Pro-action shocks installed
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 140
From: NY
I will say this, It's a damn pretty shock. But, for some reason, I just have a hard time pulling the trigger on new shocks. Not that I haven't blown 8 bills on much worse stuff. I just want to be convinced that I'm gonna think "Wow...These are the ****!!!!" Every time I have myself talked into a pair of shocks, I read someone saying "Yeah, the were OK, but not great."
I am having the same type experience & thoughts as you on buying what would be a 2nd set of new shocks for my 09 flhtcu .
1st exp was with new progressive 944's (std springs) that after trying many adj didnt end up much if any better then the crappy stock air shocks that were breaking my back on larger bumps & sold the 944's.
Scott
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 286
Likes: 24
From: West Louisiana
I will say this, It's a damn pretty shock. But, for some reason, I just have a hard time pulling the trigger on new shocks. Not that I haven't blown 8 bills on much worse stuff. I just want to be convinced that I'm gonna think "Wow...These are the ****!!!!" Every time I have myself talked into a pair of shocks, I read someone saying "Yeah, the were OK, but not great."
Also, we have horrible roads with these ridges in the asphalt that beats you to death and I was looking for more of a soft plush ride versus a sport car ride. Two up they ride very good with some weight on them. I get that softer ride I was wanting with our combined weight of 400 lbs.
They're kinda like going from an empty 26' Penske rental truck to a one ton dually. Then you put some weight on it and it rides like a 1/2 ton truck.
Last edited by King-a-ling; Sep 28, 2015 at 11:03 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 140
From: NY
That's kinda how I feel about them. Don't get me wrong, I think they're a good quality shock and the handling was very good, but they didn't make me go "wow" by no means one up riding. My first impression was "wow, this sucks" very stiff. But, after playing with the adjustments I can feel the rear ending working compared to rigid oem shocks and the ride getting better. Also, we have horrible roads with these ridges in the asphalt that beats you to death and I was looking for more of a soft plush ride versus a sport car ride. Two up they ride very good with some weight on them. Our combined weight is around 400 lbs and they do have that warm fuzzy feeling. Maybe its just the twin shock set up that to me is out dated that HD uses and I don't think any shock with 2-3" of travel is give that mono-shock ride of a Goldwing or Venture.
They're kinda like going from an empty 26' Penske rental truck to a one ton dually. Then you put some weight on it and it rides like a 1/2 ton truck.
They're kinda like going from an empty 26' Penske rental truck to a one ton dually. Then you put some weight on it and it rides like a 1/2 ton truck.
" Maybe its just the twin shock set up that to me is out dated that HD uses and I don't think any shock with 2-3" of travel is give that mono-shock ride of a Goldwing or Venture. "
BINGO!!!!!
You hit the nail on the head with that statement and i totally agree with you.
Its hard to almost impossible to get a shock setup on our hd's that can be adjusted conservative (mushy) enough to not ride too harsh while at the same time retaining good crisp stay put handling.
It seems you generally end up with comprimise on both ends (reasonable ride for comfort vs too harsh that handles better being safer) where shocks are concerned on our HD's.
Thats how i see it coming from 44yrs thus far riding & wrenching street bikes (metric & HD) not counting the 4-5 yr prior to hitting the streets i spent riding/wrenching dirt bikes off road too giving me a solid background for commenting on this shock situation.
Scott
Last edited by wscott; Sep 29, 2015 at 02:49 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 13
From: Fort Worth
It's interesting that three of us so far have said the shocks are/were "jarring". Yet i am the only one who has been able to adjust to get rid of it. I wonder if its because i did not have air shocks previous so perhaps i was dealing with a harsher ride before the pro-actions. I will say the ride i have now after adjusting the pro-actions is not what i would describe and jarring or sharp at all, and its the perfect balance of comfort and sport for me, but it could all just be perspective.
I have a buddy that has the ohlins and we road the same test track on each other's bikes and we both found that it was very hard to tell a difference in shocks.
From my understanding, I still have the older valve version and maybe that has some to do with it?!?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 52
From: South Jersey
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" Maybe its just the twin shock set up that to me is out dated that HD uses and I don't think any shock with 2-3" of travel is give that mono-shock ride of a Goldwing or Venture. "
BINGO!!!!!
You hit the nail on the head with that statement and i totally agree you.
Its hard to almost impossible to get a shock setup on our hd's that can be adjusted conservative (mushy) enough to not ride too harsh while at the same time retaining good crisp stay put handling.
It seems you generally end up with comprimize on both ends (reasonable ride for comfort vs too harsh that handles better being safer) where shocks are concerned on our HD's.
Scott
" Maybe its just the twin shock set up that to me is out dated that HD uses and I don't think any shock with 2-3" of travel is give that mono-shock ride of a Goldwing or Venture. "
BINGO!!!!!
You hit the nail on the head with that statement and i totally agree you.
Its hard to almost impossible to get a shock setup on our hd's that can be adjusted conservative (mushy) enough to not ride too harsh while at the same time retaining good crisp stay put handling.
It seems you generally end up with comprimize on both ends (reasonable ride for comfort vs too harsh that handles better being safer) where shocks are concerned on our HD's.
Scott
Over the past month I have been getting an on the job education having purchased two sets of aftermarket shocks finding that both have the same characteristics. I'm looking for nirvana and Have come to the conclusion it doesn't exist for our touring bikes ride. You have to accept that a compromise is about the best we can do. Actually I think the only thing you really gain with an aftermarket shock is the handling because they handle the bumps similar to our air shocks.
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Last edited by Streetrunner; Sep 29, 2015 at 09:21 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 1,040
From: Seabrook, NH
I whole heartedly second your statement!!!!!!
Over the past month I have been getting an on the job education having purchased two sets of aftermarket shocks finding and that both have the same characteristics. I'm looking for nirvana and Have come to the conclusion it doesn't exist for our touring bikes ride. You have to accept that a compromise is about the best we can do. Actually I think the only thing you really gain with an aftermarket shock is the handling because they handle the bumps similar to our air shocks.
:
Over the past month I have been getting an on the job education having purchased two sets of aftermarket shocks finding and that both have the same characteristics. I'm looking for nirvana and Have come to the conclusion it doesn't exist for our touring bikes ride. You have to accept that a compromise is about the best we can do. Actually I think the only thing you really gain with an aftermarket shock is the handling because they handle the bumps similar to our air shocks.
:
Are you comparing 3" travel shocks? If so your setup or springs are incorrect.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 142
Likes: 6
From: Clarence NY
I would think, To get the "perfect" ride on an aftermarket shock, yes the valving for compression and rebound have to be relatively close but more importantly you should have 2 sets of springs. 1 set for solo riding and another set for 2 up riding. When these shock manufactures ask your weight and the riders weight etc, etc they are putting a shock together that meets the needs found in between your needs. If it rides harsh solo yet nice 2-up that's a good example of to stiff a spring solo. I am not sure about what spring's the shock guy's are using but I would want to know the "rate" of said spring. Meaning how much force to move the spring 1". There are a lot of spring manufactures and you can get different lengths, different weights. If you have a real nice ride let's say solo, You aren't going to get the same ride 2-up when adding say 100 - 150 lbs. Not by "changing rebound or compression". You have to change springs to compensate. JMO
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 1,040
From: Seabrook, NH
I would think, To get the "perfect" ride on an aftermarket shock, yes the valving for compression and rebound have to be relatively close but more importantly you should have 2 sets of springs. 1 set for solo riding and another set for 2 up riding. When these shock manufactures ask your weight and the riders weight etc, etc they are putting a shock together that meets the needs found in between your needs. If it rides harsh solo yet nice 2-up that's a good example of to stiff a spring solo. I am not sure about what spring's the shock guy's are using but I would want to know the "rate" of said spring. Meaning how much force to move the spring 1". There are a lot of spring manufactures and you can get different lengths, different weights. If you have a real nice ride let's say solo, You aren't going to get the same ride 2-up when adding say 100 - 150 lbs. Not by "changing rebound or compression". You have to change springs to compensate. JMO
When I measure sag with only myself on the bike it measures 12 1/4" or 3/4". I find this a very good compromise but my bike has also had the front suspension replaced. I found this had to be done to bring a balance to my ride.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 86
From: Centeral Coast, California
Streetrunner: I have the 940's, and they're fantastic while riding two up. Riding solo though, is pretty stiff; and I had them put standard springs on them. I think that Progressive is a big step up from stock shocks, but not being a real heavy guy, the sweet spot is pretty narrow for me, and I think that there's a better shock out there for me personally.
I would already have purchased a set of Ohlins, but I have been waiting for more than just one source for them to appear on scene, and that's happening. At the same time, there is apparently some competition to the Ohlins showing up, and I've been watching closely while I complete a few other projects on my bike.
Anyway...I digress...the Progressives are still a little too stiff for me, even after having the sag dialed in perfectly with standard springs on them.
I would already have purchased a set of Ohlins, but I have been waiting for more than just one source for them to appear on scene, and that's happening. At the same time, there is apparently some competition to the Ohlins showing up, and I've been watching closely while I complete a few other projects on my bike.
Anyway...I digress...the Progressives are still a little too stiff for me, even after having the sag dialed in perfectly with standard springs on them.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 52
From: South Jersey
I understand your disagreement as I'm sure many others may disagree with me but I have to tell you I think I have tried every setting possible especially with the super Shox. That sweet spot is alluding me! I don't think it exists. I know what I'm looking for but I can't find it. Keep in mind I may be more picky than the next guy and when I ask myself are these shocks 6 or 7 hundred dollars better than what came with the bike, I have to answer, "no".