Ohlins 3-3 VS Harley Premium adjustable shocks
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Daytona fl
Fantastic. That's the answer I was look for. I will be ordering a set from Howard this week.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 1,040
From: Seabrook, NH
You want a shock that can be rebuilt. That is why I choose the S36 Ohlins over the Harley Premium shocks. This is a major advantage not a disadvantage. Have you ever changed your fork oil? Same thing happens to rear shocks.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
The notion that a rebuildable shock is in some way a negative is just laughable. The vast majority of stock and after-market bike and car shocks are throw-away one-shot things. The reason Ohlins are rebuildable is that they have their origins in the racing world, where they can be stripped and rebuilt to adapt the bike to each racing day and track. It is that feature which Howard of Motorcycle Metal exploits, tuning them to suit our lovable ole heavy-weights - something Ohlins themselves probably never expected or considered.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,903
Likes: 29,883
From: PNW
I put my 2.5s on and rode for the 1st time on them yesterday. I did a quick sag set up guesstimating where I should set it with Cheryl's weight on the bike as well - in other words - a rough preliminary setting. Even set like that the ride difference was immediately better. The Milwaukee streets, which usually jack hammer my spine were much smoother. The ride was still firm, but not jarring. Like others have said, I started to notice the deficiencies of the front end. Not so much that I'm going to pull my forks and send them to Howard just yet. But, it is now something I am kicking around.
Later we rode 2 up and it was still firm, but again, better. I'll set sag with both of us on the bike and fiddle around with the dampening as well. That said, I don't care how good a shock you have - it wont turn a winter scarred, pot holed, frost heaved road into a smooth racetrack. They can only do a better job of making that manageable and a bit more comfortable.
For reference, the streets here are so bad that I hate riding anything but my long travel enduro or big tired pick up truck. It's crazy. A friend just destroyed his tire on his car the other day hitting a pot hole. That said, yesterday was the best ride locally I've experienced by far.
FYI - the bike does sit a little higher than before, but not so much that it looks awkward. I like the low slung look too, but I like having teh suspension travel more.
Later we rode 2 up and it was still firm, but again, better. I'll set sag with both of us on the bike and fiddle around with the dampening as well. That said, I don't care how good a shock you have - it wont turn a winter scarred, pot holed, frost heaved road into a smooth racetrack. They can only do a better job of making that manageable and a bit more comfortable.
For reference, the streets here are so bad that I hate riding anything but my long travel enduro or big tired pick up truck. It's crazy. A friend just destroyed his tire on his car the other day hitting a pot hole. That said, yesterday was the best ride locally I've experienced by far.
FYI - the bike does sit a little higher than before, but not so much that it looks awkward. I like the low slung look too, but I like having teh suspension travel more.
Last edited by nevada72; Apr 12, 2015 at 07:14 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 673
Likes: 29
From: NE Ohio
I've visited Howard's site numerous times, & while I think I "get it", I still come away a little confused. I guess I might be a little dense - I dunno. 
You identified your new shocks as 2.5s. I see only up to 2.4s on Howard's site. Is there something new, or if I can ask, did you get them somewhere else?
You identified your new shocks as 2.5s. I see only up to 2.4s on Howard's site. Is there something new, or if I can ask, did you get them somewhere else?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,542
Likes: 161
From: Booming metropolis
The notion that a rebuildable shock is in some way a negative is just laughable. The vast majority of stock and after-market bike and car shocks are throw-away one-shot things. The reason Ohlins are rebuildable is that they have their origins in the racing world, where they can be stripped and rebuilt to adapt the bike to each racing day and track. It is that feature which Howard of Motorcycle Metal exploits, tuning them to suit our lovable ole heavy-weights - something Ohlins themselves probably never expected or considered.
Shipping and the rebuild costs are real, expensive and can't be dismissed (well maybe but pointing it out would be inappropriate). Shocks according to the ohlins manual should be serviced every 30,000 Kilometers. Just shy of 19 thousand miles. Because you are accepting of the requirements and are enjoying the ride does not mean every one is or has to.
Edit **** I did take in to account the shipping and rebuild costs prior to buying my ohlins. Just not the frequency *****
Last edited by hog95023; Apr 12, 2015 at 09:48 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,903
Likes: 29,883
From: PNW
I've visited Howard's site numerous times, & while I think I "get it", I still come away a little confused. I guess I might be a little dense - I dunno.
You identified your new shocks as 2.5s. I see only up to 2.4s on Howard's site. Is there something new, or if I can ask, did you get them somewhere else?
You identified your new shocks as 2.5s. I see only up to 2.4s on Howard's site. Is there something new, or if I can ask, did you get them somewhere else?
To get the most out of your conversation, go to the site and start here -
http://www.motorcyclemetal.com/gpage32.html
Read and click on the 2 links - differences in shocks.... and pre purchase considerations. Then click on the "build sheet" to familiarize yourself with the questions to get the deal going.
On 2.5s - The second number of the 2 series refers to varying lengths of that shock. The 2.5 is a different shock and 13.x long. It's a 6 without the external reservoir. It is basically between the 2 and the 3 as far as performance. It's separated like the 3 and the 6 but only has rebound dampening adjustments.
Truth is I probably would have been fine with the 2 series. But Howard went to extra effort to create the 2.5s, so I figured they must be worth it. Not having ridden a bike with the 2-x shocks, I can't offer a comparison. I can tell you from only the few miles of riding that I did yesterday that the 2.5s are much better than the 12 inch HD premium hand adjustable shocks. And they aren't even properly dialed in yet.
If you're interested, give Howard a call and ask his take on the benefits of the 2.5 vs 2. He always picks up regardless of the time or day. I found him to be very pleasant to deal with.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 302
Likes: 6
From: Tulsa,OK
Do you get a patch at that point or are you still prospecting?
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
The ability to rebuild an item is a good thing. It an extra benefit if you are a shock expert and can do it yourself, live close to the manufacturer or licensed service center, or are a groupie of one where you could save on shipping and or rebuilding costs.
Shipping and the rebuild costs are real, expensive and can't be dismissed (well maybe but pointing it out would be inappropriate). Shocks according to the ohlins manual should be serviced every 30,000 Kilometers. Just shy of 19 thousand miles. Because you are accepting of the requirements and are enjoying the ride does not mean every one is or has to.
Edit **** I did take in to account the shipping and rebuild costs prior to buying my ohlins. Just not the frequency *****
Shipping and the rebuild costs are real, expensive and can't be dismissed (well maybe but pointing it out would be inappropriate). Shocks according to the ohlins manual should be serviced every 30,000 Kilometers. Just shy of 19 thousand miles. Because you are accepting of the requirements and are enjoying the ride does not mean every one is or has to.
Edit **** I did take in to account the shipping and rebuild costs prior to buying my ohlins. Just not the frequency *****