Ohlins vs Ricor Comparison
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
NO!
Howard's (aka Motorcycle Metal) Ohlins carry the full factory warrenty. I called Ohlins USA today and they speak very highly of Howard at Motorcycle Metal. He has been trained by them and the adjustments/builds he does have been verified and approved at the factory. They have complete confidence in him plus he is instrumental in many engineering activities that they have ongoing.
Now Howard, that is mighty impressive.
Howard's (aka Motorcycle Metal) Ohlins carry the full factory warrenty. I called Ohlins USA today and they speak very highly of Howard at Motorcycle Metal. He has been trained by them and the adjustments/builds he does have been verified and approved at the factory. They have complete confidence in him plus he is instrumental in many engineering activities that they have ongoing.
Now Howard, that is mighty impressive.
http://www.ohlins.com/Our-products/
That's the product locater on Ohlins' website. You won't find a rear shock for a touring bike with a fairing. You also won't find mention of any of the product numbers appearing on Motorcycle Metal's website.
If something has changed between Motorcycle Metal and Ohlins in the last month, then I stand corrected, but this is the information I have. It doesn't mean that I think that MM sells an inferior product. Given the number of people here who are using MM's shocks and are happy with them, it stands to reason that they're pretty good.
For a variety of reasons, I decided to try something else.
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Not sure who you were talking to???
I spoke with Mike, the Sales Manager at Ohlins USA and he has been there for more than a month. Not sure who you spoke with but you were obviously mis-informed.
I'm concerned when someone tells me that my Ohlins are not "factory authorized", not really Ohlin products and not covered by the warranty. I made the call to get the truth and discovered that they are in fact Ohlin products, carry the full factory Ohlin warranty, plus Ohlin USA and Ohlin Sweden is closely aligned with the R&D, engineering and production activities of Motorcyclemetal - regardless of what you do or don't find on their website.
Ricor may make a decent product but I am very happy with my Ohlins. They are the best modification I have ever made to a motorcycle and would recommend that before anyone spend $700 to buy an aftermarket seat to get a better ride that they consider getting a set of Ohlins instead. You might find you don't need a new seat after all and your bike will ride better than you ever thought possible.
http://www.ohlins.com/Our-products/
That's the product locater on Ohlins' website. You won't find a rear shock for a touring bike with a fairing. You also won't find mention of any of the product numbers appearing on Motorcycle Metal's website.
I'm concerned when someone tells me that my Ohlins are not "factory authorized", not really Ohlin products and not covered by the warranty. I made the call to get the truth and discovered that they are in fact Ohlin products, carry the full factory Ohlin warranty, plus Ohlin USA and Ohlin Sweden is closely aligned with the R&D, engineering and production activities of Motorcyclemetal - regardless of what you do or don't find on their website.
Ricor may make a decent product but I am very happy with my Ohlins. They are the best modification I have ever made to a motorcycle and would recommend that before anyone spend $700 to buy an aftermarket seat to get a better ride that they consider getting a set of Ohlins instead. You might find you don't need a new seat after all and your bike will ride better than you ever thought possible.
That is not the story I got from them last month. They're aware of what he does, and he does it with their blessing (so to speak), but the shocks he sells are not "factory authorized" Ohlins. They are made with Ohlins components, but they are not technically Ohlins products.
http://www.ohlins.com/Our-products/
That's the product locater on Ohlins' website. You won't find a rear shock for a touring bike with a fairing. You also won't find mention of any of the product numbers appearing on Motorcycle Metal's website.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
I believe the person I spoke with was Jerry. I don't recall what his title was. I relayed the information I was given by Ohlins USA. Anyone can call them. Anyone can go on their website.
There's no arguing that the shocks that MM sells don't appear anywhere on the Ohlins site. If you say that someone from Ohlins USA told you that what MM sells are actual Ohlins products and retain the full warranty and factory support, I believe you. What I find odd is that I got a different answer, and neither MM's site nor Ohlins' site references the other. Who knows?
If you're happy with the shocks you bought from MM, I'm happy for you. I'm going to try something else. Hopefully I'm just as happy.
There's no arguing that the shocks that MM sells don't appear anywhere on the Ohlins site. If you say that someone from Ohlins USA told you that what MM sells are actual Ohlins products and retain the full warranty and factory support, I believe you. What I find odd is that I got a different answer, and neither MM's site nor Ohlins' site references the other. Who knows?
If you're happy with the shocks you bought from MM, I'm happy for you. I'm going to try something else. Hopefully I'm just as happy.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
Hear, hear!
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
qtrracer , if you need more assurance about Ricors Intimidators go over to the Sportster Forum . Many Sportster riders have installed the Intimidators ,myself included, and are amazed at the difference they made to the front forks . Many have also switched rear shocks ,Ohlins in my case , and feel we finally have a suspension thats allows the bikes to be riden as they should .
And all you touring guys that have taken stock air shocks off for something else ,when you sell them on e-bay or whatever , the Sportster guys are buying them . Go figure !!
And all you touring guys that have taken stock air shocks off for something else ,when you sell them on e-bay or whatever , the Sportster guys are buying them . Go figure !!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Anyway, I also hold skinflint credentials with pride and must justify every dollar spent. I've been known to spend 15 min. deciding on whether to buy a $2 or $3 item at Wal-Mart based on their relative merits and cost-effectiveness, so the shock purchases took some serious pondering. If the Ricors are markedly better than the Ohlins they would be a worthwhile purchase, IMO, as I consider my $516 very well-spent.
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
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I did some minor research before commiting on the MM Ohlins and found that the #2 are originally created for Sportsters. To work with the additional weight of the FLH family I understand Howard preloaded the shocks fully, then modified them so more preload could be given beyond the factory setup. Rather than using threads as in the standard setup Howard added a click-stop mechanism that allows more preload settings adjustable with two spanner wrenches provided with the shocks. I ride solo and can say that they are perfect with one rider and not heavily loaded, and when I travel with a full TP and saddlebags I've found no need to add more preload. Adding a passenger would likely require a preload adjustment.
Last edited by iclick; Mar 26, 2010 at 09:42 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 554
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
Brian didn't mention anything about different tunes for the shocks. He has different tunes for the Intimitators, though. I installed his comfort ones.
Marc
Marc