I'm glad I ran into this thread. I'm having my monotubes installed next week. I went back and forth on trying to do the install myself and save $320. But, knowing my luck I'll screw something up before leaving on an overnight ride on Friday. Getting the monotubes will complete my suspension upgrades to date which are Suspension Technologies shocks and the Progressive Touring Link Stabilizer. Just those upgrades alone helped a lot and I started to think, why do I need buy the monotubes then? That thought lasted for a day, I still get some wallowing in high speed sweepers, but to be honest brake dive hasn't been a real issue. However, any improvement there is appreciated though.

I found this thread looking for one I posted about the spacers that come with the kit. Whether to add them to soften the front end because I've heard a couple people talking about the ride being too firm for their liking. I'm used to firm rides coming from sport bikes and my Ducati 999R is set up for the track so firm is good. But I'm unsure about it when it comes to the Harley. I love the bike for cruising the highways and I'm getting sold on a softer ride as a result, maybe the firm talk is not a big deal because it looks like everyone here is happy overall with no mention of the ride being too firm. I have to admit I have fun with the bike in the twisties, I know its not a Ducati, but I look at it as a bike in a different class so from that perspective I like improving its potential. In its own way the fun factor is just as satisfying. More importantly, a tuned and upgraded suspension is a safer bike.

 

I dropped one inch and went with 2 spacers. I'm 200lbs and ride solo 90%.

 

I had the front in lowered just one inch. My mechanic said in his experience lowering more than that can cause handling issues. I didn't do any dampening and the bike feels great. It is a little firmer than stock but feels smoother and there is less bounce when going over bumps.

 

I find it hard to believe that the one-size-fits-all monotubes could perform better than properly set up modified Intiminators, but I won't be changing them out to see, I doubt any mod users will either. If you don't like the Intiminators in stock trim, pull 'em and send them to me I'll hook 'em up for you no charge. The intiminators are the only inertia activated front suspension product available, and they work great either way, but better with the mod and the right springs, at a comparable price.

 

I've been looking at the Axxiom's, Progressive's, and Harley's Premium ride monotubes. One thread it was mentioned that the rider couldn't tell the difference between the Axxiom's and the Premium Ride. Is there anybody out there that has tried all 3, and the Intiminators also, that would give their comparison to the upgrades?

I know it's asking a lot. Different people, different opinions. I would prefer to have to best "fit" for me before I plunk down the cash.

 

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I had the Progressive Monotubes installed just before a pretty long road ride through the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California. I was headed for a small town called Adin, Ca to attend a dark sky astronomy event open to the public. Its one of the darkest locations in California and is the site of an annual 4 day gathering of astronomy buffs. My pre route plan called for by passing main highways as much as possible and getting there before sun set. However, my buddy was late getting off work on Friday so that put us almost three hours behind to start with. I was anxious to try out the new monotubes and as I indicated before, they were in conjunction with Suspension Technology Shocks and the Progressive Touring Link Stabilizer I had installed previously. I know the directions called for 5 wt lubricating oil, but my Indy insisted on the 10 wt based on their experience with the product. So thats what I went with.

The roads tested every conceivable riding scenario you could throw at any motorcycle, even the one we don't like, taking evasive action to miss hitting a deer. Since we left late we found ourselves riding in the dark for about 1.5 hours and I recalled the words of another rider who had to back out at the last minute and that was a warning to be off the roads before sunset. I've known this fact forever, but at the time I was cruising along at approx 60mph in the middle of no where and I might add I'm happy I upgraded my headlight and passing lamps previously. I did have to use the high beam most of the time since the low beam setting were not adjusted high enough for the conditions. We entered into a lightly forested area and that was when two deer jumped out in front of me going right to left. It gave me just enough time to react by starting to decel and swerve right. In a way the reaction was something we trained pretty extensively for when I attended the CHP motor academy 40 years ago. I was surprised I even thought of it because at my age I forget what happened yesterday! Fortunately the deer was moving fast enough where it moved out of the collision path before I had to do all I could to avoid it. It was a near pucker moment to say the least. The words of my buddy rang loud and clear at that point so my speed dropped to 35mph and I was like super focused for the remainder of the ride. I counted no less than five more deer off the side of the road and you never know if they will stay put or launch a kamakazi attack on you.

The above incident gave me a chance to "test" the suspension in terms of minimizing brake dive because too much of it makes it difficult to make a turning movement at the same time. For the remainder of the trip, I was totally impressed with the performance of the Progressive Monotubes. What improved the most was the lack of higher speed wallowing while negotiating sweepers. In one section of roadway there was the typical passing lane in the mountains except this one had more of a curve to it. I made a passing movement at full throttle while on the curved portion without a hint of the wallowing. I came out of the curve with a big smile on my face, mission accomplished! Other improvements were tracking over road imperfections and the bike's handling of bumps. They were no longer as jarring. I thought to myself I wished I had this technology on the police Harley I rode years ago, because it was common to experience all the suspension issues more frequently because you constantly pushed the bike's limits. The most pronounced was the wallowing and I learned eventually how fast I could take certain sweepers before the bike went into its act. It was like a speed governor. The bike is now a pleasure to cruise at speed on mountain roadways in the 60-65mph and faster if you want to.

The firmness issue I was concerned about prior to the install was a non issue afterwards. The setting was just right between smoothness and the ability to feel the roadway. I'm more inclined to like the feel portion of the ride, don't like the Cadillac ride. Of course my observations were the result of three upgrades to the bike, I have no clue therefore how a stock bike would perform with just the Progressive Monotube install. However, I can say there was noticible improvement from how the bike rode when I had just the two upgrades, evidenced by the improved tracking in the sweepers. As noted there were other improvements as well. In any case I believe the Progressive Monotubes are a worthwhile investment on your bike. I gave the bike a pat on the tank and now call it my 950 lb Harley/Ducati.

Off the subject, but I thought I would throw in here a good word for the Harley fork wind deflectors. They work for me and just about knocks out wind buffeting. This was a very annoying issue before, but I also knew wind buffeting is a combination of factors; like rider position, helmet design and weight, and windshield position. Its important to address the factors, but to just add the wind deflectors made a big improvement resulting in much less rider fatigue. However, I do have a problem with wheel lock since the deflectors contact the crash bars to the point where I can't lock the front end. I have to find a way to resolve this, I've already bent them by adding an extra crease in the chrome. I'm wondering if the Kuryakyn deflectors are just as effective and don't conflict with the crash bars. They do look better.

 

buddy of mine has the monotubes....likes the old style better....these are a bit harsh from what he says....

 

I just finished up helping a friend install a set in his FLHT. Took about 4 hours this afternoon. They can be adjusted by leaving one of the C clips out when you put them together. If the ride is still a bit to tight then leave the second C clip out too.
The instructs are ok. Just read through them a few times before beginning and you will be ok. I did this with common tools. I used a hammer wrench to get the caps off the tubes before removing them from the tree. You will need a torque wrench for inch as well as ft pounds for putting the bike back together. Be sure to have new replacement screws for the 6mm screw you take out of the bottom of the forks. You will also need a metric allen wrench set to get that 6mm screw out or a hammer and a chisel.
$320 to install them? Geez.

 

I have progressive monotubes on the nose and 440's on the tail, and it is infinitely better than that crap SHOWA suspension the MoCo puts on the bike and the rear shocks.

My bike rides like a BMW and handles like a Ducati. I had it out today with a 160 pound passenger and my hefty weight and I didn't feel one bump and I had that thing leaning over in corners like my PA-28-161.

If there is one thing I would suggest to any HD owner it would be to scrap that crap suspension the MoCo puts on the bike and put something on that will make the riding a pleasure instead of a pain in the ****.