more on shocks
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 66
From: Hartford, AL
more on shocks
I did some forum searching about shocks on the touring bikes, including a rather contentious one regarding Ohlins and it's representative. Based on Ohlins statement that if you are not looking for a performance shock and I am not a racer, I am looking at Progressives. There is a whole host of models that will fit the 2011 EG limited from 412, 440, 812, 940 and some I can't remember. I also looked in the Dennis Kirk site and they show some Drag Specialties shocks made by Progressive that sell for $200. Didn't research which Progressive model they resemble.
I don't carve canyons, race at Talledaga, haul 2 tons. I just want a rear shock that doesn't jolt me or the GF when I hit a minimal pot hole or bump. I have tried various air setting in the stock air shocks, I have the lowered version, and bumps are unpleasant. Need to stay with the lowered height since the front is lowered too. For what it's worth, the front handling is fine.
Suggestions to end my bone rattling ride without breaking the bank again??
I don't carve canyons, race at Talledaga, haul 2 tons. I just want a rear shock that doesn't jolt me or the GF when I hit a minimal pot hole or bump. I have tried various air setting in the stock air shocks, I have the lowered version, and bumps are unpleasant. Need to stay with the lowered height since the front is lowered too. For what it's worth, the front handling is fine.
Suggestions to end my bone rattling ride without breaking the bank again??
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,121
Likes: 489
From: sunny florida
I've run Ricor , Progressive 940's & Ohlins , didn't care for the Ricors , the Progressive 940's people seem to hate if they are under 200lbs , I'm 235lbs , for me they rode good solo , 2up & 2up loaded and I was happy with them , Ohlins takes it to the next level , they ride great solo , 2up & 2up loaded , you can find the 940's for about $500 , Ohlins 2-2A are about $540 and are 12" with a 84mm stroke , I'd buy the Ohlins 2-2A and be done with it
Stage IV
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
I just put a set of Ohlin's on my RK (#2-2a). This is my first set of performance shocks, but what a difference compared to stock. The ***-end is more stable in corners and I do not feel the road imperfections (in the rear) like I used to. And I still have not got them dialed in yet. Now I need to do something with the front.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 421
From: Lansing mi
I have been looking in to new shocks all summer, spent a lot of time reading up on different shocks on here. A problem I have that most people don't talk about is I'm 5' 9" with a short inseam.
I cant have a shock that stretches over 12" because the bike will raise up when I'm standing up making it very hard for me to foot park it and back it up and so on.
From what I have seen most all the good shocks they call 12" will stretch out longer when you stand up, I don' want a shock that will go over 12" at any point.
Looks like with a 12" short travel shock, it's hard to find a smoother ride. I have had the air pressure at all kinds of settings and I cant make my stock 13" shocks ride smooth over sharp small bumps, on large bumps it seems to ride pretty decent, other then this I love my Road King.
I just put the 1" lowering blocks backs on so at this point I will live with the stiff ride for now.
From what I see, all shocks are built for 2 up and solo riding so with me riding solo only, and under 190 lbs, all the real 12" shocks come out feeling stiff.
I think Ohilns may be one of the better shocks but they are one of the 12" shocks that go over 12" when not setting on the bike. If your taller then me then you will have a lot more options to pic from...good luck.
I cant have a shock that stretches over 12" because the bike will raise up when I'm standing up making it very hard for me to foot park it and back it up and so on.
From what I have seen most all the good shocks they call 12" will stretch out longer when you stand up, I don' want a shock that will go over 12" at any point.
Looks like with a 12" short travel shock, it's hard to find a smoother ride. I have had the air pressure at all kinds of settings and I cant make my stock 13" shocks ride smooth over sharp small bumps, on large bumps it seems to ride pretty decent, other then this I love my Road King.
I just put the 1" lowering blocks backs on so at this point I will live with the stiff ride for now.
From what I see, all shocks are built for 2 up and solo riding so with me riding solo only, and under 190 lbs, all the real 12" shocks come out feeling stiff.
I think Ohilns may be one of the better shocks but they are one of the 12" shocks that go over 12" when not setting on the bike. If your taller then me then you will have a lot more options to pic from...good luck.
Last edited by GPHDXLC; Sep 3, 2011 at 08:35 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 98
From: Colorado Springs
I have been looking in to new shocks all summer, spent a lot of time reading up on different shocks on here. A problem I have that most people don't talk about is I'm 5' 9" with a short inseam.
I cant have a shock that stretches over 12" because the bike will raise up when I'm standing up making it very hard for me to foot park it and back it up and so on.
From what I have seen most all the good shocks they call 12" will stretch out longer when you stand up, I don' want a shock that will go over 12" at any point.
Looks like with a 12" short travel shock, it's hard to find a smoother ride. I have had the air pressure at all kinds of settings and I cant make my stock 13" shocks ride smooth over sharp small bumps, on large bumps it seems to ride pretty decent, other then this I love my Road King.
I just put the 1" lowering blocks backs on so at this point I will live with the stiff ride for now.
From what I see, all shocks are built for 2 up and solo riding so with me riding solo only, and under 190 lbs, all the real 12" shocks come out feeling stiff.
I think Ohilns may be one of the better shocks but they are one of the 12" shocks that go over 12" when not setting on the bike. If your taller then me then you will have a lot more options to pic from...good luck.
I cant have a shock that stretches over 12" because the bike will raise up when I'm standing up making it very hard for me to foot park it and back it up and so on.
From what I have seen most all the good shocks they call 12" will stretch out longer when you stand up, I don' want a shock that will go over 12" at any point.
Looks like with a 12" short travel shock, it's hard to find a smoother ride. I have had the air pressure at all kinds of settings and I cant make my stock 13" shocks ride smooth over sharp small bumps, on large bumps it seems to ride pretty decent, other then this I love my Road King.
I just put the 1" lowering blocks backs on so at this point I will live with the stiff ride for now.
From what I see, all shocks are built for 2 up and solo riding so with me riding solo only, and under 190 lbs, all the real 12" shocks come out feeling stiff.
I think Ohilns may be one of the better shocks but they are one of the 12" shocks that go over 12" when not setting on the bike. If your taller then me then you will have a lot more options to pic from...good luck.
This leads me to believe the sag is preset for the weight of the bike and will maintain 12" stance with you standing over it. Apparently the only time the shocks extend to the full 13" is when riding and the suspension is unweighted by riding over low areas.
I'd check with Progressive to be sure.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 66
From: Hartford, AL
Is that HD or Progressive 412's. Haven't seen the 412 designation on HD shocks.
Second question, how are shocks measured. Loaded. unloaded, if there is a preload adjuster, does that change the unsprung length. My stock on the FLHTK were 13", just measured them in the box and the lowered, HD version, are 12" on the bike and sitting on the side stand. I wonder if measurements are like the handle bars, everybody has their own method, hope not.
Second question, how are shocks measured. Loaded. unloaded, if there is a preload adjuster, does that change the unsprung length. My stock on the FLHTK were 13", just measured them in the box and the lowered, HD version, are 12" on the bike and sitting on the side stand. I wonder if measurements are like the handle bars, everybody has their own method, hope not.
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Road Master
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 17
From: Rosamond, Cali
I have Progressive 940's. I'm 215#. They ride good, don't jar you, and don't bottom out. I also had Progressive 440's on a prior bike. I can recommend them, too. For two-up with the 440's, I'd recommend the heavy-duty spring.
Alan
Alan