Nothing "Premium" about these shocks...
#31
05-10-2018, 03:19 PM
Platinum Sponsor
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Red Banks, Mississippi
Posts: 17,730
Received 4,199 Likes
on
2,440 Posts
So to make a long story short, I was at my buddies on Wednesday. We were in the garage where I noticed what looked like a brand new pair of the Harley 12 inch Premium Hand Adjustable shocks. So I asked where he got them? He said they came on his new bike and they sucked so bad he immediately replaced them, and they were just sitting there. He said.... "you want'em?". I've been running the factory stock length air shocks with Pingel billit lowering blocks since my bikes been pretty much new. So I figured, heck yeah, I'll take 'em!
So I went out yesterday and installed them. I pretty much know absolutely NOTHING about these shocks, so I backed the **** all the way out to the softest setting, then turned 2 clicks. I hopped on and went for a test ride. I didn't make it a mile, and had to stop. It was like riding on a brick, compared to the stock air shocks! So I jumped off, backed the adjustment **** all the way out and hopped back on. After a second or two the shocks seemed to loosen up and be working, but were still ridiculously hard riding. And even on the softest setting, do not ride as smooth as my stock air shocks. Man, calling these things Premium, is a gross misscharacterization. They pretty much suck.
I totally get the lowered version with the much shorter stroke than the full length shocks, comes with a sacrafice in ride quality. And many on this board complained about them, but I guess I was more hopefull than most. And given what I hear about Ohlins, it sure sounds like for the couple hundred extra they cost, the Ohlins would be money well spent. Cause had I paid even 5 cents for these, I'd feel like I overpaid. I've also read the standard length Premium Hand Adjustable are a whole nother animal, and people enjoy them. But I definitely see why there's so many of the lowered versions FOR SALE.
Anyways, just wanted to share my experiences with the lowered version of these shocks in the event potential buyers start searching for opinions.
End of rant.
edit: these shocks literally were removed when the bike was brand new. In people's experiences, do they soften up over time? Have I just not given them a fair shake? After a few hundred or thousand miles, do they settle nicely in?
You may find this REPORT useful/interesting.
We tested a bunch of shocks, including the "Premium" ones you installed.
Here's an excerpt from the above report.
Rear Suspension Components.
__________________
Win Up to $350.00 Cash from DK Custom This Month, Click HERE to see How!
DKCustomProducts.com
Win Up to $350.00 Cash from DK Custom This Month, Click HERE to see How!
DKCustomProducts.com
#32
05-13-2018, 08:56 AM
Advanced
The following users liked this post:
mrbreezeett1 (02-01-2020)
#33
05-13-2018, 04:25 PM
Road Warrior
So I've heard there are different versions of the Premium shocks. Pre 2016 vs 2017/2018. The 2017/2018 are different (and better)? Does anyone have experience with the different years? Are the newer take offs much better? I've got an option to get 12" ones from a 2016 CVO to replace my 12" air shocks. Should I do that or continue looking for 2017/2018 take offs?
#34
05-13-2018, 06:25 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
#35
05-13-2018, 07:03 PM
So I've heard there are different versions of the Premium shocks. Pre 2016 vs 2017/2018. The 2017/2018 are different (and better)? Does anyone have experience with the different years? Are the newer take offs much better? I've got an option to get 12" ones from a 2016 CVO to replace my 12" air shocks. Should I do that or continue looking for 2017/2018 take offs?
#36
05-14-2018, 05:20 AM
Advanced
I find it surprising that with two pages of hate, I don't see more of them for sale in the classifieds.
#37
05-14-2018, 06:45 AM
When adjusting push the rubber stop up on the shaft, then ride it. If it is all the way down the shaft push it up again and turn the adjuster in a couple more clicks and ride again. Do this untill there is about a 3/8 left from the bottom. If there is more than that the shocks are set to stiff so back them off a couple clicks.
When it is at the bottom after a ride the shock is bottoming out.
When it is at the bottom after a ride the shock is bottoming out.
Last edited by timbo141; 05-14-2018 at 06:46 AM.
#38
05-14-2018, 07:06 AM
I just cant understand the logic of some on here that actually think more pre-load is a better ride?? Surely would be if you weighed 500#.
As I said earlier I spent an entire day riding the countryside testing and in the end the more you compress that spring down the worse it gets as it should.
Me and gear weigh around 300# and I have yet to bottom out on the lowest possible setting. What really needs to happen with these shocks is to have lighter springs installed so you can then put the adjuster to some use.
As I said earlier I spent an entire day riding the countryside testing and in the end the more you compress that spring down the worse it gets as it should.
Me and gear weigh around 300# and I have yet to bottom out on the lowest possible setting. What really needs to happen with these shocks is to have lighter springs installed so you can then put the adjuster to some use.
#39
05-15-2018, 07:52 PM
There is a chart in the owners manual that shows suggested settings for the shocks with and without tour pack based on rider weight and additional weight of passenger, cargo and accessories, it's a good starting point to get them dialed in. And they will soften up after awhile.
#40
05-16-2018, 06:29 AM
Club Member
Clearly you need to read up on suspension technology, each shock serves a different purpose. I went from the air shocks (which are truly terrible) to new take off 2017's and the improvement was dramatic and at $200 how could I go wrong?