[GotGold]

I'd like to hear from those that have done shocks and tubes on their touring bikes. I'm thinking of doing the 944 shocks and mono tubes. I don't want a harsher ride. I was thinking about lowering the bike but thats less travel which will give a harsher ride. I've heard remarks about a stiffer ride but a better handling bike. I run a lot of slab, I like the way my king rides. The front forks need an oil change and the rear air shocks, just suck period. Whats your experience after making this change.. thank you for your comments.

 

[Diezel]

Ride mine.

I did the lowered 944's and monotubes.

It's much harsher. Handles amazing, but harsh over bumps.

 

[Pete]

I have a 2009 Dyna Super Glide. I replaced the Progressive 412's on the back with Progressive 444's. On the front I replaced the Progressive fork springs with Traxxion single-rate and Ricor valves. I also installed a pair of Burly adjustable fork caps.

The bikes rides very comfortably and it handles great too. The adjustable fork caps makes setting the front suspension sag to exactly where you want it. The Ricor valves really tame the front suspension. There is no more pogo-stick response to road imperfections, bumps, dips.

I was considering the new Progressive front suspension but I read about too many people who said that it bottomed out very easily and that it was a harsher ride. I like Progressive equipment, but maybe they need to rework the new front fork product.

Pete

 

[Rodzilla6]

I put progressive 422 in back and their spring kit out front...both are way better than stock. Front kit was only ninety bucks...should have done it sooner.

 

[dog155]

Our RK has Progressive's out back, Race Tech's Emulators up front.

 

[z006]

I put 944's on rear, ride is terrific 1 up. Still can't get it set right with wife on back. Have the monotube replacement, but haven't installed yet. Find it better than air. Don't know if the price justifies it.

 

[HULK7]

I put 944's on rear, ride is terrific 1 up. Still can't get it set right with wife on back. Have the monotube replacement, but haven't installed yet. Find it better than air. Don't know if the price justifies it.

Trying to be educated on lowering my SGS. I want to lower the rear and the front and I see your talking About 944's are they lower than stock? Being I know a little about ride quality with performance can anyone chime in on a complete adjustable air ride system. I know that the conventional system that where for street bikes are horrible when your talking about ride quality and I want to know is it the same on cruisers. I want to lower rear about 1 to 1.5 and front 2 inches!!! If anyone can assist me I would greatly appreciate you help.

 

[z006]

Progressive makes a 2" lowering kit for the front forks for under 100 bucks. Don't know what the ride may be like. I have the complete kit that replaces the front springs and can lower it up to 2". Not going to change till winter. Bought a 21" wheel so it needs to come down an inch or so. 944's didn't lower the rear, that I can tell

 

[Wrgiacona]

From the Progressive web site. http://www.progressivesuspension.com/product/1438/944-series-ultra-touring-and-ultra-low-shocks

944 ULTRA TOURING: Specifically designed to deliver a comfortable ride at a 1" lowered stance. Built around our latest FST technology, The Ultra Touring shocks utilize all the suspension travel provided by the full length units, but in a 1" lowered ride height. The unique Ultra Touring spring combination not only delivers a lowered ride height while its being ridden, but also while it’s on the side stand.

944 ULTRA LOW: Just like the name implies, this is the lowest version of our 944 Series shocks. Designed to sit 2” lower than a stock HD Touring model and provide the best ride a short shock can! Want your bike in the weeds or struggling to reach the ground? The 944 Ultra Low is the shock for the job.

*There is no substitute for suspension travel, for optimum ride quality we recommend the taller Ultra Touring version of our 944 Series shocks.

 

[HULK7]

Progressive makes a 2" lowering kit for the front forks for under 100 bucks. Don't know what the ride may be like. I have the complete kit that replaces the front springs and can lower it up to 2". Not going to change till winter. Bought a 21" wheel so it needs to come down an inch or so. 944's didn't lower the rear, that I can tell

Good to know about the kits!!! Been riding lower street bikes or as they called them slammed street bikes since 2000. I have a 21 already on my SGS so they look should be great!!! Just hope the ride isn't to harsh!!! I know they sell lowering blocks but when I originally bought my bike in February they where not selling lowering blocks for the 14 yet, Going to exchange the rear fender with a CVO fender and a Razor Pac for my Christmas present and wanted to lower the back end to give it that custom look. Thanks for the info on progressive kit!

 

[z006]

With the 21 inch wheel, do you need to lower it or does it seem ok to leave it stock height. Don't want to pull the forks if I don't need to.

 

[GotGold]

Thanks for the input, looks like I've got more digging to do. 944s for the rear is a slam dunk thats gonna get done, but the other alternatives for those forks are interesting, good read on the emulators, I like adjustable.

 

[HULK7]

With the 21 inch wheel, do you need to lower it or does it seem ok to leave it stock height. Don't want to pull the forks if I don't need to.

I find the 21 is perfect! This is my first Harley but my custom also has a 21 and these bikes drive worlds apart! The Harley with the 21 drives like it came from the factory with a 21 inch wheel. I don't believe you need to lower it! I want it lowered because I'm looking for a different stance. I want the lowrider custom bagger look! Bike works fine and actually looks great at stock height.

 

[Jaxglide]

Hulk. ....are you back in Jax or still overseas

 

[HULK7]

S

Hulk. ....are you back in Jax or still overseas

whats up Jax! I'm still here in shit country! Lol! I will be home during Christmas and we can hook up for a ride or so during that time! Got a lot of projects to complete when I get there!

 

[Jaxglide]

S


whats up Jax! I'm still here in shit country! Lol! I will be home during Christmas and we can hook up for a ride or so during that time! Got a lot of projects to complete when I get there!

Sorry to hear that bro. Keep your damn head down. Ride sounds good when you get home and if you need some extra hands for the projects let me know.

 

[HULK7]

Sorry to hear that bro. Keep your damn head down. Ride sounds good when you get home and if you need some extra hands for the projects let me know.

Thanks! I will surely keep that in mind!

 

[z006]

I find the 21 is perfect! This is my first Harley but my custom also has a 21 and these bikes drive worlds apart! The Harley with the 21 drives like it came from the factory with a 21 inch wheel. I don't believe you need to lower it! I want it lowered because I'm looking for a different stance. I want the lowrider custom bagger look! Bike works fine and actually looks great at stock height. View attachment 270034

Thanks man :thumb

 

[chasarms]

. . . Traxxion single-rate and Ricor valves. . .

This is the same setup I did on my Ultra. It is night and day difference.

Yes, the front end takes rough spots in the road a more harshly, but the stability in the frontend when braking or tracking through a curve is so remarkably better that I'll take a little harder bump any day of the week.

I have JRI 13B shocks on the back. I've been told that they are overkill. May be, but the bike rides killer and love them. They are very comparable to Ohlins.

I said this in another thread, but knowing what I know now, if something happened to my bike and I had to start over with a bone stock bagger, I'd drop the $1K on the same suspension mods before I even spent a nickel on a set of slip-ons. It is - by far - the best thing I have ever done to improve the performance and enjoyment of my motorcycle.

 

[Pete]

You can buy Progressive rear shocks in different lengths. The problem with lowering a bike is that you tend to lose travel in the suspension and end up with a harsher ride, also making the suspension more prone to bottoming out.

I would suggest a good set of conventional shocks at the back of the bike. There are aftermarket air shocks that are certainly better than Harley air shocks, but they are really expensive. The only advantage to air shocks is that you can adjust the preload without having to take the bags off. They are not known for being comfortable.

Pete

Trying to be educated on lowering my SGS. I want to lower the rear and the front and I see your talking About 944's are they lower than stock? Being I know a little about ride quality with performance can anyone chime in on a complete adjustable air ride system. I know that the conventional system that where for street bikes are horrible when your talking about ride quality and I want to know is it the same on cruisers. I want to lower rear about 1 to 1.5 and front 2 inches!!! If anyone can assist me I would greatly appreciate you help.