Touring Shocks
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 671
Likes: 168
From: Ontario, Canada
Howard has a dizzying array of shocks under the $1k USD mark. The list drops after converting to CAD. Lol.
Call him. You might be surprised to find out how competitive his pricing is and how much Progressives don't look like much of a bargain anymore.
Call him. You might be surprised to find out how competitive his pricing is and how much Progressives don't look like much of a bargain anymore.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 344
Likes: 4
From: USA
Deal with Howard at Motorcycle metal. Call him on the phone and tell him what you would like to accomplish. He will begin an educational conversation with you that will assist you in deciding for yourself which solution sould most satisy you.
He not only will build and adjust the shocks custom for you, but also give you a significant discount if you mention this forum. Only when you get close to deciding which shock will be right for you will you need pricing, and you will not be paying list prices from Howard.
He has an extensive website that you should take a look at before calling, and refer to it again before ordering. He will walk you through proper installation and be there for you after the sale. He also stands behind his products and can rebuild and service your shocks down the road as it becomes necessary.
Premium Hand adjustable emulsion shocks from Harley are another option, as they usually are available in classifieds for around $300. Shocks will cost more from Howard, but they are top shelf.
He not only will build and adjust the shocks custom for you, but also give you a significant discount if you mention this forum. Only when you get close to deciding which shock will be right for you will you need pricing, and you will not be paying list prices from Howard.
He has an extensive website that you should take a look at before calling, and refer to it again before ordering. He will walk you through proper installation and be there for you after the sale. He also stands behind his products and can rebuild and service your shocks down the road as it becomes necessary.
Premium Hand adjustable emulsion shocks from Harley are another option, as they usually are available in classifieds for around $300. Shocks will cost more from Howard, but they are top shelf.
For those who are willing to accept his "style", its a great service that he provides on the phone or in person, he's a wealth of motorcycle suspension knowledge and experience, and we're all learning from him in many different ways...which makes him a valuable asset to the motorcycling community, specifically in the suspension arena when youre done being butt hurt lol.
With corporate-type businesses, there's almost always someone in training or someone teaching somebody the ropes to keep its products and services viable and going strong. One-man shows, not so much. I like the fact that he personally states that he is there for us for the after-the-sale-service, but what happens when he can't or won't be there for his customers anymore?
Last edited by nuttbaggerr; Jan 27, 2016 at 10:28 AM.
I hate to admit it, but I might have to spend almost double the price to get Ohlins from Howard...... 
I decided to try another shock, a little cheaper than the Ohlins. I got a set of SuperShox. It's a great shock, much better than OEM. It's well built and easy to adjust. Unfortunately, I messed with the adjustments well past their refund period.
This included a long road trip.
I just can't dial them to my liking. When I get them to ride smooth, they're just a tad soft and they'll bottom on a large bump. If I tighten them up just a tad, they won't bottom out, but get a little stiff/harsh over smaller bumps. They only allow for preload adjustments.
I think I'm going to need to be able to adjust the preload and the damping to get the ride i'm looking for....
I'm going to play with them some more... but thinking I should have just spent the money up front for Ohlins like many suggest on here....
Who knew I was going to be this picky about my ride?!
I decided to try another shock, a little cheaper than the Ohlins. I got a set of SuperShox. It's a great shock, much better than OEM. It's well built and easy to adjust. Unfortunately, I messed with the adjustments well past their refund period.
This included a long road trip. I just can't dial them to my liking. When I get them to ride smooth, they're just a tad soft and they'll bottom on a large bump. If I tighten them up just a tad, they won't bottom out, but get a little stiff/harsh over smaller bumps. They only allow for preload adjustments.
I think I'm going to need to be able to adjust the preload and the damping to get the ride i'm looking for....
I'm going to play with them some more... but thinking I should have just spent the money up front for Ohlins like many suggest on here....
Who knew I was going to be this picky about my ride?!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Exactly why I bought mine from Howard, several years ago. Living in the UK I reckon the parts fly over my home, on their way from Sweden to the USA! We have plenty of race shops over here who are accredited Ohlins shops, although I suspect they don't know any Harley owners with them.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,878
Likes: 164
From: Northern California
As much as I'd like to have the best I am not spending $1k+ for shocks. Not happening. That said I am down to choosing between the Progressive 944's or the Works Performance Steel Trackers. I spoke with both companies but still am unsure. Having 12" shocks is not ideal for comfort but Progressive says their shocks have the travel of a 13" shock and Works seems to think that is not possible. Leaning towards the Progressive because Tim at Works seemed to think 12" shocks are not worthy of building even tho they do.
Any thoughts????
Any thoughts????
Highly recommend you consider Legend suspension. More than just American made, all components are made at the Legend suspension factory in Sturgis S.D. I installed the Legend REVO shocks on the back and Legend AXEO front suspension kit. All come with a Lifetime Warranty. You can buy there best REVO shock, the REVO-A with adjustable dampening for $809.96 at Iron Aces speed shop.
Stay with 13" shocks, you can adjust this shocks height down a bit, 13" is the way to go.
http://www.ironacesspeedshop.com/leg...rley-davidson/
REVO-A Review
http://youtubemp4.website/watch/VRvFDb7_F9I
http://youtubemp4.website/watch/1SCyvKBan_Y
http://amnhac.net/watch/dhXYmB0x4Dc
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
Answer
That's great...but what will happen to the MM and Howard customers when Howard decides to take a rest from all this, either naturally or by choice? Where do shocks and cartridges personally built by Howard get sent to then? Will there or is there an MM/Howard protégé who can provide the same level of service, expertise, and attention to detail as Howard after he calls it quits? I guess Howard can chime in with this if he reads this because only he can answer this question. if he chooses to.
For those who are willing to accept his "style", its a great service that he provides on the phone or in person, he's a wealth of motorcycle suspension knowledge and experience, and we're all learning from him in many different ways...which makes him a valuable asset to the motorcycling community, specifically in the suspension arena when youre done being butt hurt lol.
With corporate-type businesses, there's almost always someone in training or someone teaching somebody the ropes to keep its products and services viable and going strong. One-man shows, not so much. I like the fact that he personally states that he is there for us for the after-the-sale-service, but what happens when he can't or won't be there for his customers anymore?
For those who are willing to accept his "style", its a great service that he provides on the phone or in person, he's a wealth of motorcycle suspension knowledge and experience, and we're all learning from him in many different ways...which makes him a valuable asset to the motorcycling community, specifically in the suspension arena when youre done being butt hurt lol.
With corporate-type businesses, there's almost always someone in training or someone teaching somebody the ropes to keep its products and services viable and going strong. One-man shows, not so much. I like the fact that he personally states that he is there for us for the after-the-sale-service, but what happens when he can't or won't be there for his customers anymore?
I go to the shows so I can meet my customers and they all have accessibility to me for any problems or just to hang out. If you have a job you like doing than you never work a day in your life. This is what I do for a life. Every day of the week and all weeks of the year.
If you can not get a hold of me within a few hours seven (7) days a week than that means I am dead. There is no elective retirement, just dead. What happens after that I can not do anything about but I will try and do my best to live forever. Death is not in my immediate future but, hay, you never know, might get hit on the highway. Until than, I will do my best. Back to work as I am slammed making stuff.
I will be up in Daytona on Thursday, March 3, ~ Sunday 13th , anyone want to stop down, just give a call. Problems of any kind, the buck stops here as I fix them.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,989
Likes: 11
From: Right Coast
Highly recommend you consider Legend suspension. More than just American made, all components are made at the Legend suspension factory in Sturgis S.D. I installed the Legend REVO shocks on the back and Legend AXEO front suspension kit. All come with a Lifetime Warranty. You can buy there best REVO shock, the REVO-A with adjustable dampening for $809.96 at Iron Aces speed shop.
Stay with 13" shocks, you can adjust this shocks height down a bit, 13" is the way to go.
http://www.ironacesspeedshop.com/leg...rley-davidson/
REVO-A Review
http://youtubemp4.website/watch/VRvFDb7_F9I
http://youtubemp4.website/watch/1SCyvKBan_Y
http://amnhac.net/watch/dhXYmB0x4Dc
Stay with 13" shocks, you can adjust this shocks height down a bit, 13" is the way to go.
http://www.ironacesspeedshop.com/leg...rley-davidson/
REVO-A Review
http://youtubemp4.website/watch/VRvFDb7_F9I
http://youtubemp4.website/watch/1SCyvKBan_Y
http://amnhac.net/watch/dhXYmB0x4Dc
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
As much as I'd like to have the best I am not spending $1k+ for shocks. Not happening. That said I am down to choosing between the Progressive 944's or the Works Performance Steel Trackers. I spoke with both companies but still am unsure. Having 12" shocks is not ideal for comfort but Progressive says their shocks have the travel of a 13" shock and Works seems to think that is not possible. Leaning towards the Progressive because Tim at Works seemed to think 12" shocks are not worthy of building even tho they do.
Any thoughts????
Any thoughts????
Regarding adjustable compression/rebound. Nice to have but if a shock is setup for you, custom built, not necessary.
Also, consider front suspension. I also installed Race Tech springs and valves - the bike rails turns and rides very nice now.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 783
Likes: 66
From: Sacramento
I had the Works Steel Trackers. They were a definite improvement over stock but the Ohlins were far superior to the Works on sharp edged bumps and for general compliance and control was much improved as well. My wife has a bad back and she's the best salesperson for the improvement in ride quality. The improvement was that dramatic.