your stock Softail suspension at that height. At that point, you'd feel like you're riding a Cadillac. That's why people use that type of height for 2 up via the SS. I know this because my wife has been on the back of my bike, stock height and suspension, vs. SS at stock height. She says there's no comparison. The SS was a great investment for that as well.
Last edited by SoCalSoftailSlim; Nov 13, 2015 at 05:09 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 412
From: Studio City, CA via Rochester, NY
to be completely fair, I've never tried the system on a FL bike, just softails, (isn't it fairly new on the market?) and I am quite sure, the SS is tons better than the stock system, but then again, a bunch of tennis ***** on sticks are better than the factory rear shocks!!
I just know that a whole bunch of the custom bike guys used rear air suspensions for that slammed look despite what the ride quality was, so my experiences are mostly derived from all of that
I just know that a whole bunch of the custom bike guys used rear air suspensions for that slammed look despite what the ride quality was, so my experiences are mostly derived from all of that
Last edited by Bopple Hill Rd; Nov 13, 2015 at 04:51 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 5
From: London, UK
to be completely fair, I've never tried the system on a FL bike, just softails, (isn't it fairly new on the market?) and I am quite sure, the SS is tons better than the stock system, but then again, a bunch of tennis ***** on sticks are better than the factory rear shocks!!
I just know that a whole bunch of the custom bike guys used rear air suspensions for that slammed look despite what the ride quality was, so my experiences are mostly derived from all of that
I just know that a whole bunch of the custom bike guys used rear air suspensions for that slammed look despite what the ride quality was, so my experiences are mostly derived from all of that
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