Ohlins Cool-aid?
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,590
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From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
Ohlins Cool-aid?
Last night I installed my Ohlins 2~2a shocks that Howard at Motorcycle Metal built for me.
He built them for 70/30 with my 190 lbs and some extra to compensate for filling the saddlebags and packing for trips. He also used the shorter springs, which seem to work VERY well
Setup was a snap. I had read all of the directions before even ordering them, so I knew what to expect. Talked to Howard about the install, and all was good.
For Howard: Sometimes it's good to be a LITTLE PATIENT
So far I have a whopping 35 miles on them ..... a storm came up just as I was going for my test ride last night. But I did get some miles in.
The first thing I noticed was, I didn't bottom out at the end of my driveway. And I didn't feel like the bike was going to fall apart on railroad crossings.
The shocks are firm, without being harsh like the stockers were. I can still "feel" the road. That's a good thing. A floating Cadillac ride is NOT a good thing if you want control.
So with all that said..... I will add to this when I get some hard miles on them.
But so far, they are worlds better than the stock shocks. Handling is improved, as well as comfort.
He built them for 70/30 with my 190 lbs and some extra to compensate for filling the saddlebags and packing for trips. He also used the shorter springs, which seem to work VERY well
Setup was a snap. I had read all of the directions before even ordering them, so I knew what to expect. Talked to Howard about the install, and all was good.
For Howard: Sometimes it's good to be a LITTLE PATIENT
So far I have a whopping 35 miles on them ..... a storm came up just as I was going for my test ride last night. But I did get some miles in.
The first thing I noticed was, I didn't bottom out at the end of my driveway. And I didn't feel like the bike was going to fall apart on railroad crossings.
The shocks are firm, without being harsh like the stockers were. I can still "feel" the road. That's a good thing. A floating Cadillac ride is NOT a good thing if you want control.
So with all that said..... I will add to this when I get some hard miles on them.
But so far, they are worlds better than the stock shocks. Handling is improved, as well as comfort.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,121
Likes: 489
From: sunny florida
after break in they will be even better , please do follow up , I am running the #3-#3's but the the #2-#2a's would have been my next choice and I like the positive feedback they keep getting
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
There is ONE drawback that I have noticed.......... makes me realize how crappy the stock front end is.
Last edited by shooter5074; May 16, 2012 at 09:50 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
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From: earth
Get your shocks broke in and dialed in first, then do the front, its easier to tweak one end at a time to get started, then after you get them both close you can work to synch the front and rear. The modified Intiminators are really good solution to the front that won't break the bank.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2010
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Wish I could afford them!!! But from an engineering point of view, placing the bottom shock mount aft of the axle is just wrong. The shock travel and action would improve by moving the mount three-four inches forward. Just saying....
Harley does a few things that are just plain dumb. This being one. The top triple clamp on FLHs being another. For a few bucks they could make some huge improvements. Such as updating the FLH frame in '09. Small change that made a huge improvement in handling.
JackL
Harley does a few things that are just plain dumb. This being one. The top triple clamp on FLHs being another. For a few bucks they could make some huge improvements. Such as updating the FLH frame in '09. Small change that made a huge improvement in handling.
JackL
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: SoCal
Wish I could afford them!!! But from an engineering point of view, placing the bottom shock mount aft of the axle is just wrong. The shock travel and action would improve by moving the mount three-four inches forward. Just saying....
Harley does a few things that are just plain dumb. This being one. The top triple clamp on FLHs being another. For a few bucks they could make some huge improvements. Such as updating the FLH frame in '09. Small change that made a huge improvement in handling.
JackL
Harley does a few things that are just plain dumb. This being one. The top triple clamp on FLHs being another. For a few bucks they could make some huge improvements. Such as updating the FLH frame in '09. Small change that made a huge improvement in handling.
JackL
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
Wish I could afford them!!! But from an engineering point of view, placing the bottom shock mount aft of the axle is just wrong. The shock travel and action would improve by moving the mount three-four inches forward. Just saying....
Harley does a few things that are just plain dumb. This being one. The top triple clamp on FLHs being another. For a few bucks they could make some huge improvements. Such as updating the FLH frame in '09. Small change that made a huge improvement in handling.
JackL
Harley does a few things that are just plain dumb. This being one. The top triple clamp on FLHs being another. For a few bucks they could make some huge improvements. Such as updating the FLH frame in '09. Small change that made a huge improvement in handling.
JackL
However you are quite right about the top yoke/triple-tree. Howard of Motorcycle Metal is working on a solution!
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
Explain why you think the location is wrong. Wheel travel would increase yes but the leverage would increase(shock speed is slowed) over the shock as the axle travel nears the point of the shocks bottoming out which is exactly what you don't want. This creates less damping and a lower spring rate as the bike nears full travel increasing the chances of bottoming out. The leverage needs to be lessened(shock speed increased) as the wheel travels through its arc. Moving the lower shock mounting points closer to the swingarm pivot will have the opposite effect.
+1
Plus having it forward 3 or 4 inches, and more of an angle increases the chance of wheel hop...... which can be deadly on a sweeper. More leverage means the shock is only making suggestions to the swingarm, instead of CONTROLLING it.
Having the shock out near the axle and more vertical also means the tire maintains contact with the pavement much better, and more evenly. As in ..... better control.
Do you want your shocks to react to a bump after your are already past it?
Last edited by shooter5074; May 16, 2012 at 12:06 PM. Reason: TinkerBell is a little hottie