Another Forking Thread
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 800
Likes: 39
From: Lafayette, La
Another Forking Thread
Need to do something to the front end of my 2015 Ultra Limited. Too bouncy. Lots of folks here like teh Legend AXEO front end kit for $750. Lots of folks like the Progressive monotubes for half price. I'm not seeing a lot of reviews, comments about Harley's Premium Ride Single Cartridge Front Kit. It, too, is only $350 or so.
What to do?
What to do?
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 208
Likes: 17
From: Romeoville, IL
Watching this thread too -- I was going to upgrade my windshield on the RK but I think I want to do the front end suspension first and get rid of some of the braking dive and bounciness. There doesn't seem to be a lot of reviews that I can find about any of the options.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
A further option is Ohlins adjustable cartridges, available from HDF sponsor Howard Messner of Motorcycle Metal. Not cheap, but top of the crop for quality!
Last edited by grbrown; May 10, 2016 at 11:53 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,044
Likes: 336
I have the Progressive Mono-tubes in my front end now - thinking of pulling them out, selling them and installing the AXEO's
The Progressive are a big improvement over stock and my thinking is the AXEO's will be an increased improvement over the Progressive - am I sure, no, but I might take the chance.
The Progressive are a big improvement over stock and my thinking is the AXEO's will be an increased improvement over the Progressive - am I sure, no, but I might take the chance.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 252
Likes: 50
From: Georgia
I have a 2014 Ultra Ltd bought right after Rushmores were introduced in 2013. It was going to be several months before Progressive or Ohlins came out with their new front end suspensions for the redesigned front forks on Rushmores. Like y'all, I needed to do something about the mushy front end, and I didn't want to wait.
So, I did some research and found an American manufacturer, Traxxion Dynamics, in Georgia. They specialize in motorcycle suspensions and were well-known in the Gold Wing community. I took my bike to them as the first Rushmore they worked on. They modified their existing AK-20 cartridge kit to fit the new Harley front fork and installed the AK-20's on my bike.
I've had them almost two and a half years and 35,000 miles, and I can't imagine being happier than I am with my front suspension.
http://www.traxxion.com/
So, I did some research and found an American manufacturer, Traxxion Dynamics, in Georgia. They specialize in motorcycle suspensions and were well-known in the Gold Wing community. I took my bike to them as the first Rushmore they worked on. They modified their existing AK-20 cartridge kit to fit the new Harley front fork and installed the AK-20's on my bike.
I've had them almost two and a half years and 35,000 miles, and I can't imagine being happier than I am with my front suspension.
http://www.traxxion.com/
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 239
Likes: 2
From: Leesburg
I did the HD Premium Ride double cartridge fork kit, along with the Screaming Eagle heavy duty fork oil (15W IIRC). Much better fork control with minimal dive and no bottoming. It actually may be a bit too harsh now. At some point I will change to a high quality lighter weight fork oil in hopes of getting a little more response to sharp bumps. The initial impact seems to be too stiff at this point, but it rides nicely over normal road irregularities. I hope that the lighter weight oil will allow the forks to react quicker to that initial impact. Other than that though, I am very pleased.
I also purchased the HD Premium Hand Adjustable rear shock at the same time. Both of these were a big improvement over stock, but not as good as some of the more premium aftermarket alternatives, I'm sure.
John
I also purchased the HD Premium Hand Adjustable rear shock at the same time. Both of these were a big improvement over stock, but not as good as some of the more premium aftermarket alternatives, I'm sure.
John
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
have you tried just replacing the stock fork oil with a heavier weight? not hard to do, and you might just be satisfied with that and not have to spend the big bucks.
then again, you might not, but it's cheap and easy enough to try first...
then again, you might not, but it's cheap and easy enough to try first...
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 800
Likes: 39
From: Lafayette, La
If I'm disassembling, I might as well change everything. That's my thinking.
Unofficial HDF Chaplain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,158
Likes: 18,079
From: san diego
I recommend the progressive shocks to every person that comes into my shop. You can't beat them for the most part. reasonably priced, easily installed, never need maintenance again, and last a real long time. completely eliminates brake dive, improves handling substantially, massively improves ride quality, tires last longer do to less tire bounce. Are there better? Yes, I'm sure. But are they so much better that they make up for price? I don't know that, and doubt it. If you own a bagger, its a brick, and while handling can be improved, how much are you swinging it hard around corners? Those here that have the Ohlins, are people that do ride hard, and they might require top of the line shocks, but almost every customer that I recommend the progressives to, loves them, and are more that good with them, including me, I've had them on my last 3 bikes. You decide