Hi all, new to the forum, and looking for answers for my rear suspension. I have been searching the threads, but have not found exactly what I am looking for. I never seem to be able to adjust my shocks to get a softer ride, no matter how much or how little air is in them,and my wife complains about it all the time. It's like you have to brace yourself for most bumps, the spine can take only so much pounding. Before I bought the street glide I had a 2005 ultra, and it had a much smoother ride. Is there a better aftermarket alternative? My budget is somewhat tight, do not want to spend more than $300
Rear Suspension
- Thread starter phineasfreakears
- Start date
I put street glide special coil over shocks on mine, much better ride. Find somebody with some newer take offs. Chris
Perhaps you have an air leak, but the uncomfortableness of the air shocks on standard street glides is a pretty common complaint. I don't think you're not going to fix this within your budget unfortunately (unless you can find something used, or use shocks meant for smaller bikes).
The progressive shocks (Harley Premium Ride Shocks) that come on the Street Glide Specials work pretty well (I have no complaints). Most others seem to like them as well. They are $550 through the dealer, plus tax. But, you can get them from Surdyke for only $446.84, and shipping will be free with the promo-code 'FLAGDAY'.
http://surdyke.com/AdvPartInfo.asp?PartNumber=54000008
You'll be $150 over budget, but it will be worth it. Otherwise you're looking at Progressive 944s that you'll be hard pressed to find under $575, or Progressive 970s with remote reservoirs that should supposedly be the pinnacle of bagger suspension but will cost over $1k.
The progressive shocks (Harley Premium Ride Shocks) that come on the Street Glide Specials work pretty well (I have no complaints). Most others seem to like them as well. They are $550 through the dealer, plus tax. But, you can get them from Surdyke for only $446.84, and shipping will be free with the promo-code 'FLAGDAY'.
http://surdyke.com/AdvPartInfo.asp?PartNumber=54000008
You'll be $150 over budget, but it will be worth it. Otherwise you're looking at Progressive 944s that you'll be hard pressed to find under $575, or Progressive 970s with remote reservoirs that should supposedly be the pinnacle of bagger suspension but will cost over $1k.
Just installed Progressive 944's and really like them but couldn't find them for $575. Unfortunately they're about $100 more than that (new). Would recommend them for sure!
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Yeah, you won't find them (Progressive 944) at a big retailer for that price for sure... But here's a top rated e-bay retailer selling them for $578.50 (with free shipping and no sales tax unless you're in Texas): http://r.ebay.com/1UWnFn
Happy Glider, do you have a special or a regular glide? I'm curious as to whether these shocks would be an upgrade to the HD progressives that come on the special, or if the only upgrade path for the suspension on the special would be to go the Progressive 970 with the remote reservoir.
I have the standard and replaced the air shocks with the 944's. I considered the HD coil overs but from the research I did, which included talking to HD techs/parts guys, the 944's are a step up from HD shocks. I've read a lot of the comments about how terrible the ride is on the SG and I have to say…I'm a small guy at about 5'-6", 160lbs and I am really happy with the shocks. I got the standard rate springs and run 2 lines of preload and am comfortable.
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Any chance you have your shocks set too soft? That would also cause a jarring ride for sure.
By the way, welcome to the forum. Tell us more about you and your bike.
$300 will be tough. I think you'll have to keep an eye out for used shocks. You might want to check out dirtyworks-KC. Their budget package is in your price range; however, I can speak on whether that option will give you the plushness you seek.
By the way, welcome to the forum. Tell us more about you and your bike.
$300 will be tough. I think you'll have to keep an eye out for used shocks. You might want to check out dirtyworks-KC. Their budget package is in your price range; however, I can speak on whether that option will give you the plushness you seek.
The $300 is for used take off cool overs (HD premium ride) got mine on this site. Had many offers of more take offs (used) some had as little as 5 miles on them. Made my street glide ride much better compared to the stock air shocks, wife likes the ride better also. Chris
Thanks for all the replies. It's not that I'm on that tight of a budget that I can't pony up a couple hundred more than I want to spend, but I am recently retired, so I am trying to keep costs down if I can. I know the shocks are holding air, whenever I check the pressure it hasn't changed. We are not a heavy couple, less than 270 lb between the 2 of us. The 944's sound like they could do the trick, I will continue to research.
As far as me and the bike, I bought it new in 2010 at a dealer in WI. Red hot sunglow, 2 into 1 rinehart exhaust, painted the inner fairing myself, and a few vinyl graphics to set it apart from the masses. Love the bike, just need to cushy it up a bit to keep the little woman wanting to ride with me on the long treks.
As far as me and the bike, I bought it new in 2010 at a dealer in WI. Red hot sunglow, 2 into 1 rinehart exhaust, painted the inner fairing myself, and a few vinyl graphics to set it apart from the masses. Love the bike, just need to cushy it up a bit to keep the little woman wanting to ride with me on the long treks.
Your stock shocks are air over oil not true air shocks. I would suggest running a true air ride which uses Monroe shocks. You can either piece the kit together for about $200 or buy a complete kit from like JNR Designed it Dirtyair for a bit over $300. I've been running these shocks for a couple years and love the ride, so much smoother then my stock coil overs.
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Just ordered a set of 944-4020UT this morning for $565 with free shipping and no tax...best price I could find.
