Suspension question
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 237
Likes: 25
From: St Louis
Suspension question
I have read a lot on HD Forums about how much better aftermarket suspension kits are than stock HD.
Aside from potentially longer travel what is inherently better with the aftermarket design / components that makes the ride more enjoyable?
Thanks
Aside from potentially longer travel what is inherently better with the aftermarket design / components that makes the ride more enjoyable?
Thanks
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 86
From: Centeral Coast, California
I don't mean to be an a-hole, pomeara, but if you've ready a lot about aftermarket being better than OEM...surely you have an idea of the benefits of many aftermarket options over stock suspension (?).
Sit back and read the responses....and get ready to do the breast stroke through fact and fiction where opinions come funneling in.
There are a lot of really good options out there, and travel is not necessarily increased in order to end up with a whole lot better suspension.
Good luck in sorting it all out!
Sit back and read the responses....and get ready to do the breast stroke through fact and fiction where opinions come funneling in.
There are a lot of really good options out there, and travel is not necessarily increased in order to end up with a whole lot better suspension.
Good luck in sorting it all out!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,452
Likes: 798
From: Bear Flag, lower end
I got the HD premium rear shocks on my 14 FLHTK. Seems like they just wore out. Getting ready to give Howard a call, and be done with it. Thinking of going with the Ohlins 3-3's.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 259
From: Seattle
I think the op is saying that he has seen a lot of posts where people say that the aftermarket shock are better. But maybe hasn’t done reading on the subject, just keeps seeing people post that opinion. Op, take a look at YouTube and see if you can find some videos on how motorcycle shocks work. There should be some on there for race bikes last time I looked.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 180
Likes: 55
From: South
Instead of telling the OP to look here, look there, why not give him some thoughts or advice? If you are not knowledgeable about the topic, stop with your condescending behavior, and find another forum to troll.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
With any cheap brand of shock, a longer travel may well give a slightly improved ride, but there is no guarantee of that. What makes the difference is the quality of design and the precision of the components that make up the damper mechanism.
Most shocks aimed at the Harley aftermarket are cheap and basic in design, also contain the oil and gas inside them in a single chamber (inside the damper body). Riding will mix the gas and oil, creating an emulsion and resulting in a deterioration of damper performance. Parked overnight the gas and oil will separate out, but get mixed up again next time you ride.
A feature of superior shocks is that the gas and oil are separated. This can be achieved in a single damper body, for middle-price shocks, or in a remote reservoir, as with sports bikes, for the seriously expensive high quality stuff.
In essence, the more expensive the shock is, the more effort and expense has been put into the damper components, resulting in greatly improved ride quality. At present only few brands make the grade, as far as we Harley owners are concerned. Ohlins are the path-finders, which is why you will find them mentioned so often around HDF. Their products are based on racing grade designs, adapted for our Harleys. Mine are brilliant!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 259
From: Seattle
Are u talking to me or the guy that posted before me? I was just trying to be helpful because that’s where I found the videos that explained it well to me. It is super helpful to see what a shock is doing rather than trying to visualize it. At least for me it was. But thanks for calling me condescending! And really....trolling...hang around for a bit and you’ll see that I am here religiously everyday and am a permanent fixture as long as they guys here are still willing to help me out.
Last edited by SnoRider; Dec 20, 2017 at 07:01 AM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 38
From: The real N.CA (not S.F. Bay Area)
Are u talking to me or the guy that posted before me? I was just trying to be helpful because thats where I found the videos that explained it well to me. It is super helpful to see what a shock is doing rather than trying to visualize it. At least for me it was. But thanks for calling me condescending! And really....trolling...hang around for a bit and youll see that I am here religiously everyday and am a permanent fixture as long as they guys here are still willing to help me out.
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Here is a LINK to a report that outlines-
- How shocks work (springs, sag, compression damping, rebound damping)
- Different technologies/designs in shocks
- How to adjust shocks to get the best ride out of them
Also included are some comparison charts, testing procedures, and what specifically to look at when evaluating a shock for a safer, more enjoyable ride.
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