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[110tHunDer]

You get that too? I though I was the only one. I feel it in the floorboards. It feels like something is loose somewhere. I'm glad I'm not the only one.

Yeah.  I don't know if it's 'cause they're the heavy duty versions or what, but I've spent a fair amount of time on JR's bike (he has the standard springs) and his doesn't do it.  It's like a totally different bike.

Backing off the preload helps some, but then you lose some ride quality and performance, so that's no good, either.

[Midnight Rider]

Terry, I would probably bite for a $200 premium, but I will await Chief's report after talking with Max about what can be done with regard to the fitment issues and some additional seat time and reports from Chief before I commit.

On a related note, I wonder what pre-dispostion to leaking the Bitubo's have?  Are they better constructed than the Progressives?  It might be interesting to get Max's take on that, as well.

I have grown weary with the Progressive's constant clunking noise and now the leaking (that ends up on the rear pulley and gets flung everywhere ), plus, I plan to do the fork upgrade, hopefully this fall.  So, I would like to do both ends at the same time, just a little too soon to get real excited about the rear shocks at this time with some questions (price/quality of construction/ride quality) yet to be fully answered.

BTW, I think they look right fine on the V-Rod.  The reservoir gives it a nice "mechanical" and purposeful look that compliments the bike, IMHO.

Brian...I can only compare them to shocks I've dealt with before...not progressives.  They appear to be very well constructed.  The reservoir is machined from a solid piece of aluminum, the spring preload is also a nice thick piece of aluminum with well defined and cut notches for the included spanner wrench.  All the adjustment knobs and rings are smooth to operate.  I've been doing some research on the company...they've been around for about 30 years and have a good reputation in Europe, and in the racing world.  They do make a kit for servicing the shock, so they are apparently completely rebuildable.

I'm pretty sure the price is going to be around the $700 mark, but I should know more in the next couple of days.

[Chief]

Yeah.  I don't know if it's 'cause they're the heavy duty versions or what, but I've spent a fair amount of time on JR's bike (he has the standard springs) and his doesn't do it.  It's like a totally different bike.

Backing off the preload helps some, but then you lose some ride quality and performance, so that's no good, either.

That sounds like that may be topping out. I'll get that if I forget to back off the preload after riding heavy. I got a clunk that I felt most in the floorboards, on both bikes. It's gone now.

As far as durability is concerned, I have no idea. Maybe they're rebuildable, and I know this really great shock shop just up the road.

[Boatman]

Thanks TC and Chief for the pictures/reports.  Misc ramblings:

I have been fortunate to have no rebound clunking on my std 12.5" 440's..

If I were Terry, I would tell people I have nitrous on my Vrod.  The bitubo's look high tech on the Vrod.

I will stick with the 440's as long as they last (but that could change).

I highly recommend the AK20 front fork upgrade.

Brian-
Maybe you could send your 440's back to have the std springs installed and the leaks fixed.  Progressive charges less than $100 to change springs and maybe they would reseal under warranty. 

 

[110tHunDer]

That sounds like that may be topping out. I'll get that if I forget to back off the preload after riding heavy. I got a clunk that I felt most in the floorboards, on both bikes. It's gone now.

As far as durability is concerned, I have no idea. Maybe they're rebuildable, and I know this really great shock shop just up the road.

It's definitely a rebound clunk, but I can't get it to totally go away, even when the adjusting ring is all the way counter-clockwise.  If I stay with the Progressives, when I send the one in for the leak, I'll probably send both of them in and have 1/2" longer (to compensate for the heavy duty's stiffness) standard springs installed to see if that helps.

[110tHunDer]

. . .

Brian-
Maybe you could send your 440's back to have the std springs installed and the leaks fixed.  Progressive charges less than $100 to change springs and maybe they would reseal under warranty. 

 

Boatman, I really did type and post my response prior to reading your's.

[Chief]

It's definitely a rebound clunk, but I can't get it to totally go away, even when the adjusting ring is all the way counter-clockwise.  If I stay with the Progressives, when I send the one in for the leak, I'll probably send both of them in and have 1/2" longer (to compensate for the heavy duty's stiffness) standard springs installed to see if that helps.

The springs on mine were fine, but there just isn't enough damping when you really need it. They were fine when riding light, but loaded to the gills, they just didn't have enough.

[Midnight Rider]

The springs on mine were fine, but there just isn't enough damping when you really need it. They were fine when riding light, but loaded to the gills, they just didn't have enough.

Chief...I'm interested in getting Suzanne on the back of the V to see how these do too.  Are you going to ride two up or have a load on the bike anytime soon?

I ride on some rough sections of concrete road in downtown B'ham getting to work and coming home...some of the sections in the concrete would jar my arms and butt fairly hard.  Though the bumps and unevenness is still felt, it is absorbed readily by the rear shocks now, without topping or bottoming out.  Big difference felt with the big rear tire on the bike.  Bumps in the corners don't upset the line as they did previously.  The front end is great of course, but without the rear, it would only be half a bike now.  Me likey the package thus far.  Being able to adjust the rebound is huge.

Bob...the nitrous thought has occured to me as well...

[Chief]

Chief...I'm interested in getting Suzanne on the back of the V to see how these do too.  Are you going to ride two up or have a load on the bike anytime soon?

I ride on some rough sections of concrete road in downtown B'ham getting to work and coming home...some of the sections in the concrete would jar my arms and butt fairly hard.  Though the bumps and unevenness is still felt, it is absorbed readily by the rear shocks now, without topping or bottoming out.  Big difference felt with the big rear tire on the bike.  Bumps in the corners don't upset the line as they did previously.  The front end is great of course, but without the rear, it would only be half a bike now.  Me likey the package thus far.  Being able to adjust the rebound is huge.

Bob...the nitrous thought has occured to me as well...

You mean other than my fat arse?

Maybe next weekend. One thing I really want to do is to spend some time and really get a handle on the preload settings. Not being limited to 5 clicks, it will take a bit more thought, and work, to set it right.

[hdbrad03]

I wonder if they aren't mounted upside down. Some of the pictures I can find on the WEB show them oriented with the reservoir mounted on the bottom. The decals are correct not apperearing upside down. Only a thought. http://www.motorcycle-parts.com.au/BHD004_WMT_03.jpg

[Chief]

I wonderi f they aren't mounted upside down. Some of the pictures I can find on the WEB show then oriented with the reservoir mounted on the bottom. The decals are correct not apperearing upside down. Only a thought. http://www.motorcycle-parts.com.au/BHD004_WMT_03.jpg

That's a very interesting point. The instruction booklet didn't mention mounting orientation at all. My assumption was resevoir at the top, but that's just the way I'm used to seeing them.

[Twolanerider]

Yeah.  I don't know if it's 'cause they're the heavy duty versions or what, but I've spent a fair amount of time on JR's bike (he has the standard springs) and his doesn't do it.  It's like a totally different bike.

Backing off the preload helps some, but then you lose some ride quality and performance, so that's no good, either.

Mine are the heavy duty shocks also Brian.  No clunk here  .

[110tHunDer]

Mine are the heavy duty shocks also Brian.  No clunk here  .

That's what has me leaning toward the Bitubos, at least at this point.  I'm afraid I might still have the noise even if I change the springs on the Progressives.  It may just be some strange issue with my shocks since it seems like some do it and some don't.

Tough call.

[Twolanerider]

That's what has me leaning toward the Bitubos, at least at this point.  I'm afraid I might still have the noise even if I change the springs on the Progressives.  It may just be some strange issue with my shocks since it seems like some do it and some don't.

Tough call.

Lack of product continuity does truly suck Bri.  Makes any decision far more difficult.  For the price diference between the Bitubo product and the Progressive product it'd be a no-brainer if one were getting a first set to upgrade from stock.  A more painfull consideration, however, when you've already purchased one upgrade and (fortunately in my case) they still seem to be working ok. 

I had a leak in one shock but scored a single replacement on eBay.  So for $32.00 I was good to go again and (at least so far) they're giving no real problem.  I do have to remember to check the adjustment ever three months or so as it'll back off a little bit.  If I don't remember it will remind me by bottoming out when it's backed off too far.  But as long as I keep them adjusted the rear end feels pretty good.

[Midnight Rider]

A resi shock, according to Max, doesn't care what end the reservoir is on...it's filled with Nitrogen.