progressive 944's
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 130
From: Now Western TN
To the OP, I was in the same boat as you, wife has a bad disk, no surgery yet but the stock setup was killing her. I decided to invest in the best to take care of that issue so she would be happy.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 7
I have a 09 ultra with air shocks,,my wife had back surgery about a year ago,she is riding good but when we hit one of those bumps you don't see the bike gives us a good jolt that hurts her back,,not good,,,will a good pair of shocks like progressive 944's help get rid of that jolt ?,,something has to be better than the stock air shocks,,,
Of course I went with the twelve inch version to match the stock setup on my FLHX.
Install was a snap and the ride is greatly improved over the stock air shock. I should mention I went with the standard spring rate.
The only complaint I have is now the front shocks feel like crap, which I did not notice until I **** canned the air shocks. I must have been focusing too much in the backs.
This winter the mono tubes are #1 priorty
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 263
Likes: 13
From: Beautiful CNY
So what is it you find most changed in ride quality from stock to say a decent quality aftermarket shock like the 444 or 944? I am really curious because the current setup on my 09 FLHR is simply jarring, especially two up. I have played with the air settings up and down around the manuals recommended settings but it's always a buckboard over small expansions and road heaves. Very unpleasant. Which, if I am reading correctly, seems to be the norm.
There is another thread running here that says changing the shock oil on the stock air shock has some dramatic impact as well. Any have that as a point of reference as well?
Lastly, when you buy do you measure the same as stock for a replacement?
There is another thread running here that says changing the shock oil on the stock air shock has some dramatic impact as well. Any have that as a point of reference as well?
Lastly, when you buy do you measure the same as stock for a replacement?
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 415
Likes: 28
From: Albany
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Joe Kucinski
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Florida
First test ride complete. I'm 200 lbs. One clip in the monotubes, rear 944 standard spring no preload. A very nice smooth ride, small holes don't really notice, larger ones are handled so much better then stock. I'm happy.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 153
From: Fayetteville, NC
I'm going 944 this winter------I've read and monitored millions of threads on shocks that are better than 944..........and um....I'm going with 944. I've seen enuf people happy with them. I'll admit that I've seen most people happy with Ohlins---so, my comment wasn't meant to say otherwise. I've, personally, just found the 944 comments to be enuf for me.