Ohlins 3-3 VS Harley Premium adjustable shocks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,903
Likes: 29,883
From: PNW
Pfft! Coupla RUBs.
It's a decoder ring. Helloooo??
It's a decoder ring. Helloooo??
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
We're talking of the difference between a set of shocks in a box and a custom-built set. The only way your kind offer will work is if we can find your 'twin' with a set of Ohlins! Then you can swap and compare notes.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,476
Likes: 3,003
From: Charleston, SC
Can we see the dyno sheets?
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 673
Likes: 29
From: NE Ohio
Howard's site has some great info in general on what makes a good shock and the differences, in general, between the various shocks. But, there's no general ride characteristic description of each series. For that you have to talk to him, which is better to get the full story.
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.
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.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 10
From: SF Bay area
At 240 pounds, I bet I have a lot of "twins" in the Harley world lol
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 36
From: Lafayette La
I gotta ask the OP do you ride solo with the the TP removed. If so and you did not fill the form out and state that fact. Well, humm
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
I may be able to give a review in the near future as I took the harsh riding cvo adjustables off and put my other set of 944's on. I am going to go ohlins soon and possibly add their fork cartridges, but also may go 6s if the price is right which would void the topic of this thread.
The difference so far between the HAs and 944 is an improvementwhen first installed it was night and day, yesterday was my first ride post winter and they felt harsh. I had to go in the spa after an 80 mile ride
The difference so far between the HAs and 944 is an improvementwhen first installed it was night and day, yesterday was my first ride post winter and they felt harsh. I had to go in the spa after an 80 mile ride
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,903
Likes: 29,883
From: PNW
This thread is not intended to Bash anybodys product or any Person related to selling them, Its to tell my personal findings.
History
2010 Ultra stock front suspension seat cut down by mean city cycles
rear shocks Ohlins 3-3
Rider 165 pass 120
When I first got the shocks got them set up I was like OMG these ride rough as hell, yes sag was done like seller said.
Got seller on the phone, I then placed a plastic tie strap on shock arm
and rode down the road and back this is with collar almost to the very top.
I told him the strap bareley even moved, those springs are to Stiff!!!!
Really that's what im saying, he sent me 2 more sets of springs.
after trying both sets I settled with Yellow set, I don't remember the spring rate.
Now the very best I got the ride was SOLO collar about 1/8 from top
and 40 Pounds of sand in plastic bags in saddle bags.
I wanted the bike to sit low as possible vertically Challenged 30 inch in seam. With this set up there is one particular rode that I ride on occasionally had these heaves in the pavement it would bounce me off the seat.
Now 2 up bike loaded it rode perfect.
Now new bike 2015 Ultra LOW with Harley premium adjustable 12 inch
shocks
Shocks are on setting 1
I am completely flat footed on this bike
Now when I ride this same exact rode
Bike does not bounce me off the seat, do I feel these same bumps of course night and day difference.
This is SOLO
today was the first time I got the wife on the bike
shocks are still set on setting 1 did not bottom out or anything rides
excellent.
I always herd about the WOW factor from the Ohlins shocks but I never
experienced that at all.
I still think the spring rate was wrong for my weight but the seller said this should be the best.
This Ultra LOW rides Night and Day better than my 2010 ultra ever did !!
History
2010 Ultra stock front suspension seat cut down by mean city cycles
rear shocks Ohlins 3-3
Rider 165 pass 120
When I first got the shocks got them set up I was like OMG these ride rough as hell, yes sag was done like seller said.
Got seller on the phone, I then placed a plastic tie strap on shock arm
and rode down the road and back this is with collar almost to the very top.
I told him the strap bareley even moved, those springs are to Stiff!!!!
Really that's what im saying, he sent me 2 more sets of springs.
after trying both sets I settled with Yellow set, I don't remember the spring rate.
Now the very best I got the ride was SOLO collar about 1/8 from top
and 40 Pounds of sand in plastic bags in saddle bags.
I wanted the bike to sit low as possible vertically Challenged 30 inch in seam. With this set up there is one particular rode that I ride on occasionally had these heaves in the pavement it would bounce me off the seat.
Now 2 up bike loaded it rode perfect.
Now new bike 2015 Ultra LOW with Harley premium adjustable 12 inch
shocks
Shocks are on setting 1
I am completely flat footed on this bike
Now when I ride this same exact rode
Bike does not bounce me off the seat, do I feel these same bumps of course night and day difference.
This is SOLO
today was the first time I got the wife on the bike
shocks are still set on setting 1 did not bottom out or anything rides
excellent.
I always herd about the WOW factor from the Ohlins shocks but I never
experienced that at all.
I still think the spring rate was wrong for my weight but the seller said this should be the best.
This Ultra LOW rides Night and Day better than my 2010 ultra ever did !!
I also wonder, considering your height, if the 2-2s wouldn't have been a better choice. Less adjustable, but lower and I have to wonder if all that adjustablity wasn't the issue.
Like I said, no finger pointing in any direction. I just know that my 2.5s - a step down from the 3-3s - are sooooooo much better than my 12 in HAs were.
That said, the HAs were many times better than the 13 inch airs on my 11 Ultra. For many people they are just fine.
In the end, one has to decide how much they are willing to spend to improve the ride. For me the Ohlins were $800 less the $255 I got for my HAs (after shipping costs). So for $545 I'm happy. And I'm sure that for $275 the buyer of my HAs will be happy too.
Last edited by nevada72; Apr 13, 2015 at 09:40 AM.