Stupid question about shocks
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Road Master
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 780
Likes: 933
From: North Carolina
Stupid question about shocks
I'm a motorcycle newbie/novice and this post may prove that I'm a motorcycle dummy. So forgive me:
Looking at the pictures of hand adjustable shocks I see that only one has the adjustor ****. The shock look completely different and there appears to no connection between the two shocks. The stock air shocks on my 2013 Ultra, the air appears to go into both shocks so you are adjusting both.
It just simply seems odd to me that you only adjust one side.
Someone enlighten me please.
Looking at the pictures of hand adjustable shocks I see that only one has the adjustor ****. The shock look completely different and there appears to no connection between the two shocks. The stock air shocks on my 2013 Ultra, the air appears to go into both shocks so you are adjusting both.
It just simply seems odd to me that you only adjust one side.
Someone enlighten me please.
Popular Reply
Feb 8, 2022, 01:21 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 7,146
From: Las Vegas
Just because you don't know something does not make it a stupid question. Unless it's about oil. Oil questions are stupid.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,001
Likes: 6,905
From: NC
The swing arm has been strengthened to allow one shock to do preload for the load weight. And the other just to hold the bike up.
Front fork have had compression control in one side and rebound control in the other for many years.
Front fork have had compression control in one side and rebound control in the other for many years.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 2,100
From: NC
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,847
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From: Lincolnshire, IL
The stock set-up isn't very good at all. As others have written the adjustable side is the only "real shock" that comes as stock on the touring models. The other side is basically just a "spring". The set-up meets the bare minimum of shock absorption HD can sell the cycle with. Thus, the wide assortment of aftermarket shocks to choose from. Most riders, who have gone the aftermarket route report that (new and better shocks) have made big differences in the quality of their rides.
Recommending which shock is "best" is like opinions on which oil is "best"....lol.....
All I know for sure is one should plan on spending between about $600 to $900+ for one of the name brand aftermarket shocks. In the world of after market shocks, you usually "get what you pay for". Names like Ohlin's, SuperShox, Drag Specialties and Bitubo (to name a few) are all good ones..........in general, almost any major manufacturer of shocks has replacements that will be an improvement of the HD stock shocks, but they don't come cheap.
Personally, I bought the Super Shox and they came highly recommended by my dealer and a few friends that I ride with. (The manufacturer of Super Shox also happens to be in my area so I was able to visit them in person and have a peek at their Made in the USA factory.....very impressive.) Their website has a good video to watch as do some of the other top brands.
Happy shopping!
Recommending which shock is "best" is like opinions on which oil is "best"....lol.....
All I know for sure is one should plan on spending between about $600 to $900+ for one of the name brand aftermarket shocks. In the world of after market shocks, you usually "get what you pay for". Names like Ohlin's, SuperShox, Drag Specialties and Bitubo (to name a few) are all good ones..........in general, almost any major manufacturer of shocks has replacements that will be an improvement of the HD stock shocks, but they don't come cheap.
Personally, I bought the Super Shox and they came highly recommended by my dealer and a few friends that I ride with. (The manufacturer of Super Shox also happens to be in my area so I was able to visit them in person and have a peek at their Made in the USA factory.....very impressive.) Their website has a good video to watch as do some of the other top brands.
Happy shopping!
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Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 780
Likes: 933
From: North Carolina
The stock set-up isn't very good at all. As others have written the adjustable side is the only "real shock" that comes as stock on the touring models. The other side is basically just a "spring". The set-up meets the bare minimum of shock absorption HD can sell the cycle with. Thus, the wide assortment of aftermarket shocks to choose from. Most riders, who have gone the aftermarket route report that (new and better shocks) have made big differences in the quality of their rides.
Recommending which shock is "best" is like opinions on which oil is "best"....lol.....
All I know for sure is one should plan on spending between about $600 to $900+ for one of the name brand aftermarket shocks. In the world of after market shocks, you usually "get what you pay for". Names like Ohlin's, SuperShox, Drag Specialties and Bitubo (to name a few) are all good ones..........in general, almost any major manufacturer of shocks has replacements that will be an improvement of the HD stock shocks, but they don't come cheap.
Personally, I bought the Super Shox and they came highly recommended by my dealer and a few friends that I ride with. (The manufacturer of Super Shox also happens to be in my area so I was able to visit them in person and have a peek at their Made in the USA factory.....very impressive.) Their website has a good video to watch as do some of the other top brands.
Happy shopping!
Recommending which shock is "best" is like opinions on which oil is "best"....lol.....
All I know for sure is one should plan on spending between about $600 to $900+ for one of the name brand aftermarket shocks. In the world of after market shocks, you usually "get what you pay for". Names like Ohlin's, SuperShox, Drag Specialties and Bitubo (to name a few) are all good ones..........in general, almost any major manufacturer of shocks has replacements that will be an improvement of the HD stock shocks, but they don't come cheap.
Personally, I bought the Super Shox and they came highly recommended by my dealer and a few friends that I ride with. (The manufacturer of Super Shox also happens to be in my area so I was able to visit them in person and have a peek at their Made in the USA factory.....very impressive.) Their website has a good video to watch as do some of the other top brands.
Happy shopping!
I'm not really in the market to upgrade my shocks from the stock air adjustable ones just yet. I did ride a local road and the ride was so rough I couldn't take it very long. It was like constantly running across railroad track! A member on here sent me the HD air pump/adjusting tool for the shocks on my bike and I found that there was zero air in the shocks. So I set the air pressure to mid-range for my weight and I see how much difference that makes.
So now the question is (this is/was not the original intent of this thread) what about the stock fronts? Should I be looking at replacing those two at some point in the future?
Thanks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,900
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From: poway
The current swing arm is basically the same since 2002 except that they made it wider in 2009. 2001 and earlier were weaker. Hd has used the same swingarm since 2009 no mater if the shock pair were same or asymmetric. Bearings and pivot shaft were the same except in about 2011 they changed the pivot shaft to a cheaper to manufacture, reduce part count and easier assemble.