Ohlin vs JRI ??
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 41
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From: Cleveland, Texas
Ohlin vs JRI ??
I must have bought the last pair of Ohlins made back in October. Since then I have only heard JRI, JRI, JRI, coming from people buying from Metal Mart. Can someone that has experience with both brands give a comparison?
Be clear, I am very happy with the Ohlins and the customer service that came with them. I am just curious about the difference. Thanks
Be clear, I am very happy with the Ohlins and the customer service that came with them. I am just curious about the difference. Thanks
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,121
Likes: 489
From: sunny florida
I had Ohlins #3-#3 and went to JRi B 12" shocks , the main reason I switched was I wanted to go to a 12" shock with a sweep valve that had a longer stroke like the #3-#3's did , from a ride comfort and handling stand point the Ohlins and JRi are very similar , however the JRi are better built , if I was running Ohlins it would not be worth switching to JRi unless like me you wanted to change length , all JRi shocks in every model come in 12" and 13" lengths
Last edited by tj316; Feb 6, 2013 at 01:05 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Sin City
I think a possibility you may have to consider as to why so many people may speak highly of the JRI's on this forum is because they are made in the USA. Given the choice of two high quality shocks, one made in Europe and the other in the USA it doesn't suprise me to hear alot of talk about the JRI's.
One factor that had me choose the JRI's was because they are new and soon the price will be much higher once word gets around. So I was able to consider them as a cost savings even though they do cost a pretty penny. Very few people even know about the company once you step away from this forum and go out in the real world.
The JRI quality is hard to beat but I would not have any regret of owning Ohlins.
One factor that had me choose the JRI's was because they are new and soon the price will be much higher once word gets around. So I was able to consider them as a cost savings even though they do cost a pretty penny. Very few people even know about the company once you step away from this forum and go out in the real world.
The JRI quality is hard to beat but I would not have any regret of owning Ohlins.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 565
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh
First of all I recently had a pair of Ohlin 2-2b's which handled great. I decided over the winter that I wanted more adjustablility of the Compression/Rebound. I was going to order the Ohlin 3-3's but as Howard knew, I'm vertically challenged. His recommendation, after several specific questions, was the JRI'b 12's. Over the weekend I had a chance to put some miles in on them. Very good shock construction and initial setup, while a little stiff due to their newnest, was good. Howard suggested 16 clicks out to start, which I tried, but found their was too much bypass on compression/rebound making the shocks a tad harsh. I stopped, added back 2 clicks to 14 and was quite please with the change. Smoothed out the shock action really nice and also improved turnin.
As far a picking a manufacturere, it's up to you between Ohlin or JRI. If your dead set on Ohlin, Howard will sell you what you want and he will deliver the shock to you based on your riding style and weight. I was totally satisfied with the Ohlins Howard sold me and I even more satisfied with the 12" JRIb's. With 3" of shock stroke there's plenty of travel even thought the shock is 1" shorter than stock and with the 1" of shock sag that puts the bike at 11" off the ground which puts me flat footed. The spring that Howard sent with my shocks has 129mm of stroke and with the 77mm of shock stroke that gives me 52mm or almost 2" of preload to work with. To get my 26mm of shock sag I only needed 14mm of preload. I've got plenty of preload left to setup my bike for when the wife and I ride and now with being able to adjust compression/rebound I'll be able to really smooth out the ride and dial out any pogo effect going around high speed turns.
As far a picking a manufacturere, it's up to you between Ohlin or JRI. If your dead set on Ohlin, Howard will sell you what you want and he will deliver the shock to you based on your riding style and weight. I was totally satisfied with the Ohlins Howard sold me and I even more satisfied with the 12" JRIb's. With 3" of shock stroke there's plenty of travel even thought the shock is 1" shorter than stock and with the 1" of shock sag that puts the bike at 11" off the ground which puts me flat footed. The spring that Howard sent with my shocks has 129mm of stroke and with the 77mm of shock stroke that gives me 52mm or almost 2" of preload to work with. To get my 26mm of shock sag I only needed 14mm of preload. I've got plenty of preload left to setup my bike for when the wife and I ride and now with being able to adjust compression/rebound I'll be able to really smooth out the ride and dial out any pogo effect going around high speed turns.
Last edited by JJHOG; Feb 11, 2013 at 06:53 AM.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,896
From: Bedford UK
Howard first custom built Penske shocks for Harleys, adapting them from racing shocks. I first came across Howard when he was introducing Ohlins, the parts for which probably pass over my home on their way from Sweden to Howard! It seems natural that Howard has zeroed in on JRI as another US brand. I hope he is able to maintain supply of Ohlins, so those of us scattered around the World can chose the brand best suited to their location.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: York, UK
Ride height question
First of all I recently had a pair of Ohlin 2-2b's which handled great. I decided over the winter that I wanted more adjustablility of the Compression/Rebound. I was going to order the Ohlin 3-3's but as Howard knew, I'm vertically challenged. His recommendation, after several specific questions, was the JRI'b 12's. Over the weekend I had a chance to put some miles in on them. Very good shock construction and initial setup, while a little stiff due to their newnest, was good. Howard suggested 16 clicks out to start, which I tried, but found their was too much bypass on compression/rebound making the shocks a tad harsh. I stopped, added back 2 clicks to 14 and was quite please with the change. Smoothed out the shock action really nice and also improved turnin.
As far a picking a manufacturere, it's up to you between Ohlin or JRI. If your dead set on Ohlin, Howard will sell you what you want and he will deliver the shock to you based on your riding style and weight. I was totally satisfied with the Ohlins Howard sold me and I even more satisfied with the 12" JRIb's. With 3" of shock stroke there's plenty of travel even thought the shock is 1" shorter than stock and with the 1" of shock sag that puts the bike at 11" off the ground which puts me flat footed. The spring that Howard sent with my shocks has 129mm of stroke and with the 77mm of shock stroke that gives me 52mm or almost 2" of preload to work with. To get my 26mm of shock sag I only needed 14mm of preload. I've got plenty of preload left to setup my bike for when the wife and I ride and now with being able to adjust compression/rebound I'll be able to really smooth out the ride and dial out any pogo effect going around high speed turns.
As far a picking a manufacturere, it's up to you between Ohlin or JRI. If your dead set on Ohlin, Howard will sell you what you want and he will deliver the shock to you based on your riding style and weight. I was totally satisfied with the Ohlins Howard sold me and I even more satisfied with the 12" JRIb's. With 3" of shock stroke there's plenty of travel even thought the shock is 1" shorter than stock and with the 1" of shock sag that puts the bike at 11" off the ground which puts me flat footed. The spring that Howard sent with my shocks has 129mm of stroke and with the 77mm of shock stroke that gives me 52mm or almost 2" of preload to work with. To get my 26mm of shock sag I only needed 14mm of preload. I've got plenty of preload left to setup my bike for when the wife and I ride and now with being able to adjust compression/rebound I'll be able to really smooth out the ride and dial out any pogo effect going around high speed turns.
I'm presently debating between the Ohlin 2-2b's and the 12" JRIs for my 2011 Street Glide. I want to keep the stock height to ensure I'm flat footed. Did you find any difference between the two when sitting on the bike? Also, are there any differences with the fitting - are they both as easy to fit and were any spacers necessary?
Cheers
John, UK