09 Street Glide Shocks
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
I have cut apart an air shock. The 12" has a smaller orifice than a 13" HD air shock to compensate for the shorter stroke. This translates to a stiffer ride. An air shock only adjusts by pushing down on a white nylon looking material cup which in turn pushes down on the outside spring which is increasing your spring pre-load.
By the postings above there is no way these HD air shocks will ever perform well and give a comfortable ride. They are not designed well and do not have the technology needed to do the job. These air shocks are only a very inexpensive rebound dampener with an air adjustable spring pre-load apperitis. Either spend the money to improve your ride or live with it are your only two options. Throwing bones in a rock circle with smoke will never help these HD units.
By the postings above there is no way these HD air shocks will ever perform well and give a comfortable ride. They are not designed well and do not have the technology needed to do the job. These air shocks are only a very inexpensive rebound dampener with an air adjustable spring pre-load apperitis. Either spend the money to improve your ride or live with it are your only two options. Throwing bones in a rock circle with smoke will never help these HD units.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
Akitakoi, do you have any idea what it takes to make a great shock? Please read what it takes to get the job done before voicing what something should cost. If you are happy with your ride than the $12.50 stock (HD pays for them) shocks are all you need. If you wish more than that, than that is your choce. There are many used Progressive & others take off shocks listed in our HDF stuff for sale section.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
From: So. California
Ohlins
You just won't know how good the Ohlins shocks are, until you ride a bike with them on it. It really does change the feeling of the bike and NO bottoming so far for me, just smooth riding. 
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From:
If you like the ride of the Ultra, do what I did. I used a set of stock Air shocks off my old 07 ultra and used a lowering cam. Mounted them on my 09 FLHX and wow what a difference. The cam allows you to maintain the same ride height, but gives the shock more travel and makes a much sofetr ride. Not sure if it is HD recomended, but works great for me. As far as weight goes, my wife and I only weigh 320 togeather, might make a difference. I Pumped the air pressure up and had no problems at all. Keep in mind that if you lower the rear you might need to adjust the front also. Just my 2 cents worth!!!
Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 327
Likes: 0
Ohlins shocks are in another whole world, and I don't even have a set on my FLHX (yet). I replaced the stockers on my Vrod with Progressive 440s and the difference was amazing. I'd love to get a set of Ohlins for my FLHX, but I'll probably go with the Progressives because of saving some money, but if money were no object, Ohlins or Penskes would be on my bike.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 973
Likes: 1
Akitakoi, do you have any idea what it takes to make a great shock? Please read what it takes to get the job done before voicing what something should cost. If you are happy with your ride than the $12.50 stock (HD pays for them) shocks are all you need. If you wish more than that, than that is your choce. There are many used Progressive & others take off shocks listed in our HDF stuff for sale section.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 104
From: Prescott, AZ
I have had the same issuess - I ride two up most of the time and the wife of course sits right over the rear axle and gets all the bumps... Our FLHTCI has about 30K and is 5 years old... really did a lot of looking and most better shocks are in the $500 area... I ended up working with "Works Performance" they are about 250 miles from my house.... I called and talked to "Tom" who ask for our weights 'dressed as we ride' and the weight of our usually luggage... Then he built a shock for us - I went tos the shop - installed the shocks and did all my test riding right there.. Works Performance does have a 30 day policy that they will rebuild/re-valve/adj as neccesary... I just wanted to be right there and get it all done... I will say this - their customers service is 110%.... I am happy right now... I just got these last week and have a three day ride planned to Lake Tahoe and around the lake.. I plan to do a full post when I get back..
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
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 17
From: eastern oklahoma
i weigh 200# and i use 20 psi. when i was using the owners manual recommended 5 to 10 psi, i ended up in the hospital for a week with pneumonia that was set off hitting these okie potholes that oklahoma is famous for. got the back out of whack and then you reduce your air intake and it gets worse, you end up in the hospital. anyway, when i went to 20 psi, a fantastic difference. lots of guys now want the lower shocks from the streetglide. you can swap yours easily for electraglide shocks and have that additional one inch of rear suspension travel. i gotta do that one of these days. good luck, and hope you find the solution, for me, it's swappin out the stockers for e-glide ones.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
