Reevaluating my stock shocks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Stock were fine on my 08 Ultra (even with lowering blocks) but I had to add air too often. Several years ago I swapped the shocks and blocks for takeoffs from a newer street glide. Took a few rides to adjust to my liking and I haven't touched them since.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,191
Likes: 843
Wow, now there's a change of pace and I can relate in that the chances of me being "Blown Away" by some AM shocks to the point that I might consider it money well spent is towards the slim side of things.and especially so if I didn't go full tilt and address the forks as well.
I've watched multiple vids on the RWS RS1 shocks (and other brands) where the forks were left as is as the riders render gushing bride commentary while I watch their gopro hero cams jostling all over the place. I guess it's one of those "you had to be there" events. LOL!
I spent many years screwing around with sportbike suspension and used to do a lot of suspension work that was more effective than expensive using spring compressors (I fabricated) and swapping out oem coil over springs for something in a more suitable straight rate hypercoil spring as well as respringing forks and manipulating comp/rebound damping by playing with different weight fork oils which was dictated by total sprung weight/laden sag where for about $200 it became a vastly improved suspension system so these number are blowing me away where with the 7% tax puts the SE Ohlins at $1,658 which is just stupid expensive to me.
Meanwhile I have my hand adjust shocks on my 2020 SGS set at 10 where it seems I get a tight sportbike like feel/feedback that doesn't seem to bottom out (thus far) and I run AP at 34/36psi which gives at least an acceptable level of overall ride quality.
I've watched multiple vids on the RWS RS1 shocks (and other brands) where the forks were left as is as the riders render gushing bride commentary while I watch their gopro hero cams jostling all over the place. I guess it's one of those "you had to be there" events. LOL!
I spent many years screwing around with sportbike suspension and used to do a lot of suspension work that was more effective than expensive using spring compressors (I fabricated) and swapping out oem coil over springs for something in a more suitable straight rate hypercoil spring as well as respringing forks and manipulating comp/rebound damping by playing with different weight fork oils which was dictated by total sprung weight/laden sag where for about $200 it became a vastly improved suspension system so these number are blowing me away where with the 7% tax puts the SE Ohlins at $1,658 which is just stupid expensive to me.
Meanwhile I have my hand adjust shocks on my 2020 SGS set at 10 where it seems I get a tight sportbike like feel/feedback that doesn't seem to bottom out (thus far) and I run AP at 34/36psi which gives at least an acceptable level of overall ride quality.
So I guess you will never know.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1,144
Likes: 950
From: Port Saint Lucie, FL
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,593
Likes: 8,420
From: Inland NW
If you ride fast like all your many stories you tell, you know what to do.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1,144
Likes: 950
From: Port Saint Lucie, FL
I'm trying to not leave my wife in to bad of shape blowing money on myself in the final season of my life but on a brighter note (and also for self consolation)? Some of the fastest riders I knew didn't require the best suspension to be quick. They are also the same ones that taught me that if you want to be fast? You must first learn how to be smooth with well managed inputs that don't upset the suspension you're working with no matter what that may be and I? have come a long ways from being that punk kid in south florida riding a 6" over chopped honda sporting a super point coffin tank with a King & Queen Gargoyle embroidered seat, maltese cross tail light and twisted chrome sissy bar, Z bars and?...(wait for it)..."Struts" LOL!
Now I'm just an old man with **** shocks who spends to much time on the net! LOL! Guess I'll cut back on the stories and head out for a ride. Have a Blessed Day.
Edit/PS: You're also correct in stating that I do know what to do. If you ever get bored? Google up the phrase "Jinkster Attacks Suspension" it's a DIY thread I posted in 2005 that was made a sticky in Hayabusa.org
Last edited by JINKSTER; Oct 8, 2023 at 05:29 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,593
Likes: 8,420
From: Inland NW
While that response of mine to buell95 (which you quoted) was strictly rhetorical in nature? I will not deny that you weighed me correctly in that I am trying to make myself feel better about the oem shocks in an effort to just live with them rather than drop big bucks on AM shocks.
I'm trying to not leave my wife in to bad of shape blowing money on myself in the final season of my life but on a brighter note (and also for self consolation)
-SNIP-
I'm trying to not leave my wife in to bad of shape blowing money on myself in the final season of my life but on a brighter note (and also for self consolation)
-SNIP-
I vaguely recall that ancient thread (as I too was a member there, years after.)
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 340
Likes: 69
From: Winnipeg
This is all my personal opinion....
I've tried several aftermarket shocks on my baggers to replace the air shocks. I even did a mod where I replaced the oil in the air shocks... made them better, but not really much better...
I currently have Ohlin HD 772 / Blackline 329 shocks. I bought mine from Howard (RIP) at a good price (forum discount). They are the best so far....
However, I bought a set of SuperShox when they first broke into the HD market (9/2015, SR1 Motorcycle Shock). Brian had great customer service. I read some of his recent improvements and other shock models. I am intrigued with his 14" shock w/ SuperShox's 1" relocation mount for best ride, or 13" shocks w/ relocation mount for those who want it lowered a little. Brian seems to have made some good improvements in his product offerings.
I am also impressed that he will set up the shock differently if you use the relocation mounts. He is the first shock manufacturer that I am aware of, that admits a shock relocation mount changes the geometry of the suspension, and will adjust his shocks accordingly...
When the Ohlins need rebuilding, I may try a set of Brian's newer model SuperShox with a relocation mount...
I've tried several aftermarket shocks on my baggers to replace the air shocks. I even did a mod where I replaced the oil in the air shocks... made them better, but not really much better...
I currently have Ohlin HD 772 / Blackline 329 shocks. I bought mine from Howard (RIP) at a good price (forum discount). They are the best so far....
However, I bought a set of SuperShox when they first broke into the HD market (9/2015, SR1 Motorcycle Shock). Brian had great customer service. I read some of his recent improvements and other shock models. I am intrigued with his 14" shock w/ SuperShox's 1" relocation mount for best ride, or 13" shocks w/ relocation mount for those who want it lowered a little. Brian seems to have made some good improvements in his product offerings.
I am also impressed that he will set up the shock differently if you use the relocation mounts. He is the first shock manufacturer that I am aware of, that admits a shock relocation mount changes the geometry of the suspension, and will adjust his shocks accordingly...
When the Ohlins need rebuilding, I may try a set of Brian's newer model SuperShox with a relocation mount...
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 722
From: Ontario, Canada
Wow, now there's a change of pace and I can relate in that the chances of me being "Blown Away" by some AM shocks to the point that I might consider it money well spent is towards the slim side of things.and especially so if I didn't go full tilt and address the forks as well.
I've watched multiple vids on the RWS RS1 shocks (and other brands) where the forks were left as is as the riders render gushing bride commentary while I watch their gopro hero cams jostling all over the place. I guess it's one of those "you had to be there" events. LOL!
I spent many years screwing around with sportbike suspension and used to do a lot of suspension work that was more effective than expensive using spring compressors (I fabricated) and swapping out oem coil over springs for something in a more suitable straight rate hypercoil spring as well as respringing forks and manipulating comp/rebound damping by playing with different weight fork oils which was dictated by total sprung weight/laden sag where for about $200 it became a vastly improved suspension system so these number are blowing me away where with the 7% tax puts the SE Ohlins at $1,658 which is just stupid expensive to me.
Meanwhile I have my hand adjust shocks on my 2020 SGS set at 10 where it seems I get a tight sportbike like feel/feedback that doesn't seem to bottom out (thus far) and I run AP at 34/36psi which gives at least an acceptable level of overall ride quality.
I've watched multiple vids on the RWS RS1 shocks (and other brands) where the forks were left as is as the riders render gushing bride commentary while I watch their gopro hero cams jostling all over the place. I guess it's one of those "you had to be there" events. LOL!
I spent many years screwing around with sportbike suspension and used to do a lot of suspension work that was more effective than expensive using spring compressors (I fabricated) and swapping out oem coil over springs for something in a more suitable straight rate hypercoil spring as well as respringing forks and manipulating comp/rebound damping by playing with different weight fork oils which was dictated by total sprung weight/laden sag where for about $200 it became a vastly improved suspension system so these number are blowing me away where with the 7% tax puts the SE Ohlins at $1,658 which is just stupid expensive to me.
Meanwhile I have my hand adjust shocks on my 2020 SGS set at 10 where it seems I get a tight sportbike like feel/feedback that doesn't seem to bottom out (thus far) and I run AP at 34/36psi which gives at least an acceptable level of overall ride quality.
The only thing I might suggest for you to try is to maybe look for an inexpensive set of used 13" take-off premium hand adjustable shocks (like off an Ultra or Limited). They are often listed here in the classified. That extra inch over your stock 12" from the SGS may be what you're looking for. Good luck in your quest.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 480
From: Phoenix Arizona
I bought a 2017 June of 2021 with only 987 miles on it. Someone bought, rode 987 and then parked in garage. I have done some work on it and I love it. Never thought to look at the adjustment for the stock rear shocks. I am interested in getting better shocks in the rear and better cartridges in the front. Took off saddle bag to look at the setting. Was at 15. Even riding 2up never felt any problems, wobble, etc. Now I will try different settings to see if I can tell the difference. I have no plans on speeding $1000-$2000 for just rear shocks. I do flat roads, mountains roads, twisty as well as 7 day 1700 mile 2up road trip to Colorado. Did million dollar highway up to Grand Junction. No issues. Did devils highway in Arizona. I just really love this bike. Soon will be cam upgrade.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,626
Likes: 4,080
From: Virginia
Both revo a and rwd rs1 are good upgrades for touring shocks, specially if you run 12” stock shocks. Whether it’s worth the money is a subjective decision. For me, it’s become a must do upgrade until Harley downstreams the new cvo suspension to other touring models. This summer, my wife and I rode for a week in northern NH, land of the frost heaves like you’ve seldom seen. The legends loaded 2 up with gear were simply amazing.