Shocks
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,717
Likes: 35
[QUOTE=edgeofinsanity;9591438]It's a night and day difference, really smooths out the bumps, and I had what are supposed to be the "better" shocks on my Custom, it's like a different bike, I'm even planning to keep my stock seat now.
We run the air shocks at a lot lower PSI, some guys even run them with no air (0 psi).
Those SG shocks are the same ones I have, since they are the lower ones and didn't change my ride height. "Bang for the buck", it's probably the best thing I've bought for my bike, plus they install in less than an hour, using stock hardware and a couple extra washers. They don't look half bad on the Sportster either.
[/QUOTE
Ok, thanks for the info. I admit I am new to Sportsters. My wife just traded in her 2011 Streetglide for a 2012 1200 Custom. I was set on ordering her a set of Ohlins 3-3 from Howard at Motorcyclemetal. He custom rebuilds the Ohlins to the bike and the riders weight and riding style. I have a set on my Road King and they are awesome shocks. I happen to have her set of Street Glide shocks in my shop. I might give that a try before the Ohlins just to see how it changes the ride. Your right they look pretty good on your Sportster. That's why I came on over here to the Sportster side to learn a little about these bikes.
We run the air shocks at a lot lower PSI, some guys even run them with no air (0 psi).
Those SG shocks are the same ones I have, since they are the lower ones and didn't change my ride height. "Bang for the buck", it's probably the best thing I've bought for my bike, plus they install in less than an hour, using stock hardware and a couple extra washers. They don't look half bad on the Sportster either.
[/QUOTEOk, thanks for the info. I admit I am new to Sportsters. My wife just traded in her 2011 Streetglide for a 2012 1200 Custom. I was set on ordering her a set of Ohlins 3-3 from Howard at Motorcyclemetal. He custom rebuilds the Ohlins to the bike and the riders weight and riding style. I have a set on my Road King and they are awesome shocks. I happen to have her set of Street Glide shocks in my shop. I might give that a try before the Ohlins just to see how it changes the ride. Your right they look pretty good on your Sportster. That's why I came on over here to the Sportster side to learn a little about these bikes.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 988
Likes: 8
From: Clinton IA
It would be worth try, you would only be out the time spent installing if you had to swap back. I mentioned the washers... those are to space the air shocks out, if you still have the belt guard on your wife's bike, the shock will interfere because it is larger in diameter.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Ok, thanks for the info. I admit I am new to Sportsters. My wife just traded in her 2011 Streetglide for a 2012 1200 Custom. I was set on ordering her a set of Ohlins 3-3 from Howard at Motorcyclemetal. He custom rebuilds the Ohlins to the bike and the riders weight and riding style. I have a set on my Road King and they are awesome shocks. I happen to have her set of Street Glide shocks in my shop. I might give that a try before the Ohlins just to see how it changes the ride. Your right they look pretty good on your Sportster. That's why I came on over here to the Sportster side to learn a little about these bikes.
#3-3s on my Glide.....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 8
From: Temecula, CA
You guys with RKs and Ohlins need to keep something in mind. You're bikes are much heavier than Sportsters and it sounds like the stock RK shocks are the bare minimum for that weight of bike. Harley probably does the same thing with the Sportster's stock shocks. Thus putting RK shocks on a Sportster is a vast improvement for the Sportster.
I had stock shocks on my 1999 and it bottomed out on everything it seemed. Every small little imperfection was a harsh jolt and that was riding solo. 2-up was even worse and my gf at the time hated how harsh the ride was. I had read a lot about the RK shocks and was going to get a pair. The gf wasn't too keen on the idea of me spending more money on the bike (we were living together at the time) but I convinced her it wasn't expensive ($50) and would be worth the money.
The first time we took the bike out with the RK shocks on she was a believer. She told me later that was the best money I had spent on the bike to date. HUGE difference even in solo riding. I'm glad they don't work well on RKs because that means you guys like to get rid of them for cheap when you put your new shocks on.
I just picked up a set of take offs about a month ago for $25 on craigslist.
I had stock shocks on my 1999 and it bottomed out on everything it seemed. Every small little imperfection was a harsh jolt and that was riding solo. 2-up was even worse and my gf at the time hated how harsh the ride was. I had read a lot about the RK shocks and was going to get a pair. The gf wasn't too keen on the idea of me spending more money on the bike (we were living together at the time) but I convinced her it wasn't expensive ($50) and would be worth the money.
The first time we took the bike out with the RK shocks on she was a believer. She told me later that was the best money I had spent on the bike to date. HUGE difference even in solo riding. I'm glad they don't work well on RKs because that means you guys like to get rid of them for cheap when you put your new shocks on.
I just picked up a set of take offs about a month ago for $25 on craigslist.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
You guys with RKs and Ohlins need to keep something in mind. You're bikes are much heavier than Sportsters and it sounds like the stock RK shocks are the bare minimum for that weight of bike. Harley probably does the same thing with the Sportster's stock shocks. Thus putting RK shocks on a Sportster is a vast improvement for the Sportster.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 4
From: Upstate NY
What you Sporty guys need to learn is the merit of good quality shocks! RK air shocks ain't quality for either bike. Ohlins can be custom built to suit the rider and bike. That makes them ideal for a Sporty as well as a dresser! The damping and springs will be different so they won't transfer from one to the other.
Not all of us can afford to drop a grand on ohlins. Hence why we settle with progressives or improvise RK shocks. Either of those choices are still a major upgrade from the stock sporty bricks.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,717
Likes: 35
If the Harley air shocks work that good on a Sportster, which I am not doubting then the Ohlins are going to be AMAZING !
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 44
Likes: 2
From: ricelake wi
i have road glide shocks on my nightster and ricor intimatadors in the forks. my dad would rather ride my sporty than his bagger now. the bagger shocks might not be good quility shocks for bagger but i absalutly love them on my sporty.. and you can find them cheap. i am 200 pnds and run them at 6 pnds of air and they are perfect. when the wife gos with 10 pounds is perfect. im a true believer of these shocks. remember just becouse they dont work for one bike dont mean they wont work for a nother..
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Interesting theory. As a Road King owner I can say the air shocks on a Road King are Crap ! I wouldn't waste my time or money unless they somehow ride better on a Sportster. Cruise on over and look around the touring forums. A lot of discussion on how crappy the touring air shocks are and most people replace them with Ohlins, progressive ect.
That being said I have a pair of air shocks from a 2011 Street Glide if your interested. Sell them to you CHEAP !
That being said I have a pair of air shocks from a 2011 Street Glide if your interested. Sell them to you CHEAP !
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
