2018 Front Shocks
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,820
Likes: 588
From: Michigan
Yea, I was too harsh. I apologize for that. However, simply improving upon the stock suspension does NOT warrant a trip to a shrink, nor is it being vulgar. The dude was off base.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 6,086
Likes: 6,445
From: East TN
Let me get directly to the point: You are an IDIOT if you believe the stock suspension on the current touring bikes are the best suspension parts available for these bikes. You are an IDIOT to believe we all need to limit ourselves to what the Motor Company provides because anything else is vulgar.
Comments from those of us that have changed/upgraded our suspensions have done so to improve our individual bikes. We ride these bikes because we choose to ride them.
We have proven our support of the product because we have purchased the H-D bikes we own. And we have made them better because factory parts are a compromise based on the Motor Company's need to produce a product that doesn't cost 6 figure prices to build.
BTW - This is NOT my 1st H-D. But my 1st H-D was the very best handling bike I have ever owned after I modified the suspension.
Comments from those of us that have changed/upgraded our suspensions have done so to improve our individual bikes. We ride these bikes because we choose to ride them.
We have proven our support of the product because we have purchased the H-D bikes we own. And we have made them better because factory parts are a compromise based on the Motor Company's need to produce a product that doesn't cost 6 figure prices to build.
BTW - This is NOT my 1st H-D. But my 1st H-D was the very best handling bike I have ever owned after I modified the suspension.
I agree, he is off base. Lots of room for improvement of the 2018 touring bikes suspension. Sure its better than it use to be, but no where near what it can be. A set of Ohlins, or Legends front and rear greatly improve the ride, and the handling of the bike.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,109
Likes: 456
From: The Great Midwest
I agree, the stock suspension is not the epitome of perfection and can easily be improved with a number of aftermarket companies. His comments were off base. I was just pointing out that its a shame how we have a forum sponsor that responds to members and their questions/opinions constantly in such a rude, insulting way and gets away with it along with the name calling.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 609
Likes: 159
From: Allover
Say what you like,and read words into my suggestions that aren't written.The negativity against the motor company on the M 8 forum is out of control.
More than 90% of Harley riders ride them as they bought them.
Maybe the pain from a bad back could make you angry about your favorite bikes suspension
In which case I suggest a 2001 Softail Springer with Progressives or a good Medical Practitioner.
More than 90% of Harley riders ride them as they bought them.
Maybe the pain from a bad back could make you angry about your favorite bikes suspension
In which case I suggest a 2001 Softail Springer with Progressives or a good Medical Practitioner.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 6,086
Likes: 6,445
From: East TN
Say what you like,and read words into my suggestions that aren't written.The negativity against the motor company on the M 8 forum is out of control.
More than 90% of Harley riders ride them as they bought them.
Maybe the pain from a bad back could make you angry about your favorite bikes suspension
In which case I suggest a 2001 Softail Springer with Progressives or a good Medical Practitioner.
More than 90% of Harley riders ride them as they bought them.
Maybe the pain from a bad back could make you angry about your favorite bikes suspension
In which case I suggest a 2001 Softail Springer with Progressives or a good Medical Practitioner.
My 13 King has great suspension on it. Ohlin HD-159 shocks, 13" instead of the crap 12" that came on the bike. The front is Legends Axeo cartridges, light years better than stock.
People that think Harley suspension is good, have never rode on good suspension. Way to much dive and soft on the front even on the new bikes for good handling in the corners when the bike is pushed.
Part of the reason Harley has average suspension is customers except that. Same with the 110 motors that have lifter failure as a common issue for 10 years of production. Never fixed right, because most do not put enough miles on a bike to have failure under warranty. Yet the fail, two of my four bikes had failure just before the 2 year mark with 44K on them
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 609
Likes: 159
From: Allover
Valentino Milwaukee
[QUOTE=FLSTFI Dave;17209646]
People that think Harley suspension is good, have never rode on good suspension. Way to much dive and soft on the front even on the new bikes for good handling in the corners when the bike is pushed
Still think you have to have a bad back to spend $2000 modifying a perfectly good modern suspension?
Even if the SGS or RGS 12" Rears are a bit hard on soft bums,it only costs $300
To swop them out for Emulsion 13" ex RGU or Ultra
Noted on a previous thread that you thought the EVO suspension was the best ever! You get rich,or what?
People that think Harley suspension is good, have never rode on good suspension. Way to much dive and soft on the front even on the new bikes for good handling in the corners when the bike is pushed
Still think you have to have a bad back to spend $2000 modifying a perfectly good modern suspension?
Even if the SGS or RGS 12" Rears are a bit hard on soft bums,it only costs $300
To swop them out for Emulsion 13" ex RGU or Ultra
Noted on a previous thread that you thought the EVO suspension was the best ever! You get rich,or what?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,791
Likes: 690
From: Smalltown,USA
[QUOTE=Peter Quinn;17213872]People that think Harley suspension is good, have never rode on good suspension. Way to much dive and soft on the front even on the new bikes for good handling in the corners when the bike is pushed
Still think you have to have a bad back to spend $2000 modifying a perfectly good modern suspension?
Even if the SGS or RGS 12" Rears are a bit hard on soft bums,it only costs $300
To swop them out for Emulsion 13" ex RGU or Ultra
Noted on a previous thread that you thought the EVO suspension was the best ever! You get rich,or what?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,820
Likes: 588
From: Michigan
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,760
Likes: 22,963
From: North Carolina
Harley stock suspension front and rear on the touring bikes that I ride up to year 2017 were JUNK. Probably the worst in the industry especially the rear air shocks.
In 2017 they did make advancements both front and rear but not big advancements.
I have owned an 08 Street Glide, 2010 Ultra, 2016 Limited and now a 2017 CVO Limited. The last three frames and the stock factory upgrades on suspension with over 100K miles on these bikes combined.
When I was considering rear shocks about a year ago I was stunned by some of the prices. One of our fellow members posted "You obviously have NEVER ridden a good tuned suspension". Well he was 1000% correct. Until you actually ride with a really good setup you cannot appreciate just how bad the stock suspension even on the latest touring bikes is.
We added Pro-Action to our 2016 and WOW. Even my wife in less than a mile was amazed! The ride is incredible, the bike is planted and I was easily going into corners I rode all the time 10 mph faster than before with total confidence.
From air shocks to good quality coil overs is amazing. From the latest version HD coil shocks it is still a very noticeable improvement. My wife can definitely tell an improved ride. Personally I see a greater improvement in handling than ride but both are better.
Hard to explain but with the perfect rear suspension you immediately see the deficiencies in the front end. I plan to update the front next winter and will most likely go with Legends. However Pro-Action is developing a front upgrade and based on their reputation I will definitely consider it.
I strongly feel that Harley has done themselves a disservice all these years with junk suspension. They should at least offer a REAL option.
In 2017 they did make advancements both front and rear but not big advancements.
I have owned an 08 Street Glide, 2010 Ultra, 2016 Limited and now a 2017 CVO Limited. The last three frames and the stock factory upgrades on suspension with over 100K miles on these bikes combined.
When I was considering rear shocks about a year ago I was stunned by some of the prices. One of our fellow members posted "You obviously have NEVER ridden a good tuned suspension". Well he was 1000% correct. Until you actually ride with a really good setup you cannot appreciate just how bad the stock suspension even on the latest touring bikes is.
We added Pro-Action to our 2016 and WOW. Even my wife in less than a mile was amazed! The ride is incredible, the bike is planted and I was easily going into corners I rode all the time 10 mph faster than before with total confidence.
From air shocks to good quality coil overs is amazing. From the latest version HD coil shocks it is still a very noticeable improvement. My wife can definitely tell an improved ride. Personally I see a greater improvement in handling than ride but both are better.
Hard to explain but with the perfect rear suspension you immediately see the deficiencies in the front end. I plan to update the front next winter and will most likely go with Legends. However Pro-Action is developing a front upgrade and based on their reputation I will definitely consider it.
I strongly feel that Harley has done themselves a disservice all these years with junk suspension. They should at least offer a REAL option.
Last edited by Cosmic Razorback; Mar 25, 2018 at 06:57 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,109
Likes: 456
From: The Great Midwest
I’m getting ready to head down this road on upgrading the suspension. Rear first, then we will see if the front end will need upgraded.
I’m want to point out that I am glad that we have some great options made right here in the USA that are utilizing their dealer network to get the products to us. Pro-Action, Legend, etc are making it easier for us to call and ask those questions, get that support, and make the move away from the Harley stock suspension.
Our Suspension threads are all too often interrupted by a select few, and it makes it hard for us to convey our thoughts, findings, and opinions in an objective manner. Take a look at almost any of the performance threads here and you will see the multitude of people chiming in. The suspension threads are just like the Audio forum used to be...it was ludicrous how a certain vendor/sponsor ruined it for everyone over there, and I see the exact same thing happening with suspension threads. It’s just stupid...
There are lots of ways to improve the ride....for me, I’m going to explore a couple here in the upcoming few weeks. I refuse to “drink the Kool-Aid” but I’m still interested in how they perform, and I’ll do so objectively. I’ll share my findings at that time, but most likely it’ll have to be via PM’s.
I’m want to point out that I am glad that we have some great options made right here in the USA that are utilizing their dealer network to get the products to us. Pro-Action, Legend, etc are making it easier for us to call and ask those questions, get that support, and make the move away from the Harley stock suspension.
Our Suspension threads are all too often interrupted by a select few, and it makes it hard for us to convey our thoughts, findings, and opinions in an objective manner. Take a look at almost any of the performance threads here and you will see the multitude of people chiming in. The suspension threads are just like the Audio forum used to be...it was ludicrous how a certain vendor/sponsor ruined it for everyone over there, and I see the exact same thing happening with suspension threads. It’s just stupid...
There are lots of ways to improve the ride....for me, I’m going to explore a couple here in the upcoming few weeks. I refuse to “drink the Kool-Aid” but I’m still interested in how they perform, and I’ll do so objectively. I’ll share my findings at that time, but most likely it’ll have to be via PM’s.
Last edited by lyork; Mar 25, 2018 at 07:21 PM. Reason: Grammar and spelling