It took me a long time to come around to drinking the Kool-Aid, but I did and it's a sweet ride!

My personal journey to finding a shock that meets my needs.

A brief background about me:
In the HD Touring family, I've owned a 03 Road King, 04 EG Classic, 07 Road Glide and currently a 2009 Street Glide. I'm 5'-7" 185lbs.

Here is an old article on Bikernet about my SG:
http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_....aspx?id=10070

My current rear shocks:


My synopses:

OEM 12" Street Glide Shocks: Stiffer than previous years. HD claims they re-valved the shocks for improved performance.

Legend Air Ride: I purchased these because of my short inseam. The 13" seemed to have a better ride compared to Legends 12" version once you find the air pressure that works for you. Ride quality is "maybe" alittle better than stock. The cool factor is high. Legends lifetime warranty is real. My shocks failed twice and Legends repaired and had them back to me within 10 days with no B.S. both times.

Progressive 440's 12": Better than the above for aggressive riding. They seem to have a better ride when I rode 2 up. On big bumps my back took a beating.

Progressive 940's: Better than the above for overall riding, but I feel the 440's where better in the curves if the road surface was smooth. My back liked the 940's compared the above mentioned. They are suppose to be 13" shocks and then compress to 12" when your weight is on them. They stayed around 13" with me sitting on the bike.

Ricors 12 1/2": I purchased these from a fellow member. Improved ride under all conditions compared to the Progressive 440's. I had to experiment with the "sag" on the pre-load a lot to achieve this result. These are not a mass produced product and seem to be made of high quality materials and custom valved for your weight and riding style. IMO: They are a good looking shock and it's too bad they get covered by the saddlebags. They out performed the previous mentioned shocks when ridden aggressively in the twisties. That being said, my back took a beating on rough roads and big bumps.

Ohlins #2 Adjustable (Build by Motorcycle Metal): I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and there is a 30 mile loop in my backyard which includes a Freeway with uneven pavement, tar snakes, and hidden bumps, a local two lane road through the Redwoods with tight twisties (The local Racer folks love this road), alot of potholes and blind turns, and a Highway with cross winds coming off the Pacific Ocean. I use this loop as my testing grounds every time I make a modification to my scoot.
I did the install yesterday with Howard walking me through each step on the phone. I took my scoot out on the 30 mile loop, came home and played with the pre-load to get a lower ride height ( it was around 13" and I wanted it to be around 12'). I went for another lap. I was expecting a harsher ride because of the shorter eye-to-eye length. To my surprise the ride quality on the rough parts of the route where about the same. There are a few areas where I am used to getting launched off my seat because of a sudden change in the level of the road surface. With the Ohlins I felt the bump but I didn't get launched and my lower back didn't get tweeked. In the twisties I was more confident because it felt like the tires where hugging the road better (especially in the turns where there are bumps or dips). When I receive my Calipers in the mail from Harbor Freight I am going to take another cut at the pre-load adjustment using the method and specs that are provided in the instructions. Then I'm going for another putt.....

(If you would like an update or have questions feel free to send me message)

 

Get the ones attached to a 2013 bike. Sweet ride.

 

I'm not sure why you posted your question! You have great shocks from probably the most knowledgable Harley shocks specialist on the planet. I have #3 and they are truly remarkable.

As for messing around with the ride height, if you wanted them to be lower you should have bought shorter versions in the first place. Set your sag to the correct value and enjoy.

 

Doesn't seem like a question at all. Seems like the OP's attempt to educate us on his thought process for where he ended up shock-wise.

 

Terrycable

 

Sorry for the miss leading title. I've been told my sense of humor is dry.

 

I am waiting on line for a Tax agent to find out why I can not file my taxes on-line due to a problem. I have some time to burn. To all of those who do not know, the OP has a new model shock that I devised up and Ohlins USA ordered them after a year of testing them with the help of local talent.

This shock is between a #2 series as it is emulsified but shares the same modified sweep valve to externally adjust the compression and rebound. To get the shock to ride correctly it has more adjustments and the all important quality of patience to ride them for 1,000 while they break-in and flow smoothly as everyone here will tell the new owner. Fear not OP, you will be busy learning how to balance the externally adjustable compression/rebound valveing to your taste. After measuring and setting your sag, you get the comfort out of the adjustable valving only. It takes time to learn as the new owners have to learn how to feel what their bike is doing than correct for it.

95mm of stroke which is around 3 3/4" and the ability to control the performance of the shock and how much resistance is needed for the given load and road conditions. The OP is well on his way to finding a whole new dimension of riding and actually will enjoy himself.

I laugh when the uneducated poster above recommended the "new improved" HD premium shock, the blind leading the blind. I am sure the OP will do just fine as he is not afraid to think and do.

 

We'll forgive you when you buy us all a drink!

Thanks to Howard for his contribution - pushing forward the boundaries of dresser handling and comfort!

 

Howard, I've been thinking about getting the Ohlins, but rumor has it that now you have another shock that is as good as or better. Anyway, hope to see you in Daytona. OP, keep us updated, I'll be following, I plan on buying shocks around the first of the year, thanks for the info on progressive, you seem to have the same results as most, good, but not great. I have their monotube and love it, can't get sold on the shocks though.

 

Hello Pelonz...
can you tell me when you got your TC shocks and a little about how the ride is?

NM just did my research, Laughlin...thank you!!