HarleyTechTalk

Technical Forums => General => Topic started by: tbird on May 06, 2023, 07:50:11 AM

Title: 13" shocks on a street glide?
Post by: tbird on May 06, 2023, 07:50:11 AM
Anyone tried the stock harley touring 13" shocks on a street glide? Dealer says only difference in suspension between limted and street glide is the 12" shocks. Can pick up a used set reasonable. That extra inch would be nice.
Title: Re: 13" shocks on a street glide?
Post by: calif phil on May 06, 2023, 08:32:46 AM
I always try and talk StreetGlide owners in going to a 13" shock, makes a big difference. Who knew 1" was that important  :embarrassed:
Title: Re: 13" shocks on a street glide?
Post by: Deye76 on May 06, 2023, 01:34:57 PM
1" on a motorcycle is significant. On suspension and seats especially, IME.
Title: Re: 13" shocks on a street glide?
Post by: Tacocaster on May 07, 2023, 04:15:23 AM
A fellow SG riding friend highly recommends I do the same for mine. He's very happy especially when two up.

If you're finding the SG rides rough and can get a set of EG's cheap, go for it.

I'm likely wrong but knowing the year of manufacture of the EG's shocks is important regarding their max psi setting. I'm not sure if that applies to SG shocks only or for all touring models starting around....2009 or so? Anyway, I'm sure someone here will confirm or dismiss that detail for you.
Title: Re: 13" shocks on a street glide?
Post by: scott7d on May 12, 2023, 03:19:46 PM
Still the same crumby shock with a little more travel. But as alluded to, the more travel the better.
Title: Re: 13" shocks on a street glide?
Post by: tbird on June 09, 2023, 05:38:50 AM
Well I scored a set of new 13" take offs for $100. Made a huge difference. They put the same shocks on the ST models.
Title: Re: 13" shocks on a street glide?
Post by: hbkeith on June 25, 2023, 06:55:48 AM
Not a SG but a 15 RG , stock 12" premium shocks , been trying to get this bike comfortable for touring ( only reason to own a touring bike) , after seats , highway pegs , windshields etc , we went for a 50 mile ride to try out a seat , bike just sucks , ruff riding POS ready to sell it and ride my 97 RK out west instead , got home and decided to switch the 13" Legends shocks off my RK onto the RG , OMG ! night and day , the 12" Harley shocks should be thrown in the trash
Title: Re: 13" shocks on a street glide?
Post by: Hossamania on June 25, 2023, 08:15:08 AM
I have switched to SuperShox Premium LT 14" shocks that ride at 13", with a 1" lowering kit on my Ultra, so they ride at 12" with full travel of a 14" shock. Preload is very simple to adjust, no tools needed. I cannot tell you how much better these ride. My wife made comment immediately that the ride is so much better. I kept the stock ones in a box on the shelf, they will go on if I sell it. They will not go back on while I own it.

https://supershox.com/touring_options/
Title: Re: 13" shocks on a street glide?
Post by: hbkeith on June 25, 2023, 10:54:41 AM
Quote from: Hossamania on June 25, 2023, 08:15:08 AMI have switched to SuperShox Premium LT 14" shocks that ride at 13", with a 1" lowering kit on my Ultra, so they ride at 12" with full travel of a 14" shock. Preload is very simple to adjust, no tools needed. I cannot tell you how much better these ride. My wife made comment immediately that the ride is so much better. I kept the stock ones in a box on the shelf, they will go on if I sell it. They will not go back on while I own it.

https://supershox.com/touring_options/
isnt it amazing that HD still puts on junk shocks on there TOURING models , yeah my OL made a comment before we got to the end of our rough ass road that the ride was way better , the supershox look pretty good
Title: Re: 13" shocks on a street glide?
Post by: bigfoot5x on June 29, 2023, 03:32:22 PM
I've had 3 Street Glides. I stand 6'5" so I do not need a shorter shock. With all 3 bikes, I found someone that was short and simply made a swap. My short shocks for their longer ones. Always rode better for me.

I just recently discovered the Super Shox online. Very interesting replacement idea and I'm considering getting some.
Title: Re: 13" shocks on a street glide?
Post by: tomboyjr on June 30, 2023, 04:29:25 AM
A few years ago I bought a set of Super Shox from another member on here. He was about the same weight as me, as was his wife. (Same weight as my wife, not the same weight as me-lol). They are adjustable for compression only, not rebound but they made a huge difference. At the same time I installed Progressive springs in the fork. Its still no sport bike, but rides SO much smoother.
Title: Re: 13" shocks on a street glide?
Post by: sfmichael on July 12, 2023, 03:33:36 AM
Quote from: calif phil on May 06, 2023, 08:32:46 AMI always try and talk StreetGlide owners in going to a 13" shock, makes a big difference. Who knew 1" was that important  :embarrassed:

Phil - what shock brand do you typically recommend? Hard to believe how expensive shocks are for a motorcycle, especially since I'm in the car business and see quality shocks at half the cost.

Hoss - you bought the mid level Supershox? I like the idea of the 14" shock, I can't believe the factory hasn't figured this out or made any significant suspension upgrades in the last 15 years or more.
Title: Re: 13" shocks on a street glide?
Post by: Hossamania on July 12, 2023, 04:17:30 AM
Quote from: sfmichael on July 12, 2023, 03:33:36 AM
Quote from: calif phil on May 06, 2023, 08:32:46 AMI always try and talk StreetGlide owners in going to a 13" shock, makes a big difference. Who knew 1" was that important  :embarrassed:

Phil - what shock brand do you typically recommend? Hard to believe how expensive shocks are for a motorcycle, especially since I'm in the car business and see quality shocks at half the cost.

Hoss - you bought the mid level Supershox? I like the idea of the 14" shock, I can't believe the factory hasn't figured this out or made any significant suspension upgrades in the last 15 years or more.

Yes, mid level shock. It has a pretty large adjustability range for pre-load, easily done with no tools. My wife noticed the difference immediately, and that was the whole goal.
Like mentioned, 14" shock, rides at 13", and I got the 1" lowering kit. That, along with a Sundowner seat makes the height much more friendly for my stubby legs, and still allows a good range of shock travel.
Title: Re: 13" shocks on a street glide?
Post by: calif phil on July 12, 2023, 04:44:47 AM


Phil - what shock brand do you typically recommend? Hard to believe how expensive shocks are for a motorcycle, especially since I'm in the car business and see quality shocks at half the cost.



Legends is my number one selling shock, they work great, not too expensive, lifetime warranty, have them on my own bike.  Every customer that I have installed a set on loves them.  Been putting some on Tri Glides lately as well. 
Title: Re: 13" shocks on a street glide?
Post by: Jim Bronson on July 15, 2023, 01:41:23 PM
I've tried to find an objective comparison for emulsion type shocks vs divided chamber type for motorcycles. Mostly they're written by manufacturers pitching their brand. I'm still looking. Even a pro-con list would be nice.