Ohlins on a street glide
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,323
Likes: 37
From: NJ
Many times you can't stand along side and back it in. Try during that at a bike event, when parking down town at laconia or daytona Ina lot. No room. At least for me. Also sto a&a light to get something out of pocket. Same idea. While everyone has different needs and comforts, this is mine. Thus, the 3-3 series might be a bit tall for me, the way I read it on spec sheet. Would like to keep it at 12" and get a comforting, non jarring ride experience for the mrs.
I think the progressives didn't compress (sag) much if at all when I sat on the bike but the ollins do compress a little or a little more than the progressives so the ride height for me definitely does not appear to be any higher At all even though the 3-3 have a one inch longer throw.
I'd call Howard at motorcycle metal to factually discuss your issue. Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Ct
Will definitely get them from Howard just trying to see what members have and their riding styles. looks like the 2 series is ok with passengers from what I searched out. Will keep searching reviews
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Ct
I could be wrong here since I didn't break out a ruler after install but I'll tell you what I think. I got the 3-3's ....I notice no difference of the height of my bike after the swap.
I think the progressives didn't compress (sag) much if at all when I sat on the bike but the ollins do compress a little or a little more than the progressives so the ride height for me definitely does not appear to be any higher At all even though the 3-3 have a one inch longer throw.
I'd call Howard at motorcycle metal to factually discuss your issue. Hope this helps.
I think the progressives didn't compress (sag) much if at all when I sat on the bike but the ollins do compress a little or a little more than the progressives so the ride height for me definitely does not appear to be any higher At all even though the 3-3 have a one inch longer throw.
I'd call Howard at motorcycle metal to factually discuss your issue. Hope this helps.
Thanks
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 20
From: Indy
I have the 2~2 1/2s on my ultra which are 13 1/4" long , they may sit a tad taller than stock ultra shocks, but for the comfort you get , I wouldn't care if they were another inch taller.
The rear wheel is planted like you wouldn't believe , and they soak up highway bumps like no other. I went on the same road that my boss, and I took in his lexus Thursday, today, and it seemed that the car road rougher than my bike did.
The rear wheel is planted like you wouldn't believe , and they soak up highway bumps like no other. I went on the same road that my boss, and I took in his lexus Thursday, today, and it seemed that the car road rougher than my bike did.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 654
Likes: 5
From: oklahoma
when you set up the rider sag it lowers them. setting up the rider sag is pretty easy but very important. i dont recommend lowering blocks but if you do get some i would say the LA Choppers blocks. they change the angle of the shocks the least. i have ohlin 3-3 with the la chopper lowering blocks and i sit flatfooted with my knees bent. no problem backing up at all. i have not noticed a difference in the ride at all with or without the blocks
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Ct
when you set up the rider sag it lowers them. setting up the rider sag is pretty easy but very important. i dont recommend lowering blocks but if you do get some i would say the LA Choppers blocks. they change the angle of the shocks the least. i have ohlin 3-3 with the la chopper lowering blocks and i sit flatfooted with my knees bent. no problem backing up at all. i have not noticed a difference in the ride at all with or without the blocks
Thanks
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 20
From: Indy
To be totally honest, you will sacrifice ride a bit with in keeping the bike at the same height it is, but if anyone can make it better it would be Howard.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 253
Likes: 2
From: Jax fl
I have to chime in here. I just installed the 2-2A shocks this week. The wife and I did 109 miles today on every type of road imaginable. After 20 minute, she said the ride was incredible. Every bump, dip, overpass, was dampened. No jarring what so ever. She Said we should have done this 2 years ago. Btw, I have a 13 streetglide and am 5 5. I have the progressive mono tubes in the front that lowered the bike and my stock sear modified to a super narrow fit by mean city cycles. The ohlins did drop me abit more than a quarter inch or so. I am completely flat footed and these shocks have add the ability for me to get leverage when backing up. Hell, I backed up all day with her on the bike. Furthermore, my experience with Howard was wonderful. See my other post. Installation was easy. I did have to add spacers and each side on my bike for alignment. I didn't even adjust the sag, it was already dead on. I will play with it to see if I can get the ride better, but honestly, I can't imagine it getting better. We also demoed a hammock seat.....omg, plush. Momma loved it, but it took me back to the ***** of my feet. Too bad for her.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 568
Likes: 147
From: Georgia
I bought a set of 2-2A's from Howard this winter and just took the wife on our first long-ish ride of the season (300kms). I still need to play around with the adjustment but it is a noticeable improvement over stock. Much less firm. But because of the short travel it will still ride a bit harsher than a taller shock will (obviously). I think we had the shocks set to a tad too cushy today.
FWIW, I was torn between the 3-3 and the 2-2A. At the end of the day, I wanted the bike to sit near the stock height when parked so I went with the 2-2A. Howard told me that the 3-3 will sit at the stock height when the rider is mounted on it otherwise it will sit a bit higher when parked. Depends on what you priority is.
BTW, I'm 5'10" with a 29" inseam and have a narrowed stock seat. I can easily flat foot with the 2-2A.
FWIW, I was torn between the 3-3 and the 2-2A. At the end of the day, I wanted the bike to sit near the stock height when parked so I went with the 2-2A. Howard told me that the 3-3 will sit at the stock height when the rider is mounted on it otherwise it will sit a bit higher when parked. Depends on what you priority is.
BTW, I'm 5'10" with a 29" inseam and have a narrowed stock seat. I can easily flat foot with the 2-2A.