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Author Topic: 12" to 13" Rear Shocks??  (Read 12955 times)

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FlaHeatWave

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12" to 13" Rear Shocks??
« on: December 30, 2017, 10:23:05 PM »
Thinking of trying some Harley Premium Adjustable 13" Shocks off of a 2017 Ultra, on the '09 SERG...

The '09 was OE 12" air shocks, now has 12" HD Premium Shocks...

Stock Ride Height in the Front...

What can I expect, good/bad, with the 1" longer shocks?? Not concerned with holding the bike up as I have 34" inseam,,, Just want to know how / to what extent, handling will be affected??

Opinions on Lowering Blocks??



« Last Edit: December 30, 2017, 10:26:52 PM by FlaHeatWave »
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SDCVO

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Re: 12" to 13" Rear Shocks??
« Reply #1 on: December 30, 2017, 11:38:59 PM »
I went to 13 rear shocks on my bikes and love the additional clearance without scrapping. Cant tell by looking at bike difference.
Went to Ohlin's so ride quality night and day
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skratch

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Re: 12" to 13" Rear Shocks??
« Reply #2 on: December 30, 2017, 11:52:42 PM »
the 13'' shocks will ride a considerable amount better than the 12''.  that extra inch of travel is pretty substantial.  you shouldn't notice much if any difference in handling, except that your lean angle may increase by a small amount.
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VaEagle

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Re: 12" to 13" Rear Shocks??
« Reply #3 on: December 31, 2017, 12:40:01 AM »
Some info on changing suspension on a 2009 bike in this old thread:

https://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=76154.0

You mentioned that the front is stock height, if it is the original front end you should seriously consider replacing it when you do the shocks. You will never regret it!
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GregKhougaz

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Re: 12" to 13" Rear Shocks??
« Reply #4 on: December 31, 2017, 02:01:30 AM »
I recently put the new premium ride 13 inch shocks on my CVO Road Glide Ultra. Very satisfied with the ride for the cost. While they have an additional one inch of travel over the 12in shocks, they have but nine sixteenths of an inch higher ride height due to the angle of the shock. Bear in mind the bike will sit slightly different on the kickstand and you may need to change the kickstand adapter if you are not happy with how it sits.
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Re: 12" to 13" Rear Shocks??
« Reply #5 on: December 31, 2017, 09:03:14 AM »

Just a note, a one inch change in the eye-to-eye length of a shock doesn't necessarily equate to a one inch change in total travel.  It varies by manufacturer and model, but most use some of that increased length to increase the overlap of the tubes to improve strength and reduce flex.  If Progressive still has the old shock spec charts on their site you can look through the various models and lengths comparing the actual travel specified and see what I mean.

Jerry
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FLSTFI Dave

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Re: 12" to 13" Rear Shocks??
« Reply #6 on: December 31, 2017, 10:04:39 AM »
The touring bikes were designed for 13 inch rear shocks.  The 12 inch came later to look cool.  Most all the bikes with 12" rear shocks do not have a lowered front. 

Adding 13" shocks will improve the ride, more suspension travel.  Will improve the lean angle.  Will make turn in for curves better. 

No down side.  I added 13" Ohlins to my 13 CVO King which came with 12" premium HD shock.  Best improvement I did.  Second best was the legends Axeo front fork cartridges. 
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CVODON

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Re: 12" to 13" Rear Shocks??
« Reply #7 on: December 31, 2017, 04:23:37 PM »
Everyone needs to read Jerry's post above. I know of no 13" shocks that have a full inch of travel difference in similar 12" shock. Check out the chart he talks about and also read Greg K's post, the ride difference is normally around 1/2" between a 12" and a 13".
The longer a shock is, the more it requires support for the "rod" and normally the body increases in length proportionate to the travel.
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skratch

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Re: 12" to 13" Rear Shocks??
« Reply #8 on: December 31, 2017, 05:41:13 PM »
okay, so regardless if the difference in travel is a full inch or not, can we at least agree that a stock 12'' shock has a harsher ride than a stock 13'' shock?  and the same would apply to the premium hand adjustable too?

and i think no one would argue that ohlins would ride better than any of the stock shocks.

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Yellow09SERG

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Re: 12" to 13" Rear Shocks??
« Reply #9 on: January 02, 2018, 09:37:19 PM »
Ed, I made the change from the 12 air ride to a set of 13 JRI's 2 years ago. I still can't drive into a 30mph corner at 70, but I no longer get the cussing and the knots on the back of my head from the wife. Honestly can't say that I ever felt a difference in seat height or if I did I don't remember it. Can't tell you what the actual travel distance is but will tell you its enough to stop the back jaring bottom out you get with the 12 air rides
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bigchuck

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Re: 12" to 13" Rear Shocks??
« Reply #10 on: January 02, 2018, 11:01:40 PM »
Even if you only gain a half inch in travel that's a supstantial percentage of increase when you are starting with only 2".
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hrdtail78

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Re: 12" to 13" Rear Shocks??
« Reply #11 on: January 03, 2018, 09:31:11 AM »
Best shocks I have ever rode are shocks that have been set up properly.   This includes a measured pre load.  Not from a generic chart. 
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Texas 103

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Re: 12" to 13" Rear Shocks??
« Reply #12 on: January 05, 2018, 03:25:03 PM »
Quote from: FlaHeatWave on December 30, 2017, 10:23:05 PM
Thinking of trying some Harley Premium Adjustable 13" Shocks off of a 2017 Ultra, on the '09 SERG...

The '09 was OE 12" air shocks, now has 12" HD Premium Shocks...

Stock Ride Height in the Front...

What can I expect, good/bad, with the 1" longer shocks?? Not concerned with holding the bike up as I have 34" inseam,,, Just want to know how / to what extent, handling will be affected??

Opinions on Lowering Blocks??


Went from  standard air shocks to the 12" premiums. Rode & handled terrible. Off they came, sold them for more than I bought hem for on Ebay,. Think you will find the ride is much nicer and it will probably handle better....just my .002
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