Rear Shock Advice
#23
02-18-2016 | 08:20 PM
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,960
Likes: 137
From: NY
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FYI,there are 2 diff Scott's often posting here in HDFroums but i have a feeling your referring to me .
I say that because i am the Scott that takes the time to give more info with links & vids etc in many of my posts that some people hate to see .
Thats bothered some people here so much they turned me into the mods here in HDforums mult times complaining lke little school girls when all i was doing was trying to help out passing along more info them most guys bother to do which for some reason really gets under their thin skin.
But i am not the Scott that rec's Legend shocks.
scott
LMAO..... It will come with internet video's and the whole nine yards.FYI,there are 2 diff Scott's often posting here in HDFroums but i have a feeling your referring to me .
I say that because i am the Scott that takes the time to give more info with links & vids etc in many of my posts that some people hate to see .
Thats bothered some people here so much they turned me into the mods here in HDforums mult times complaining lke little school girls when all i was doing was trying to help out passing along more info them most guys bother to do which for some reason really gets under their thin skin.
But i am not the Scott that rec's Legend shocks.
scott
#24
02-18-2016 | 08:42 PM
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,265
Likes: 99
From: Northern VA
But,,, I have to say it's because of those posts/videos that I'm planning on the Legend front end.
Right now, I have Ohlins 3-3's from Howard on order. I didn't drink ALL the kool-aid.
#26
02-18-2016 | 08:59 PM
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
From: UTAH
I was unaware the oil could be changed in the air shocks????, I have never found the stock shocks to be that good that was why i am asking for thoughts on replacement shocks, most people i know and read of their experiences on other forums as well as this one usually change out their suspension as they are not happy with the performance from stock.
#27
02-18-2016 | 09:47 PM
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,087
Likes: 3,984
From: U.S.A. Upstate N. Y.
Rear Shocks
Zyban, I bought JRI-B's, 13 inch from Howard two years ago. I talked with Howard at length and decided on the JRI-B product.Howard knows his suspension and is a wealth of knowledge. I can tell you any quality shock be it Ohlins, Pro-Action, Legends,JRI, Super Shox are far and away better than any stock Harley air shocks. Once you install them,set the pre-load and adjust the rebound you will never question the spending of your money. You will find how poorly the front end is after you ride on some quality rear suspension. To put it to you in simple terms, you will not find and Harley air shocks on the back of any road race or flat track machines,or European touring machines.There is no comparison in ride quality and handling over stock.The owner of my local Harley dealership has # 6 Ohilns on the back of his personal machine. Best of luck in your search.
#28
02-18-2016 | 10:35 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,878
Likes: 164
From: Northern California
Oh Boy! here we go again, drinking the Howard Cool-aid! If you have a Ultra and you are bottoming out riding solo you must have either incorrect air pressure or you have a leak and there is no air in the system.
Take it from me, I've been down this road and have tried at least 3 leading brand shocks. My final determination is that none of these aftermarket shocks are hundreds of dollars better than stock 13" air shocks. Are they a little better, YES, but they are not dramatically better to say they are worth what paid for.
Those that have 12" shocks would see a larger difference because they do bottom out.
I'm currently running Legend Revo-A's and there are times I'm ready to put my stock air shocks back on.
There are many individuals that think what they have is the best because they want to believe they made a good investment. I'm sorry to sound so negative but I consider myself a realist and am just telling as I see it from my experience. I tend to be very analytical and picky.
Take it from me, I've been down this road and have tried at least 3 leading brand shocks. My final determination is that none of these aftermarket shocks are hundreds of dollars better than stock 13" air shocks. Are they a little better, YES, but they are not dramatically better to say they are worth what paid for.
Those that have 12" shocks would see a larger difference because they do bottom out.
I'm currently running Legend Revo-A's and there are times I'm ready to put my stock air shocks back on.
There are many individuals that think what they have is the best because they want to believe they made a good investment. I'm sorry to sound so negative but I consider myself a realist and am just telling as I see it from my experience. I tend to be very analytical and picky.
My bike has the Revo shocks and Legend AXEO front suspension. When I first set my shock sag at 1", 1.25" of thread from the bottom I to wondered. Tried different settings until I settled on 1.5" of threads, a bit less than .75" of sag and what a difference. Does the bike ride like a magic carpet?... No. Is it a dramatic difference? Yes. I like the way a BMW or newer Cadillac rides, not a older Cadillac. If someone prefers a softer ride the stock setup might be best. I like a controlled ride, it's smoother to me. But that could be different expectations than some.
#29
02-19-2016 | 07:03 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,595
Likes: 51
From: South Jersey
My bike has the Revo shocks and Legend AXEO front suspension. When I first set my shock sag at 1", 1.25" of thread from the bottom I to wondered. Tried different settings until I settled on 1.5" of threads, a bit less than .75" of sag and what a difference. Does the bike ride like a magic carpet?... No. Is it a dramatic difference? Yes. I like the way a BMW or newer Cadillac rides, not a older Cadillac. If someone prefers a softer ride the stock setup might be best. I like a controlled ride, it's smoother to me. But that could be different expectations than some.
#30
02-19-2016 | 07:10 AM
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 5,351
Likes: 1,688
From: USA
I was unaware the oil could be changed in the air shocks????, I have never found the stock shocks to be that good that was why i am asking for thoughts on replacement shocks, most people i know and read of their experiences on other forums as well as this one usually change out their suspension as they are not happy with the performance from stock.
Showa, the makers of the shocks, sells service parts through Honda (the Harley shocks are the same as Goldwing 1200/1500 shocks).
You can find numerous articles on the web Google searching "goldwing shock rebuild" or "showa shock oil change" and such.
There are even a few threads on this forum about changing the shock oil.
Make no mistake, if the oil is missing (and after years of service, some is), the damping is all but gone. So you get a bouncy shock that slams into its stops, instead of being hydraulically dampened, giving a smooth(er) ride.
I am not saying a stock shock with fresh oil is equal to a top line performance shock. I am will to say a stock shock in good shape will provide a pretty darn good ride for most people.