I became a two Harley owner on Saturday when I traded in my Victory Cross Roads for a 2012 Street Glide. She joins the 2014 Road King that I have in Vancouver and ride in the summer.

I am happy with the new FLHX but it didn't take more than 50 miles to remind me of how "shocking" the HD OEM shocks are. I have a bad back and the jarring is awful on rough roads not to mention the wallowing in bends...

I will miss the suspension that the Victory has - standard air adjustable OEM shocks which rode extremely well in all conditions

I have fitted Progressive 440's on my FLHR and have been a bit disappointed in them - they are better than stock (which isn't saying much) but not great IMHO.

I am going to try the MoCo Premium adjustable shocks. I was leaning towards the standard height ones to get maximum comfort but am tempted by a used set of low ones for about three hundred bucks.

My question is this - I weigh about 190 pounds and ride solo all the time - do you think there would be a big difference in comfort between the 12 and 13 inch shocks in my riding situation?

Should I give the 12's a go and save $150 bucks or forget the penny pinching and go for the 13's?

Any input or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

If you decide to go 12", I put on a brand new take off set (HD OEM premium adjustable ride shocks) which I am removing because Im selling the bike. Less than 500 mi on them now if you're interested. 12" will not change your ride height on the SG.

IMO you would not notice a lot of difference at your weight.

 

Just a thought, have you checked the pressure on the shocks that r on the bike now?

 

On my 2012 SG I hated the stock OEM shocks. First, they rode like crap when they were aired up properly. Second, they never could maintain their air pressure. I replaced them with a pair of the HD premium 12". They are drastically better than stock; however, there is still a lot of room for improvement. I am 165 and keep them dialed out to their lowest setting. When 2-up I crank them up about half way.

 

I've run both the 12" and the 13" Premium Hand Adjustable shocks on my '14 FLHTK.

The 13's are FAR superior.

And they are the same price. Don't know where you got the 150 difference.

http://www.harley-davidson.com/store...le-rear-shocks

http://www.harley-davidson.com/store...-03-5468010--1

 

he's got a line on a used set of the 12's. that's where the $150 difference comes in.

i'd like to try the 13s. but with my short legs, i need every quarter inch closer to the ground that i can get. esp. since the 18 inch rear wheel sits me up about 3/16''

 

Then you'll hate the 12 inch shocks. They are not compliant in the most remote sense of the term. They will help with the "wallow" but imo, they are brutal on anything less than a smooth road. I'm not alone in this - many threads on how "firm" they are. One guy said he had to go to the ER because he wrecked his back on a ride.

If I were spending money I would get either Ohlins or JRI from Howard. Spend the money once and be done.

 

buy the 13" shocks and put a set of 1" lowering blocks on the bike. You will then have the 13" of travel and the same lowered stance of the street glide. LA Coppers have a set that costs between $60-$90 on EBay.

 

I have the 940s, sit at 12" but have 13" travel far better than stock or 440s. I have a 2012 CVO with their hand adjustable ones, feel ok so far, but the 940 may be a tad better.

 

You cannot use lowering blocks with the premium adjustable shocks. The coil springs will not allow them to fit.