Am I being too paranoid about my rear shock purchase?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
I find that the people who usually have problems with the better quality products, be it: stereos, kick stands, LED lighting, or complete engine rebuilds are made by members who, just like the downward spiraling education system and reliance on others to do the work from birth for them just do not have the developmental skills it takes to own tools. Many Americans can not read than translating what they just read into correctly following directions. It is never their fault, there is always some else to blame. Quality shocks are dyno'd to make sure they work as designed. I have had instances where I requested the shocks returned for analysis. Mostly there is nothing wrong with them as the shock dyno does not lie. A simple case of some not being qualified to use simple hand tools.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,467
Likes: 2,996
From: Charleston, SC
Ohlins are fine shocks. There are a few sources that sell them and some are even nice about it and don't think their customers are lazy, uneducated, Americans.
Last edited by lp; Feb 9, 2015 at 03:52 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
So I've spent months reading & reading about rear shocks for my street glide & started out liking Progressive 444 then decided Ohlins were better which then led to Ricors.
But this is my major concern... it seems the general consensus is that the more expensive brands although they provide an enjoyable ride they're a bitch to dial in correctly. In fact I've read numerous owners say that even after months of riding & numerous attempts to adjust them they can't get it right & wish they never bought them....Are they really that difficult to tune? So I guess where I'm at today is although I realize the Ohlins & Ricors are the best should I just play it safe with a pair of Progressives & most likely have an easier time adjusting them or go for it & drop the extra cash for the big boys? And for the record I'm a solo rider @ about 240 lbs.
Thanks for your advise.
But this is my major concern... it seems the general consensus is that the more expensive brands although they provide an enjoyable ride they're a bitch to dial in correctly. In fact I've read numerous owners say that even after months of riding & numerous attempts to adjust them they can't get it right & wish they never bought them....Are they really that difficult to tune? So I guess where I'm at today is although I realize the Ohlins & Ricors are the best should I just play it safe with a pair of Progressives & most likely have an easier time adjusting them or go for it & drop the extra cash for the big boys? And for the record I'm a solo rider @ about 240 lbs.
Thanks for your advise.
You say you've read numerous owners who can't get them tuned, but while there are some on HDF, what you cannot see are the silent majority who are happily riding around thrilled to bits with their Ohlins. The loud voices are just that and shouldn't be given too much credence IMHO.
As a solo rider you should find in very quick time that you can dial in a pair of top shelf shocks, then ride over the horizon into the sunset - happy as larry! A feature of good shocks is that if you buy them the quality of your ride will be substantially improved. You will also have the means of maintaining that far better ride, by adjusting your shocks in ways that cheaper alternatives simply are unable to do.
So there are two differences: greatly improved damping, which is where the quality ride comes from; the ability to finely adjust settings.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
Howard tells it how it is. I must have thick skin or be a little rough around the edges like him, because we have had several conversations and I was never offended.
I have never bought anything from anyone that was willing to spend so much time with me to make sure I was completely satisfied.
Dennis
I have never bought anything from anyone that was willing to spend so much time with me to make sure I was completely satisfied.
Dennis
Last edited by rochkes; Feb 9, 2015 at 09:17 AM. Reason: spelling
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Liberty Hill, Texas
I've never met, talked, or bought shocks from Howard (YET) but I will say I didn't see anything wrong with his post. In fact I have to agree with him, after owning an automotive shop and managing shops for others, I have found that there are people out in the world that need to stand in from of a tree and apologize for wasting the oxygen that it produces. Howard, keep calling it the way you see it.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,423
Likes: 421
From: Northern, Ohio (Yuck!)
Would you rather make your purchase from and receive your tech support from an extremely friendly, politically correct idiot, or a brusque, calls them like he sees them genius?
I did not want to be best best buds when I purchased from Howard, I was looking for a suspension expert and I found one. One who is NEVER to busy to help me.
By NEVER I really mean NEVER! I once called Howard to ask a question at 1100 am on a Sunday. I started the conversation with "I am sorry to bother you on a Sunday..." Howard replied, " Didn't I tell you to call anytime?" "Yes," I replied (but I had assumed this standard stroke the customer stuff). Howard then replied, "Well?."
So I guess it all depends what you are looking for when you make your purchases...
I did not want to be best best buds when I purchased from Howard, I was looking for a suspension expert and I found one. One who is NEVER to busy to help me.
By NEVER I really mean NEVER! I once called Howard to ask a question at 1100 am on a Sunday. I started the conversation with "I am sorry to bother you on a Sunday..." Howard replied, " Didn't I tell you to call anytime?" "Yes," I replied (but I had assumed this standard stroke the customer stuff). Howard then replied, "Well?."
So I guess it all depends what you are looking for when you make your purchases...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,488
Likes: 30
From: Maryland near DC
I have JRI2 shocks I bought from Howard and I am completely happy with them..once I installed them I set them up as Howard said to and they were kind of hard, but I left them alone and within about 1k miles they were almost perfect, I only had to turn the bottom dial a couple of clicks to get them perfect...Howard himself can be a little for lack of a better word "****", which for me was somewhat time consuming,but I have a really strong background in hydraulic theory... For most people with a weak back ground in how the whole shock thingy works he will give you a great education on how shocks work...like it or not..I am sure he is like this because her has spoken to so many people who think they know what they are doing and unfortunately have been miss-educated...I say call him up, bite your tongue and be prepared to learn how shocking really works and how they should be set up on the bike to work their best..
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 506
Likes: 7
From: Charlotte, NC
I bought JRI shocks from Howard over a year ago and do not regret the decision. He was very helpfull and spoke to him in the after hours of the day. Once he was at dinner having an adult beverage and went over how to set up the shocks with me. He is rough around the edges but I had no problems with him and he knows shocks period.
Last edited by Deckman; Feb 10, 2015 at 07:33 AM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 36
From: Lafayette La
I used to manage a trucking fleet and when a guy would tell me he had a problem, I would ask if he had checked a few things that was related to the problem. If he started with a sensible answer and mentioned a few critical checks ( that he should have already checked) I would go to any length to help him. But if he had not checked these simple checks and he was telling me he had this particular problem, it like WTF, you have not done your home work or your lying. I know where Howard's coming from with some of his stuff. Ordered shocks from him yesterday. He knows his stuff :-)
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 4
From: South Carolina
I find that the people who usually have problems with the better quality products, be it: stereos, kick stands, LED lighting, or complete engine rebuilds are made by members who, just like the downward spiraling education system and reliance on others to do the work from birth for them just do not have the developmental skills it takes to own tools. Many Americans can not read than translating what they just read into correctly following directions. It is never their fault, there is always some else to blame. Quality shocks are dyno'd to make sure they work as designed. I have had instances where I requested the shocks returned for analysis. Mostly there is nothing wrong with them as the shock dyno does not lie. A simple case of some not being qualified to use simple hand tools.