I need suspension advice
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,132
Likes: 228
From: Garland, TX
I went from the stock air shocks on my 2014 ultra limited to some stock premium adjustable shocks off of a 2018 ultra limited. Night and day difference in my opinion. Better, smoother and more firm ride. I'm about 200lbs and my girlfriend is 120lbs. I wish I would have swapped out the shocks sooner. I paid $175 shipped from someone here on the forum. The ones on the 2018 ultra limited are 13 inch just like the stock air shocks on the 2014 ultra limited.
Last edited by bdtaylor1979; Jul 12, 2019 at 12:32 PM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 115
Likes: 26
From: Nebraska
I made a decision on suspension after some education from my H-D dealer. I ended up with Legend Revo-As on the rear. My dealer highly recommended them and even knocked about $100 off the price. They did warn me I would be back for parts to do the forks.
These things are are pricey but pretty nice. The install and setup was about as easy as it can get. I didn’t realize how ineffective the air shocks were at smoothing out my ride. I put about 100 miles on these today on some pretty rough streets at slow speeds and some asphalt roads with a lot of patchwork at highway speeds along with several rail road tracks. While it’s not like floating on air it is very much improved. The front wheel is definitely rougher riding than the rear. I’m not sure if tinkering with the spring and rebound adjustments will make it any better or not so I think I’ll just drive it for now and get some miles on them.
While led these were pricey I like what I’ve seen so far. I have no regrets and would buy these again. The question now is if I’ll do the fronts this winter or sooner. Thanks to all that offered input here. I love this site.
These things are are pricey but pretty nice. The install and setup was about as easy as it can get. I didn’t realize how ineffective the air shocks were at smoothing out my ride. I put about 100 miles on these today on some pretty rough streets at slow speeds and some asphalt roads with a lot of patchwork at highway speeds along with several rail road tracks. While it’s not like floating on air it is very much improved. The front wheel is definitely rougher riding than the rear. I’m not sure if tinkering with the spring and rebound adjustments will make it any better or not so I think I’ll just drive it for now and get some miles on them.
While led these were pricey I like what I’ve seen so far. I have no regrets and would buy these again. The question now is if I’ll do the fronts this winter or sooner. Thanks to all that offered input here. I love this site.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
I made a decision on suspension after some education from my H-D dealer. I ended up with Legend Revo-As on the rear. My dealer highly recommended them and even knocked about $100 off the price. They did warn me I would be back for parts to do the forks.
These things are are pricey but pretty nice. The install and setup was about as easy as it can get. I didnt realize how ineffective the air shocks were at smoothing out my ride. I put about 100 miles on these today on some pretty rough streets at slow speeds and some asphalt roads with a lot of patchwork at highway speeds along with several rail road tracks. While its not like floating on air it is very much improved. The front wheel is definitely rougher riding than the rear. Im not sure if tinkering with the spring and rebound adjustments will make it any better or not so I think Ill just drive it for now and get some miles on them.
While led these were pricey I like what Ive seen so far. I have no regrets and would buy these again. The question now is if Ill do the fronts this winter or sooner. Thanks to all that offered input here. I love this site.
These things are are pricey but pretty nice. The install and setup was about as easy as it can get. I didnt realize how ineffective the air shocks were at smoothing out my ride. I put about 100 miles on these today on some pretty rough streets at slow speeds and some asphalt roads with a lot of patchwork at highway speeds along with several rail road tracks. While its not like floating on air it is very much improved. The front wheel is definitely rougher riding than the rear. Im not sure if tinkering with the spring and rebound adjustments will make it any better or not so I think Ill just drive it for now and get some miles on them.
While led these were pricey I like what Ive seen so far. I have no regrets and would buy these again. The question now is if Ill do the fronts this winter or sooner. Thanks to all that offered input here. I love this site.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 3,412
From: OH
I have run Ohlin's, Pro Actions, Bitubo, HD air shocks and the HD premium shocks. I currently have Pro Actions on my glide and Bitubo's on my road king. Pro Actions and Ohlins are about the same with the nod going to Pro Action for a better build quality and a slightly better ride. They are also made in America like the Revo's which I have not tried. Both the Ohlins and the Pro Actions seem better suited for heavier 2-Up loads. The Bitubo's were a surprise as to how well they ended up performing. I have not had them loaded down for a trip yet but for the riding that I have done with them both solo and 2-up they perform night and day against the stock stuff. The 13" HD coil overs are definitely an improvement over the stock air shocks and are the easiest to adjust for large loading changes but they still are lacking. For the right price though they are an option.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 179
Likes: 4
From: America the Beautiful
I have run Ohlin's, Pro Actions, Bitubo, HD air shocks and the HD premium shocks. I currently have Pro Actions on my glide and Bitubo's on my road king. Pro Actions and Ohlins are about the same with the nod going to Pro Action for a better build quality and a slightly better ride. They are also made in America like the Revo's which I have not tried. Both the Ohlins and the Pro Actions seem better suited for heavier 2-Up loads. The Bitubo's were a surprise as to how well they ended up performing. I have not had them loaded down for a trip yet but for the riding that I have done with them both solo and 2-up they perform night and day against the stock stuff. The 13" HD coil overs are definitely an improvement over the stock air shocks and are the easiest to adjust for large loading changes but they still are lacking. For the right price though they are an option.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 221
From: farmington michigan
I put a set of hd premiums on my 2010 ultra off of a 2018 ultra I got the set on 3 or 4 clicks and Im 250lbs much better than the air shocks. Lets admit it they are never gonna ride like a Cadillac and I can buy a whole lot of stuff for the difference in cost between them and the Ohlins
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,820
Likes: 587
From: Michigan
I put a set of hd premiums on my 2010 ultra off of a 2018 ultra I got the set on 3 or 4 clicks and Im 250lbs much better than the air shocks. Lets admit it they are never gonna ride like a Cadillac and I can buy a whole lot of stuff for the difference in cost between them and the Ohlins
When recommending shocks, there's a lot more than just brand name to consider:
- emulsion (nitrogen & oil in same chamber)
- dual chamber (nitrogen in one chamber, oil in another chamber)
- pre-load adjustable
- rebound adjustable
- length adjustable
- damping adjustable
My point here is be careful comparing brand only w/o accounting for matching features in the comparison.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 3,412
From: OH
Mine are the 13". I would exhaust all options first before going to shorter shocks.