Suspension question
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 22
Likes: 12
From: Southampton, Pa
Suspension question
Looking to replace my rear shocks on my sportster. Any input on legend revo a or progressive or other brands. I dont want to raise my bike much higher than stock height. That being said stock shock are 11 3/4 I believe will a 13 raise it drastically? But that being said will 12 inch shocks even make much difference? Thanks in advance
HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,847
Likes: 1,947
From: Santa Ana, CA
I just changed my shocks a couple months ago. I was running HD touring air shocks @ 0psi which was pretty nice but I wasn't a fan of the big ugly shock. I ended up going with 12" Bitubo shocks. Based on my research these seemed like the best way to go and as of now I am pretty happy with them.
Last edited by OCSpringer; Dec 12, 2023 at 11:44 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 378
Likes: 134
From: South Dakota
For the rears, I've tried the stock shocks (beat the dickens out of my back), the air shocks at 0 psi (worked OK but were ugly and didn't look right on the bike), Progressive 412's (much better than the stock shocks but still jammed my back on hard bumps), and the Ohlins I have on it now (have been working great). My lesson - I could have gotten a premium replacement shock to start with and saved a lot of money and time.
All of the replacements were 2 inches longer than the stock shocks on my Custom, and I did replace the kickstand with a 2000's Roadster unit bought from eBay.
Ohlins would be my recommendation but they are very pricey. There are other alternatives (one of the forum sponsors, DK Customs, sells premium shocks that seem to be well received) out there as well.
All of the replacements were 2 inches longer than the stock shocks on my Custom, and I did replace the kickstand with a 2000's Roadster unit bought from eBay.
Ohlins would be my recommendation but they are very pricey. There are other alternatives (one of the forum sponsors, DK Customs, sells premium shocks that seem to be well received) out there as well.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,182
Likes: 2,225
From: College Station, TX
The Progressive's are ok, but leave a lot to be desired. Go with Ohlins, Legends or Bitubo. The Bitubo's are the least expensive of the three but are good quality. I have Bitubo on one of my bikes and am vbery happy with them.
Spend a little more now and you will be glad that you did.
Paul
Spend a little more now and you will be glad that you did.
Paul
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,254
Likes: 4,946
From: England
My non scientific conclusion to HD shocks...
American cars may wollow but European cars not so much but it is possible to push down on a corner and compress the spring. When letting go the car jumps up and then down a little and settles. Even though the spring is such that it is supporting a car weighing 2 tons the spring can still be compressed.
When driving the car though it doesn't spring up and down but is generally firm on the road. This has to be due to the dampers in use.
In comparison I couldn't compress the back suspension on my Sportster. When I fitted shocks that didn't have adjustable damping they were similarly stiff.
I conclude that good shocks actually have softer springs but way better adjustable damping to control them.
American cars may wollow but European cars not so much but it is possible to push down on a corner and compress the spring. When letting go the car jumps up and then down a little and settles. Even though the spring is such that it is supporting a car weighing 2 tons the spring can still be compressed.
When driving the car though it doesn't spring up and down but is generally firm on the road. This has to be due to the dampers in use.
In comparison I couldn't compress the back suspension on my Sportster. When I fitted shocks that didn't have adjustable damping they were similarly stiff.
I conclude that good shocks actually have softer springs but way better adjustable damping to control them.
A 12" shock will be unnoticeable in the difference it raises the bike. Due to the shocks laying at an angle rather than perpendicular to the ground and swing arm it'll lift the bike around half as much as the new shock is longer than the shock that is on your bike. With a 1/4" longer shock the bike sitting higher would be like 1/8" which is unnoticeable and some it not all of that 1/8" would be taken up in sag anyway once you sit on the bike. I say go ahead and get 13" shocks for the increase in comfort and performance. More travel = more comfort and the little increase in height = more cornering clearance.
If you want something affordable, Check out the Bitubo shocks. I've ran Progressives on my dyna and hated them. Then replaced them with the Bitubos (12") and they are the best I have ran yet, more comfortable and much more controlled. And you can tell and difference when you adjust the rebound on them. Although for more comfort I wish I had went with 13" shocks. again due to the shocks laying at an angle and some of the extra shock travel is taken up by sag when you're on the bike so the actual lift is minimal. So I'm looking to replace my Bitubos with a nicer 13" shock along the likes of ProAction or Ohlins, but thats more for comfort than anything.
Are you looking to replace more for comfort or performance? Either way, I would steer you to 13" options as you gain both. Also don't forget about the front end, Once the rear is upgraded you'll see how mushy the front end is.
If you want something affordable, Check out the Bitubo shocks. I've ran Progressives on my dyna and hated them. Then replaced them with the Bitubos (12") and they are the best I have ran yet, more comfortable and much more controlled. And you can tell and difference when you adjust the rebound on them. Although for more comfort I wish I had went with 13" shocks. again due to the shocks laying at an angle and some of the extra shock travel is taken up by sag when you're on the bike so the actual lift is minimal. So I'm looking to replace my Bitubos with a nicer 13" shock along the likes of ProAction or Ohlins, but thats more for comfort than anything.
Are you looking to replace more for comfort or performance? Either way, I would steer you to 13" options as you gain both. Also don't forget about the front end, Once the rear is upgraded you'll see how mushy the front end is.
Last edited by 2500hdon37s; Dec 13, 2023 at 08:34 AM.
Trending Topics
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 340
Likes: 125
From: Nashville
Cant agree more with this comment "I conclude that good shocks actually have softer springs but way better adjustable damping to control them."
I'm a firm believer that upgrading your suspension to something with damping control is one of the best and most noticeable upgrades - however it does not come cheap.
Most if not all of the shock manufactures have a shock like this, pick one and go.
BTW raising the rear will give you a bit snappier response because the bike will be tipped forward a little. Also and I hate to say it your prolly gonna want something on the front too.
let us know what you came up with.
I'm a firm believer that upgrading your suspension to something with damping control is one of the best and most noticeable upgrades - however it does not come cheap.
Most if not all of the shock manufactures have a shock like this, pick one and go.
BTW raising the rear will give you a bit snappier response because the bike will be tipped forward a little. Also and I hate to say it your prolly gonna want something on the front too.
let us know what you came up with.
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
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 22
Likes: 12
From: Southampton, Pa
Im looking for a little of both more comfort and performance. I ride 2 up occasionally and it will bottom out with me and my girl on it. And did a longer ride a month or two ago n it was a rough ride lol. Im not opposed to the 13 I just didnt want it to raise the bike too much. Or to throw it off in the front I know if u go to high u have to adjust the front. I will eventually upgrade the front but currently not in the budget. I had been looking at legends revo a with rebound adjustment. They come in 12 or 13. Standard or heavy springs. This is my first time changing suspension on a Harley and want to do it right the first time.
i looked at Ohlins and legends piggyback shocks but might be more than I need. I appreciate the input
i looked at Ohlins and legends piggyback shocks but might be more than I need. I appreciate the input