Can't get the "cushy" Ohlins ride
#11
#12
I had a very similar experence, did all the adjusting/installation per Howard and continued to get a ride that was only marginally better than stock (2008 SG). With Howard trying to get to Daytonia he suggested that I contact the Ohlins office in Hendersonville NC and gave me a contact name.
These are some of the nicest people I have ever worked with and more than willing to help. They disassembled each shock and completely went through them and made a couple of suggestions as to installation and the results are everything that I had hoped for. I could not be more pleased now with my Ohlins 909's or #3-3 as Howard labels them.
I feel your anxiety, but don't give up...
These are some of the nicest people I have ever worked with and more than willing to help. They disassembled each shock and completely went through them and made a couple of suggestions as to installation and the results are everything that I had hoped for. I could not be more pleased now with my Ohlins 909's or #3-3 as Howard labels them.
I feel your anxiety, but don't give up...
#13
#15
Actually if the lowering blocks moves the shock mounting point on the swingarm further away from the swingarm pivot, which I think they do, that would decrease the leverage that the swingarm has over the shocks therefore making the shocks act "stiffer" . If I was the OP I would take the lowering blocks off then see how they feel. Then he would know if they was making the shocks act stiffer or not. And I have always felt that progressive springs are less than desirable. I think they blow through the soft part too fast and hit the higher rated section when a guy hits bumps making the bumps seem more pronounced. But thats just my opinion. Also an HD will never float over anything unless you put it in a boat.
#17
try decreasing your preload, ie backoff the spring adjusters...mine came way to stiff, i took about 3/4 of an inch off before the ride smoothed out, and the sag as shipped was about a 1/4 of an inch....its only a shock , there is alot of leeway .. in your case you want about 1 inch of sag since those shocks have about 3 inches of travel...leave the lowering blocks on, they will not affect it much, and you need it lower...actually i am fairly confident that you can lower it more with out bottoming....have a friend measure the eye to eye distance on the shock with you on the bike and make sure it is compressing down to at least 12 inches, if not less.....
#19
Don't know what you are expecting in terms of a "plush" ride. Ohlins will give you a very smooth and controlled ride - but a FIRM ride. You are not going to get a soft, cushy ride with them, or any other shock on a Harley touring bike. You might be happier with the Harley premium hand adjustable shocks. They are not as good as the Ohlins in terms of performance but I think they give a softer ride. Everyone is different but that was my experience.
#20
Don't know what you are expecting in terms of a "plush" ride. Ohlins will give you a very smooth and controlled ride - but a FIRM ride. You are not going to get a soft, cushy ride with them, or any other shock on a Harley touring bike. You might be happier with the Harley premium hand adjustable shocks. They are not as good as the Ohlins in terms of performance but I think they give a softer ride. Everyone is different but that was my experience.