2018 Front Shocks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 6,086
Likes: 6,445
From: East TN
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?
On my 09 CVO road glide, I thought the suspension was great coming from Softtails. Never changed it, kept it stock.
I thought my 12 CVO suspension was great, never changed it. Then in 2013 I rode a bike will full Ohlin suspension. I then realize just how crappy the touring suspension really was. I realized the Front was was to soft and had too much dive in breaking and hard cornering. I realized it tried to wash out in a hard corner. I realized how harsh the rear was stock also.
So I put a good suspension on my 13 CVO King. 13 ohlins in the rear and legends Axeo cartridges up front. It will corner way faster than it would stock. It rides way better than it did stock.
Got my 15 CVO Road Glide Ultra, with the new improved suspension. Was in the dealer 3 times complaining about the crappy suspension, especially the rear. Felt like I would wash out in the curves, felt like no control of the rear end. I though it was border line dangerous. Them Air shock SUCK bad. Put Ohlin's on it, and it handled great.
You have obviously never rode a bike with good suspension if you think Harley Emulsion 13" shocks are good. They are not worth 20 dollars to me.
My back is just fine. How many 750 mile days do you do? I usually do 3 or four every year in a row on my way to vacation some where. Last year I also did a 1000 miles in 16 hours and then 1500 miles in 31 hours. So I want good suspension.
Do you drag your floor boards in the curves? I tend to push it a little, so I want good suspension. Harley is not it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 6,086
Likes: 6,445
From: East TN
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.
There are some, who are convinced that the HD is great. They obviously have not rode a bike with good suspension like Legends, or Ohlin, or Pro-Action or Fox.
Progressive is barley a step better than HD, I would not waist my money on it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,925
Likes: 8,027
From: poway
I fully agree with everything you said. A good suspension on a Harley touring bike does wonders. Yea its very expensive. However it handles way better, and it rides way better.
There are some, who are convinced that the HD is great. They obviously have not rode a bike with good suspension like Legends, or Ohlin, or Pro-Action or Fox.
Progressive is barley a step better than HD, I would not waist my money on it.
There are some, who are convinced that the HD is great. They obviously have not rode a bike with good suspension like Legends, or Ohlin, or Pro-Action or Fox.
Progressive is barley a step better than HD, I would not waist my money on it.
Front shocks I've used Paoli, Ceriani, and RT modified Showa cartridge shocks both for on and off road. I still find properly set up emulator shocks pretty good. The only place the better setup cartridge forks work are in hard fast corners with rough surfaces. The main problem there is the single speed rebound causes stacking which can collapse the forks.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 6,086
Likes: 6,445
From: East TN
I do detect a bit of Ohlins snobbery here.. While I've not used Ohlins on the front I've used them in the back.. They are a good shock and one of the best for the rear but there are other shocks that do pretty well.
Front shocks I've used Paoli, Ceriani, and RT modified Showa cartridge shocks both for on and off road. I still find properly set up emulator shocks pretty good. The only place the better setup cartridge forks work are in hard fast corners with rough surfaces. The main problem there is the single speed rebound causes stacking which can collapse the forks.
Front shocks I've used Paoli, Ceriani, and RT modified Showa cartridge shocks both for on and off road. I still find properly set up emulator shocks pretty good. The only place the better setup cartridge forks work are in hard fast corners with rough surfaces. The main problem there is the single speed rebound causes stacking which can collapse the forks.
The bold is why I like dual cartridges up front. Don't really even need the rough surface to notice the improvement in a hard fast corner. Many of are fast sweepers have dips that will upset a stock front end.
I have run Fox for a long time on Dirt bikes. Did progressive once on a street bike, never buy them again. I'll buy legends again, or Ohlin. May even give Fox a try.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,925
Likes: 8,027
From: poway
Not from me on the Ohlin snobbery. Read my post you quoted, I listed several brands, and Ohlin was not even first. Heck my CVO King is Ohlin Rear and Legends Axeo front.
The bold is why I like dual cartridges up front. Don't really even need the rough surface to notice the improvement in a hard fast corner. Many of are fast sweepers have dips that will upset a stock front end.
I have run Fox for a long time on Dirt bikes. Did progressive once on a street bike, never buy them again. I'll buy legends again, or Ohlin. May even give Fox a try.
The bold is why I like dual cartridges up front. Don't really even need the rough surface to notice the improvement in a hard fast corner. Many of are fast sweepers have dips that will upset a stock front end.
I have run Fox for a long time on Dirt bikes. Did progressive once on a street bike, never buy them again. I'll buy legends again, or Ohlin. May even give Fox a try.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 3,412
From: OH
I am not a fan of the stock offering from Harley. The newer stuff is better than it was but its still severly lacking. The wife has commented several occasions how she would buy them again herself for the rears. Fronts are little more for control than overall comfort.
I do agree with the statements made on long rides showing the short comings of the stock stuff. When you rail 750 mile days it really becomes worth it.
I do agree with the statements made on long rides showing the short comings of the stock stuff. When you rail 750 mile days it really becomes worth it.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,674
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From: State of Confusion
there's a big difference in ride quality for touring between the 2" rear shocks and low aspect ratio front tire..my RK with 3" and meatier front helps absorb road imperfections..the RG and SG models I test rode jarred my spine and the RK on the same stretch almost felt like they repaired the road for me..no complaints, certainly not enough to want to drop $2000 on upgrading front and rear..good enough is good enough and I'm tapped out from throwing money at these expensive bikes and watch the take off parts pile reach the garage ceiling
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: East TN
Well I do have to say that the M8s don't do too bad there.. I have 2 test locations where there are fast sweepers with bumps in them close to my house. The M8 stock suspension does pretty well over these test locations.. The big issue is that the m8 forks are not as compliant. You feel more of the road. Cartridge forks for me really do better in the tight choppy stuff and overall feel plusher without giving the feeling of instability..
That does not mean its as good as Race-tech, or Fox, or Legends, or Ohlin and so on.
Most people really do not know that there is better suspension. Most think any touring bike has good suspension.