Well here is my story, for what it is worth..I bought a 09 Electra Glide Standard a year ago and started trying to improve it, like everyone else..At the top of my list was getting a good ride...The stock suspension was ok, but I am 62 and thought it was firm? or maybe even harsh....Well thanks to some misinformation on these boards I shelled out 670 dollars for brand x shocks because a few writes ups had them rated as even better than Ohlins..My own fault, I thought I did the research , but bad information gives bad results....Anyway I put the new shocks on , hey were ok, but bottomed out at least three times every 30 minuites...So i sent them in for a revalve, got them back so stiff the bike was unrideable. Sent again for a revalve, even asked for my money back, got them back again, still a bad ride...Put the old original air shocks back on , and they were better.......After 3 to 4 months i felt like spending money again.

So I called Howard at Motorcycle metal......I just put my Ohlin 2-2a shocks on yesterday, and ..logged 125 miles which Howard says is not even enough to break them in..They work!!!.Let me tell you what my Grandfather used to tell me, .....He said spend a little more and get something that will work well and last a long time...So far i have spent 672 for brand x, plus another 562 for the ohlins..1234 dollars...I could have had the ohlins for 562 the first time around......

Back to the shocks..I bolted them on, with Howards live phone assistance, and went straight out to the concrete freeway between Houston and Galveston..With brand x, and the stock shocks, this is usually a rough eyeglass rattling ride with the ocasional bump that will make you flinch...With the Ohlins I ran an easy 70 to 80 , and sure , you can still feel the bumps , just like you can in your car, but now i felt comfortable. Tried some back roads and the shocks worked like a champ and to the best of my knowledge did not bottom out ....

Howard says they will only get better, I am satisfied the way it rides now, and the setup is not complete....

Dealing with Howard Messner was a pleasure, he was knowledable, helpful, honest, and skips the bull****. Some of the others I have dealt with have lots of promises, but no delivery.

Anyway for those who wonder, yes , I like them, I have no axe to grind, just wanted a decent ride , and now I have it
In my opinion this was the best single modification i have done to my Glide

 

Thanks for the ride report! I am getting Ohlin's and speakers for the RG before Sturgis this year. I just can't imagine that long ride with the pitiful stock shocks.

 

Thanks,I'll me calling Howard soon myself!!

 

Thanks,been thinkin bout them for last 2 or 3 months also talked to Howard it was a pleasure no bullsh$t, be gettin mine in a month or so.

 

Don't feel bad I did the same thing , read reviews and bought brand X never could get them to work even after re-valving , I bought Ohlin's #3-#3 and will never ride another brand again

 

I agree. Don't feel bad. There is a lot of unsubstantiated information that gets passed around on this forum as gospel. Forum myths as some call it.

The important thing is that you found Howard and pulled the trigger on the Ohlins. They are the absolute best. No reason to look anywhere else. Period. Why do you think they are on all of the racing bikes?

It's always been amazing to me how owners spend tons of money on insignificant engine upgrades yet settle for one of the poorest stock suspensions on the planet. The HD air shocks are just another piece on the bike with about a 1000% mark-up to help the Motor Company please their stockholders....and to heck with the owners.

Enjoy your new found ride. Like Howard says, it gets better once they are broken-in. That will take at least 500 miles. Then remeasure your spring preloads to ensure that you have the correct pre-load once the shocks have settled down. Enjoy.

Here is a pic of mine:

 

It's nice when something finally does what it's supposed to do isn't it?

 

Glad it's worked out for you with the Ohlins. I put them on my FXDL (and also the 30mm FGK Cartridges in the forks) a while ago and they are great. I also worked with Howard (motorcyclemetal.com) and received excellent advice and service.

 

Upgraded my ride to Ohlins also and love the difference in the suspension. I feel planted now in areas I used to get bounced in my seat. I also worked with Howard @ Motorcycle Metal and he is very knowledgeable and will work with you to ensure you are satisfied.

I also had my chromed.

 

Ok, to the OP- what "brand x" shocks did you have originally?

I'm guessing the Progressive Suspension 940's?

I'm asking because I have the 940's, and have bottoming out issues, and I KNOW the Ohlin 3-3's will be better, but I'm trying to convince myself I can make it work with the 940's.

The thing I'm trying to convince myself of is that maybe I've been trying to dial them in the wrong way- I started off at the stiffest pre-load, and softened them up from there, but I was thinking it might be better to start at the softest, and go up from there- maybe at the lightest pre-load, the spring is not compressed so it has more travel? I figure I'll give Progressive a call to figure it out.