rear shocks information
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
The one you did not list, Ohlins #3-#3 or #6-#6 from Howard.
http://www.motorcyclemetal.com/gpage32.html
http://www.motorcyclemetal.com/gpage32.html
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 668
Likes: 246
From: San Diego, CA.
There is another thread in this section - I believe what rear shock should I buy
I just went through the same question and research - I chose Bitubos, arguably at the same level as the Ohlins, at less than half the price. Built custom to you, your riding weight with gear and passenger, rebuildable, and adjustable for preload and rebound. My new shocks are in the pipeline, as the somewhat downside is having to wait 4 weeks to get them.
I just went through the same question and research - I chose Bitubos, arguably at the same level as the Ohlins, at less than half the price. Built custom to you, your riding weight with gear and passenger, rebuildable, and adjustable for preload and rebound. My new shocks are in the pipeline, as the somewhat downside is having to wait 4 weeks to get them.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 426
Likes: 157
From: Lake Wales, Fl
I have JRI's and am very happy with them. They work great in my "test curves" switch back "S" curves with rough pavement - the rear tire stays planted on the road. another of those curves is a 75- 80 mph decreasing radius with bad pavement near the apex. I'm 170 lbs on a Road King and they are comfortable. and made in N. Carolina - Eastcoast Jim
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 668
Likes: 246
From: San Diego, CA.
I have JRI's and am very happy with them. They work great in my "test curves" switch back "S" curves with rough pavement - the rear tire stays planted on the road. another of those curves is a 75- 80 mph decreasing radius with bad pavement near the apex. I'm 170 lbs on a Road King and they are comfortable. and made in N. Carolina - Eastcoast Jim
I looked into JRI, and talked at length to the rep. in North Carolina.
The JRI shocks look sharp, and everything I read had good things to say. They are a little bit pricey, but again, they seem to be a good product, that you DO NOT get custom built for you, you pick a weight class essentially, like standard weight springs are good for riders and gear up to 220 lbs, and heavy duty is good for like up to 350lbs....don’t quote me on the ranges there, because I don’t remember, but you get the idea, and that is how a large number of the mainstream aftermarket shocks are setup and sold.
I found that buying direct was not the best deal - J&P had them on sale, and I think they still are. Buying them direct costs $500 for preload adjustable only, and $850 for preload and rebound adjustable, while The sale price from J&P was like $300 and $550 respectively, but I think J&P might be closing them out, so it might be tough to get them at the deeply discounted price.
That said, if budget is no concern, Ohlins is the best, and the best ain’t cheap - plan on $600-$900 or more, depending on features, this is where you order shocks built for you.
I recently ordered Bitubo’s - by several reviews as good as the Ohlins......Custom built for me, and preload and rebound adjustable = $400 delivered, with the only down side being the 4 week wait....if interested contact Randy at Bellisimoto dot com (look up the number and call - the website is tough to navigate)
Good luck in your search - there are a bunch of recent threads asking for feedback and information about shocks on this forum, for your reading pleasure.
Last edited by HM_SanDiego; Jan 16, 2018 at 05:35 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,683
Likes: 3,976
From: Near Yosemite
I have a pair of Progressive Suspension 444-4002B Black 13" Shocks for my 2003 RK that I rode for a few weeks but my scrawny *** weighing in at a buck-fiddy was too light for them. Even Progressive said so when I called their Customer Service. (Lightweights pay attention!) Rode great with the wife on the back but ended up having Howard build me a pair of Ohlin's instead and happy with them. The Progressives are like brand new and paid $475 for them. Let them go for $275 shipped...... PM me if interested.
Last edited by MotoJockey; Jan 16, 2018 at 09:49 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 421
Likes: 71
From: Hayward Ca
I'm running JRI's on three touring bikes. The first two sets were purchased through Howard when he was selling JRIs as well as Olins. The third set is on my new (to me) 16 RK. I purchased them directly through JRI
JRI upgraded their shocks recently and replaced both of my older sets for the cost of a rebuild. Although they offer only three spring rates I have had no problem getting the sag set perfectly on both mine and my sons bikes. At 210 he's probably 80 lbs lighter than I am and uses the medium spring rate. With around 40 clicks of adjustment on the sweep valve (compression and rebound) you really have a ton of adjustment for ride quality. For two up riding I simply add 10 clicks on the sweep valves. This takes me about a minute. For trips fully loaded I will add a little preload to the springs as well which requires removing the saddle bags.
The overall ride quality is excellent IMO
JRI upgraded their shocks recently and replaced both of my older sets for the cost of a rebuild. Although they offer only three spring rates I have had no problem getting the sag set perfectly on both mine and my sons bikes. At 210 he's probably 80 lbs lighter than I am and uses the medium spring rate. With around 40 clicks of adjustment on the sweep valve (compression and rebound) you really have a ton of adjustment for ride quality. For two up riding I simply add 10 clicks on the sweep valves. This takes me about a minute. For trips fully loaded I will add a little preload to the springs as well which requires removing the saddle bags.
The overall ride quality is excellent IMO
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I understand that the founders of JRI sold out after a while, so it is likely that your earlier shocks are their originals. They dropped off the radar for after that.
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