What has changes were made to the rear shocks on the 09 & 10 touring bikes?
Does it have anything to do with mounting or is it something like spring rate?
Big question, will 09 or 10 rear shocks work on an earlier bike?

 

The 09 and 10 rear air shocks will fit previous bikes. Some pre-09 owners are buying thr 09-10 shocks because they're lowered. I'll be selling mine when I install my Ohlins.

 

Those later shocks use slightly higher air pressures, but it is not clear what changes they may have made inside them. There are HDFers who have retrofitted them to earlier bikes and 09-10 owners who are glad to see tha back of them!

Scott, another Ohlins convert here!

 

my buddy, a former ducati rider recently purchased a road king, he likes the comfort but is looking to upgrade suspension. his 1098 ducati had ohlins best on it. he will be shopping soon. penske is another quality upgrade

 

Bernard,

Encourage him to join HDF. He can get access to an expert Ohlins builder and a discount (Motorcycle Metal) and other advice to improve his handling. There are other improvements he can do in addition to his shocks.

 

My 2010 FLTRX air shocks were bought by a guy with a HD model earlier than a 2007. They were much harsher than the OEM air shocks on my 2007 FLTR and I discovered that was because they were 1 inch shorter like the Street Glide model. I am 1000 times happier with my Ohlins, not sure any Harley air shock is worth much.

Go check out Howard's website and he has a picture of one cut in half and you'll get the idea of what's inside.

There is a growing group of us that have made the switch and we are a bunch of happy campers. Of course you never realize how bad your front end is until you have Ohlins on the rear. You owe it to youself to find somebody that has them on their bike and take it for a ride. Ask Scott, I think that's what happened to him after he had a chance to ride mine.

 

As to your comment about the front, after putting Ohlins on the rear.....I assume you fixed the front too, right? what did you use?

I want to replace my rears and front too at some point. Putting my money into power first (done), then ride comfort with suspension, bars, and seat, then custom wheels and bling.

2010 SG

 

Cuzkee,
Sounds like you have a good plan there. I had to interrupt my suspension mods to fund "motor heat reduction mods", i.e. an exhaust system to get rid of the cats and a high flow air cleaner and tuner.

Howard is working with Ohlins on something for the front end and I might be ready to consider that next Spring. I'll live with the front end for now, might try to change out the fork oil FWIW and have considered replacing the springs but it's probably just wasted effort and $$.