You Ohlins guys were right!
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Club Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 468
Likes: 222
From: NorCal
You Ohlins guys were right!
My 2013 Rk started out with air shocks that I thought were not too bad, but definitely could use improvement. I got some of the dial adjustable take offs from a buddy with a 2017 RK, and while they were ok, I did not really like them. Then looking at how they load the two sides of the swingarm differently, I decided to dump them. Same buddy had installed Progressive 490S which I picked up from him. The bike handled great and they were decent except for the compression damping, which made some of the bridge joints on 280 feel like I was going to be shorter from spine compression by the time I got to work. I replaced springs, messed with compression and rebound, but never got it smooth.
I started looking at replacements and narrowed it down to Ohlins and Fox, and one Saturday a few weeks ago I got a text from the local dealers that they were offering $200 off suspension components. I went down and got a set of 159s, and boy did they change the ride. The Road King now rides smooth as butter and still handles great. I may still have some tweaking to do, but with the setting as recommended in the docs, the ride is near perfect. Should have done this a long time ago. The CVO is next.
I started looking at replacements and narrowed it down to Ohlins and Fox, and one Saturday a few weeks ago I got a text from the local dealers that they were offering $200 off suspension components. I went down and got a set of 159s, and boy did they change the ride. The Road King now rides smooth as butter and still handles great. I may still have some tweaking to do, but with the setting as recommended in the docs, the ride is near perfect. Should have done this a long time ago. The CVO is next.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 965
From: Eastern NC
When I bought my 1st SGS in 2017 I ended up getting Ohlins. I ended up buying Ohlins from Howard @motorcycle metal because that was the only place where you could get a12" shock with 3" stroke. Howard, rest his soul, used new Olin parts to make that happen and at the time Ohlin, the mothership only offered a 2" stroke. I bought the entry level emulsion shocks and the were far superior to the HD stock shocks.
I put 13" Blackline 772's on my current ST and transformed the ride, far better than the emulsion shocks and now I have adjustable rebound. The bike is only 1/2" higher than my previous specials due to the 1" presag with the 13" shocks. I wish the bike was a bit lower because of my 27" inseam but I love the taller stance of the bike and I am no longer dragging floorboards where my special would.
Bottom line is I love my Ohlins!
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Club Member
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: NorCal
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,087
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From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
Originally Posted by Old_Bikes
No kidding. I was out for a short ride today and it really became apparent that the Road King front may be ahead of the CVO. I have the Progressive Monotubes in there, and they are better than stock, but still kind of harsh.
I have Ohlins in the rear. Waiting on the GP cartridges for the front to come in so I can install them. They were pricey, but I doubt I'll be able to outride them.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,442
Likes: 1,429
From: pensacola fl
First thing I changed out on my bike when I got it was to the Blackline shocks. No more vertebrae jarring hits. Took a little while to get them adjusted where I want them, but well worth it. You get used to the ride and forget how bad the OEM shocks are until you take a different bike out for a run. Well worth the money.
Like everyone else, fronts are next after audio upgrade
Like everyone else, fronts are next after audio upgrade
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 808
Likes: 1,525
From: Bloomington, IN
I'm glad you like them. A good rear suspension set up correctly is a great upgrade from stock. I have Ohlins 772's and don't care for them compared the ProAction set I had. But still a major improvement from stock. I've tried to dial them in more with help from the seller (Carol "Smarty" Burks) but will eventually go back to ProAction.