Suspension Clarification
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 357
Likes: 39
From: illinois
honestly it feels like MOST who runs Ohlins just looks for a shock threat to bash or gloat, its just hard to believe they should not be used on my 08 since it feels MUCH more stable at highway speeds, i have more confidants in twisty roads and the ride is so much better
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 89
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From: Arizona
Thats kind of where I am on this too. Being a gun guy, Ive heard ____ brand is crap because they explode yet no actual evidence of this happening. Id really like an engineer or someone who REALLY knows their stuff to break it down.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,268
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From: farmington michigan
I put a set of 13s on my 2010 ultra and the work great they came if if a 2017 ultra with low miles so I thought I would give them a try. I also put a set of patriot double progressive springs in the front the total ride and handling difference is remarkable
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Joined: Dec 2018
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From: Arizona
So I keep finding the adjustable side shocks sold individually for cheap. I'm half way tempted to buy 2 of them just to give this a try based on my theory posted above. Does anyone have any input as to why this would be a bad idea?
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Joined: Dec 2018
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From: Arizona
That's how all of the sets come. My theory above though was that you run 2 of the same shock that way they are equal and work as the original design of suspension for the 08 and older bikes was intended.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
Only that as the two shocks in a set are not identical, using similar ones from two sets may not give good results. There are plenty of alternative brands available, often second-hand, so I suggest that would be likely to be more successful.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 357
Likes: 39
From: illinois
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: San Diego, CA
Probably because the vast majority of people have heard the warnings and decided not to take the chance, or the sample of people who have ignored the warnings is not large enough for their results to make it on the internet...
It is a fact that the rear swing arm was improved...... It is a fact that the MoCo designed a new shock, that they felt would be a premium upgrade to bikes with the new swing arm, but felt the need to issue a warning against using the new premium shocks on the older swing arm bikes.
The warnings against using the newer swing arm shocks on an older (weaker) swing arm could mean; that the newer style shocks just won't perform their best on the weaker swing arm, that the newer style shocks could lead to severe handling problems at extremes (like the Harley wobble), or it could mean that the newer style shocks on the weaker swing arm could eventually lead to metal fatigue and catastrophic failure.... Or it is possible it is a big marketing ploy, by the MoCo, trying to make the rear swing arm improvement seem better than it is....
In any case, I doubt there is a large enough sample of people using the newer shocks, on the older swing arms to hear about any issues on the internet.
I think of it this way... the MoCo would NOT have issued a warning about using the newer shocks, on older swing arms, unless they thought the liability costs could outweigh the sales profits of the many people with older swing arms, buying the new shocks.... the MoCo never misses an opportunity to make money.....
I personally wouldn't take the chance, because there are far too many alternatives, many that are affordable. But everybody gets to decide how much risk they are willing to take. If you feel the risk is overstated and/or hype, get a set, use them, and report back your findings....
Good luck with whatever you decide...
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 357
Likes: 39
From: illinois
It is a fact that the rear swing arm was improved...... It is a fact that the MoCo designed a new shock, that they felt would be a premium upgrade to bikes with the new swing arm, but felt the need to issue a warning against using the new premium shocks on the older swing arm bikes.