Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Ohlins shocks: break-in noticeable difference?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 19, 2019 | 04:39 PM
  #1  
albngore's Avatar
albngore
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 811
Likes: 53
From: Emmett, Idaho
Default Ohlins shocks: break-in noticeable difference?

I know that Howard says Ohlins need a break-in period, so I wondered what is the result after breaking in after a thousand miles or so. Any noticeable difference? Mine are new 2-2Bs with few miles on them. I do have them adjusted reasonably well. I have no clue how shocks break-in and would appreciate anyone who either notices or does not notice any difference.

Thank you.
 
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2019 | 09:13 PM
  #2  
sixguns's Avatar
sixguns
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 1,488
From: SW Washington State
Default

springs will settle some, Recheck the SAG and reset if needed. Good Times!
 
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2019 | 05:42 AM
  #3  
SWThomas's Avatar
SWThomas
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Veteran: Marine Corps
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,070
Likes: 2,375
From: Camp Lejeune, NC
Default

They’ll settle in some. But the difference isn’t gonna be noticeable. It’ll happen slowly over the next few hundred miles. It won’t be like an instant change.
 
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2019 | 05:56 AM
  #4  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Talking

I've had mine for many years now, but do recall they did improve over the first few hundred miles. They are precision mechanical devices, like so much of our bikes, so will 'bed in' after a short while. It only takes a weekend to do those first 500 miles.....
 
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2019 | 08:15 AM
  #5  
Kingface's Avatar
Kingface
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 778
Likes: 178
From: Maine
Default

I honestly have no clue about this but I'll chime in anyway. I always wonder when we hear people say 'Give it time it'll break in' (like with shocks or seats etc.) the actual item really doesn't 'break in' but it's actually us breaking in? Does this make sense? I find it hard to believe a seat or shocks would break in enough to really make a noticeable difference....especially shocks. Will they a little bit? Maybe?, but I would think that they are designed to not really break in to the point where we notice it. I think it's more us getting used to it. I could be very wrong but it makes sense.....to me at least.
 
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2019 | 08:25 AM
  #6  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Cool

Originally Posted by Kingface
I honestly have no clue about this but I'll chime in anyway. I always wonder when we hear people say 'Give it time it'll break in' (like with shocks or seats etc.) the actual item really doesn't 'break in' but it's actually us breaking in? Does this make sense? I find it hard to believe a seat or shocks would break in enough to really make a noticeable difference....especially shocks. Will they a little bit? Maybe?, but I would think that they are designed to not really break in to the point where we notice it. I think it's more us getting used to it. I could be very wrong but it makes sense.....to me at least.


I've had both seats and shocks which have improved over a short period of use. Makes perfect sense to me! A seat adapts to the shape of our backside, especially if made using some of the firmer types of upholstery. As for shocks, as already mentioned, they are precision items of engineering and 'run in' just like an engine does, although much more quickly. Try some!
 
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2019 | 09:16 AM
  #7  
albngore's Avatar
albngore
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 811
Likes: 53
From: Emmett, Idaho
Default

Kingface's opinion sounds reasonable to me.
 
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2019 | 11:42 AM
  #8  
LazySundays's Avatar
LazySundays
Road Captain
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 671
Likes: 168
From: Ontario, Canada
Default

They will break in a bit. They'll become a bit softer and stick less. You might need to adjust your preload by a bit to get the same sag you got when you first put them on.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 20, 2019 | 11:47 AM
  #9  
Softy 103's Avatar
Softy 103
Banned
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,910
Likes: 263
Default

I had 2-2bs,they never did break in to suit me
 
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2019 | 04:57 PM
  #10  
0ldhippie's Avatar
0ldhippie
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
Default

While the springs will “set” and seals and bushings will “wear in”, It is more about getting them adjusted properly than them “breaking in”.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
FlaHeatWave
Touring Models
7
Jun 11, 2015 11:10 PM
ExtremeBaggers
Touring Parts
0
Jul 17, 2014 05:37 AM
ilmanzo31
Frame/Suspension/Front End/Brakes
7
Mar 2, 2011 07:26 AM
humpyy57
Sportster Models
1
Jun 25, 2009 07:29 PM
Protrucker
Dyna Glide Models
1
Sep 24, 2007 11:32 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:42 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE