Penske Shocks - awesome experience at Motorcycle Metal
#1
Penske Shocks - awesome experience at Motorcycle Metal
I went to see Howard from Motorcycle Metal (http://www.motorcyclemetal.com/gpage1.html) to talk about Penske shocks for my 2008 Street Glide. Howard is FastHarley on this site.
Well, we did much more than talk. Howard spent over three hours with me. First we went riding down some pitted, rolling side roads so that I could feel the ride with my stock shocks. I was bouncing up and down on the seat like I was riding a bucking bronco. Then I road Howard's bike - a dyna with penske shocks and a custom front suspension - and the ride was completely different. Very smooth and I could comfortably ride the bad roads at about 15 - 20 mph faster. He ensured me that the ride would be better on a touring bike - his bike is set up for speed and cornering. I was sold - I wanted the Penske 8300 shocks.
Howard wasn't done though. We went back to Howard's shop and he installed a pair of the shocks on my bike and we went back over the same roads again. The ride is completely different and very much improved. The first thing I noticed is that cornering feels much better. I could be much more aggressive in the turns, and I am not an aggressive rider. The bumps were all smoothed out, and this was without adjusting the shocks to my specific size, riding style, etc. I only popped up off of my seat once - and it was over a pot hole that I was afraid to ride over with my stock shocks - and I barely came off of the seat. Well, when we got back to the shop I ordered the shocks and Howard's front-end suspension.
The only disappointment was having to put my stock shocks back on the bike - I can't wait for the Penske's to arrive.
Howard is a great guy. If you live anywhere in South Florida you really need to do yourself a favor and go see him. He's in Davie. You won't be disappointed and I think you'll appreciate the amazing improvements to your bike's ride quality that Howard can provide.
Even better, if you ride two-up, bring your lady. My wife couldn't make it - but I'm sure she would have really appreciated how good shocks feel when she's on the bike.
Eric
Well, we did much more than talk. Howard spent over three hours with me. First we went riding down some pitted, rolling side roads so that I could feel the ride with my stock shocks. I was bouncing up and down on the seat like I was riding a bucking bronco. Then I road Howard's bike - a dyna with penske shocks and a custom front suspension - and the ride was completely different. Very smooth and I could comfortably ride the bad roads at about 15 - 20 mph faster. He ensured me that the ride would be better on a touring bike - his bike is set up for speed and cornering. I was sold - I wanted the Penske 8300 shocks.
Howard wasn't done though. We went back to Howard's shop and he installed a pair of the shocks on my bike and we went back over the same roads again. The ride is completely different and very much improved. The first thing I noticed is that cornering feels much better. I could be much more aggressive in the turns, and I am not an aggressive rider. The bumps were all smoothed out, and this was without adjusting the shocks to my specific size, riding style, etc. I only popped up off of my seat once - and it was over a pot hole that I was afraid to ride over with my stock shocks - and I barely came off of the seat. Well, when we got back to the shop I ordered the shocks and Howard's front-end suspension.
The only disappointment was having to put my stock shocks back on the bike - I can't wait for the Penske's to arrive.
Howard is a great guy. If you live anywhere in South Florida you really need to do yourself a favor and go see him. He's in Davie. You won't be disappointed and I think you'll appreciate the amazing improvements to your bike's ride quality that Howard can provide.
Even better, if you ride two-up, bring your lady. My wife couldn't make it - but I'm sure she would have really appreciated how good shocks feel when she's on the bike.
Eric
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#4
Yep, Howard is a very helpful guy and the Penske's are a "Must Have" for anyone considering new shocks. Progressives are just better crap than the stock, but they are still crap, yes even the exhaulted 440's pale in comparrison. If you are thinking of spending the $600 or more on the Progressive 440's, don't. Save a few more bucks and get the Penske's, they ARE THAT much better
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#8
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#9
Just ride them
#10
The shocks need to be custom ordered - I'll pick them up in 4 weeks. I'm also getting the front suspension redone with Howard's X-Factor cartridge system in about 2 weeks (or less).
The rear Penske shocks are $997. I'll give a report after I get the front suspension in - and then again after I have the rear shocks. I know these are expensive - but I was seriously considering spending over $4000 on new wheels. I figure spending $2200 to significantly improve ride quality is better than spending double that making the bike look nicer.
Of course, now I want Howard's carbon fiber wheels too, but that'll have to wait a while.
The rear Penske shocks are $997. I'll give a report after I get the front suspension in - and then again after I have the rear shocks. I know these are expensive - but I was seriously considering spending over $4000 on new wheels. I figure spending $2200 to significantly improve ride quality is better than spending double that making the bike look nicer.
Of course, now I want Howard's carbon fiber wheels too, but that'll have to wait a while.