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I'm considering putting a set of Road King Shocks on my 2017 883 Iron. Has anyone else done this ? If so was it really worth it ?
Yep, done it. Yep, worth it. I've also done the 13" touring shocks (folks normally call the 12" touring shocks Road King Shocks). They both are a huge improvement over stock, and much better than many of the aftermarket shocks folks spend hundreds of dollars on.
In our Rear Suspension Report, which you can see HERE, I would put the rating of the Touring air shocks at a solid 50...see the chart below to get an idea what I mean by that. Chart is taken from the report linked above.
I would put the rating of the Touring air shocks at a solid 50...
I quit thinking about suspension when I got mine "good enough" with touring air shocks.. I no longer bottom out and break my spine like I did with the stock Low shocks. Sounds like you think the bitubo's are worth upgrading to for general ride quality? I bought my son a cheap dual sport bike for Christmas and rode it home along a route a regularly ride on the sporty and was blown away by how it absorbed bumps that I've just grown accustomed to bouncing over- before that ride I didn't know a bike could smooth out the road like that.
I quit thinking about suspension when I got mine "good enough" with touring air shocks.. I no longer bottom out and break my spine like I did with the stock Low shocks. Sounds like you think the bitubo's are worth upgrading to for general ride quality? I bought my son a cheap dual sport bike for Christmas and rode it home along a route a regularly ride on the sporty and was blown away by how it absorbed bumps that I've just grown accustomed to bouncing over- before that ride I didn't know a bike could smooth out the road like that.
It's amazing what a few extra inches of travel can do for the ride. I am tempted to go from 12's to 14's on mine and get longer forks. I need to raise my bike 2" in my shop to see how well I can plant my feet before I do though.
I quit thinking about suspension when I got mine "good enough" with touring air shocks.. I no longer bottom out and break my spine like I did with the stock Low shocks. Sounds like you think the bitubo's are worth upgrading to for general ride quality? I bought my son a cheap dual sport bike for Christmas and rode it home along a route a regularly ride on the sporty and was blown away by how it absorbed bumps that I've just grown accustomed to bouncing over- before that ride I didn't know a bike could smooth out the road like that.
While the take off air shocks are a huge improvement over stock, when going with a quality shock like the Twin Adjustable or PA shock, AND improving the front suspension, with intiminators or, even just better springs and the sag adjusted correctly, it is a completely different bike....as you experienced when riding your sons dual sport.
The reason I mention the front suspension is that you can have the best rear shock in the world, but if your forks are still compressed by a bump when the rear tire hits the bump....that means you rear suspension is unloaded and will be harsh.
In most cases, having the front suspension working correctly will make the rear suspension feel much better.
Last edited by DK Custom; Apr 14, 2019 at 11:51 AM.
While the take off air shocks are a huge improvement over stock, when going with a quality shock like the Twin Adjustable or PA shock, AND improving the front suspension, with intiminators or, even just better springs and the sag adjusted correctly, it is a completely different bike....as you experienced when riding your sons dual sport.
The reason I mention the front suspension is that you can have the best rear shock in the world, but if your forks are still compressed by a bump when the rear tire hits the bump....that means you rear suspension is unloaded and will be harsh.
In most cases, having the front suspension working correctly will make the rear suspension feel much better.
I raised the front and installed intiminators after I swapped the rears out. The geometry felt strange until I did.
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