group,
My neighbor has the above bike and between he and wife riding 2 up, rear shocks bottomed out with springs set on heaviest setting. Both weigh @ 300 lbs total. Any suggestions for better shocks or bigger bike needed for Christmas? They hit a pot hole and shocks stayed in collapsed position. He brought bike home, I put it up on bike lift and shocks rebounded to their normal position. Just wondering if shocks were damaged by being slammed to fully collapsed position and jammed there. You can't see any visual damage.
How much better are Progressive rear shocks than HD ??

Thanks

 

It is quite possible those shocks will be fine, until they next bottom out, when they may well stick once more. It does indeed sound as if they have suffered some damage, but difficult to imagine what.

It's not easy to advise on shocks. On my Glide I have custom built ones that have not only cured all problems when riding 2 up, they have improved comfort beyond all expectations. You really do get what you pay for!

Don't buy shocks on the cheap. Find a shock specialist who will advise on what will do the job and ensure your friends have shocks that are set up for them, with correct springs etc. For the best advice out there, call Howard at HDF sponsors Motorcycle Metal.

 

good advice--Thanks!!

 

There are a lot of internal components to the shocks that could have been damaged that you don't see, causing them to stick. The sticking is not normal. They have bump stops to prevent damage, but if they don't work afterwards I would assume they're damaged.

I know progressive has normal and Heavy Duty (HD) shocks. The HD ones are designed for two-up use. They use a higher spring rate and damping, so they're not as good solo. It's always going to be a compromise setting up suspension, especially on a motorcycle where the rider weight is a significant portion and balance of the overall vehicle.

 

Thank you Sir--will let him know.

 

Do a search on here for air shocks. A lot of people have been putting the air shocks from the glides on the sporties. They'll be able to alter the air pressure for solo or two up.

 

AGREED... that's what I would do.

 

I put progressive air adjustable shocks on my 2003 turboed Sportster some years ago and they have been the bees knees. Being in Aussie I purchased them from the US and did not find them expensive. I had fully adjustable Konis on before which were much more expensive and I have found the air shocks much superior. You can adjust the pressure to suit your daily circumstances and load. Buddy665