How long should shocks last?
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 18,303
Likes: 26,540
From: Northwest of Los Angeles
How long should shocks last?
I was wondering what you think a reasonable expectation is for shocks on a Heritage Softail Classic, in miles. I've hit 31K on my '06. Frankly, I haven't noticed much deterioration (I ride solo exclusively), but it might be one of those things that you really don't notice until one day you hit a bump and find yourself sitting on the frame. I've been thinking about replacing the original shocks with a set of Progressive 422's. Would I really see an immediate difference?
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 18,303
Likes: 26,540
From: Northwest of Los Angeles
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 18,303
Likes: 26,540
From: Northwest of Los Angeles
They would indeed. Good eye. Completely eliminated that pain between the shoulder blades, even on 6-7 hour days.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
The difference between the stock shocks and 422s is night and day. The rear suspension on a Heritage is no different from that of a Night Train, and the 422s made my 'Train far more comfortable.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 18,303
Likes: 26,540
From: Northwest of Los Angeles
I hear what you're saying, and I wonder if you could be a little more specific about just how the difference was "night and day". Do you ride mostly solo or two-up?
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
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
Both. When I went to the 18" rear wheel, the back of the bike looked like a YZ125, and the wife was having difficulty getting on the back. I bought the Progressives specifically to lower the back end. I'm now sitting 1-1/2" lower than stock.
What I found after I figured out my preload settings was that either solo or 2-up, the back of the bike didn't hammer me nearly as much as it did with the stock shocks. It's still a Softail with all the built-in limitations of the form-over-function rear suspension, but the 422s do a much better job of isolating the tire and swingarm, and keeping the bike planted. I can really notice it in the corners going over road imperfections. I can feel the rear suspension working while the bike stays stable.
On a couple of long solo trips, I've move the ride height back up to stock, and with the extra travel the bike becomes about as comfortable as a Softie is going to get.
The key with them (and the stock Showas for that matter) is correctly setting your preload. Yes it's a pain in the nuts to get down on hands and knees and adjust the shocks before every ride (assuming you're alternating solo and 2-up), but the payoff is well worth it.
What I found after I figured out my preload settings was that either solo or 2-up, the back of the bike didn't hammer me nearly as much as it did with the stock shocks. It's still a Softail with all the built-in limitations of the form-over-function rear suspension, but the 422s do a much better job of isolating the tire and swingarm, and keeping the bike planted. I can really notice it in the corners going over road imperfections. I can feel the rear suspension working while the bike stays stable.
On a couple of long solo trips, I've move the ride height back up to stock, and with the extra travel the bike becomes about as comfortable as a Softie is going to get.
The key with them (and the stock Showas for that matter) is correctly setting your preload. Yes it's a pain in the nuts to get down on hands and knees and adjust the shocks before every ride (assuming you're alternating solo and 2-up), but the payoff is well worth it.
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 18,303
Likes: 26,540
From: Northwest of Los Angeles
Both. When I went to the 18" rear wheel, the back of the bike looked like a YZ125, and the wife was having difficulty getting on the back. I bought the Progressives specifically to lower the back end. I'm now sitting 1-1/2" lower than stock.
What I found after I figured out my preload settings was that either solo or 2-up, the back of the bike didn't hammer me nearly as much as it did with the stock shocks. It's still a Softail with all the built-in limitations of the form-over-function rear suspension, but the 422s do a much better job of isolating the tire and swingarm, and keeping the bike planted. I can really notice it in the corners going over road imperfections. I can feel the rear suspension working while the bike stays stable.
On a couple of long solo trips, I've move the ride height back up to stock, and with the extra travel the bike becomes about as comfortable as a Softie is going to get.
The key with them (and the stock Showas for that matter) is correctly setting your preload. Yes it's a pain in the nuts to get down on hands and knees and adjust the shocks before every ride (assuming you're alternating solo and 2-up), but the payoff is well worth it.
What I found after I figured out my preload settings was that either solo or 2-up, the back of the bike didn't hammer me nearly as much as it did with the stock shocks. It's still a Softail with all the built-in limitations of the form-over-function rear suspension, but the 422s do a much better job of isolating the tire and swingarm, and keeping the bike planted. I can really notice it in the corners going over road imperfections. I can feel the rear suspension working while the bike stays stable.
On a couple of long solo trips, I've move the ride height back up to stock, and with the extra travel the bike becomes about as comfortable as a Softie is going to get.
The key with them (and the stock Showas for that matter) is correctly setting your preload. Yes it's a pain in the nuts to get down on hands and knees and adjust the shocks before every ride (assuming you're alternating solo and 2-up), but the payoff is well worth it.