Tinkering only takes a few seconds with these Premium Shocks.

Loosen saddle bag fasteners, and tilt bag out.

Turn **** with one hand, while holding the saddle bag with your leg.

Tilt saddle bag back up and tighten fasteners...done

Only need to adjust the left side.

No tools needed and all done in 30 seconds : >)

 

I replaced my air shocks with the progressive 444 shocks at 87,000 miles. Yes they are expensive, no I don't like them because I paid a lot for them. I love them because the ride is so much better! I have been riding motorcycles for 40 some odd years and have owned many bikes of all makes and models. 7 of them were touring type bikes and I have over 300K miles on two wheels.


Now I said all that to show I am very experienced when it comes to motorcycles. I live and ride in Louisiana and the roads here are BAD! My better half rides with me a lot and she even commented on how much better the ride was with the shock change. Yes it is a little harder to change settings and it is very setting sensitive imho. 1 ring for solo, 1 + 1/2 turn for two up and 2 rings when pulling the trailer is what I have found works best for us. I am 190# dressed for riding and the wife is 115#.


I have never had Ohlin's so I can't say yay or nay about them, but if I ever decide to trade my 08 Ultra for a newer ride I can tell you I will change out the air shocks for the progressive 444's.


The proof is in the pudding as they say. Yesterday's ride with a buddy, he rides an 2013 Roadglide, he was constantly griping over the scala when he hit a hard bump behind me. I told him if we traded off bikes he would want my shocks as those bumps didn't feel that bad to me....LOL. Before the shock change I would have been singing the same song as he was.


I don't work for progressive and I will not make any money from their sales. I know opinions are like @$$0000's everybody has at least one! Mine is the air shocks suck on Harleys.


I do all my own maintenance on my bike. I did the swing arm bushings, added the stiffy, progressive shocks, and a pro glide front motor mount this last month. Re-adjusted the steering head too. With 87K on the clock I still don't have any desire to trade my 08 for another bike.


I work on bikes for friends and have rode the newer ones and mine rides and handles as good as the new ones, not to mention the 103 upgrade, cams, exhaust, and power vision tune......LOL.

 

Maybe next time on progressives I have ridden 444 and they are good but I don't think that much better for the outlay ... the air ride I built for the 98 is much better/ cheaper but don't want to put it on this one For now 200 bucks on new premium HD shocks is they way to fly now. Most I will ride this one is 20-30,000 miles. Than it's gone. So maybe 2 years tops

 

Well they worked way better than I expected. 10 turns and jumped on did 400 miles .Ride was way better Thanks everybody that helped. For 200 bucks it was a good mod. Plus I think a guy wants my stock shocks. Told him 100 bucks with all fittings lines and bracket. Install time... 5-6 min Crazy easy

 

I'll buy your air shocks if your buddy doesn't want them and they're not 13". Drop me a line if interested: braxtan at gmail.

 

Be careful shipping the air shocks. They will leak through the air tubes if laid down.

Believe you can plug them, but if they pop out in shipping there will be quite a mess.

Seems as though there is a pretty big market place for people with 13" shocks wanting to lower their bikes by getting 12" and people with 12" wanting the extra travel of the 13" shocks. Seems like everyone thinks the grass is greener on the other side of the fence : >)

The cost to switch from 12" to13" is free if you go the used route, and sell your old shocks.
($100 to buy and $100 to sell)

I switched from the air adjustable to the Premium Shock and was able to sell my old shocks as well as the no longer needed air pump so my cost was under $150. Pretty good value.

Believe the take away from this thread is that it is an easy do it yourself mod to change from the stock air shocks to the premium, hand adjustable shocks. Significant improvement in ride and much less bottoming out.

On the other hand, the ultra premium shocks, like from Motorcycle Metal, offer an even better ride, better handling. Their price is high and you need to set them up just right, but the better control is worth it to people looking for the best available.

 

I have the 13 Street Glide with stock air shocks . The only way they work with any kind of comfort one up or two up is at maximum pressure or a couple of pounds under (48 lbs). I am 230lbs and the wife around 160 lbs. But I just leave at same psi 1 or 2 up. I was thinking ohlins down the road or going to 13 inch air shock. I know the 13 inch will make a big difference to but will raise bike an inch..

 

Dont waste your money on the air shocks. Call Howard & go with either Ohlins or JRI's

 

I also went with the premium shocks, much better. If there is an interest I will be listing my Air shocks off my 13 SG 4 sale as well.