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[Ironhorse]

so how did you like the suspension tech? why are you replacing them & with what. just curios

They were okay shocks. To be honest they did not live up to my expectation. I found them to be a bit rough and harsh, my passanger more so. I contacted the mfgr and tried to adjust them as best I could. I had them set from one end of the spectrum to the other.

So I installed Ohlins 3-3, also known as Ohlins #6 from Howard at Motorcycle Metal. Very expensive (like just about anything is for these bikes), but well worth it in my opinion.

Click this link for my write up on them.

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=100001.0

[RayK]

Thanks Guys for the replies so far, a lot of good advice. I think I will wait and see what's available in take off shocks. Thanks

[Delta]

As usual on these forums Ray, you will get flooded with answers trying to convince you to spend vast amounts even if you state up front you aren't interested in spending a fortune.  Yes, there are better suspension components on the market, just like there are better or just more expensive parts for the rest of the bike.  Those who don't have unlimited budgets will need to ignore those who either do or want you to think they do, and go with a cost/benefit answer.  If you can get a decent price for the H-D "Premium" hand adjustable shocks (look for take-offs from the guys bashing them, since they are no good they should be willing to give them to you), they will be an improvement over the stock air shocks.  Not the best out there, just better than what you have now.  There are other choices that also fit into that area between the H-D "Premiums" and the ultra high priced stuff.  Works Performance is one name that comes to mind, you could also talk to Jim (hd-dude) about the Suspension Technologies shocks that have gotten good reviews around here.

Jerry

Perhaps it should be asked if there is a better rear shock upgrade for less then $549.95.

[FLHTCUSE7]

I am afraid that anything under $1K is as bad as the HD original crap. Might as well stick with stock then.

[GtreetSlide]

I just put the HD adjustable on my 2009 Street Glide. There is a very noticeable improvement in handling from a performance and comfort status. Corners much faster, my 6 blown discs don't get jammed on every bump now. No comparison to stock air shocks. I think it was money well spent.

[phato1]

I have the HD premium shocks on my 11.5 CUSE and I have the HD premium Dual cartridge front suspension.  For the money spent it is a very worthwhile upgrade. The bike handles much better and my wife and I like the comfort of the ride. Again money well spent. Is the Ohlins system better?  Maybe for some but I don't think my riding style would benefit from them.

[FLHTCUSE7]

You might want to look in a forum there people are more performance / handling experienced than a Harley forum.

Nobody buys a HD for handling or performance so then people, that appreciates / understand handling, might hang on other forums.

I did upgrade my suspension to Ohlins and it handles better than stock. But don't kid yourself it is still not a great handling motorcycle. But it's great for what it is designed for.  Slow speed and moderate curves.

[Fired00d]

You might want to look in a forum there people are more performance / handling experienced than a Harley forum.

Nobody buys a HD for handling or performance so then people, that appreciates / understand handling, might hang on other forums.

I did upgrade my suspension to Ohlins and it handles better than stock. But don't kid yourself it is still not a great handling motorcycle. But it's great for what it is designed for.  Slow speed and moderate curves.

Then the information may not be pertaining to H-D's. The OP is wanting information to make his "H-D" handle perform better... simple as that... IMO he's come to one of, if not the best place to get that information. It's obvious in your posts that you are not happy with "H-D's" (and that's fine because a lot of us... myself included aren't happy w/all aspects of them) and as you've posted many times will be selling yours (unlike a lot of us that even though they have their "problems" choose to stick w/them) which is your choice and prerogative.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Ironhorse]

Then the information may not be pertaining to H-D's. The OP is wanting information to make his "H-D" handle perform better... simple as that... IMO he's come to one of, if not the best place to get that information. It's obvious in your posts that you are not happy with "H-D's" (and that's fine because a lot of us... myself included aren't happy w/all aspects of them) and as you've posted many times will be selling yours (unlike a lot of us that even though they have their "problems" choose to stick w/them) which is your choice and prerogative.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

I went with Ohlins to save myself from too many "buy and try" scenarios. Yes, Ohlins are damn expensive, and there is probably a shock just as good, somewhere between stock and Ohlins. Maybe Progressive, or Werks I don't know. I do know I bought Ohlins once, and am done with looking for rear shocks.

Mark

[FLSTFI Dave]

I went with Ohlins to save myself from too many "buy and try" scenarios. Yes, Ohlins are damn expensive, and there is probably a shock just as good, somewhere between stock and Ohlins. Maybe Progressive, or Werks I don't know. I do know I bought Ohlins once, and am done with looking for rear shocks.

Mark

I switched the stock air shocks on my 09 SERG To progressive 944, much better than the stock air.  My 12 SERG came with the HD hand adjustable premium, about the same if not slightly better than the progressive 944.

The HD premium are around 549.00, the 944 were 650.00.

My Ohlin HD-159 were just under 990.00 installed and set up for my weight.

If the HD premium are 500 better than the stock air, the Ohlins are easily 700 better than the HD premium.

I would spend 1000 again for the Ohlin, I would not spend 500 again for the HD premium or Progressive.

[jimcb1]

where did you get them for $700.00 installed

[FlaHeatWave]

You might want to look in a forum there people are more performance / handling experienced than a Harley forum.

Nobody buys a HD for handling or performance so then people, that appreciates / understand handling, might hang on other forums.

I did upgrade my suspension to Ohlins and it handles better than stock. But don't kid yourself it is still not a great handling motorcycle. But it's great for what it is designed for.  Slow speed and moderate curves.

You might be surprised at the number of people on this forum that have years / miles of experience on bikes other than HDs...

[FLSTFI Dave]

where did you get them for $700.00 installed

They were 990 installed. 

My Ohlin HD-159 were just under 990.00 installed and set up for my weight.

  My comment was they are 700 better than the Premium hand adjustable HD shocks, which are a half the price of the Ohlins.

In other words the Ohins while more expensive are a better value for the dollar spent.

[08glide]

So with all this being said. I'm in the market for a set of HD premium rear shocks for 2012 FLHTCUSE. I want the standard height ( i think 13"). any one have any take-offs (like Jerry was sayin, really cheap)

[Jbbrown73]

I have the stock Premium ride Harley 12" on my 12 CVO Road Glide and it rides pretty good. I am not unhappy with it at all. It does well 2-up also. They will bottom on big bumps. I have 13" suspension technologies shocks on a 2010 street glide and I like them. Far better ride than the stock air, and very comparable ride to the Harley Premium shocks. I did not get the heavy duty Suspension Technologies, just the standard springs. They improved the Street Glide handling considerably. They were under $450 delivered from Metal Dragon. I think they were closer to $430, but I can't remember for sure.