Ohlins are the best and have different models (street&race) and price points.
All of them relatively expensive.
There are other good choices too.

 

Hello and welcome from an ex-philly burber Dprintz. What model bike are you thinking of shock replacement for? I'm currently in the hunt for rear shock replacement for my 14 SG. Curious where this thread goes...

 

I purchased my 2004 FLHRSI (Road King Custom) new in 2004. The Custom originally came with 12" air shocks and I replaced them in 2007 with 12 1/2" Progressive 440's. After 10 years they went bad and Progressive replaced them with 444's. Lifetime warranty and saving the receipt is good! The ride with the 440 was better than stock until they went bad and the 444 is at least as good, maybe better. In mean time I purchased a new 2015 FLHTCU Ultra Classic. The ride of the Ultra with factory air shocks is quite a bit better than the Custom with Progressive shocks.

A couple of weeks ago I bought a pair of 13" Ohlins HD 159 shocks. Adjustable preload, length and rebound dampening. I ordered over the phone straight from Ohlins USA in North Carolina. I installed them on the RK Custom first. The results were better than expected. I was surprised how much better they were than the Progressive 444's.

I then installed them on my Ultra. The ride was improved but the difference wasn't as dramatic as it was on the RK Custom. Of course it rides better than the Custom. I didn't get to ride much on the Ultra as the rain cut my test ride short. Even without making any adjustments, it was a very nice ride.

I'd like to try a set on my wife's Street Bob. I bet they would make that Dyna ride pretty nice. I may surprise her and slip a pair on it while she's at work.

 

I put a set of Progressives on my Street Bob shortly after I got it. The stock shocks were a joke so I thought this would be an upgrade. It was but fell short of what I expected. Then I got with Howard at Motorcycle Metal and he built me a pair of Ohlins that blew me away. They cost a bit more but are so much better in every aspect of riding.

 

Which shock did you get?

 

There's no comparison if you have the money...the Ohlins all day long.

 

any money spent on progressives is wasted... buy the ohlins,, it costs less thst way

 

Interesting, I know there are a few different model Ohlins, And who might be the Ohlin dealer to talk to for input ? Any guidance...

 

Motorcycle Metal is the place to buy Ohlins. Guys name is Howard. He answers his phone seven days a week and will build a shock to meet your needs. To some he seems a little coarse but the guy is a mountain of info on suspension components. My Ohlins are the finest shock absorbers I have ever owned, bar none. Hope this helps.

www.motorcyclemetal.com!!thumbs

 

I decided to go with the Ohlins. The least expensive version. Called Howard first and went through the dog and pony show. Told me 3’s for $800 plus (he said over 1k retail) on the phone tweaked to my exact specs before and after taking a s:”$t. Got the invoice for 2’s and called him up. Said he was sorry and would resend updated invoice. Never got updated invoice. I’m thankful because it got me to do some due dillagence. Called Ohlin USA. All the guts are the same just more whistles and bells-adjustments/external reservoir etc. Said they are all valved optimally so valving will never be an issue. Found a pair on eBay. $572 to my door. Ohlin dealer/seller. Glad I looked around. Had a set 412’s on a new FLHTC in 97 and they sucked a tiny bit less that original. Stock height is what I’m going with. We cruise and stay well within our limits so I don’t need all the extra adjustments.

 

there is no comparison!! progressives help but ohlins as well as Penske + others are in a class of their own + can be rebuilt if needed. beside shock quality fitment, that is the setup for weight + riding style is most important as better matching fork function!! great suspension is $$$. when i got my Penske i called the Reading, Pa factory close to me told the tech what i wanted + it built for ME, not a "just close" off the shelf unit!!!

 

Nytryder, Thanks for the info, I'll be looking into it shortly.

 

I've installed Ohlins for a customer on three of his bikes. Amazing shocks, Howard was super helpful. For me, however, I can't justify the price.

 

I hear you on the price. Haven't called yet but I expect to have some sticker shock when I hear the figure...

 

progressive aren't really an upgrade,,, they are just new, cost more than oem,, and their marketing dept,,, sells them to you..
ohlins are very good..
how you set up your bikes suspension,,, is very important... too low.and mushy or stiff, it could be a disaster... or not?

 

terri the factory Koni's?

 

koni's are not factory... harleys have shows shocks factory,,, to soft and mushy, the spring rates are also low, and not suited for any type of higher speed running,,, since I do a lot of high speed riding.. koni's are aftermarket, and were in the same price range as ohlins, when I bought mine... the piggyback reservoir of the ohlins were just too ugly for me,,, there was a 3rd brand i considered, but cannot recall the name,,, it definately wasn't progressive, lol...and I'm not an all.out road racer, so reservoirs was not necessary... I love the koni shocks setting the calving was so easy...
I've used Koni coil overs and struts on race cars, and was very happy,,, the progression to Harleys was a natural thing for me..

 

Sorry the way I worded that. I meant the koni's that came on FXRs from the factory. The model that came on my bike were 7610 which is now Icon 7610.

 

I'm curious if the hand adjustable shocks on the SGS are more forgiving than the air shocks on the SG..

 

to add.....I have Progressive 944's on my FLH.....they work quite well but ARE more expensive than any other Progressives.

 

Got my $572 Ohlins in 4 days from Italy installed yesterday. Test drove last night. Over the top ride. It’s a different motorcycle. I hated to spend the bread but the end result was worth it. My gal and I are taking off for a couple of thousand miles this week and I can’t wait to feel the diff rolling the backroads fully loaded.

 

Best review yet. Be sure to post some pics please. It is doubtful that I will go to Europe again and would like to refresh my memories.

 

Just got off the phone with Howard at motorcyclemetal about building shocks for my SG. See where it goes after filling out the info about my typical riding style and gear. Not sure what it entails but will find out shortly..

 

I have been looking at the Ohlins HD022, like most the cost has made me watch for a deal.

 

where are you getting Koni shocks came stock on an fxr? every Harley I've changed shocks on. had Shows shocks,,, Koni are far too costly for the moco to use them stock..
the koni shocks cost 8% as much as the Harley did new,,, in 82 I paid $7k, ... that would make the shocks cost $560,, which is close to what I paid for the pair.. they were a world of improvement over stock..

 

Thinking it may have been a factory option at one point but cant say for sure. My '88 had them and a Harley Kerker pipe, not original owner so.

If you do a image search FXR Koni on google you would see multiple FXRs with them. If it wasn't an factory option allot guys over the years musht have put them on their bikes. Looks like a 11" and a 12" version were used going by some that Elvis has for sale.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...0&_trksid=p2055119.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xfxr+koni.TRS0&_nkw=fxr+koni&_sacat=0

 

Ikon makes them now and offers rebuild kit.

https://www.ikonshocksusa.com/collections/harley-davidson/harley-davidson

 

I must say the price of shocks is quite shocking!

 

I must say the price of shocks is quite shocking, old boy!

Why did I read that with a British accent? :laugh:

EDIT: the price on good Ohlins is really very shocking.

 

I gather that most folks think it's pricier than they are willing to pay. Then I hear of folks customizing their rides and spending way more money on looking good verses riding and handling better. I guess I prefer to be more comfortable which extends riding time vrs looking good profiling around town.. Don't get me wrong, I like my bikes looking good. But I prefer them to ride better than they look..