I know, I know…. Another Ohlins thread. But I wanted to do another review for any of you that may be considering a new set of shocks and are on the fence about it.

First let me say that I thought i knew what to expect when calling Howard. I thought I would just be able to call him and order some shocks. Not the case. I call him up and it goes something like this -

Me - "Hey Howard. I'd like to order a set of shocks for my Road King."

Howard - "Really? Well, what do you know about shocks?"

Me - "Not a whole lot, but from what I've read you are the guy to talk to for a good set of shocks."

Howard - "Well, I'm not sure where you heard that but it's not right. I don't sell 'good shocks', I only sell 'great shocks'".

Me - "Uuummmmm….."

And it went from there. I left the conversation with homework assignments to read up and learn enough to ask intelligent questions and call back in a couple of days. I'm sitting here thinking to myself, "All I want to do is throw a pile of money at this guy and he doesn't want it." In reality, Howard realizes that this is a good deal of money for a lot of us (me included) and he wants us to make informed decisions before we drop $500+ on a set of shocks.

I initially called with the intention of ordering a set of the #2-3 shocks. After reading and knowing my personality, I called back and ordered (after about 30 minutes of Q&A) a set of the #3-3. Howard fixed up a work order/invoice and emailed it to me in about 5 minutes. He had the shocks all set up and ready to go when the check got there. I dropped the check in the mail on Thursday and had them on my doorstep the following Wednesday.

I didn't get a chance to install them until Saturday morning, and Howard made me promise to call him before I installed them. After 45 minutes of an explanation on the features of the shock, including a test to make sure I know my right from left (I passed the first time), and a tutorial on not f-ing up the nylon set screws, adjustment collar, and sweep valve, I was free to install the shocks on the bike. BTW, Howard says if you do f-up one of the set screws you might as well f-up the other one since shipping is the same for one or multiple screws.

They came from Howard with 5 threads showing above the adjustment collar which he told me would be a bit stiff to start off with. He was right on about that. They were stiff, but I could tell the control and handling was improved dramatically over stock. I left the house and went to a section of road that I ride every day. My butt almost always loses contact with the seat on the stock shocks. Not so with the Ohlins. I still felt the rough road, but it was more controlled and felt much more stable. To that point, I had been considering getting a Bagger Brace or the like just to firm things up. I don't feel like I need one anymore. There is a curve on one of the highways by my house that is "wavy" in the middle. I took it at 75 mph and never felt like I was riding on the edge.

I managed to put about 600 miles on them over the 4th holiday weekend in the AR twisties, but I still haven't made it to 1000 miles yet so I'm sure the shocks are still breaking in. I expect them to keep getting better.

Not sure why I waited so long to get these shocks. They will definitely be transferred to my next bike if I can ever part with my current one. A couple of things to know when dealing with Howard -

1. Study up and know what you are buying because;
2. Howard doesn't need your money and won’t just sell you what you “think” you want

Great guy to deal with, but is no nonsense so be prepared.

 

I live in the UK and spent about an hour on the phone with Howard. Haven't regretted a moment of it! Mrs B loves life on the back there far more now, so thumbs up from both of us.

 

Who's Howard? I'm looking for replacement shocks.
Ohlins website is cute but useless as hell.
Does Howard have a website to check out?

 

Motorcycle Metal. He's a forum sponsor too.

 

Thanks

 

My conversation was similar but I still ended up with the #2-3 shocks.

 

I wasn't trying to imply that Howard talked me in to or out of anything. That was totally my decision to get the #3's. I just know myself and I'm pretty sure I'd not be happy with the #2 knowing that the #3 has a threaded body and a sweep valve. Not that I think I will wind up messing with them that much in the end, but I'm just a tinker-er...

 

Actually Howard never even mentioned the #3's to me. Picking the #2-3 was all my decision.
Like you said in your original post, Howard wants you to make the decision based on your needs and what you want.

 

Howard is one of those people you like to do business with. There's no BS or hard-sell, just a mission to get the best shock for you. I bought the #2-3 about 18 months ago and it was a renaissance, or perhaps a religious rebirth, and transcended my bike from the realm of the mundane. Okay, the bottom line is it rides like a cloud and handles like a dream. What more could I want? Just do it, and be sure to ask for an HDForums discount.