FXSTI rear shocks
#1
FXSTI rear shocks
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?
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?
Last edited by michla012345; 06-23-2024 at 04:19 PM.
#2
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.
#3
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.
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.
#4
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.
#5
#6
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.
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.
The following users liked this post:
blu92in99 (06-28-2024)
#7
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.
Trending Topics
#8
#9
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!
#10
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!
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!
I'm gonna take you shopping for Harley parts with me from now on!