Been thinking about this for a couple days trying to decide the answer. I have done both ends of my WG. Ohlins #3-3 on back. Fab's modded Intimidators, and Racetech springs front.
If I had to give one up now.... hard to choose.
But the edge would go to keeping the front end modifications. The ride and handling improved that much.
Of course, my butt and my backseat passenger would complain. So I have to keep both.

 

Well I am willing to spend the money to get Ohlins 2-2 shocks; as for the front, I would love to get the Traxxion AK-20 setup, but that is $1,200 plus - although several years ago, a group buy was arranged with them by a forum member here. Traxxion also has a damper rod adjustment mod for about $450 that I may consider. I am leaning towards doing the front first and then seeing how bad the air shocks feel. Both stock components are weak links, but I am thinking the forks are inferior to the air shocks.

 

Rear Shocks first, because your butt is closer to the shocks and it is that kick in the
seat you feel in your back. In some cases the forks are just an oil change away from
a better ride.

 

I'd say it depends on how you ride. I did the front when I went to the 21". I lowered the front 1" with progressive drop in springs and added ricor intiminators. Obviously, lowering the front is not the greatest thing for ride but the performance of the front end is vastly improved over stock. I just added shocks and the bike rides and tracks much better. Next winter I will probably go back into the front and replace the progressive springs with a better quality spring. Long story short if you ride shorter distances with faster cornering and hard front braking I would do the front first. If you mainly tour and ride a little less aggressively I would do the back first. The optimal situation is to do both at the same time and several good setups have been mentioned here. Just always be aware that we rarely speak negatively of things that we have dumped a bunch of money into so do lots and lots of research and don't get in a hurry.

 

I'd do the rear if it was me. But, I'm an a$$ man anyways ....

 

Especially if you ride 2-up a lot, with the favourite person in your life, do the rear before the forks. Our Ohlins have transformed life for my wife in particular, improved our comfort and added to the daily mileage we can do. The bike never bottoms out now.

While improved forks are next on my own menu of improvements for ride quality, they are actually the fourth significant and worthwhile thing I plan to my bike. First was a change of tyres to give a smoother ride, improve handling and grip (Avons), next was a True-Track stabilizer kit to improve stability and control.

Ohlins really are the bee's knees - you will wonder how it took so long to discover them!

 

Thanks for all the replies - this has been very helpful.

 

I see they have 3 sets that are for FLH models...which of the two are you guys using? I say two because there's NO way I'm spending well over a thousand bucks for a pair of rear shocks...

 

I did the HD Premium Suspension front and rear on mine over the winter. I really think it depends on how you ride. If you're two-up a lot, do the rear first then the front. Either way, it will be a big improvement.

 

They both need to be done. I did the forks first and then the shocks only because the forks are more work and time. Don't skimp on either or you will end up doing them all over again.