Iron stock shocks
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 117
Likes: 2
From: NYC
Iron stock shocks
Drove my -12 Iron yesterday, several hours out there on PA countryside and highways too. Had a very nice day out.
Question. :
After my bike was in it's first 1000 mile service, I asked them to adjust the rears, as it was occasionally bottoming. Well well, that didn't happen anymore, but are the stock ones really this bad ... Yesterday when driving over some bridges, there was a noticeable bump on the bridge joint, and I was almost thrown off the seat ! It didn't happen all the time, but if there was a bigger bump or a hole, the bump or shock you get after driving over is alarming.
Naturally I have read from here about the stock shocks, but are they really this bad ? And replacing those with Progressive's, for example, will make a big and noticeable difference ?
Also noticed when driving over couple of big holes a loud bang or crash from front. Is the front as bad in stock form? And what should/can I do to improve that?
One good thing though, the windshield that I purchased from this forum works nicely. It is the detachable fork mounted HD one, large it is, but does a good job. Driving hours on highway was much more enjoyable. Also have the smaller tombstone shield, waiting to be mounted and tested.
Question. :
After my bike was in it's first 1000 mile service, I asked them to adjust the rears, as it was occasionally bottoming. Well well, that didn't happen anymore, but are the stock ones really this bad ... Yesterday when driving over some bridges, there was a noticeable bump on the bridge joint, and I was almost thrown off the seat ! It didn't happen all the time, but if there was a bigger bump or a hole, the bump or shock you get after driving over is alarming.
Naturally I have read from here about the stock shocks, but are they really this bad ? And replacing those with Progressive's, for example, will make a big and noticeable difference ?
Also noticed when driving over couple of big holes a loud bang or crash from front. Is the front as bad in stock form? And what should/can I do to improve that?
One good thing though, the windshield that I purchased from this forum works nicely. It is the detachable fork mounted HD one, large it is, but does a good job. Driving hours on highway was much more enjoyable. Also have the smaller tombstone shield, waiting to be mounted and tested.
Last edited by eki912; Jun 8, 2014 at 08:23 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 106
Likes: 3
From: Halifax, Canada
Drove my -12 Iron yesterday, several hours out there on PA countryside and highways too. Had a very nice day out.
Question. :
After my bike was in it's first 1000 mile service, I asked them to adjust the rears, as it was occasionally bottoming. Well well, that didn't happen anymore, but are the stock ones really this bad ... Yesterday when driving over some bridges, there was a noticeable bump on the bridge joint, and I was almost thrown off the seat ! It didn't happen all the time, but if there was a bigger bump or a hole, the bump or shock you get after driving over is alarming.
Naturally I have read from here about the stock shocks, but are they really this bad ? And replacing those with Progressive's, for example, will make a big and noticeable difference ?
Also noticed when driving over couple of big holes a loud bang or crash from front. Is the front as bad in stock form? And what should/can I do to improve that?
One good thing though, the windshield that I purchased from this forum works nicely. It is the detachable fork mounted HD one, large it is, but does a good job. Driving hours on highway was much more enjoyable. Also have the smaller tombstone shield, waiting to be mounted and tested.
Question. :
After my bike was in it's first 1000 mile service, I asked them to adjust the rears, as it was occasionally bottoming. Well well, that didn't happen anymore, but are the stock ones really this bad ... Yesterday when driving over some bridges, there was a noticeable bump on the bridge joint, and I was almost thrown off the seat ! It didn't happen all the time, but if there was a bigger bump or a hole, the bump or shock you get after driving over is alarming.
Naturally I have read from here about the stock shocks, but are they really this bad ? And replacing those with Progressive's, for example, will make a big and noticeable difference ?
Also noticed when driving over couple of big holes a loud bang or crash from front. Is the front as bad in stock form? And what should/can I do to improve that?
One good thing though, the windshield that I purchased from this forum works nicely. It is the detachable fork mounted HD one, large it is, but does a good job. Driving hours on highway was much more enjoyable. Also have the smaller tombstone shield, waiting to be mounted and tested.
YES they are that bad, if you want to go in the progressive route make sure you go longer, more travel the better. Stock rear are 11" so i would go 12.5 if i were you. It will bring the **** end of her a tap higher, and if you dont like that you can always go on DK custom web side and get a lower link to bring her back down.
Or you can also do what a lot of guys have done in here including myself is to go with Road King air shock, mine are 13" and i put a lower link to bring her back down and its way cheaper and in my mind way better then progressive. you can get air shock on Ebay for cheap there is a lot of threads on here about them.....
PS: In my sig pix you can see i have progressive on and didnt like them went with air shock, so i did tried both ways.....
happy hunting and reading
good luck
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 117
Likes: 2
From: NYC
After a while not driving much at all took my bike out for a ride. Started nicely, even that I haven't driven for 8-10 weeks.
The shocks .... are shocking ! As are the roads in Manhattan.... still using the original shocks ( yes I know they are crap ) , already own Progressive rears. I think will also order the Progressive fronts soon, and get them both changed.
But is the front in stock form really that bad, or do I have something loose ? As all deeper potholes etc I can hear a loud BANG , like a metal CLANG like something is really loose. Can't feel nothing special, though. Simply wondering if the Iron front in stock form and with stock oils is reaaly that bad ?
The shocks .... are shocking ! As are the roads in Manhattan.... still using the original shocks ( yes I know they are crap ) , already own Progressive rears. I think will also order the Progressive fronts soon, and get them both changed.
But is the front in stock form really that bad, or do I have something loose ? As all deeper potholes etc I can hear a loud BANG , like a metal CLANG like something is really loose. Can't feel nothing special, though. Simply wondering if the Iron front in stock form and with stock oils is reaaly that bad ?
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 49
From: In the foothills of southwestern NC - US of A
When I hear stories of guys weighing 150 lbs. having issues with the factory stocks making their butt hurt after running over chalk marks in the street, I shake my head.
I'm 6'-0" and 220 lbs., and I still have the stock rear shocks on my '09 Iron, with no issues and no plans on keeping Progressive in the shock business. Part of riding is looking ahead and evaluating the road surface, and a simple lift of your butt off the seat does wonders to negate any upcoming irregularity, bump, or divot in the road surface, that would normally bounce you up off the seat or cause you any discomfort if you were sitting. Even I can do this, and I'm blessed with severe RA.
And lastly, remember, it's a Sportster, not a freakin' bagger couch with cup holders!!!
That is all, LOL
=8^)
I'm 6'-0" and 220 lbs., and I still have the stock rear shocks on my '09 Iron, with no issues and no plans on keeping Progressive in the shock business. Part of riding is looking ahead and evaluating the road surface, and a simple lift of your butt off the seat does wonders to negate any upcoming irregularity, bump, or divot in the road surface, that would normally bounce you up off the seat or cause you any discomfort if you were sitting. Even I can do this, and I'm blessed with severe RA.
And lastly, remember, it's a Sportster, not a freakin' bagger couch with cup holders!!!
That is all, LOL
=8^)
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 882
Likes: 126
From: Hahira Ga
The change in comfort to 12.5" shocks, even low priced progressive 412's, will be very noticeable. Another important factor for me was ground clearance as well as better suspension giving better control. Surely you're not still sitting on that awful excuse for a seat HD put on it.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 346
Likes: 48
From: North Carolina
I like the stock seat a lot, different rear ends like different seats. As for the suspension, it is fairly ok for my weight at 165lbs. I've had street glides and this isn't one of them but overall I would say I'm good 90% of the time, just bloody awful that last 10% over rough holes. Thankfully, I live where roads are pretty nice, anywhere up north I'd be replacing shocks for sure or riding something else.
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: NE Ohio
If you want a change yesterday I took off my 11" Progressive 444. PM me if you are interested in buying.
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