2001 Softail Standard FXSTI Custom here, with 59K miles on the clock.
Leaves me wondering: what is the life-expectancy of the rear shock absorbers with normal road-riding? How can I know if it's time to replace them besides a bang in the butt?

 

I have a 2006 FLSTC with 95K with the same rear shocks and I have often wondered the same thing. It still rides ok but I think that I will install new progressive shocks in January or February. I have already replaced the front fork springs with the progressive ones. So I guess that my answer to you would be if the bike still rides ok, keep on riding.

 

Believe it or not, 30-50k miles is about the normal lifespan of any typical shock absorber. That's been my experience anyway, after 30 years in the industry. The rear shocks on our Softails also have a coilspring internal to them, which not only fatigues over time/use, but it also makes proper testing/checking of the dampers nigh impossible.

The issue is, most people don't notice how bad the ride quality actually has gotten, and only think of a leaking shock as the only way it can fail. They put-on all those miles themselves, but because a damper's performance degrades incrementally over that long period of time/all those miles, it doesn't ever come across as worn/fatigued to them because it's not a sudden change for the worse. You'll always have people chime-in, saying they've got 65k, 85k, or even well over 100k+ on their shocks and it "still rides fine/good/like new." No, it doesn't. The oil in the shock breaks down, the seals wear, the shafts/pistons/valves wear, the bushings wear.

That wasn't a dig at you, ChromeJunkie but I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised at the ride quality once you replace those rear shocks. If not, I'll buy you a cold one next time I'm in Tejas.

 

Thanks....yeah it rides "ok"....or so it seems. But to be honest, I have nothing to compare it to other than the eventual investment in replacement shocks. But it came to mind noone ever brings it up (out of sight, out of mind?) and I am left wondering if I'm overthinking the need.

 

my thoughts exactly!!

 

I didn’t take it as such. I’m sure the ride quality will improve a lot when I change them, especially with quality afterwards shocks. I bought my Heritage new in August 2005 when the new 06s came out, so those shocks are almost 19 years old and pushing 100K. I will take you up on the cold one next time you pass through. I’m literally right off I-20 in west Texas.

 

Like you, I don’t have anything to compare mine too either. I still plan on changing them after the weather cools this fall or winter. Like I said in my previous post, 19 years and 100K and they are probably toast. Good luck with yours.

 

YIKES !

I think I better understand why nobody thinks of or talks about rear shock replacement for a Softail.......I'm seeing online prices for a pair of those ******* as $500-800!!

 

Yeah, even my 'go-to' choice (Progressive 422 w/o RAP) are in the $450 ballpark if you shop around (p/n 422-4037C), which is still not cheap.

Think about it this way though; it took ~20 years to get to 60k on your FXSTI, right? Amortize that shock cost, across the next 10 years/30k miles; Only $58/yr if you buy at full MSRP. About $5/month. Sorry, couldn't resist. That damned bean-counter in the back of my brain got control for a moment. I won't let it happen again!

 

DAM bro !
I'm gonna take you shopping for Harley parts with me from now on!