Air ride vs ohlins
#11
05-05-2019, 08:45 AM
Club Member
Thanks for the info. I ride 90% solo and 10% with my wife. She has a very bad back so she doesn't ride often. What really made me go to the air ride is I am only 5'4" and a 29 inseam so reach has always been an issue. It just really surprises me that nobody can do an air ride with a quality valved shock.
I used Fournales high pressure air shocks for several years, but while better than stock shocks they didn't cope well with a fully loaded bike. Air can only function as a spring, hence offset the total weight of the bike when ready to roll. The one feature missing from most if not all air systems is good damping, or adjustable damping. I now use Ohlins #3-3 shocks, which have separated gas/oil and adjustable damping. In the last year or so there are other good quality brands, at long last, but what makes Ohlins stand out is the quality of their damping.
Last edited by grbrown; 05-05-2019 at 10:06 AM.
#12
05-06-2019, 07:06 AM
#13
05-06-2019, 10:01 AM
Elite HDF Member
At your weight, I'd definitely go with a shock from vendor that will install custom rate springs for you--especially if you mostly ride solo. Don't know of any air ride options in that regard since it's just air pressure... To be fair I'm quite a bit heavier than you but my experience might still be helpful. I had a Triumph R3 in another lifetime, which had absolutely god awful factory shocks (you think Harley isn't good...) and I installed some Works Performance (now defunct, unfortunately) shocks with a low rate spring and they were heavenly--super plush but still good non-sloppy or -bouncy feel--as long as I didn't have a passenger, at which point they just didn't have enough oomph and would bottom out too often. I ended up having them re-sprung (free service!) so I could more easily take passenger, but as little as I rode 2 up I always regretted doing that--they were SO nice to ride solo.
Everyone's favorite Ohlin's vendor on here (see above) will take your weight into account when springing shocks (I have some of his I like)--I don't know if solo at 125 lbs is within operating range of his lighter springs but would certainly be worth a call at motorcyclemetal.com Also DK custom's Bitubo shocks recently had a good review on here and I believe they set up shocks for your weight--not sure how many spring options they have but might be worth checking w/them as well. Those just two I know of--sure there's more.
Everyone's favorite Ohlin's vendor on here (see above) will take your weight into account when springing shocks (I have some of his I like)--I don't know if solo at 125 lbs is within operating range of his lighter springs but would certainly be worth a call at motorcyclemetal.com Also DK custom's Bitubo shocks recently had a good review on here and I believe they set up shocks for your weight--not sure how many spring options they have but might be worth checking w/them as well. Those just two I know of--sure there's more.
At 125lbs you'll need something built. I wish Works was still around to recommend.
#14
05-06-2019, 10:45 AM
Road Captain
Years ago I had Works Performance make some custom shocks, spoke to the man who made them, and they were well made, and performed as intended. Sad to hear they are not around. Did they sell out, become folded into another company, or just evaporate?
At 125lbs you'll need something built. I wish Works was still around to recommend.
At 125lbs you'll need something built. I wish Works was still around to recommend.
Not sure who I spoke to when I called them years back, but I think that guy'd probably forgotten more than most people know about suspension and he was the first to fill me in on sag, damping settings and importance of rebound damping, and how perception doesn't always match what people think is going on. Works also had a front fork cartridge for HD touring well before I saw anything by progressive or Ohlin (aside from custom front ends by MM). I still vaguely remember the guy's comments on HD front suspension: something to the effect of "just like Harleys have been forever; undersprung and overdamped," and I've wondered every time I see claims about the benefits of heavier fork oil--but who know, maybe he didn't always know what he was talking about
#17
05-26-2019, 05:46 AM
Club Member
From what I've seen, most if not all available air ride systems are made up from components intended for other applications (although I may be wrong!). When compared with shocks designed and made as motorcycle shocks, tuned to suit our Harleys, I doubt if they are competitive. That does depend, of course, on what use you have in mind for your bike. I've owned my Glide since before I met and married my wife - solo it was OK with the stock air shocks, but it was quite another matter, when touring 2-up. With your wife's bad back you really should consider quality branded shocks IMHO - not cheap, but they should transform your combined riding experience.
Last edited by grbrown; 05-26-2019 at 07:07 AM.
#18
05-26-2019, 06:51 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
#19
05-26-2019, 07:32 AM
#20
05-26-2019, 07:54 AM
Club Member
Remote controlled Ohlins shocks:
TTX 36 EC