I put Street Glide shocks on my '95 XL1200. It lowered the rear by about 1-1 1/2". I don't see where it improved ride at all. I've tried air pressures from 10 psi down to 4 psi and it still rides pretty hard. I like the looks and the novelty of it but I may go back to stock. I'm sure the ride is because of the short shocks and full length air shocks would probably work better but i already had these.

 

how much do you weigh?

if you're under 200 lbs, load the bike up with a bunch of crap and take it for a spin.

the rk shocks are stiff because they'll haul a lot of weight. they ride like butter with a passenger. solo is kinda hard. i keep meaning to try disassembling one to see if the spings can be replaced, but it wont happen till i get around to building hybrids.

 

how much air are you guys running in those shocks???

 

I just threw street glide shocks on my '08 Nightster this afternoon. Only got about 40 miles on the bike with the new shocks, but there's no comparison to the stock 11" shocks. The street glides are 3/4" longer in length than stock. We didn't put any air in them at all. Rides very smooth. Much easier on the back roads. The real fun part is raising the rear makes the front fork very slightly more vertical, so the front end is a little more responsive - not twitchy nor is there any front end wobble at speed (at least up to 75 mph) - just a bit easier to turn in. Promises to be alot of fun....I need to put more miles on to see how it works out.

 

My wife likes hers at around 4 lbs, Not a lot but it does not take much. Night and day difference on her 95 Sporster.

 

The newer Sportsters must have much shorter shocks than my '95. Mine are 13" and my Street Glide shocks are 11 3/4. That lowered my bike by 1 1/4" and with 4 psi pressure it rides pretty hard. I guess I'll try no air and see how it does.

 

After hearing all the comments and then reading this thread I can see this is yet another upgrade to do to my bike, especially since I expect to have my sporty a while and want to ride 2up with the gf. Gee thanks alot guys

The question is, are you guys using comparable year RK shocks as your sporty? I have an 06 roadster and want to be sure I am getting ones that will fit and work well. I saw oldcoot asked a similair question but i never saw a responce.

Thanks
MH

 

Found a pair for $30...gonna try and install them next week if I can get enough homework done first...wish me luck...hope the ride is better

 

hey all, long time reader, first time poster.... I have been thinking about replacing my rear shocks for some time with the progressive springs. I ride 2 up about 50% of the time and the factory shocks are just not cutting it. After reading this thread i decided to give this a try. I managed to get my hands on a set of RK shocks this past weekend. Sometime between getting the shocks and today, i noticed one of the valves on one shock was damaged. Does anyone know if i can get a replacement valve or will have to buy a new shock? TIA

 

How about this--why cant harley just put on good shocks to start with!!