Shocks.. 'lower' and 'comfortable' mutually exclusive?

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Sep 4, 2014 | 08:17 PM

#11

Shanebo

Road Captain

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 610

Likes: 62

From: White Bear Lake, MN

Quote:

Originally Posted by burnsy87

Do you think even the smaller 11 3/8ths is worth the price, and not the 13"?

Well, that's up to you, but here's a thought...

In order to maximize quality suspension action within the limited travel of a shorter shock, be prepared to buy the best you can afford.

I have no reason to doubt that any set of Ohlins shocks is vastly superior to any stock set of shocks, regardless of overall length.

Would a shorter set of Ohlins' be as awesome as a stock-length set of Ohlins? Probably not quite as awesome--but still a total and complete upgrade.

When you think about the value of improved ride quality, handling, and bump-absorption over every single mile, the cost becomes a non-issue, assuming you can afford it in the first place.

All the best,

Shane

Sep 5, 2014 | 05:23 PM

#12

Blackhawk48

Tourer

Joined: Dec 2013

Posts: 380

Likes: 8

From: Chicago, IL

You could always run the Street Glide Shocks which are an inch longer than our stock ones. To get the bike to go back down though you can order 1", which would be back to stock height, or 1.75" lowering blocks which would lower it 3/4 of an inch. You'd be getting a much softer ride and you can control the ride by running different air pressure.

Sep 5, 2014 | 05:32 PM

#13

103 sedona orange

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 9,850

Likes: 220

From: Sacramento, CA.

You Got That Right

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1200Cdriver

Short shocks equal short travel which equals poor handling poor quality ride, that's a given. The shocks you see here are 13.5" Progressive 440's, I wouldn't trade them for anything. It's great combination of great ride and great handling and no squat on take off..

So many guys out there don't understand this. But, hey, it's their choice.

Sep 5, 2014 | 10:46 PM

#14

Johhny51273

Tourer

Joined: Jun 2013

Posts: 321

Likes: 10

From: Oklahoma

Quote:

Originally Posted by burnsy87

Right, thank you. Just trying to limit it as much as possible, I may just spend the money on 13"+ shocks. I appreciate your input

If you buy 13" plus shocks you'll be raising your seat height and stance even further which is completely opposite of what your thread indicated you originally wanted to accomplish. No doubt it will be a smoother ride with the OL and even solo but your seat height and stance will be higher. Just saying....

Check the setting of your stock shocks and adjust to get an idea of how much simply adjusting the sag affects your riding position (seat height). I'm 5'8" and the 11" Progressive 430's (1/2" shorter than stock) got me back to resting on my heels vs ***** of my feet when at full stop after changing to a solo spring seat. It's not just a change in the bend of the knee for us vertically challenged

, shorter inseam riders.

Definitely will want something that is easily adjustable if you change often and prefer the seat height when riding solo versus two up.

Sep 6, 2014 | 09:02 AM

#15

grbrown

Club Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 45,429

Likes: 2,898

From: Bedford UK

To start with we do not need to be able to put our heels down when stationary, that is a myth. As for shock quality, short cheap shocks are likely to give a poorer quality of ride than a longer set of the same brand. As a sweeping generalisation, cheap shocks of any brand will give a cheap ride. Short Ohlins shocks will give a poorer ride than longer Ohlins, however the quality of damping they give, compared with most other brands, is streets ahead. I don't have Ohlins on my Sporty, but I do on my Glide and they are sublime.

To buy Ohlins call Howard at HDF sponsor Motorcycle Metal, as he offers us discounts and custom builds them for each customer.

Sep 6, 2014 | 10:50 AM

#16

Johhny51273

Tourer

Joined: Jun 2013

Posts: 321

Likes: 10

From: Oklahoma

Quote:

Originally Posted by grbrown

To start with we do not need to be able to put our heels down when stationary, that is a myth. As for shock quality, short cheap shocks are likely to give a poorer quality of ride than a longer set of the same brand. As a sweeping generalisation, cheap shocks of any brand will give a cheap ride. Short Ohlins shocks will give a poorer ride than longer Ohlins, however the quality of damping they give, compared with most other brands, is streets ahead. I don't have Ohlins on my Sporty, but I do on my Glide and they are sublime. To buy Ohlins call Howard at HDF sponsor Motorcycle Metal, as he offers us discounts and custom builds them for each customer.

Wasn't implying that heels down was a requirement at full stop. More of a personal preference.

Sep 7, 2014 | 08:00 AM

#17

echorton

Intermediate

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 45

Likes: 0

From: Sarasota, FL

I took a chance and put these new shocks by Progressive on my 2014 Iron:

http://www.progressivesuspension.com...-series-shocks

You get the benefit of 12.5 inch shocks but they sit at 11.5 inches under the load of the bike so they don't change the height.

After having put about 400 miles on them since install, I can tell you the difference in both handling and comfort is night and day from stock. My wife and I ride 2-up 80% of the time and she agrees that it is one of the best mods we have done so far.