ohlins vs progressive
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Separation of oil and gas is one feature of the #3, but I believe that the damper design and components are also different than #2. Those features enable a #3 with 3" travel to out perform a #2 with 4" travel, which is another way of saying what I set out to write!
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 96
Likes: 2
From: Renton, WA
The short answer is I would remove the system.
On my '12 RGU the air lines go to the two shocks and to the air valve that is mounted on a bracket that is on a fender mounting bolt on the left rear fender rail . The shocks have slip in air fittings so I didn't even need a tool to remove the air lines from the shocks. To remove the air line system after the shocks are removed just required removing and reinstalling one fender mounting bolt. On my RGU there wasn't any other hardware associated with the air lines. I just pulled on the air line from the air valve side and the air line for the right shock came right out. I suppose the air line could get hung up on something. If that happens the saddle might need to be removed.
I don't know how different other models and years might be but it can't be significantly more complicated.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,156
Likes: 41
From: So Cal
Bottom line the stock HD air shocks are marginal at best for handling but they work very well as an easy shock to adjust for varying loads and that is what they are put on for. That is all any air shock is good at doing , either adjust for a different load or to raise or lower a vehicle to compensate for weights. Thats why air is often used in heavy applications, trucks, motor homes , heavy equipment
I think you see a lot more discussion on the forums about a lot of the mods we do because usually the people on forums are a little more passionate
Last edited by XARAN; Apr 9, 2012 at 03:01 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Xaran, you're right, that the majority of Harley riders are happily riding around completely unaware that we here in HDF and other forums are so anxious about this 'n that! Keeps some of us out of trouble..... 
So after reading this and other threads, I was looking in to Ohlins 3.3 $ progressive 940.
I ended up getting the progressive 940 for 2 reasons.
1) is the $$$ difference, got a slightly used set on eBay for $365.00 shipped. And 2) the reason I originally took off the stock shocks on my EG and replaced with a 12 inch SG shock was cause I couldn't properly reach the ground (I'm 5.7 28 inseam)so the 940 gives me that added comfort of being 12 inches with 13 inches of travel.
I ended up getting the progressive 940 for 2 reasons.
1) is the $$$ difference, got a slightly used set on eBay for $365.00 shipped. And 2) the reason I originally took off the stock shocks on my EG and replaced with a 12 inch SG shock was cause I couldn't properly reach the ground (I'm 5.7 28 inseam)so the 940 gives me that added comfort of being 12 inches with 13 inches of travel.
Stage III
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Have an 08 Street Glide, I'm 6'3" 215lbs., put in Progressive 940 Ultra Touring and the Progressive Monotube up front. What a difference, unbelievable ride, no more bottoming out up front. Easy to install as well. Well worth the price
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