Shocks for Tourers
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,640
Likes: 9
From: Staten island NY
Shocks for Tourers
Hello, I am in the market for new rear shocks.. I have 12 Limited... I am 285 Lbs 6'5 Tall, Wife occasionally ride short hops... I currently have stock air and VV&H Power Duals with Slash cuts..... I am looking of feed back on Terry Cables, Progressive and Ohlins and HD new Coil Shock with hand adjustments.. Terry Cables shock is ALL American made ..with a 90 day warranty...... thanks in Advance
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,156
Likes: 41
From: So Cal
A lot of discussion on shocks this forum, use the search.
IMO you get what you pay for but based on your riding style and needs you may not need the best.
From worst to best in the most popular brands
Stock HD Air Shocks
HD premium Ride hand Adjustable (CVO)
Progressive 444 (lifetime warranty)
Progressive 944 (lifetime warranty)
Terry Cable (US built, sprung to your weight and 90 day no questions asked return policy, I have heard good stuff about them there are a couple guys in my area using them and they are located 40 miles from me)
JRI or Ohlins custom set up from Howard at Motorcycle Metal
Almost anything is an improvement over the stock HD air shocks , they are over sprung with little travel or dampening. But there are more HDs out there using them then anything else so again it tells you that for many riders they wrk fine based on their needs, riding style or experience.
Im running progressive 940 (pre 944) for the ,money I paid they were a big improvement over stock and meet my needs. So Im happy with them. If I had no budget to worry about I probably would have selected Ohlins based on their reputation but they were a couple hundred more (50% increase) so I tried the 940 and they made a big difference in overall ride and handling for me. I have 40, 000 miles on the bike now and they are still working well.
Do some reading and make a informed decision
Good Luck
IMO you get what you pay for but based on your riding style and needs you may not need the best.
From worst to best in the most popular brands
Stock HD Air Shocks
HD premium Ride hand Adjustable (CVO)
Progressive 444 (lifetime warranty)
Progressive 944 (lifetime warranty)
Terry Cable (US built, sprung to your weight and 90 day no questions asked return policy, I have heard good stuff about them there are a couple guys in my area using them and they are located 40 miles from me)
JRI or Ohlins custom set up from Howard at Motorcycle Metal
Almost anything is an improvement over the stock HD air shocks , they are over sprung with little travel or dampening. But there are more HDs out there using them then anything else so again it tells you that for many riders they wrk fine based on their needs, riding style or experience.
Im running progressive 940 (pre 944) for the ,money I paid they were a big improvement over stock and meet my needs. So Im happy with them. If I had no budget to worry about I probably would have selected Ohlins based on their reputation but they were a couple hundred more (50% increase) so I tried the 940 and they made a big difference in overall ride and handling for me. I have 40, 000 miles on the bike now and they are still working well.
Do some reading and make a informed decision
Good Luck
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
While following Xaran's suggestion, bear in mind that the majority of members don't mention a passenger when commenting on shocks threads. While riding solo many aftermarket shocks may well be fine, however as soon as you put on board the most important passenger in the World, she: 1. deserves the best; 2. gets a different riding experience back there than the rider does up front. Cheaper shocks don't cut it for her!
I suggest you go straight to the last of Xaran's list and save yourself a lot of time. There are members who have bought every cheap shock on the market, chasing nirvana, wasted time and cash doing so, then finally called Howard. If you are picky about such things, JRI is an American brand, born out of Penske.
There is a current shocks thread worth reading through, right here.
I suggest you go straight to the last of Xaran's list and save yourself a lot of time. There are members who have bought every cheap shock on the market, chasing nirvana, wasted time and cash doing so, then finally called Howard. If you are picky about such things, JRI is an American brand, born out of Penske.
There is a current shocks thread worth reading through, right here.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,637
Likes: 1,246
From: Lake, Ms
JMO but I think they are all overpriced!! If the man behind the automotive parts counter quoted you a price like that for shocks for your car or truck you'd swear he'd lost his damn mind.
2010 Limited with some stuff
2010 Limited with some stuff
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,997
Likes: 655
From: bklyn,ny
Ordered some American made JRI 13"B from Motorcycle metal on monday. I also prefer American made.......
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 365
Likes: 9
From: KENTUCKY
I installed JRi 13B's this weekend. I am still playing around with the fine tuning but the difference from stock is incredible! Its almost like the stock shocks were "unsafe" now that I have something to compare to. The service from Howard at Motorcycle Metal is top notch. I am making up reasons to go out and jump on the bike! I am 5'9" 165lbs.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 224
From: Coeur d'Alene
Xaran has some good info there. I read the heck out of all the threads I could find and went with 944's, regular springs, on my '12 Limited. Found them on Amazon for about $450 to my door as I recall accepting their credit card offer for a $50 discount. Since I'm 240 I originally ordered the HD springs. Way too stiff and Progressive changed them to the regular springs no charge. Very pleased with the 944's as they do a great job and give you 1" lower riding height. I don't doubt those Ohlins or Terry's are excellent units but, of course, much more expensive.