At least one forum member on here posted that he had ridden a shotgun shock vs 422 shock at stock height and the ride was the same.. I didnt ask about his weight nor 2 up..

So Im gonna open yet another thread on this subject which will probably **** some of you off.. but it would help me and others contemplating a) a touring bike and b) $1300 vs $400 on a shock.. but this is different in that I dont care about my bike dragging on the road.. I dont care that my bike doesnt look as cool lowered.. I want to be comfortable, I am willing to compromise cool for comfort.

My issue is the rough ride even with stock height.. beats my butt up.. I went from a 1" lowered shock to stock height recently and it was night and day.. big bumps are now no issue.. but its that nagging road bumps on my back side that is starting to make spending $20k a possibility on a touring bike... 422's can be had for $200 used and may be worth a try but hopefully someone can comment..

If you do comment, please mention your weight (Im 170) and whether you've experienced 2 up.. and what your passenger felt.. also what seats you've tried.. I went from a corbin solo to stock fatboy seat and noticed less vibration on my backside.. you cannot avoid the fact that our engines are solid mounted to our frames... so seats are a big deal.. my thought is, ultimately the mustang seat is the best route to go.

Basically, this thread is about ride and avoiding going to a touring bike and losing that ride "in" the bike as opposed to on.. not to mention a big hole in your pocket..

If this is an old question please post a link to the thread for me...

 

This is a valid thread, and I hope folks don't start losing sight of what you're asking.

If I understand correctly, you want to know if the SS and 422s will provide the same comfort level if set at stock height for your bike, correct? And if this will also be true in 2 up situations, correct?

I have never tried the 422s. So I only know half of the answer. I am 177 lbs.

I love my SS set up, of course. If I set it at stock height for my Slim, it is an absolute dream. I can hardly feel the bumps. And my fiancee, who owns a Mini Cooper, literally found it more cushy on bumps on my little 2 up seat at stock heights with my bike than she did in her car. My fiancee is 125 lbs. or so.

Someone else will chime in with the other side of the answer on how the 422s do, I'm sure.

 

I too would like to know about this!

 

I just changed out the stock rear shocks on my 07 custom that was lowered about 1.75 inches to 422s.Its now lowered about 1.25, and did the drop in springs the same in front.i also added a saddleman heels down renegade solo seat and avon cobra 200 rear and a 90/90 front.The ride and seat combo feels at least 50% better now.I had to go the the chiropracter every time i hit a pothole or bump with the stock setup.I have ridden at least 300 miles in the last 2 weeks without any pain.

 

I have had both, and the shotgun is better for the reason that you can adjust the firmness/softness of the suspension on the fly. If you all of a sudden come up on a rough road with big holes, you can firm it up so you don't bottom out, and then when the road changes to the little bumps lighten up the stiffness and float over them.

They are both good products, but in my experience the shotgun offers a much smoother ride. And with the shotgun weight and 2 up doesn't matter because you can change that as riding to get it dialed in. With the 422s I never got the setting for 2 up dialed in, as you had to adjust before heading out.

 

Yes, that is indeed what I am asking... thanks for your experienced information.

 

I took 422 off my heritage and fitted the SS, massive improvement once you find the sweet spot on the rebound. I'm 155ib and have a lepera bare bones. I can happily do a couple of hours in comfort. Not been 2up but it's good with luggage on, again just adjust the rebound.
We have really bad roads here in the uk, I'd definatly say its one of the most beneficial mods I've done.

 

rider- 220 lbs., passenger 130 lbs., gear 20 lbs., bike suspension is stock, road surface conditions are variable-

If the shocks are adjusted to give the best ride and they are never adjusted again what's the ride comfort difference between stock shocks, 422s and Shotgun Shocks?

Are all three about the same or are one better than the others?

 

I can't comment on the 422's because I never had or rode on a bike with the 422's on it. BUT, there was no point or need to because the SS has the features I want and the 422's don't! I read all I could and went with an informed decision. As for ride comfort? The SS just takes riding to a whole new level of comfort and fun. I have not commented on the SS but a few times in the past year, I have no need to as everyone is now getting one themselves and they talk it up. All of it, any of it can be done on the fly with both ride height and rebound. JD is an AWESOME guy, best vendor experience of any vendor I have ever used in all my years of riding.

The driver comfort, for me, is the best of anything I have ridden. I do little 2 up and when I do it's usually my daughter and she noticed the difference on her very 1st ride after mine was installed. She said it was like riding in my old Cadillac which is a 1978 Eldorado Biarritz that only has 29K original miles on it and it does not come much more comfortable that that, it's air ride too

As for the seat? I had my stock Deluxe seat reworked for both the front and back. I had 1.5" of the stock foam removed and replaced with 1" of Gelfoam and then finished in a black and white to match the bikes paint scheme. This seat now is just awesome and paired with the SS it's like riding on a cloud of cotton.

I am 5'10", 225 and my daughter is probably 5'7" 130, 140. I hope this helps. I will never sit here and knock any other air ride system because to each there own. BUT no other system has these features and to me, that it why it is a superior product. I am supposed to be meeting up with a guy this spring to go riding. He has the 422(he wishes he had gone with the SS) and I have the SS. We are going to swap for a few miles and see what's up? I really don't need to ride his because I have no interest in the 422's but I will then at least have 1st hand experience plus he wants to see if the SS is that much more different, which he will find that it is so I am going to let him ride mine for a few hours. I just hope he gives it back to me!!!

Good luck Dude and keep us posted and what you do and what you go with. I'm not sitting here with my Pop Poms cheering on the SS. I am just telling like it is. Is it more expensive? Yep, it sure is! Is it worth it? Yep, it's worth every penny. The other systems, 1 address comfort. The other address ride height. The SS? It address both and on the fly. OK, let the "piling on" begin again and listen Dude, there are no such things as bad questions or repetitive questions. This site is all about Brotherhood, helping one another and most of all INFORMATION! Those who want to act childish are best dealt with by just ignoring them.

 

I have the prog. 422s on my rocker and they are great (385 bucks at DK). I lowered the rear 1.5 inches and it works great. I don't hit bottom and it is very comfortable. You can adjust the ride height and ride quality. Plus you still have the other 800 bucks in your bank account...
2 other tips folks on here gave me - my bump stop was the right size, but too thick, per folks here I bought a bumpstop for an 07 softail and it's the same size, mounts in the same holes, but is thinner (the rubber thickness is the same as the rocker, but the rocker had a big hunk of filler metal to make it thicker.
Front springs - I di not realize how minmal they are, but an HD mechanic buddy told me to change them, he got me the whole front kit for 90 bucks...made a huge positive change in ride and handling. easy 1 hr install including beer drinking...LOL.
Ride safe.