This is just an info post for those who are considering various options for suspension; I'm just passing along something I've learned recently and anyone can take or leave it as they wish or need. It seems to me though to be info that is not widely known because I cannot find it mentioned ANYWHERE on line.

Wife & I recently test rode a new 2024 FLHTK just to see what a new one feels like (I'm <600 miles from 100k on my '17) and the ride on that thing was smoother than we have felt ever. For reference, we had a '10 UC with 86k with OEM shocks the whole time and our '17 had the OEM shocks until about 40k and I've had Legend Revo-A's since. I realize that is not a huge range of shock diversity/experience so take it for what it's worth. I've never been fully satisfied with the Legends but they are certainly better than the stock. I just can't throw $900-1,000 dollars at shocks every time I turn around so I live with it for awhile. Anyway - the new 24 was awesome really and I had to wonder why. I asked the service manager about it and he took a saddle bag off another new bike and showed me that the right shock now has a preload adjuster along with the unchanged left side hand adjuster shock. I had a hard time believing that could make THAT MUCH of a difference so I went home, got online and compared the factory specs between my 17 and the 24 and what I found was that the only 2 possible pertinent differences are the right hand shock with the preload adjuster and the wheel/tires. The 24 has 18' wheels both ends which is larger than the 17 but I would say that the total diameter of wheel & tire combined is the same because from what I saw the height is the same. That would mean that my 17 would actually be better ride-wise in regards to tires because the 24 would have to have a thinner tire profile which would be stiffer and less air cushion. The wheel base, bike length, rake, trail....all that stuff is the same on both years of bike. So maybe that new right side preload adjuster does make that much difference?

But you won't find these shocks on Harley's website; they still only show the set of the old style. I was at a different dealership yesterday and was asking the parts guy & service manager about them and they looked them up on their computer. As usual, Hartley is proud of their stuff lol. $600some dollars (I don't recall exact amount) for the single RH shock (not selling as a set yet) and another $600some for the original left hand adjust type. I never thought about it until later, but unless they made some changes to the LH also, that LH price doesn't make much sense because you can buy an original type SET for less than $600. That's a bit of a head scratcher at the moment.

For me, if I were to seriously consider this (and I might), I still have my original set albeit with 40k on it so I would only have to get the RH side with the preload adjuster. That would make it <$700 for me. If that 24 hadn't rode so nice it would not be a consideration at all and I still keep wondering if there is something else I'm missing. And before some of you that always like to find any fault in whatever anyone says chime in, yes I know about comparing a 7yr old 100k mile bike to a brand new one and I have taken that into consideration and I remember quite well how mine felt when new because that was an important thing to us. And besides that, I went through the bike this Winter and replaced front and rear engine mounts (I know rear actually transmission but in essence double as engine) as well as all other bearings, bushings spacers, etc and the tires are in great condition yet so that should put it pretty close to factory feel. Close enough at least to not be such a big difference between the two bikes.

As always, if someone has something useful to share or have found other info that may conflict with this, please say. Just don't be an ***.

 

Did he take the bag off a 2024 FLHX, or FLTRX? Those two models have the new shocks. The 2024 FLHTK has the same shocks as your 2017 FLHTK.

 

I'm not sure now exactly what model it was; only that it was a touring model but it was not a UL. Ok - interesting....I figured it would be across the board on the touring models but you're saying it's not. At the dealer that showed me the shock, they said nothing about it not being on the FLHTK's and at the other dealer they also said nothing about it and both places know me well and what I ride. Thanks - I appreciate the info.

 

When those shocks first appeared, i always thought it was some flim-flam deal to save money on HD's part. didn't seem like a viable shock set-up to me.

after years of back soreness, i figured what the hell. since these shocks are all over for sale for around $100, i figured i'd try a set on one of my baggers. a '11 roadglide. they were hugely more comfortable and less back pain than years of torture with the factory air shocks. i was surprised that such a strange looking arrangement could make such a big difference.

i put those shocks on my other two baggers and certainly enjoy the ride so much more with no back soreness anymore.

i wonder if having preload on BOTH shocks would improve the ride even more ??

 

There has to be some internal difference between the new left side shock, and the current shock used on the FLHTK. Besides a different part number, there's a significant increase in price.

2024 FLHTK left side shock:

2024 FLHX/FLTRX left side shock:

 

[QUOTE=barneyboy;21684660]There has to be some internal difference between the new left side shock, and the current shock used on the FLHTK. Besides a different part number, there's a significant increase in price.

2024 FLHTK left side shock:

2024 FLHX/FLTRX left side shock:


I had wondered that also and today I found out at least one significant thing: the old LH shock rod is I think 40mm diameter and the new one is 70something, almost twice as thick. I forgot to ask about the spring and adjustment **** if there was any differences with those. And the new ones are 13” shocks.

 

Over $1300 for the set is pretty steep. It did ride nice but man, I don’t think I can bring myself to spend that much for them.

 

I think that would be foolish ... spending 1300 for factory HD shocks

 

Doubt those dimensions are in reference to the "shock rod" ... that would be a very large shaft

 

[QUOTE=Classic 10;21700010]Could you point out the "shock rod"? Top photo is a set of take offs from a 2024 Street Glide. Bottom photo is a set from a 2023 Street Glide.