For those who upgraded, what was the deciding factor in your decision on which brand and model to go with?

Just some random thoughts as shopping for shocks has proven especially confusing. I have been looking to upgrade for a while and have saved up the cash for a purchase. I currently tour on a 13 Ultra Classic and have put roughly 15,000 miles on the bike since getting it Last June when everyone was trading in for the new Rushmore stuff.

In doing my research, there seems to be a lot of opinions and debate about which way to go. Progressives ? Legends? Ohlins ? I am no expert on the subject and have no direct experience with various motorcycle suspensions. I just know that the stock suspension I never cared for. I upgraded the front forks to Progressive cartridges and it improved things quite a bit for me. It didn't eliminate brake dive but made it perfectly acceptable for how I ride. It also improved front-end feel for me quite a bit in terms of 'lightness' in the steering. Unfortunately, it also made me realize how much I dislike the rear--too spongy and bouncy.

I read write-ups in a few magazines and searched for input here and elsewhere. I have to say that this has proven especially difficult as there seems to be a lot of diverging opinions. I have very little experience with shocks--not enough to make an educated decision without input from others.

Unfortunately, reading forums just confused the issue. "This is better than that..that shock is inferior etc.." How would someone know? How can someone know that a Legend is better than a Progressive if they haven't tried both and if they don't ride with the same style and environment as someone else etc? How much of the opinions are just people getting shocks that are better than the stock and thinking they purchased the best thing out there?

In reading up about Ohlin's, I stumbled on one of the sponsors here--motorcycle metal. I called the place this morning and Howard Messner(who I believe is the owner) talked with me quite a bit. After some discussion, I decided to go with the #2-4. I am hoping it pays off. This shop gets a lot of good reviews here so I trust I didn't just get a good sales talk. He seemed knowledgeable and straight-up and wasn't trying to talk me into anything particular.

 

to address your brake dive first off a heavier weight oil is needed if your still getting brake dive. and I have progressive 944's I got them for the ride height and the extended travel in the shock itself

 

I got my Legend Revo-As for the 13.5" ride and easy adjustability. Combined those with the newest Progressive tube and cartridge, but I don't have ANY brake dive anymore at all, so I'm not sure why you would. Probably depends on what oil they used, you need a heavier weight oil.

I simply LOVE my setup. I won't say Legends are better, but I do think Progressives would be up a notch, and cheaper, too. All said, I'm very satisfied.

 

Brake dive still exists to an extent under heavy braking--as in grabbing a handful. I dont think any system will eliminate that. But as far as what it used to be, it is quite better and I am pleased with it. It is no longer annoying.

I ordered the Ohlin shock from Motorcycle Metal

The model numbers are strange(#2-4 ADJ) but these are the specs:

336mm/13 1/4", 94mm/3.7" Stroke,
emulsified & Sweep Valve Adjustable,
Threaded Body Adjustable Spring Pre-Load

I got $135 off for the forum discount so can't complain there. All my research had Ohlin selling for regular MSRP from other vendors. Given that with the discount it now put me in a decent price range, I just took the gamble that this offered the best price/performance ratio for me. As I mentioned, I will really have no way of knowing as I will have nothing to compare it to other than stock. I just was taken in by the praise for Ohlin, I guess. We will see how it works out.

 

I've probably used more shocks than most . I've used Progressive 940 , Ricor , JRi , Ohlins #3-#3 and #6 shocks . In my opinion you can't beat the service you get from Howard and Ohlins are simply the best shocks available to us currently. Go to any motorcycle races and you will see more guys using Ohlins over any other brand . Harley's are not race bikes but the benefit of race technology is the shocks react faster to change than other brands . The faster a shock reacts to change the better traction you will have and the smoother the ride , so the end result is a smooth ride that helps you maintain control.

 

I agree with you MiniWolf about Opinions on shocks, and riders getting ones better than
the stock one they had on their Bikes. I too am at fault with others here on this Forum,
thinking our advice & our opinions may help others out here on this forum. We all know
what opinions are like, and everybody has one. It is up to the ones asking for advice to
make a good decision on all of the facts, advice, & opinions they receive from others.

All of the Sponsors on this forum have great products, and give their advice to help us go
and make the decision to buy their products, no charge for the advice. I hope you are pleased
with the shocks you got, and that your Bike rides much better then before. The folks on this
forum are here to help, we all have an opinion, right, wrong, or just different.

 

Howard is Howard and Howard's going to be Howard and Howard knows shocks..

 

MiniWolf, I would be very surprised if you're not very happy with your new shocks. I got my Ohlins 3-3's from Howard a year and a half ago, or so and am VERY happy with them. Just ordered a set of #2's for my wife's Dyna last week and expect her to be happy with them as well. Howard knows his chit and is all about customer service.

 

+2

 

Agreed. I wasn't really knocking anyone's opinion. It just gets difficult to make a choice when you don't have any personal experience with such products. And while I was reading opinions and reviews, I found some of the comments helpful.