I only have about 50 miles on mine, so don't have a lot of experience like others on the forum, but everything felt great to me. The ride felt a lot different at varying levels of inflation, and I was always playing around with different settings and also wanted to find something that felt like the stock shock ride, which I did. All the time the handling seemed very good, not squshy at all. The comfort "spot" that I found was quite a bit lower than stock, and it too felt very tight and solid when cornering. Others with more miles can probably offer more opinions - but I'm very pleased.

 

Personally I don't think there is a debate. There have been numerous posts that the shocks were designed for a car. I believe them, but it is not stopping me from putting the DB system on. You can't put a price on Peace of Mind, especially when it comes to a bike. I think you should look into the Bike Buddy air suspension, personally I'm sticking with DB. There was a post last week on this system. I think 2006 StreetGlide started it.

I wonder if this same debate came up back in the 40's when guys starting using Ford Radius rods to extend their spingers?

 

After hearing that they were car shocks (after I bought) my concern was the ride. Considering a car is much heavier you would think, logically, that would affect the dampening rate. My system is installed and I am still trying to form a fair and objective opinion.

Initial impression, I do think the ride is stiffer and I seem to be getting more feedback in the bike. Now that may be because I have not found the sweet spot. The system seems to go from slammed to full and needs a little finese to stop somewhere in between and on the fly, without an air pressure gauge, it will take me some practice. I still have a leaky set of shocks so that may be contributing to the problem - and yes Tony and Amee have already shipped a new set. From a handling standpoint, being a retired knee dragger I think stiffer is better and either way, they seem to be as good or better than the stock shock. I personally don't see where it would be a safety concern.

The bottom bolt did touch my pipe at full pressure and when the suspension travels to the top. I unfortunately did not realize that until I noticed a nice little ding in my Reinharts.....[:@]...not happy. Someone gave the tip of turning the bolt so the flat side is parallel to the pipe...good tip...not sure if that will completely eliminate contact.

Riding in the slammed position is not the same as riding on stockers with no air. There is no suspension if the system is fully slammed.......but dang it looks cool.

The DB shocks even slammed do not touch my fender on my RG.

I say post it here so others can see, tell it like it is and be fair. I found out about DB here and they got a sale out of me because I saw it here. I have talked to Tony and Amee several times. They have called me being proactive when they thought I might have a problem. They are great people, no doubt. I don't think asking questions about the system on the forum or raising concerns about the system discredits them in any way. Someone said the early buyers of the system have been R&D for DB and I agree and I am sure Tony and Amee have appreciated the feedback. Having said that, hopefully Tony will post to answer the concerns (R&D) on the shocks and address the bottom bolt touching the pipe so everyone with the same question can get an answer.

Off my soapbox now.....

RJ

P.S. I will post slammed pics soon. I know, more pics....but my bike looks sooooo much better than any of the others !!!!

 

Got my Progressive 440s and luv em. Too old to start trying to look cool!

 

RonH says it best....yall's worrin bout nothin....i did take the washer and lock washer off my lower shock mount which greatly helped with the hitting problem(which i wasnt really worryed about anyway), and i took a flappy wheel on my grinder and relieved just abit more...my ride is stiffer than stock...i wouldnt worry too much about em bein car shocks, they dont know what youre puttin em on, theyre shocks ...IMO, yall's abuncha worry warts [:-]

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but weren't "Air Shocks" designed to aid in supporting extra weight you may add to your vehichle? I remember me and my buds putting these shocks on our cars in the 80's for that "cool" raked look. Ya know.. jacked up in the back to make you look like a street racer [8D]

Anyway with that in mind, I think that is why you don't hear of too many DB owners saying the ride is much improved or barley improved whatsoever. The harley stock shocks are designed to run with ZERO psi in them. As we all know maybe a max of 20 psi if you are 2-up, towing or carrying a load. Nevertheless, H-D stock shocks need NO air to suspend the bike or give us the cush we need when hit hit bumps in the road.

The Monroes, Gabriels or any car shock for that matter (IMHO) are designed to support the rear of a vehicle. They are not designed to create a smoother ride. Furthermore, look at all the luxury cars with "air" suspensions. Most if not all fail at one time or another and when they do their azzes are draggin becasue they no longer hold air. As a matter of fact, I seen an '85 Eldorado Birritz today with the front right fender nearly dragging on the ground. Blown suspension but most importantly blown Air Bag like all the vehicles use for comfy cruzin. I don't think there is one luxury car that uses air shocks for smooth riding again..... only for support.

As far as safety goes I think that it is still risky riding on a system that if it should lose air could jeoperdize you and/or your pasenger if a leak or malfunction should take place. Every vehicle which has air bags or air shocks has either a coil spring or leaf spring where as the motorcycle doesn't. I would highly recommend someone contacting Monroe or another manufacture and pick their brain about car air shocks being the sole support and source of suspension for a motorcycle. If a shock or air line should fail or lose air pressure while cruisin down the freeway at say 65 mph what fail safe device is in place to prevent that side of the bike from dropping down immediatly? I'd bet they would be suprised that their car shocks are being used on a motorcycle and undoubtably your next of kin would have a hellva time winning that court case. JMHO...

 

I wouldn't motorcycle air shocks on a car or car shocks on a motorcycle. I'm not sayiny that's right or wrong, just my thoughts!

 

REPEAT!!! I've GOT LEGENDS air-ride and LUV"EM never have had a problem. No hitting, easy install!! PERFECT......... roid

 

Check these babys out
http://www.progressivesuspension.com/airtail_ias.aspx

 

I don't believe that any shock supports the weight of any car. Why then do all cars have some sort of suspension? Torsion bars, coil springs, leaf springs, these are what suspend the vehicle not the shocks. Aren't the shocks on a car for the purpose of dampening the compression and rebound of the suspension system whatever that set up may be. When I want to lift my truck I add leafs to the rear spring pack and tighten up the torsion bars to the IFS, on the contraryI will add lowering springs to drop a car. I can do both without ever touching the shocks.

Suspension 101