What is considered the best riding shock for a '13 Streetglide? I had a 2000 Roadking and it road great, either solo or 2 up. Over bumps, rough roads and dips it never bottomed out and it had factory air shocks. The '13 S/G when 2 up seems to bottom out all the time. I'm 235lbs. and the wife is 140lbs. I have set to 45lbs of air and still no good. I'd like to get something to prevent it from bottoming out. I've read and seen reviews on 4 or five different shocks, but is there one that really does the job right?

 

the shocks you have now have 1.75" of travel, compared to the 2.75" of travel on the '00.
so not only less travel from topping out to bottoming out...but also less time between the 2 limits.

alot of riders pooh pooh the stock HD shocks, they have found reason to drop 400 or 600 bucks on shocks and you'll get some great suggestions from those guys.

I myself have found that the 13" shocks found on most touring models ( not the FLHX or FLTX) are fine for what i do.
I had over 80,000 miles on my 95 when I sold it- same shocks as on your '00
my 09 has the updated 13" and they do work pretty good- I've had them on twisties and canyons and dirt roads for hours...streets and highways too.

you can get a great set of take offs cheap from the riders who need the better shocks.
that'll raise the rear of the bike up an inch- you can use lowering blocks with these if you have to.
If your front end is stock height, there is no issue with this swap.

just make sure that any take-off harley shocks you buy have been stored up right ( so the oil is retained), have the air system sealed to keep dust out, and aren't covered in oil like a seal is blown.
better to buy local than to have shipped.

mike

 

JRI-B-12 77mm of travel

 

I found that anything over 35 psi in my stock shocks is too much. I found that it was the front shocks bottoming out due to the rear being so stiff. Try 30-35 find the sweet spot where the front and rear have about the same flex when you drive on dips, bumps, and rough surfaces.

 

I run mine at about 25psi solo and about 35psi with the wife on board. That's where I found them to ride the best.

 

I run 15 psi solo and 20 psi when riding two up. I've found anything thing more and the rear starts to ride like a rock. Yes I do bottom out at this pressure but it does smooth out 80% of the bumps.

To answer the O.P. question: I will most likely replace the shocks with Ohlins when the time comes. Give their support number a call. They always answer unlike progressive.

 

Call Howard from Motorcycle Metal (Forum Vendor/Member)...he sells Ohlins and JRI shocks and can give you the skinny on good/bad/recommended.

 

I run Ohlins #6's from Howard at Motorcycle Metal , these are the most expensive (over $1000) and best shocks available period. I've used Progressive , Ricor , JR i B and Ohlins #3 in the past . Call Howard at Motorcycle Metal he has a premium shock for any budget and need.

 

Mike, what is the part number of the updated 13" shocks?