Hi,

Some advice needed...

What's generally regarded as the best upgrade for OEM rear shocks on a 2002 V Rod?

I don't want to spend a fortune, so I was thinking of Progressive 412's...

Then there's the question on length.... I gather the standard shock is 12.75 inches - so I was thinking of 13 inches for the replacements. I usually carry a pillion.


Thanks

Hedgehog

 

I have http://www.legendsuspensions.com/motorcycle/ on my vrod muscle, love it can change the rate and height with buttons on handlebar.

 

save your money 412's aren't much better than the stock shocks. you would be better of with the 444's

 

Thanks Guys,

In the end I went for a pair of the last 440's available at a bargain price ...

Hedgehog

 

I like the look of those air shocks Hammy...!

HH

 

Ricor Racing Shocks makes the best shocks for the V-Rod. I can assure you I can beat any argument or testimonial presented here on the technical merits of the IAS shock alone. Here is there website: www.ricorracingshocks.com Go there and look for their Inertia Assisted Suspension (IAS) and read the White Paper and you will be sold on this technology. No one else has anything like it.

Of course, if you are looking for a bargain and willing to give up handling/control, safety, and performance then stop reading. They aren't cheap but they cost far less than Arnott air shocks.

In short their shock reacts to both chassis movement and wheel movement. All others react to only wheel movement and make performance and handling compromises in favor of firmly planting the wheels. I put these shocks on my Vrod and immediately noticed that the front-end stopped dipping down on hard braking and on fast acceleration the front-end stayed down as well. There is no way I can measure the increase in riding confidence gained from just a simple swap out of shocks.

I was using the Arnott-Aldan Airshocks. I can tell you one thing -- these shocks SUCK big dookie! If you hit a bump in the road the axial loading on your spine is painful... and you are airborne for a period of time. Not a good feeling at 85 MPH! Also, spring a leak in those silly rubber airbags (they will spring a leak -- just give them some time) and you are stuck where ever you happen to be until you can get some shocks on the bike. You won't be able to corner safely without hitting your frame in fact! Also the Arnott-Aldans aren't even rebuild-able!! Buy the Ricor once and you own them forever -- they don't have obsolescence designed into them -- you can rebuild them again and again.

My two cents... anyone not on Ricors just doesn't know any better!! ;-)


White Paper: http://store.ricorshocks.com/v/vspfi...suspension.pdf

Store: http://store.ricorshocks.com/category_s/65.htm

 

these look like great shocks how are they for two up riding?
do you have to reset the preload?

also thinking about progressives 444 or Terry cable shocks on my next upgrade

http://www.terrycable.com/Rear-Shock-Sets_c_4.html