2012 FLHX Steet glide suspension
2012 FLHX Steet glide suspension
Looking to get the parts stocked up for my winter project and want to get some suspension components. Comfort is important but I'd also like to lower it a little as well. I'm sure this topic has been beaten to death so if you could just give me some links with the information that would be greatly appreciated.
Drop in front springs and rear shocks/springs is what I'm looking for. I have a 2012 Street Glide (FLHX).
Cheers!
Drop in front springs and rear shocks/springs is what I'm looking for. I have a 2012 Street Glide (FLHX).
Cheers!
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 264
From: Fresno Ca
I like my progressive 444 shocks on my Streetglide. They absorb the bumps without bottoming out. You can buy them in multiple lengths and with 3 different springs. I have Progressive Mono tubes in the front. They are very stiff and I dont know if they are much more comfortable than stock. But they handle well and eliminate brake dive.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 668
Likes: 246
From: San Diego, CA.
For the money, check out Bitubo’s shocks and JRI shocks for the rear. Both come in 13” length, with both preload and rebound adjustments. I saw some JRI shocks, new, on flebay, for $515 delivered, compared with the msrp of $880. The Bitubo’s can be had, custom built to you, from Bellisimoto.com (the US distributor, in Nevada) and DK Customs (forum sponsor) sells them as well. The JRI shocks are similar to Progressive in that they come tailored to you, by choosing the shock length, and the spring rate (regular, medium, heavy duty).
For the front end, I suggest going with drop in cartridges. JRI offers drop in cartridges at $850. The progressive cartridges are in the $350 range. Of course you can always go with Legends or Ohlins for the cartridges, $750+, as well as for the rear shocks, $600+.
I went with the Bitubo twin adjustable shocks from Bellisimoto.com and Progressive cartridges in the front and I am VERY happy, shopping around, for $850 for both the rear shocks and the front fork cartridges installed.
For the front end, I suggest going with drop in cartridges. JRI offers drop in cartridges at $850. The progressive cartridges are in the $350 range. Of course you can always go with Legends or Ohlins for the cartridges, $750+, as well as for the rear shocks, $600+.
I went with the Bitubo twin adjustable shocks from Bellisimoto.com and Progressive cartridges in the front and I am VERY happy, shopping around, for $850 for both the rear shocks and the front fork cartridges installed.
Thanks for the heads up. A lot of good info.
Is there an explanation of springs and reason behind lengths? Does the length of the rear spring determine how low the bike is? Also? What exactly does heavy duty or super heavy duty mean?
Is there an explanation of springs and reason behind lengths? Does the length of the rear spring determine how low the bike is? Also? What exactly does heavy duty or super heavy duty mean?
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 668
Likes: 246
From: San Diego, CA.
Spring weights (regular, medium, heavy duty) vary by manufacturers, so the best thing to do would be to investigate with each potential shock choice, and these details are available online with the respective shock makers. Heavy Duty to one shock maker might be very different to the next shock maker, and so on.
The length of the shock affects 2 very critical points = the ride height of the rear end, and, the amount of travel of the actual shock, which generally equates to how the shock will ride and handle bumps on the road. Some years of the Steeet Glide came stock with a 12” shock, while many years of the touring model bikes came with or come with a 13” shock. Generally speaking the best shock performance is achieved by using a longer overal shock, providing the most amount of travel, because when you set the proper shock sag (lots of information out there on how to do this), you use some of that overall shock length for the sag as the initial shock preload setup. As you can imagine, if you use a shorter shock, and thus a shorter overall length of travel, when you set the sag and preload, you more significantly reduce the remaining amount of shock travel and overal dampening. One great example is the DK Customs offering of the 14” Pro Action shock.
So, there are numerous threads on this forum about which shock length to choose, especially when one wants or needs to achieve a lower ride height, just do some searching and reading if that is something you need as a rider.
The length of the shock affects 2 very critical points = the ride height of the rear end, and, the amount of travel of the actual shock, which generally equates to how the shock will ride and handle bumps on the road. Some years of the Steeet Glide came stock with a 12” shock, while many years of the touring model bikes came with or come with a 13” shock. Generally speaking the best shock performance is achieved by using a longer overal shock, providing the most amount of travel, because when you set the proper shock sag (lots of information out there on how to do this), you use some of that overall shock length for the sag as the initial shock preload setup. As you can imagine, if you use a shorter shock, and thus a shorter overall length of travel, when you set the sag and preload, you more significantly reduce the remaining amount of shock travel and overal dampening. One great example is the DK Customs offering of the 14” Pro Action shock.
So, there are numerous threads on this forum about which shock length to choose, especially when one wants or needs to achieve a lower ride height, just do some searching and reading if that is something you need as a rider.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 798
Likes: 168
From: Tryon, NC Cape Vincent NY
I also have a 2012 FLHX, I just had the Suspension Technologies drop in tube installed in Daytona and have been running their shocks.
Both are 1 inch lower...absolutely love the bike now.
Mike at Suspension Technologies is great, answered all my questions as he personally designed the compnets.
Ken
Both are 1 inch lower...absolutely love the bike now.
Mike at Suspension Technologies is great, answered all my questions as he personally designed the compnets.
Ken
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,998
Likes: 655
From: bklyn,ny
Comfort and lowered suspension can’t be done. Go with standard size 13” shocks and pick what you like for the front.
Trending Topics
Is lowering a SG as easy as just getting a shorter shock?
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 668
Likes: 246
From: San Diego, CA.
If lowering the bike is absolutely needed due to being vertically or inseam challenged, the best option is replacing or reworking the seat.
Here's our suspension reports, done prior to testing various different shocks and set-ups.
FRONT SUSPENSION REPORT LINK
REAR SUSPENSION REPORT LINK
FRONT SUSPENSION REPORT LINK
REAR SUSPENSION REPORT LINK
__________________
Cristy
FREE SHIPPING - ORDERS OF $100 OR MORE - LOWER 48 STATES
www.DKCustom.com
Call: 662-252-8828
Text: 662-420-4891
Email: Support@DKCustomProducts.com
Cristy
FREE SHIPPING - ORDERS OF $100 OR MORE - LOWER 48 STATES
www.DKCustom.com
Call: 662-252-8828
Text: 662-420-4891
Email: Support@DKCustomProducts.com