HarleyTechTalk

Shopping for replacement shocks for my 00 FLHT. The wife has a bad back and I need to make an attempt to soften the ride up some. I've replaced the stock shocks with take off oem air once. I'm leaning towards Progressive non air shocks, I don't want to waste money and have it not comfortable for her. Thanks

Can you say Ohlins??

Quote from: oldhippie on April 12, 2015, 08:45:01 AM
Can you say Ohlins??

I can, I went with the ohlins on my 01 road king.  [emoji106]

 Ohlins are big dollars, but if you want something alittle cheaper go with the progressive 430 or 440's. I have the 430 and love them!

The premium harley shocks are actually quite good too.
Not Ohlin or JRI, but way better than the stock air shocks Harley passes off on the touring bikes.

I just can't wrap my noodle around having different springs and valving between the right and left shocks.  Sounds like a recipe for swingarm flexation if it can/will.  Same goes for when they do it differently between the front fork legs.  Seems like asking for a bind.

Just my .02 = I'd suggest some Progressive 944s (I believe that is the correct #). Have some on my Ultra and they are a vast improvement over stock. They are easily preloaded to match the weight riding on the bike. My wife was very uncomfortable with the stock suspension and is now a happy camper. A happy wife makes a happy life. Check them out!

Ohlins!

I have the same concerns as glens. It just doesn't sit right with me having two different setups on the back of the HD premium touring shocks. People who run them seem to like them. Too cheap/broke for Ohlins. I do like pushing my RGC through these Colorado curves though and I like the ease of adjustment on the HD's. Any shock experts want to weigh in on the Harley setup performance wise?

Bitubo, tell them the weight with you and passenger.  (Traxxion Dynamics)

Quote from: Rokinrider on April 12, 2015, 06:28:56 AM
Shopping for replacement shocks for my 00 FLHT. The wife has a bad back and I need to make an attempt to soften the ride up some. I've replaced the stock shocks with take off oem air once. I'm leaning towards Progressive non air shocks, I don't want to waste money and have it not comfortable for her. Thanks

What air pressures have you tried with the stock shocks?
I have found as miles rack up shock spring tension relaxes a bit which requires more air pressure to keep the suspension operating in the middle of its available travel.
I will run anywhere from 10-25psi with new shocks to 30-60psi with high milers.
I have found the stock shocks to work fairly well for me and my passenger (the boss) when I find the pressure that eliminates bottoming.
Bob

Quote from: glens on April 12, 2015, 02:54:15 PM
I just can't wrap my noodle around having different springs and valving between the right and left shocks.  Sounds like a recipe for swingarm flexation if it can/will.  Same goes for when they do it differently between the front fork legs.  Seems like asking for a bind.

You talking about push pull ? they been doing it on Fxr,s for a long time ,best ride ever

Quote from: Rokinrider on April 12, 2015, 06:28:56 AM
Shopping for replacement shocks for my 00 FLHT. The wife has a bad back and I need to make an attempt to soften the ride up some. I've replaced the stock shocks with take off oem air once. I'm leaning towards Progressive non air shocks, I don't want to waste money and have it not comfortable for her. Thanks

http://www.terrycable.com/Rear-Shock-Sets_c_4.html

I got it


leave wife home get a girlfriend with out a tender butt   

Quote from: moose on April 14, 2015, 04:34:02 AM
I got it


leave wife home get a girlfriend with out a tender butt   

That sounds way more expensive than just replacing the shocks.

Quote from: Fairweatherrdr on April 14, 2015, 05:33:59 AM

Quote from: moose on April 14, 2015, 04:34:02 AM
I got it


leave wife home get a girlfriend with out a tender butt   

That sounds way more expensive than just replacing the shocks.

        I disagree, well it would be cheaper until the wife found out.   

I had put a pair of Works on my 00 Road King and was very happy with them, however they aren't cheap about $700.00, then I thought I would save a little cash and put a pair of Progressive 944's on my Street Glide, a little less than $500.00. I wish I would have spent the extra money. You get what you pay for, that's why Ohlin's are so much.

Quote from: Rokinrider on April 12, 2015, 06:28:56 AM
I'm leaning towards Progressive non air shocks, I don't want to waste money and have it not comfortable for her. Thanks

IMHO Progressives are a waste of money unless they've improved since I had them. Try the Works Street Trackers.

Rick

Ohlins can be had custom valved for under $600

Quote from: Eglider05 on April 14, 2015, 06:45:24 AM

Quote from: Rokinrider on April 12, 2015, 06:28:56 AM
I'm leaning towards Progressive non air shocks, I don't want to waste money and have it not comfortable for her. Thanks

IMHO Progressives are a waste of money unless they've improved since I had them. Try the Works Street Trackers.

Rick

I would agree that the 440s weren't a whole lot better than the stockers,, They were better tho.. Don't know about the 444s or 944s.. Their softail shocks were crap..  The 418s were to bad but you can't get em any more..

The Works trackers are good, especially with the ARS,,  You can set them up to switch from solo loaded with a flip of a lever..

Ohlins are good but a PITA to swap from light to heavy and are probably best if you ride with a consistent load..

As far as the Terry ones go?      They have what looks like single speed damping in the middle of the stoke and progressive damping at the ends.. Might be nice an cushy but probably wouldn't want to push these shocks hard..

Quote from: Max Headflow on April 14, 2015, 07:44:54 AM

Quote from: Eglider05 on April 14, 2015, 06:45:24 AM

Quote from: Rokinrider on April 12, 2015, 06:28:56 AM
I'm leaning towards Progressive non air shocks, I don't want to waste money and have it not comfortable for her. Thanks

IMHO Progressives are a waste of money unless they've improved since I had them. Try the Works Street Trackers.

Rick

I would agree that the 440s weren't a whole lot better than the stockers,, They were better tho.. Don't know about the 444s or 944s.. Their softail shocks were crap..  The 418s were to bad but you can't get em any more..

The Works trackers are good, especially with the ARS,,  You can set them up to switch from solo loaded with a flip of a lever..

Yep, get the ARS. I switch back and forth from solo to 2-up and the change is easy. I forget how nice they are until I ride a bike with stock shocks.

Rick

Funny thing is, there is no spring rate that can be best for you AND your passenger.
You can only preload the existing spring to hold the bike up to ride height.
So if you have the best combination of dampening and spring rate for you, when you add to your total weight with a passenger and/ or stuff, the spring rate will be too soft and the compression/bump dampening will be more than necessary.

So most street shock mfgs build big compromises into spring rates and dampening so most feel an improvement over the worn out units replaced. Kinda like tires.

For this reason, IMO, stock shocks (in good condition) with the necessary air pressure added to keep the suspension operating in the middle will most always provide an overall superior ride to aftermarket, single rate shocks, even the ones that advertise progressive rates.

If money is not the limit the Arnot shocks may just be the best of both worlds by utilizing a proper Bilstein shock with an air bag to provide probably the best progressive springs rate available...air pressure.

If you ride solo, with a constant load that makes the touring shock decision much easier.

Bob

Quote from: FLTRI on April 14, 2015, 09:33:49 AM
Funny thing is, there is no spring rate that can be best for you AND your passenger.
You can only preload the existing spring to hold the bike up to ride height.
So if you have the best combination of dampening and spring rate for you, when you add to your total weight with a passenger and/ or stuff, the spring rate will be too soft and the compression/bump dampening will be more than necessary.

So most street shock mfgs build big compromises into spring rates and dampening so most feel an improvement over the worn out units replaced. Kinda like tires.

For this reason, IMO, stock shocks (in good condition) with the necessary air pressure added to keep the suspension operating in the middle will most always provide an overall superior ride to aftermarket, single rate shocks, even the ones that advertise progressive rates.

If money is not the limit the Arnot shocks may just be the best of both worlds by utilizing a proper Bilstein shock with an air bag to provide probably the best progressive springs rate available...air pressure.

If you ride solo, with a constant load that makes the touring shock decision much easier.

Bob

Sounds good except 1 thing, the air in the standard shock pushes down on the internal spring(s) increasing preload and it doesn't change the spring rate. 

Quote from: FLTRI on April 14, 2015, 09:33:49 AM
Funny thing is, there is no spring rate that can be best for you AND your passenger.
You can only preload the existing spring to hold the bike up to ride height.
So if you have the best combination of dampening and spring rate for you, when you add to your total weight with a passenger and/ or stuff, the spring rate will be too soft and the compression/bump dampening will be more than necessary.

So most street shock mfgs build big compromises into spring rates and dampening so most feel an improvement over the worn out units replaced. Kinda like tires.

For this reason, IMO, stock shocks (in good condition) with the necessary air pressure added to keep the suspension operating in the middle will most always provide an overall superior ride to aftermarket, single rate shocks, even the ones that advertise progressive rates.

If money is not the limit the Arnot shocks may just be the best of both worlds by utilizing a proper Bilstein shock with an air bag to provide probably the best progressive springs rate available...air pressure.

If you ride solo, with a constant load that makes the touring shock decision much easier.

Bob

True but the ARS system changes the spring rate which is what is really cool about it..

Does not change the spring rate. It brings in the main spring sooner. So the spring rate never changes.