Understanding the need for new shocks.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 778
Likes: 178
From: Maine
Actually......there are several shocks that you can install upside down because the adjustment portion can interfere with saddlebags..... That is in the shocks instructions....not me speaking out of my @$$....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,077
Likes: 2,386
From: Camp Lejeune, NC
That is what I was trying to convey with my comment stating that you have to fiddle with them a bit to get them adjusted correctly. I agree that most that have a lackluster view of aftermarket shocks are the ones that either don't understand what the adjustments actually do or won't take the time to set them up right.
There seems to be two factions of Harley riders. Ones that wrench on their own bikes understand what changing parts does to the performance and those that drop it off at the dealer and have them install parts expecting the changes to be optimal with little understanding of how things work. Nothing wrong with either approach but people need to be honest with their expectations.
There seems to be two factions of Harley riders. Ones that wrench on their own bikes understand what changing parts does to the performance and those that drop it off at the dealer and have them install parts expecting the changes to be optimal with little understanding of how things work. Nothing wrong with either approach but people need to be honest with their expectations.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 11,256
From: San Diego, CA
I road over 49K miles on my '78 FXS before it got stolen, and then put about 90K miles on my '80 FXS before selling it..... I rode those bikes all over the place..... for about 4 years, those bikes were my only transportation here in SoCal.... I was younger, but never once gave a thought to changing the suspension......
Then I bought a '12 Limited, drove it across country, and knew I needed something different for shocks.....
I believe age, model of bike, and riding use/style will greatly affect what you expect from and will ultimately want from your suspension...
Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 263
Likes: 30
From: Canada, Thailand
Hello, all:
I have read quite a bit here about replacement shocks, but how do I know if I need them?
I am not new to motorcycling, but I am new to Harleys. I own a 2017 SGS. I bought it from the dealer's rental fleet in September of 2017 with 11,600 miles on it.
I am 6', 240 lbs., and I ride solo. In fact, I just bought a Mustang Super Touring Solo for the bike. My riding is mainly local - highways and byways in the Raleigh area of North Carolina. I plan to take some trips up the mountains here.
Since I am riding my first Harley, what am I looking for in terms of the need for replacement? Just because I am riding on the stock shocks should not be reason enough to replace them. For what it's worth, the service guy at my local HD dealer recommends the Progressives as best bang for the buck (should I decide to replace the shocks).
Thank you.
I have read quite a bit here about replacement shocks, but how do I know if I need them?
I am not new to motorcycling, but I am new to Harleys. I own a 2017 SGS. I bought it from the dealer's rental fleet in September of 2017 with 11,600 miles on it.
I am 6', 240 lbs., and I ride solo. In fact, I just bought a Mustang Super Touring Solo for the bike. My riding is mainly local - highways and byways in the Raleigh area of North Carolina. I plan to take some trips up the mountains here.
Since I am riding my first Harley, what am I looking for in terms of the need for replacement? Just because I am riding on the stock shocks should not be reason enough to replace them. For what it's worth, the service guy at my local HD dealer recommends the Progressives as best bang for the buck (should I decide to replace the shocks).
Thank you.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 342
From: Virginia Beach
Some folks don't like the air ride. On my 2015 Ultra the air ride is perfect for me. I have no complaints. On my 2017 Road King, the gas charged, adjustable shocks were stiff and jarring. I changed them out for a pair of super shox. YMMV. Good luck!
Hello, all:
I have read quite a bit here about replacement shocks, but how do I know if I need them?
I am not new to motorcycling, but I am new to Harleys. I own a 2017 SGS. I bought it from the dealer's rental fleet in September of 2017 with 11,600 miles on it.
I am 6', 240 lbs., and I ride solo. In fact, I just bought a Mustang Super Touring Solo for the bike. My riding is mainly local - highways and byways in the Raleigh area of North Carolina. I plan to take some trips up the mountains here.
Since I am riding my first Harley, what am I looking for in terms of the need for replacement? Just because I am riding on the stock shocks should not be reason enough to replace them. For what it's worth, the service guy at my local HD dealer recommends the Progressives as best bang for the buck (should I decide to replace the shocks).
Thank you.
I have read quite a bit here about replacement shocks, but how do I know if I need them?
I am not new to motorcycling, but I am new to Harleys. I own a 2017 SGS. I bought it from the dealer's rental fleet in September of 2017 with 11,600 miles on it.
I am 6', 240 lbs., and I ride solo. In fact, I just bought a Mustang Super Touring Solo for the bike. My riding is mainly local - highways and byways in the Raleigh area of North Carolina. I plan to take some trips up the mountains here.
Since I am riding my first Harley, what am I looking for in terms of the need for replacement? Just because I am riding on the stock shocks should not be reason enough to replace them. For what it's worth, the service guy at my local HD dealer recommends the Progressives as best bang for the buck (should I decide to replace the shocks).
Thank you.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 28
Likes: 11
From: Hudson Valley
On my '05 Road King Classic I went to Ohlins 022s and I can tell you it was a huge improvement. I'm 5'10" about 180-185 and the ride is a lot better. I also went from 12 to 13" . The old shocks made the bike feel like a truck. No matter what kind of air pressure I'd use it would bottom out or feel too stiff. The Ohlins gives me a much smother, more manageable ride. I've heard changing the oil on stock shocks can also make a huge improvement but I just decided to pony up for new ones and am very happy I did.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 52
From: South Jersey
That is what I was trying to convey with my comment stating that you have to fiddle with them a bit to get them adjusted correctly. I agree that most that have a lackluster view of aftermarket shocks are the ones that either don't understand what the adjustments actually do or won't take the time to set them up right.
There seems to be two factions of Harley riders. Ones that wrench on their own bikes understand what changing parts does to the performance and those that drop it off at the dealer and have them install parts expecting the changes to be optimal with little understanding of how things work. Nothing wrong with either approach but people need to be honest with their expectations.
There seems to be two factions of Harley riders. Ones that wrench on their own bikes understand what changing parts does to the performance and those that drop it off at the dealer and have them install parts expecting the changes to be optimal with little understanding of how things work. Nothing wrong with either approach but people need to be honest with their expectations.
I wrench on my bike and I happen to be very mechanically inclined. I am also picky to a fault.
That said, I have tried many aftermarket shocks; pro-action, Progressive 444s, Super Shox, Legend Revo-As to name a few.
I adjusted all of them a thousand different ways while working along with the manufactures. I do understand what the various adjustments available on a given shock can do.
None of them provided a perfect ride or I should say, the ride I was looking for. There always seemed to be that bump in the road that rattled your bones. Therefore, since I can get that type of ride from stock shocks, I felt I was wasting my time and money with those so called high end shocks.
Im currently riding with 13 HD hand adjustables.
They ride stiff even at the softest preload setting. Am I happy, no! I persevere since at least they dont bottom out. Lol
My style of riding is not to carve canyons. I like to cruise at the speed limit and enjoy the sites and smells and of course the ride.
I think my old 1977, 750 Honda that I purchased new rode better. Of course I was a lot younger then and my perspective has probably changed.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 69
Likes: 21
From: MA
Allow me to correct a previous post I made on spring rates. There is no such thing as “The spring for my weight”. I stated that they are trying to match a spring rate with your weight. In racing I had several different spring rates and changed springs depending on what track I was at. Thats not practical for street riding. While weight is a factor the manufacturers use to figure out a rate that works for most folks in that weight range and the type riding they do.
Here is a quote I am stealing that explains it better than I can put into words.
"When selecting a spring rate remember that a firm spring rate will not make a bike ride “Stiff”. In fact a firmer rate with less pre load gives a plusher ride than a softer rate with more preload. Spring rates and preload will determine the range of stroke that the bike uses. Soft rates allow the chassis to ride deeper into the suspension travel and therefore into the stiffer part of the stroke. (Leverage ratio curve for the geeks). If you are on the fringe of the spring rate range, don’t be afraid to select the firmer rate."
So with most of the shocks that are available under the 1K price we are living with what ever compression setting the engineers came up with. Some can have the compression valving changed if you send them back to the manufacturer. We also dont have much stroke to use, the deeper in the stroke you go the compression gets stiffer.
Hopefully this will help some if you are having a set of shocks built for you.
Here is a quote I am stealing that explains it better than I can put into words.
"When selecting a spring rate remember that a firm spring rate will not make a bike ride “Stiff”. In fact a firmer rate with less pre load gives a plusher ride than a softer rate with more preload. Spring rates and preload will determine the range of stroke that the bike uses. Soft rates allow the chassis to ride deeper into the suspension travel and therefore into the stiffer part of the stroke. (Leverage ratio curve for the geeks). If you are on the fringe of the spring rate range, don’t be afraid to select the firmer rate."
So with most of the shocks that are available under the 1K price we are living with what ever compression setting the engineers came up with. Some can have the compression valving changed if you send them back to the manufacturer. We also dont have much stroke to use, the deeper in the stroke you go the compression gets stiffer.
Hopefully this will help some if you are having a set of shocks built for you.
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Joe Kucinski
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 47
Likes: 1
I own a 13 FLHTK that usually has a passenger. In my personal opinion the stock suspension was lacking, especially on the **** poor roads in my area, but I didn't really want to break the bank on suspension, either. I did the progressive route front and rear, and after some tweaking / tuning I am much happier with the ride and handling. One thing to consider is what makes one person happy doesn't work for another, so buying off the shelf stuff and bolting it on may not give you the results you were hoping for, and your own riding style may not "fit" the generic valving and spring rates that are offered to the "average" rider.
In short, there are gains to be had with aftermarket suspension, whether you realize it or not. You won't get razor sharp handling from a bike that has a pillow type ride, there are trade offs.
In short, there are gains to be had with aftermarket suspension, whether you realize it or not. You won't get razor sharp handling from a bike that has a pillow type ride, there are trade offs.
Kevin, I applaud all the work you guys are putting into testing .. Any excuse to ride at work lol ! Not sure what bikes you are using, but if they are baggers do you have a True Track installed ?
Thanks again, look forward to more results. Telemetry is key when doing the testing, I was just starting to get into it when I retired from racing as my two sponsors Mastercard and Visa ran out of funding !
Craig
Thanks again, look forward to more results. Telemetry is key when doing the testing, I was just starting to get into it when I retired from racing as my two sponsors Mastercard and Visa ran out of funding !
Craig
Yep, objective, repeatable testing really makes everything much easier. While our personal experience of comfort, compliance, stability, is important, it can also be swayed by many factors....bias for or against a company, if we got a good nights sleep, mood, etc, etc. But the machine is going to give unbiased results each time...PLUS show what adjustments make what differences, better or worse.
Oh, regarding the True-Track. We've used it on bikes in the past, also the Ride-Str8 system. However, on 09 and up baggers, with the frame change, we've not found those necessary.
Test bikes have been '11 Tri, '14 Tri, 14 Street Glide, 16 Road Glide, 15 Road King, '12 Softail Heritage, '09 Sporty, '10 Sporty, '15 Sporty, '13 Dyna, '01 Dyna. The next round of testing will include many of the previous bikes, plus a '19 Tri, '18 Softail, '18 Road Glide and possibly a couple of more.
Last time we did testing we thought we'd be done in a month or so, and it ended up taking over a year! I'm hoping we can be done before the fall, but we will probably release results as we get them.
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