Done with stock shocks

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Oct 3, 2015 | 12:34 AM

#11

mongomark

Road Master

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 783

Likes: 66

From: Sacramento

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikelikesbikes

Dude, don't let the secret out. Then again the newest touring bike I have owned is on 05. Can't speak for the new models other than the ones I have taken for short rides. May upgrade the front tubes but the rear air is fine.

About 60k miles ago, I installed 13" Works Steel Tracker shocks which were far superior to the stock shorty air shocks. In June, I ordered my #2 Ohlins, 13.25" with 3.7" travel from Howard at Motorcycle Metal. I thought the Works were pretty good. No comparison to the Ohlins. My wife, with her bad back completely endorses this purchase. Sharp edged bumps, they're not sharp anymore. Until you experience something better, how do you know? My bike has a little better than 85k on it now. I ride enough to appreciate the drastic improvement. Your back and butt will thank you. If it's a bar hopper with low mileage, never mind.

Oct 3, 2015 | 05:59 PM

#12

King-a-ling

Tourer

Joined: Apr 2015

Posts: 286

Likes: 24

From: West Louisiana

I too drank the cool-aid and can say I went back to the oem's that came on my RK and they ride twice as good the as aftermarket shocks I bought.

Oct 3, 2015 | 08:39 PM

#13

09 YELLOWBIRD

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 3,932

Likes: 882

From: SOON TO BE A SAFE AMERICA

Me likely my Ohlins 2-2a's for over 20k happy miles!

I got tired my stockers losing air. Now my pump only comes out for my friends motorcycle when they need air.

Oct 3, 2015 | 10:55 PM

#14

KumaRide

Grand HDF Member

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 4,624

Likes: 189

From: Newcastle, Ca.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mongomark

Did you ever have your Works rebuilt? At 60k miles they should have been rebuilt two times. Also, Steel Trackers now come with an adjustable preload to setup proper sag. They did not always come that way. For $90 Works will rebuild both shocks. If you and the misses gained a few lbs in the past 60k miles, Works could of also changed out springs. Anyway, if you never had the Works rebuilt and/or your weight changed, your comparison may be skewed a bit.

Last edited by KumaRide; Oct 3, 2015 at 10:58 PM.

Oct 4, 2015 | 08:30 AM

#15

Egldr05

Road Warrior

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 1,415

Likes: 18

From: Belmont, MI

Quote:

Originally Posted by KumaRide

Did you ever have your Works rebuilt? At 60k miles they should have been rebuilt two times.

My thoughts exactly.

Oct 4, 2015 | 08:49 AM

#16

Ray on the drums

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2013

Posts: 2,485

Likes: 1,140

From: SW Missouri

We're not talking about air bags are we?

Buddy of mine was playing with his new
rear air bags/bag (?) with killer reviews.

Oct 4, 2015 | 06:43 PM

#17

Hate Work

Road Warrior

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 1,718

Likes: 159

From: Maryland

Quote:

Originally Posted by GriffinDenim13FLHX

Stock shocks seem fine to me. 265lbs. keep it at 30lbs of air. Never have bottomed out. Hope the shocks you get do what you are looking for.

I feel for the OP. I "only" weigh 175 lbs and it didn't matter how much air I had when I was solo. Now.... When riding 2up? The bike rode fantastic. I too had to replace the shocks. I went with the hand adjustable premium and noticed a huge difference. The rear end doesn't wander when cornering and even if I hit that huge pot hole, I now only worry about bending the rim, not flying 6 inches off the seat.

Oct 6, 2015 | 08:44 AM

#18

mongomark

Road Master

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 783

Likes: 66

From: Sacramento

Quote:

Originally Posted by KumaRide

The fact is, as well as the Works performed from the onset, having the springs and valving both matched with your weight and riding style, ending up with a custom result, there was no comparison to an off the shelf purchase. At the time I ordered the Works, there were 2 spring options, normal and heavy. Weighing 250, I ordered the heavy. The compliance and performance were never as good as these Ohlins. The Works lacked the ability to fine tune the dampening like the Ohlins. I've had the benefit of trying both. The slight improvement in travel may also provide some benefit.