13 1/4" Ohlins
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Which shock do you get for this price? They show several on their site and it is not easy to determine either price nor the differences between them.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
I got the Ohlin, #2,#3 in 13 1/4". The forum discount was substantial.
I don't know if the specs make any difference in price, but I ordered 13 1/4" shocks for a 250 lb rider, 150 lb passenger and 50 lbs of gear.
I am setting the bike up so it is as comfortable as possible when my wife travels with me. It might be a little stiff for me alone, but I won't complain to myself as much as she complains to me.
Dennis
edited to add, I couldn't make much sense out of the charts on the website either. I just called Howard, told him what I was trying to accomplish. He talked me through his suggestions and helped me fill out the order form.
I don't know if the specs make any difference in price, but I ordered 13 1/4" shocks for a 250 lb rider, 150 lb passenger and 50 lbs of gear.
I am setting the bike up so it is as comfortable as possible when my wife travels with me. It might be a little stiff for me alone, but I won't complain to myself as much as she complains to me.
Dennis
edited to add, I couldn't make much sense out of the charts on the website either. I just called Howard, told him what I was trying to accomplish. He talked me through his suggestions and helped me fill out the order form.
Last edited by rochkes; Aug 26, 2009 at 12:16 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 4
From: Here
How long from when you placed the order until he shipped the shocks to you? I've got a pretty good ride coming up in a couple of weeks and thought I might order some. If they take longer than that, I'll probably wait until Christmas bonus time (if there is one this year...)
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
I mine shipped from Howard one week to the day that I ordered them.
Dennis
Edited to correct myself. I placed the order late on Friday the 14th. They shipped to me on Monday the 24th.
Dennis
Edited to correct myself. I placed the order late on Friday the 14th. They shipped to me on Monday the 24th.
Last edited by rochkes; Aug 26, 2009 at 01:35 PM. Reason: date correction
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Still trying to figure out these options. The #3 ~ #2 is the #3 with a fixed-length, right? We have $500 for the #2 and $700 for the #3 (after HDForums discount), so I would expect the hybrid to cost less than the #3. How much were they?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Did about 100 miles today on my new Ohlins 13 1/4" shocks.
It's like a different bike. No more jarring and popping off of the seat after hitting potholes, large dips, expansion joints are not felt and it may just be me but it handles curves a little better.
Ride height sitting on the bike is very close to a stock SG. The shocks did appear to settle after about 10-15 miles or maybe it was my imagination. Parked, you cannot tell the rear end is raised. With the sag set, it's only 1/2" higher then stock.
I was going to initially put lowering blocks on the rear but after today's ride, it won't be necessary.
Only thing I have to replace is my WheelDock Center Stand. The SG stand just barely touches the ground now.
Without the stand, I found it's bitch to fuel up. Now I see why people complain about fueling up the touring bikes. Put the stand on people, your find fueling up with it makes life a lot easier.
If you want to upgrade your suspension, give Howard at MotorCycle Metal a call. Just do it right the first time, not like me who first ordered the 12" shocks and was disappointed in the ride (only 2 1/2" of stroke) and that's before your sitting on the bike.
It's like a different bike. No more jarring and popping off of the seat after hitting potholes, large dips, expansion joints are not felt and it may just be me but it handles curves a little better.
Ride height sitting on the bike is very close to a stock SG. The shocks did appear to settle after about 10-15 miles or maybe it was my imagination. Parked, you cannot tell the rear end is raised. With the sag set, it's only 1/2" higher then stock.
I was going to initially put lowering blocks on the rear but after today's ride, it won't be necessary.
Only thing I have to replace is my WheelDock Center Stand. The SG stand just barely touches the ground now.
Without the stand, I found it's bitch to fuel up. Now I see why people complain about fueling up the touring bikes. Put the stand on people, your find fueling up with it makes life a lot easier.
If you want to upgrade your suspension, give Howard at MotorCycle Metal a call. Just do it right the first time, not like me who first ordered the 12" shocks and was disappointed in the ride (only 2 1/2" of stroke) and that's before your sitting on the bike.
As for refuelling, what happened to the adjustable display stand? I have had one on my old dresser for years now (you can see it under the front of the engine) and it is just the thing for showing it off, refuelling or servicing. It's parked in my garage on it as I write. Can't take a wheel out using it, but it does for everything else.
Added later:
For those of you trying to work out on the MM website which shocks HDV-GLIDE has, I think I’ve cracked it! They are item:
#2 36 mm Piston/Emulsified
(the ‘36mm Piston’ part is only visible if you highlight the text with your mouse), then the third option from the list of four,
#3 13 1/4"/337mm, Stroke: 4 3/32"/104 mm.
MSRP is: $640.00. So $500 does indeed look like a generous discount.
Last edited by grbrown; Sep 7, 2009 at 07:37 AM. Reason: Para on Ohlins.
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
I've been following your various posts on rear shocks and you have done us all a great service with this thread, so many thanks! Howard at Motorcycle Metal is a pioneer for common sense, cutting through all the technical stuff and worthy of our collective custom. His Ohlins sound wonderful, but then so do his Penskes....
As for refuelling, what happened to the adjustable display stand? I have had one on my old dresser for years now (you can see it under the front of the engine) and it is just the thing for showing it off, refuelling or servicing. It's parked in my garage on it as I write. Can't take a wheel out using it, but it does for everything else.
Added later:
For those of you trying to work out on the MM website which shocks HDV-GLIDE has, I think I’ve cracked it! They are item:
#2 36 mm Piston/Emulsified
(the ‘36mm Piston’ part is only visible if you highlight the text with your mouse), then the third option from the list of four,
#3 13 1/4"/337mm, Stroke: 4 3/32"/104 mm.
MSRP is: $640.00. So $500 does indeed look like a generous discount.
As for refuelling, what happened to the adjustable display stand? I have had one on my old dresser for years now (you can see it under the front of the engine) and it is just the thing for showing it off, refuelling or servicing. It's parked in my garage on it as I write. Can't take a wheel out using it, but it does for everything else.
Added later:
For those of you trying to work out on the MM website which shocks HDV-GLIDE has, I think I’ve cracked it! They are item:
#2 36 mm Piston/Emulsified
(the ‘36mm Piston’ part is only visible if you highlight the text with your mouse), then the third option from the list of four,
#3 13 1/4"/337mm, Stroke: 4 3/32"/104 mm.
MSRP is: $640.00. So $500 does indeed look like a generous discount.
Yeah, those are the ones...Guess I should have mentioned that guys, sorry....
As far as the HD Display Stand, if the height can be adjusted, your be fine.....The WheelDock Center Stand I have was made for a SG which is lowered with 12" shocks..I need to get the stand made for the other touring bikes that came with 13" shocks.
Last edited by HDV-GLIDE; Sep 7, 2009 at 09:01 AM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,636
Likes: 7
From: Jackson, Michigan
Man - This thread is gonna cost me money. My wife hates getting jarred by 3" road joints and potholes on the SG. This might be the ticket to a smoother ride. Already changed out the fork oil to heavy which helped up front, so this is the next logical step.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 803
Likes: 3
From: Collegeville, PA
I have about 400 miles on my Ohlins as of today. They are 13 1/4" and they replaced a set of 12 1/2" Works Trackers. The Works were a great improvement over the stock air shocks but still bottomed out occasionally when I was two-up.
I can tell you with complete confidence that the Ohlins are the best riding shocks I have ridden on an HD tour bike so far. Very smooth, plush ride. I have yet to bottom or top them out, riding solo or two-up.
The only tour bike I have ever ridden that had Progressives on it is my brother Road Glide, but it is lowered over an inch. So it doesn't have anywhere near the suspension travel that my bike does. Ride quality isn't even close, but it's not an apples to apples comparison.
The Ohlins price out at LESS money that the Works or high end Progressive shocks. Not sure why the rumor mill has them costing so much more. Howard can usually turn them around in a day or so if he has all the components in stock. It took him about a week to get mine together because he didn't have the shock bodies and had to order them in.
I'm much more concerned with comfort and performance than looks, so I went with the 13 1/4" shocks. I wanted all the suspension travel I could get for the bike. I'm very happy with that decision and so is my girlfriend. She says the ride is WAY better for her.
If you are considering these shocks, my advice is to go for it. They will provide a definite improvement in ride quality.
Just my 2 cents.
I can tell you with complete confidence that the Ohlins are the best riding shocks I have ridden on an HD tour bike so far. Very smooth, plush ride. I have yet to bottom or top them out, riding solo or two-up.
The only tour bike I have ever ridden that had Progressives on it is my brother Road Glide, but it is lowered over an inch. So it doesn't have anywhere near the suspension travel that my bike does. Ride quality isn't even close, but it's not an apples to apples comparison.
The Ohlins price out at LESS money that the Works or high end Progressive shocks. Not sure why the rumor mill has them costing so much more. Howard can usually turn them around in a day or so if he has all the components in stock. It took him about a week to get mine together because he didn't have the shock bodies and had to order them in.
I'm much more concerned with comfort and performance than looks, so I went with the 13 1/4" shocks. I wanted all the suspension travel I could get for the bike. I'm very happy with that decision and so is my girlfriend. She says the ride is WAY better for her.
If you are considering these shocks, my advice is to go for it. They will provide a definite improvement in ride quality.
Just my 2 cents.