What are the best riding 11" shocks
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Novice
Joined: Jun 2010
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What are the best riding 11" shocks
My 97 sportster has 11" shocks on in now but i can not stand the way they ride. Its like they are solid. I am not a big guy and i never have a passenger. What would be the best riding shock for my bike. I do however like the low stance but would sacrafice that for a decent ride. Thanks
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 748
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From: Ohio
I like Progressives--you can get a front end spring kit in standard or a lowered stance, and they make the rear in regular and heavy duty (HD) in all sizes. Check out their website--you might also want to try to search this topic as I think it's been floating around for a couple of months and there are some great posts about even here today and yesterday re: same topic.
Account Deactivated
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 8
From: Central Florida
Suspension travel is the Key
The progressive company will work with you,,
Lots of "Low" riders find the Heavy Duty too harsh BUT and this is a biggie.
With a real low bike the HD can ride better, depends on your weight gear and all. They have several spring # options.
The best way to Improve the ride Is taller shocks, Any progressive shock will do better with more travel, more travel may mean a softer spring can be used.
IMO If your low to be cool then you may need heavier springs,,If you got the legs to go taller,,a better ride you will have.
NOTE : Bottom frame rails must not be lower to the front,,should be level or lower to the rear with you on it,,you don't want a tank slapper or Hi speed wobble.
Second Thing,I sorted my forks out first and the back end worked wayy better.
Super Brace up front with 3/4" preload spacers and SE 20wt fork Oil.
Stock shocks on the most preload outback and they work great.
Lower frame rails level and It tracks good and Is on Rails in the twisties.
2008 XL1200R,,not a low Model,,3.7" rear shock travel.
Low's are what,,,2" or so,,,,,
SOoooo a low shock must have a stiffer spring set up or your on a semi hardtail,,follow me,,,
Lots of "Low" riders find the Heavy Duty too harsh BUT and this is a biggie.
With a real low bike the HD can ride better, depends on your weight gear and all. They have several spring # options.
The best way to Improve the ride Is taller shocks, Any progressive shock will do better with more travel, more travel may mean a softer spring can be used.
IMO If your low to be cool then you may need heavier springs,,If you got the legs to go taller,,a better ride you will have.
NOTE : Bottom frame rails must not be lower to the front,,should be level or lower to the rear with you on it,,you don't want a tank slapper or Hi speed wobble.
Second Thing,I sorted my forks out first and the back end worked wayy better.
Super Brace up front with 3/4" preload spacers and SE 20wt fork Oil.
Stock shocks on the most preload outback and they work great.
Lower frame rails level and It tracks good and Is on Rails in the twisties.
2008 XL1200R,,not a low Model,,3.7" rear shock travel.
Low's are what,,,2" or so,,,,,
SOoooo a low shock must have a stiffer spring set up or your on a semi hardtail,,follow me,,,
Last edited by Osco; Jun 12, 2010 at 07:36 PM. Reason: Bad speeling
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
Actually, put the Street Glide lowering shocks-->12", and a set of lowering blocks to get the look you want along with the ride. 
The RK shocks are 13".
The RK shocks are 13".
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 10
From: Woodbridge VA.
I added 12" RK shocks to my Iron, no lowering blocks.
Raised the rear about 3/4" nothing anyone is going to say "Oh crap look how high it sits"
Plus the ride is soooooo much better than with the factory 11"ers.
I can actually ride and not dread running over pavement cracks and getting hammered in the kidneys.
Raised the rear about 3/4" nothing anyone is going to say "Oh crap look how high it sits"
Plus the ride is soooooo much better than with the factory 11"ers.
I can actually ride and not dread running over pavement cracks and getting hammered in the kidneys.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 606
Likes: 2
They look like progressive shocks, although the ones I have on my bike look different.
You are not going to get a good ride out of any 11 inch shock, since that gives you around 2 inches of wheel travel, and no matter how good a shock, 2 inches is nothing.
My bike came with 11.6 inch shocks standard, thats about 2.5 inches of wheel travel, I went to 12 inch 412 progressive shocks and it was much better, then went to 12.5 inch, and its even better. I might do the 13 inch ones in the future.
Going up an inch did not seem to look different to me..
If you are going for looks, do a strut that replaces the shocks, you can get the tire 1/4 inch from the fender and look really cool.
Brett
You are not going to get a good ride out of any 11 inch shock, since that gives you around 2 inches of wheel travel, and no matter how good a shock, 2 inches is nothing.
My bike came with 11.6 inch shocks standard, thats about 2.5 inches of wheel travel, I went to 12 inch 412 progressive shocks and it was much better, then went to 12.5 inch, and its even better. I might do the 13 inch ones in the future.
Going up an inch did not seem to look different to me..
If you are going for looks, do a strut that replaces the shocks, you can get the tire 1/4 inch from the fender and look really cool.
Brett
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