Headers or shocks

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Feb 21, 2022 | 09:41 PM

#11

HM_SanDiego

Road Captain

Joined: Jan 2018

Posts: 668

Likes: 246

From: San Diego, CA.

Given your stated choice, my opinion/vote = shocks then headers…..shocks will transform your ride! You already have good sound & rumble with the slipons, hopefully, but you will appreciate the performance upgrade with headers and a free flowing intake…..

I know - mo money mo money mo money…….sigh, it IS worth it in the end 😃

Shocks will likely highlight your desire to upgrade the front forks-suspension virtually immediately, it did for me…..I was fortunate enough with my last bike to upgrade the front suspension to progressive fork cartridges, and then rear shocks the following week - all I can say is = wow!

So, in my opinion, if you can afford it, do the rear shocks AND the front suspension at the same time……if not, upgrade the rear shocks, then the front suspension, and then upgrade the headers.

Good luck - happy upgrading!

Feb 21, 2022 | 09:55 PM

#12

gduncan

Tourer

Joined: Sep 2016

Posts: 384

Likes: 84

From: Annapolis

Shocks... I could feel the difference as soon as I went around a curve in the road. I went with Legends.

Feb 22, 2022 | 06:24 AM

#13

todd-67

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 6,899

Likes: 3,412

From: OH

Without diving into the motor for increased performance the header will add little to the performance of an M8. The stock headers flow fairly well.

I would go with the shocks. I have had good luck with both Pro Action and Bitubo. I didn't care as much for the Ohlins. Shocks are a lot like seats everyone is a little different in their expectations. Two up is where the shock upgrade really makes sense. YMMV

Feb 22, 2022 | 06:30 AM

#14

Iceman24

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 25,306

Likes: 2,443

From: Eastern NE

You already have a header...gut it & buy the shocks pretty much everyone recommended.

Feb 22, 2022 | 06:54 AM

#15

Gary1

Road Master

Joined: Dec 2017

Posts: 835

Likes: 161

From: Texas

I would do both. Gut your cat on the HD header and it will give you close to the same performance and cost you very little. I have a fp3 and you can select a header with a gutted cat in the program. Works very well on mine. I have slipons, high flow air cleaner, and the gutted cat. Just remove the hd header and cut lengthwise in the cat area and bend the metal and pull it out and have it rewelded.

Feb 22, 2022 | 07:03 AM

#16

wxmcpo

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Jan 2015

Posts: 421

Likes: 84

From: Missouri

Appreciate all the feedback and I'm convinced shocks are the next upgrade. I've already sent me email to Super Shox. Thanks again

Feb 22, 2022 | 09:25 AM

#17

Silidons

Cruiser

Joined: Sep 2018

Posts: 202

Likes: 135

From: SoCal

The older I get, the more I care about the ride feel versus how it sounds/looks. If you're more comfortable while riding, you're gonna ride more in my opinion. I'd go for the shocks.

Feb 22, 2022 | 11:06 AM

#18

Rob175

Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2016

Posts: 1,844

Likes: 938

From: Lincolnshire, IL

FYI....I ordered a set of Super Shox 4 weeks ago (thru my HD dealer) and still waiting for them. Seems like Super Shox is taking a very long time to build them.
Incidentally, I live about 8 miles from where Super Shox are built but my HD dealer (who's also close-by) gave me a discount, so I ordered from my dealer instead of directly through the factory.........just think 4 weeks is a long time to wait...my HD dealer agrees.