I changed the oil in my stock shocks, and went with the heavier SE oil. It made a substantial difference, and was a pretty cheap band aide. I'm sure the custom shocks are going to produce better results, but I agree with having to tune the front suspension to match to avoid further issues. I also changed my front shock oil too, to a heavier grade. I used the BMW heavier front suspension oil, and it's worked very well. Still not perfect, but much better than stock. Good info in this thread. Thx.

 

Nah. Thanks anyway. I've already been through too much drama with this process already.

But here's the cool thing. If folks are aware ahead of time what to expect they won't get broadsided like I did. Also the shocks just needed a slight tweaking. Why couldn't Howard just say that? There was no need to send them back in the first place.

No. Better to look forward than backward and hope others learn from my mistakes. We have already learned Ohlins tends to put stiffer springs on than needed. Maybe you can have a talk with your buddy about that.

Btw; I took a nice ride on them over the weekend and they seem to be holding up pretty well so far. A good 50% better than my stock shocks with oil change.

Edit: The future of Howard's business is not my concern. My fellow Harley riders are.

 

Unfortunately the lines of communication get crossed between people, just ask my wife! But my experience with these shocks has been excellent however I can see that if someone that is expecting a shock to be adjusted for them and their riding style over the phone or by e-mail that may be difficult but not impossible it just takes some patience. I had to lengthen the spring(move the c-clip)to achieve my desired ride but I have had many years of suspension adjustment and tuning under my belt so this was not unexpected and I could deal with this without sending my shocks back. I just improvised using spring compressors and 1 groove of adjustment did the trick. For those of you that can't seem to get these shocks riding good for you after installing them and do not want to ship them back to MM you could go to a local shop that services motocross suspensions and they should be able to help you very easily. To those that are considering Ohlins shocks I will suggest very strongly to consider version # 3 as the spring preload adjustment is threaded and the damping is externally adjustable and they are overall length adjustable, I know they are more expensive but I now think that it would be money well spent.

 

Well chosen words. Me thinks Bob protesteth too much!

I chose Howard's #3-3 and while I have yet to ride on them can see they should be simple to adjust. The beauty of these shocks is the ability to fine tune them for more than one riding situation, such as solo or 2-up and loaded ready for that world tour....

 

It's impossible for a vendor to set up a shock exactly how each customer wants it because a "good ride" is so subjective. The best he can do is install the proper weight spring for that rider's weight and usage.

After receiving the shock the rider has expect that he must dial in the rebound, preload and damping himself and set the sag. +1 with the recommendation to buy shocks that are easily adjustable.

 

In all honesty, I'd have been more receptive if this wasn't your 6th post on the forum. Makes it look like your just Howard's buddy/mouthpiece.

Not an accusation (sp?), just an observation.

 

In the end, I suppose so.

Also, don't take my yapping too seriously -- the truth is I care more about coming up with clever quips than the actual issues at hand.

Got a great ride in today, and all is right with the world.

Peace,
Murph

 

The OP has a high post count on this subject around HDF. No surprise some of us hold a different view.

We still have frosts over here. I'm tucked away in the warm, the poor bikes are out in a cold garage. Hopefully not for too long!

 

Greg, If you would be from our part of this state than you would have known this person you are possibly hinting that "this makes it look like your just Howard's buddy/mouthpiece". . If you see when he has joined Date: 10-21-2007, it could possibly be that he might just read, or even because of the differences in opinions and what is actually known about motorcycles that is found here as a rule (just my observation). This person does not lie and he works every business day dealing with the general public in the motorcycle field. Why would he ever wish to get involved in a discussion like this?

This person: He may not be as rich monetarily as some here, but his reputation is known to be a true biker who lives the code. Greg, being that you own many bikes throughout the years, you undoubtedly know the bikers code of being a for real person, no doubt, and I am sure of.

This person actually innovates and builds his stuff and usually does not purchase his modifications at HD or out of a book. Being a biker does not require one to spend money on parts but only to live the life he has chosen. If anyone would go by the shop where this person works, his bike would be pulled under the overhang and if you Greg, would ask around and talk about this person locally, you would know he is extremely helpful, a real pleasure to be associated with, and an upstanding member of the biker community. That means he does it every day of the week, month, and year(s).

Greg, I wish that before writing the quote above, I would think you would have done your homework first and known what and who you are talking about, hinting at, or making an accusation (sp?), just my observation.

Greg, since you are an owner of many bikes, I am very hesitant of bringing this up here on this forum, even giving the slightest hint, I am suggesting I misread your meaning statement above and undoubtedly in the wrong of which I apologize. Greg, as you know I am very busy and will not have too much time to come back and visit much, hopefully I would have wasted enough of your time.

Greg, I am sorry if anyone here may have misunderstood my meaning and I am casting no disparaging remarks on such a fine member as yourself but I wish only to set the record straight on the person who you have posted a shadow of doubt about. Honesty is something that can not be bargained away over friendship or doing a favor for what ever reason...ever.

All here are members, some valued and some not so valued. When a member has a distaste of being disrespected by other members than that valued person may not come back and each of us will be a little more poorer for the absence.

 

The trouble with forums is that when you type stuff, its easy to misinterpret. I clearly don't know Mcfreak, and wasn't stating anything as fact. I tried to caveat that, but might have failed. The only way I can evaluate those who post is by their past posts. If they don't do that, for whatever reason, its tough to evaluate when they do, particularly a thread like this.

After rereading my post, I am pretty sure there was no "accuasation" . Just an observation. In fact, although it was a short post, my 2nd sentence was "Not an accusation (sp?), just an observation." Observations aren't accusations, and I wasn't "hinting".

Sorry if I offended you Mcfreak.





A number a experience members have posted their views, and that's what forums are about. After a while I get a sense of the person, even though I have never met them. When someone who apparantly never posts, responds with numerous strong statements, my initial responce was mixed. No way to evaluate, which was what I tried to say.