Ohlins HD357...Worth it?
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 283
Likes: 14
From: Quebec Canada
It's not hard to ride better than the HD Premium,
I have them, too stiff at the lowest setting, i try Progressive 440 , can't adjust them to my liking... I have ProAction, ride was amasing...
I have no doubt the Ohlins with the right spring and the right valving set for your weight are going to be a huge improvement ...it's a good investment, you can put them on your next bike
I have them, too stiff at the lowest setting, i try Progressive 440 , can't adjust them to my liking... I have ProAction, ride was amasing...
I have no doubt the Ohlins with the right spring and the right valving set for your weight are going to be a huge improvement ...it's a good investment, you can put them on your next bike
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 52
From: South Jersey
I haven't found an aftermarket shock that I can say is worth hundreds of dollars more than stock. Do they ride better? Yes they do but not so much better that I can say they were worth what paid for!
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 541
Likes: 3
From: Sherwood Park AB Canada
I went from stock air shocks to JRI Bs from Howard and the difference was huge. A couple of years later I then changed those out to the Ohlins HD 357 customized by Howard and there was a noticeable improvement over the JRIs. I wish that I had gone with the Ohlins to begin with, but as someone already said, then I would not know now that I am riding the most comfortable shock made for my bike. Talk to Howard and you won't be disappointed. And as a Forum member, you won't be paying $1600 for a set.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 428
Likes: 28
From: South Dakota
As most have said give Howard a call. It is funny when riders say they will never spend the money for the best shocks made but they will spend three times the money for rims and do dads that don't do anything but make a bike look cool spend the money for a great set of shocks and you wife will love the ride.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 259
From: Seattle
Yeah, I have A Ton of threads asking questions on shocks just as I did on handlebars. I KNOW I have annoyed some folks. For shocks...tons of people just say go for Ohlins go for Ohlins , quite spending money and go for Ohlins. For me, I can't see myself spending that much on shocks...just lucky to have a bike. Maybe in the future it'll be something I consider. Though I do want a shorter shock so I have to make my mind up on something here and trying to find that has been brain damaging.
Can You have the best ride with Ohlins...that's what everyone says but for me how would I know with nothing to compare them to. I'd spend all my riding time wondering if there was yet a better ride than the Ohlins or a less expensive shock that would have worked fine.
I don't have many chances to sit on others bikes much less ride them....
Can You have the best ride with Ohlins...that's what everyone says but for me how would I know with nothing to compare them to. I'd spend all my riding time wondering if there was yet a better ride than the Ohlins or a less expensive shock that would have worked fine.
I don't have many chances to sit on others bikes much less ride them....
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 905
Likes: 51
From: New Jersey
Having tried 3 different aftermarket shock in the 7-8 hundred dollar range I can tell you they were not worth the money when compared to my stock 13" air shocks. I know your hand adjustables are harsher than the 13" air shocks but I'll never believe the Ohlins will be 1600 better than what you have. I would suggest picking up a cheap set of air shocks on the forum. That would be worth the money.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 905
Likes: 51
From: New Jersey
I bought Ohlins HD136's and put them on my 2011 Road Glide Ultra. They were great and in that 7 -8 dollar range. They completely stopped the bottoming out problem I had, and the ride was bit more predictable over rough spots. I liked them enough to have the dealer take them off my RG and put them on my new Limited when I traded up a couple of months ago.
By the way, I bought them from Howard too.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 55
From: Florida
I have to agree, Just call Howard at Motorcyclemetal, Let him ask the questions about how you want your ride to be and he'll set you up with the best system for your needs. Not necessarily the most expensive shocks Ohlin makes.That is unless your planning to run the Isle of Mann TT on a bagger lol. Mine should be arriving soon!
Last edited by Smokey Stover; Dec 30, 2015 at 05:22 PM.
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