I've been looking at upgrading the suspension on my 2011 FLS. I found the information out there to be confusing, outdated, and spread across multiple sources. Since I was already keeping notes to try and organize my search efforts I figured why not post them here and share it with my fellow bikers. I hope that it provides some value to those looking for rear shocks. All feedback and additional detail is welcome. I'll update the list below as new information comes in and is verified. To be clear, I do NOT intend this to be a review or endorsement of any particular product, or technology, there is already plenty of that type of info out there.

The list below is what I've been able to put together based on popular rear suspension offerings. I purposely did not include any low end, no name stuff found on eBay etc.

• CONVENTIONAL SHOCKS
  • Harley Comfort Flex
    • At appx 305 bucks a set this is about the starting point to replace the OEM offering from the factory
    • PN# 54000041
  • Progressive 422
    • ​​​​​​​Available with or without RAP (Remote Adjustment)
    • Available with standard or heavy spring
    • General consensus seems to be less than 250 pounds get the standard spring, over 250 get the heavy duty spring
    • Prices are appx 425 for the basic shock and appx 675 for the RAP equipped model
  • Bitubo
    • ​​​​​​​Not readily available
    • For some reason they only show them fitting up to model year 2007 even though other manufacturers typically list 2000-2017 as taking the same shock
    • Not readily available
  • Race Tech GS3
    • ​​​​​​​No longer available
  • Ohlins
    • ​​​​​​​No longer available
  • Super Shox
    • ​​​​​​​Not available
  • Pro-Action
    • ​​​​​​​Not available
  • Works Performance
    • No longer in business

• AIR SHOCKS
  • ​​​​​​​Shot Gun
    • ​​​​​​​Appx 1,500 bucks
    • Height and rebound control using Bleed & Feed, similar to hydraulic piston/shim stack setup
    • Outstanding customer service, lifetime warranty
  • SAS
    • ​​​​​​​Appx 1,500 bucks
    • No independent rebound control
    • Unique in that it contains the compressor within the shock housing
    • 5 year warranty
  • Legend
    • ​​​​​​​Appx 1,500 Bucks
    • Utilizes a hydraulic disc type damper
    • No adjustment for damping
    • Lifetime warranty
  • Arnott
    • ​​​​​​​Appx 1,500 bucks
    • Relatively new, released about a year ago
    • Unique in that it has one shock that is strictly an air-spring and the other is strictly a hydraulic piston/shim stack damper
    • No rebound or compression damping is available
    • Not rebuild-able
    • Lifetime warranty

In summary, it appears as while there are many options for air suspension, the conventional shock offering has dwindled down to either Progressive 422's or Harley Comfort Flex. If anyone has any to add to the list or to add or correct any details please let me know.

http://www.mawsolutions.com/html/bod...fournales.html

 

Great list, excellent research. I wish more people helped out like this!

I'm assuming all of that is just parts, not labor?

 

Will,
Yes, these are the average street price for each offering. The price does not include shipping, labor etc. The only reason I included it was to give a rough idea of how each offering compared relative to the others.

 

I loved the Progressive 422s when I had my '13 FLS. They allowed me to raised the bike about 1.5" (from my stock blown shocks) to reduce floorboard scraping and it really gave me a lot more room to work with in the turns.

 

I'm "shocked" there isn't more options for a well known piece that's crummy from the factory and has so much room for improvement. Plus 17 model years of production isn't a small market.

I would like something heavy duty, light weight and rides like a caddy for my softail. The factory shocks literally ride 1 notch better than a rigid.

They are "optimized" for 150 pound rider. Lol

 

Fournales http://www.mawsolutions.com/html/bod...fournales.html

 

I agree. When I decided to upgrade my suspension I started by doing some research and scraping the forums for product reviews. Once I made a decision i tried to by the shocks and found they were no longer available. Off to option B, that wasn't available and so on down the line. That's what drove me to put this list together and post here. Hopefully it will save someone a fair bit of time. For those out there like me who don't want or need air suspension our choices are severely limited. What's even more frustrating is that it's easier to find stuff for the M8 than for our Softies.

 

I didn't include them as I felt they were more of an "exotic" choice. They are not available in the US and they can't be rebuilt without sending them back to France. Since you brought it up I will update the list to reflect them.

Curious, do you have any first hand experience using them? Reviews are almost non existent for these.

 

What'd you end up getting? Have you installed it yet?

 

Interesting story. I really didn't want / need air suspension so that really only left the Harley OE offering, which didn't get great reviews and the Progressive 422 series. After much debate I decided to go with the 422 RAP's but when I went to order them they were on a national back order. Couldn't find them in stock anywhere. At this point I got frustrated 'cause it's finally warming up around here and I wanna ride so I impulse shopped and pulled the trigger on some Shotgun shocks. I know I probably don't NEED them, but they get rave reviews everywhere so I figured WTF. LOL

I'll post a review once they arrive and get installed.