Another Shock thread - Ride report
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Rowlett, Texas
Another Shock thread - Ride report
Well, I finally pulled the trigger on a set of progressive 412's for my Sporty.
So, here's my first impressions. I got the 13 inch 412's, all black, got enough chrome (which, I know for some of yall is sacrilege to say) and wanted more black.
Why did I not do this 5 or 6 thousand miles ago? It is literally night and day of a difference. I know they'll take a while to "break in," but wow, what a difference. I like the taller look of the rear end, and with my long legs, the back coming up about an inch, maybe inch and a quarter feels right. Plus, I have more travel on the shocks with the longer length.
The ride is fantastic. The roads here in North Texas get all screwed up from our heat and drought cycles, and you get snakes in the road that pop up like little cliffs, bumps, humps and divots that can make a ride on the bad roads a teeth rattler and spine compressing test of butt-endurance! Not anymore! I tried to take her on some of the more "Adventurous" roads around the house, just a quick ride to test the shocks, "be back in about 10 minutes, honey!" that turned into a 50-60 mile, back in an hour with a smile on my face from ear to ear throttle twisting, corner carving, fun fest!
IF you're like I was for far, far too long, on the fence, can't decide, looked at a ton of shocks, and can't afford the $500 to $1000 shocks, which I am sure are great . . . . then do like me. Grab some 412's, slap them on, and ride in blissful comfort.
Side note, for your first test ride on your new 412's after moving up from stock shocks, you might want to wear a full face helmet, just so you don't swallow too many bugs, cause you'll be smiling big and wide as you go on that first, short (which will somehow take a lot longer and go a lot further) test ride.
So, here's my first impressions. I got the 13 inch 412's, all black, got enough chrome (which, I know for some of yall is sacrilege to say) and wanted more black.
Why did I not do this 5 or 6 thousand miles ago? It is literally night and day of a difference. I know they'll take a while to "break in," but wow, what a difference. I like the taller look of the rear end, and with my long legs, the back coming up about an inch, maybe inch and a quarter feels right. Plus, I have more travel on the shocks with the longer length.
The ride is fantastic. The roads here in North Texas get all screwed up from our heat and drought cycles, and you get snakes in the road that pop up like little cliffs, bumps, humps and divots that can make a ride on the bad roads a teeth rattler and spine compressing test of butt-endurance! Not anymore! I tried to take her on some of the more "Adventurous" roads around the house, just a quick ride to test the shocks, "be back in about 10 minutes, honey!" that turned into a 50-60 mile, back in an hour with a smile on my face from ear to ear throttle twisting, corner carving, fun fest!
IF you're like I was for far, far too long, on the fence, can't decide, looked at a ton of shocks, and can't afford the $500 to $1000 shocks, which I am sure are great . . . . then do like me. Grab some 412's, slap them on, and ride in blissful comfort.
Side note, for your first test ride on your new 412's after moving up from stock shocks, you might want to wear a full face helmet, just so you don't swallow too many bugs, cause you'll be smiling big and wide as you go on that first, short (which will somehow take a lot longer and go a lot further) test ride.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 3
From: Arizona
I believe your new shock experience was great, glad to hear it. I think the shock manufacturers are making WAY, and I mean WAY too much money on shocks that probably cost $25 a pair (labor and materials) to make in the US. Even less if they are made overseas. I'm sorry to rain on anyone's parade but it's plain robbery of willing victims.
A guy told me he was quoted $1,600+ for a pair of Ohlins for his bike and most shocks now are from $500 - $1,000 a pair. Enough is enough. I can't afford shocks at those prices and wouldn't pay it if I could.
Harley is not any better. They charge $20K for a bike that rides like a buck board.
Whew, there I got that off my chest!
A guy told me he was quoted $1,600+ for a pair of Ohlins for his bike and most shocks now are from $500 - $1,000 a pair. Enough is enough. I can't afford shocks at those prices and wouldn't pay it if I could.
Harley is not any better. They charge $20K for a bike that rides like a buck board.
Whew, there I got that off my chest!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3,789
Likes: 277
From: Hawkeye state
I believe your new shock experience was great, glad to hear it. I think the shock manufacturers are making WAY, and I mean WAY too much money on shocks that probably cost $25 a pair (labor and materials) to make in the US. Even less if they are made overseas. I'm sorry to rain on anyone's parade but it's plain robbery of willing victims.
A guy told me he was quoted $1,600+ for a pair of Ohlins for his bike and most shocks now are from $500 - $1,000 a pair. Enough is enough. I can't afford shocks at those prices and wouldn't pay it if I could.
Harley is not any better. They charge $20K for a bike that rides like a buck board.
Whew, there I got that off my chest!
A guy told me he was quoted $1,600+ for a pair of Ohlins for his bike and most shocks now are from $500 - $1,000 a pair. Enough is enough. I can't afford shocks at those prices and wouldn't pay it if I could.
Harley is not any better. They charge $20K for a bike that rides like a buck board.
Whew, there I got that off my chest!
Novice
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 20
Likes: 1
From: Rochester, NY
Well, I finally pulled the trigger on a set of progressive 412's for my Sporty.
So, here's my first impressions. I got the 13 inch 412's, all black, got enough chrome (which, I know for some of yall is sacrilege to say) and wanted more black.
Why did I not do this 5 or 6 thousand miles ago? It is literally night and day of a difference. I know they'll take a while to "break in," but wow, what a difference. I like the taller look of the rear end, and with my long legs, the back coming up about an inch, maybe inch and a quarter feels right. Plus, I have more travel on the shocks with the longer length.
The ride is fantastic. The roads here in North Texas get all screwed up from our heat and drought cycles, and you get snakes in the road that pop up like little cliffs, bumps, humps and divots that can make a ride on the bad roads a teeth rattler and spine compressing test of butt-endurance! Not anymore! I tried to take her on some of the more "Adventurous" roads around the house, just a quick ride to test the shocks, "be back in about 10 minutes, honey!" that turned into a 50-60 mile, back in an hour with a smile on my face from ear to ear throttle twisting, corner carving, fun fest!
IF you're like I was for far, far too long, on the fence, can't decide, looked at a ton of shocks, and can't afford the $500 to $1000 shocks, which I am sure are great . . . . then do like me. Grab some 412's, slap them on, and ride in blissful comfort.
Side note, for your first test ride on your new 412's after moving up from stock shocks, you might want to wear a full face helmet, just so you don't swallow too many bugs, cause you'll be smiling big and wide as you go on that first, short (which will somehow take a lot longer and go a lot further) test ride.
So, here's my first impressions. I got the 13 inch 412's, all black, got enough chrome (which, I know for some of yall is sacrilege to say) and wanted more black.
Why did I not do this 5 or 6 thousand miles ago? It is literally night and day of a difference. I know they'll take a while to "break in," but wow, what a difference. I like the taller look of the rear end, and with my long legs, the back coming up about an inch, maybe inch and a quarter feels right. Plus, I have more travel on the shocks with the longer length.
The ride is fantastic. The roads here in North Texas get all screwed up from our heat and drought cycles, and you get snakes in the road that pop up like little cliffs, bumps, humps and divots that can make a ride on the bad roads a teeth rattler and spine compressing test of butt-endurance! Not anymore! I tried to take her on some of the more "Adventurous" roads around the house, just a quick ride to test the shocks, "be back in about 10 minutes, honey!" that turned into a 50-60 mile, back in an hour with a smile on my face from ear to ear throttle twisting, corner carving, fun fest!
IF you're like I was for far, far too long, on the fence, can't decide, looked at a ton of shocks, and can't afford the $500 to $1000 shocks, which I am sure are great . . . . then do like me. Grab some 412's, slap them on, and ride in blissful comfort.
Side note, for your first test ride on your new 412's after moving up from stock shocks, you might want to wear a full face helmet, just so you don't swallow too many bugs, cause you'll be smiling big and wide as you go on that first, short (which will somehow take a lot longer and go a lot further) test ride.
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Today I was at the Harley dealership near me, just trying to get ideas for what I want for my own bike, and I sat on a sporty with some taller progressive shocks and it was SO nice being higher up! I'm 6'2" and stock height is just too short. I think it was probably a 13" like you put on. I could do with even more height, maybe a 14" or something. Glad to hear they worked out as you had hoped! As I am pretty poor due to my recent purchase of the bike, I think I may call up Dime City Cycles and ask them if they have some of their more affordable shocks that would fit my application. They make a lot of universal products, and so maybe some of them might fit the XLs. I will post up once I get back from them.
here's a link to their suspension section. http://www.dimecitycycles.com/cafe-r...-steering.html
here's a link to their suspension section. http://www.dimecitycycles.com/cafe-r...-steering.html
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I believe your new shock experience was great, glad to hear it. I think the shock manufacturers are making WAY, and I mean WAY too much money on shocks that probably cost $25 a pair (labor and materials) to make in the US. Even less if they are made overseas. I'm sorry to rain on anyone's parade but it's plain robbery of willing victims.
A guy told me he was quoted $1,600+ for a pair of Ohlins for his bike and most shocks now are from $500 - $1,000 a pair. Enough is enough. I can't afford shocks at those prices and wouldn't pay it if I could.
Harley is not any better. They charge $20K for a bike that rides like a buck board.
Whew, there I got that off my chest!
A guy told me he was quoted $1,600+ for a pair of Ohlins for his bike and most shocks now are from $500 - $1,000 a pair. Enough is enough. I can't afford shocks at those prices and wouldn't pay it if I could.
Harley is not any better. They charge $20K for a bike that rides like a buck board.
Whew, there I got that off my chest!
Hope you feel better! Cheap shocks are just that and your first comments are probably justified. The guy with his expensive quote was talking top end Ohlins, there are less expensive versions, so don't take that number seriously.
The reason Harleys ride like buck boards is because they use 25 buck shocks. Our bikes don't have to ride like that, but to get a significant improvement we do have to spend a little more than 25 bucks! Well, quite a lot more, it has to be admitted. Expensive shocks cost more because they have superior designs of the internal damping mechanism and are made to higher standards of engineering.
I have Ohlins on my Glide (much less than $1,600) and the improved quality of ride and handling is truly remarkable. If you were to ride a Sporty with decent suspension you would surely appreciate the improvement, even if you couldn't afford it. Shocks can of course be swapped onto a later bike if you do.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
Rebutal
I believe your new shock experience was great, glad to hear it. I think the shock manufacturers are making WAY, and I mean WAY too much money on shocks that probably cost $25 a pair (labor and materials) to make in the US. Even less if they are made overseas. I'm sorry to rain on anyone's parade but it's plain robbery of willing victims.
A guy told me he was quoted $1,600+ for a pair of Ohlins for his bike and most shocks now are from $500 - $1,000 a pair. Enough is enough. I can't afford shocks at those prices and wouldn't pay it if I could.
Harley is not any better. They charge $20K for a bike that rides like a buck board.
Whew, there I got that off my chest!
A guy told me he was quoted $1,600+ for a pair of Ohlins for his bike and most shocks now are from $500 - $1,000 a pair. Enough is enough. I can't afford shocks at those prices and wouldn't pay it if I could.
Harley is not any better. They charge $20K for a bike that rides like a buck board.
Whew, there I got that off my chest!
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Rowlett, Texas
you'll love them
Soooooo stoked that your experience was satisfying ... i bought these exact shocks 412's 13" for my 48 which is sadly waiting for Spring (I'm in stupidly cold upstate NY) to come out to play. I'm a tall (6'1") Sportster rider also. So nice to hear someone else had the same thought process and that it worked out so well ... Thanks for the ride report, it made my day!!!!
Once you throw them on, you'll be dying to ride them. I hear that it take a few hundred miles to "break in" the shocks, but man, it was night and day from the get go.
Good on you for getting the 412's, best bargain I have spent on my ride. Enjoy buddy, sorry it will be so long before you get to try them out. Here's prayuing you get an early spring!