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[Chief]

Are mine en-route yet? Hoist!

Absolutely. I spoke to Fabio this morning. He's building yours specially for you himself. 

[Chief]

Since I can't post in the vendor's section, I'l post here.

I just called Dan at Traxxion and asked for an ETA on your shocks.

The order was sent in last week. As of right now, Bitubo has not responded to him, so he doesn't know if they have all of the parts on the shelf or not. All of the shocks are built to order, so its not the same as just boxing up inventory. Dan's best guess is about one month to get them here.

If I hear something, I'll pass it along.

[Hoist!]

Since I can't post in the vendor's section, I'l post here.

I just called Dan at Traxxion and asked for an ETA on your shocks.

The order was sent in last week. As of right now, Bitubo has not responded to him, so he doesn't know if they have all of the parts on the shelf or not. All of the shocks are built to order, so its not the same as just boxing up inventory. Dan's best guess is about one month to get them here.

If I hear something, I'll pass it along.

Thanks Chuck. At least we know they're on order in Italy. I hope they ship them before they close for the month of August. We should have them by August if they build and ship them right away. Hoist!

[Chief]

Thanks Chuck. At least we know they're on order in Italy. I hope they ship them before they close for the month of August. We should have them by August if they build and ship them right away. Hoist!

I hope so too. That would suck if they closed up shop with a bunch of outstanding orders not filled. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you all. 

[hard10]

Ok, I see that fired00d, Harry, & Don are all on tonight so I'll ask this question. I have not done anything to the shocks, yet. What do you recommend?

Bitubo, Legends, or Progressives?

Help!

 

[Twolanerider]

Ok, I see that fired00d, Harry, & Don are all on tonight so I'll ask this question. I have not done anything to the shocks, yet. What do you recommend?

Bitubo, Legends, or Progressives?

Help!

 

AJ, I'm sorry but I can't offer a comparison.  Have only ridden my Progressives from among that group. 

I opted against the Bitubo shocks as I just couldn't justify price against something that already seemed perfectly adequate.  Much the same on the Legends.  The adjustability might be nice.  But I'm not short enough legged I need it to make getting on and off the bike easier.  As a suspension system I don't know that they're any better than the Progressives so it's hard to justify $1k difference for up and down control if you don't need it.

[Fired00d]

Ok, I see that fired00d, Harry, & Don are all on tonight so I'll ask this question. I have not done anything to the shocks, yet. What do you recommend?

Bitubo, Legends, or Progressives?

Help!

 

I can't recommend anything because I'm like you I haven't done anything to mine they are still stock.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[hard10]

AJ, I'm sorry but I can't offer a comparison.  Have only ridden my Progressives from among that group. 

I opted against the Bitubo shocks as I just couldn't justify price against something that already seemed perfectly adequate.  Much the same on the Legends.  The adjustability might be nice.  But I'm not short enough legged I need it to make getting on and off the bike easier.  As a suspension system I don't know that they're any better than the Progressives so it's hard to justify $1k difference for up and down control if you don't need it.

I really don't have a need for the up/down movement either. I just added some air the the stock shocks over the last few days and it seems to have made a difference. Now I am just wondering if there is something better. I've never tried anything else so I can't compare.

I can't recommend anything because I'm like you I haven't done anything to mine they are still stock.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

Maybe I should just leave well enough alone. If it works for you Gary, it should work for me.

[Fired00d]

I really don't have a need for the up/down movement either. I just added some air the the stock shocks over the last few days and it seems to have made a difference. Now I am just wondering if there is something better. I've never tried anything else so I can't compare.

Maybe I should just leave well enough alone. If it works for you Gary, it should work for me.

One of those cases if it ain't broke don't fix it. When I first joined the site I found out the max air for my shocks that was listed in the owners manual was incorrect. Once I increased the pressure the ride was a lot better. I then read where some had got the Progressive's and thought they were better then stock and others thought they weren't better then stock. Lately I've noticed several posts concerning the Progressives leaking, however most of them have been repaired by Progressive when they have been returned. I'm not normally that aggressive in the curves to really benefit by suspension upgrades and most of my riding is one up so I haven't felt the need to purchase new shocks.

Upgrading shocks and getting a six speed transmission are on my wish list, but they are the things that may get done when the originals need replacing.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Midnight Rider]

AJ...this is just my opinion, so take it for what it's worth.  The adjustability on the Legends is great, they are extremely well made, and look good too.  They are pricey though, so if you don't need the height adjustment, or you don't want them just to get that "slammed" look when parked, then there are equally good alternatives with regards to the performance of the shock itself.  I can compare them to the stock Air Shocks, and there is no comparison.  The stock shocks suck...if you're used to them, you don't know a difference, so ignorance is bliss.  There are 100% improvements available though.  If I had the Progressives already on the bike, and there was nothing wrong with them, I'd probably keep them.  If I were buying new, I'd cough up the extra 200 bucks and go with the Bitubo shocks.  I've got them on the Vrod...VAST improvement.  Chief has them on his SEUC2 and says they are not only an improvement over stock, but over the Progressive's as well.  Being able to adjust them 3 ways is really nice.  Compared to the Legends, the ride quality is probably just as good, they just are not quite as flexible in application.  But, I need the Legends because I'm short, plus I ride the Ultra two up 95% of the time, so the adjustability while rolling down the road is a big plus.

If you do Bitubos, you'll want the front end AK-20 cartridges as well.  It's like driving a 68 Buick now...after these two upgrades, it's like driving an upper level luxury auto with touring suspension.  No comparison...it's like riding a different bike.

[Boatman]

The stock shocks suck...if you're used to them, you don't know a difference, so ignorance is bliss.  There are 100% improvements available though.  If I had the Progressives already on the bike, and there was nothing wrong with them, I'd probably keep them.  If I were buying new, I'd cough up the extra 200 bucks and go with the Bitubo shocks. 

If you do Bitubos, you'll want the front end AK-20 cartridges as well.  It's like driving a 68 Buick now...after these two upgrades, it's like driving an upper level luxury auto with touring suspension.  No comparison...it's like riding a different bike.

Well said, agree 100%..  I have the AK20's and the Progressives.  I am like Don with the Progressive's- they are much, much better than stock but am not going to change them to the Bitubo's..  If I hadn't had the progressive's, I would probably up grade to the Bitubo's as Terry stated.

[Chief]

I think a lot of riders are perfectly happy with the stock shocks, and most of the riders I have met that like the stock air shocks predominantly ride solo. I think this makes a huge difference, and the major difference separating the two camps.

In my mind, the problem is related to capacity. Our bikes reach Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) by adding about 400 pounds of fluids, rider, passenger and luggage. Hitting 400 pounds happens VERY quickly. Most of that weight lands right over the rear axle too. When that much extra weight is added over the rear wheel, the stock shocks run out of capacity very quickly. You can add preload via air pressure, but the damping just isn't sufficient to handle the extra weight.

Progressives help a lot, but they too can be overloaded and lack a compression damping adjustment. The Bitubos run a stiffer spring than the Progressives but also give compression damping adjustability, rebound too. Compression damping is the biggie for me. Hitting a bad bridge abuttment fully/over loaded, with insufficient shocks, will make you cringe, and its even worse for the passenger.

So I think it comes down to looking at how you ride most of the time to determine how much you need to do to your shocks. If you mainly ride on the light side, then the stock air shocks will probably never give you a problem. As your gross vehicle weight increases, rear suspension upgrades become more important.

This weekend will be the first chance I'll have had to test the Bitubos fully loaded. I'm sure there'll be at least one bad bridge to hit between here and Beaufort, and I'm sure it will be in my lane. Hopefully the new shocks will prevent, or at least lessen, the problems that bad bridges present.

[miker]

Ok, I see that fired00d, Harry, & Don are all on tonight so I'll ask this question. I have not done anything to the shocks, yet. What do you recommend?

Bitubo, Legends, or Progressives?

Help!

 

I changed stock airs to stock size progressive 440's.  I feel that the ride is better, much better.  It is combined with a swingarm stabilizer (ride str-8) too.  The back end feels tighter and not as clunky...Trax carts for the front as soon as I can.

Miker

[Fired00d]

I think a lot of riders are perfectly happy with the stock shocks, and most of the riders I have met that like the stock air shocks predominantly ride solo. I think this makes a huge difference, and the major difference separating the two camps.

In my mind, the problem is related to capacity. Our bikes reach Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) by adding about 400 pounds of fluids, rider, passenger and luggage. Hitting 400 pounds happens VERY quickly. Most of that weight lands right over the rear axle too. When that much extra weight is added over the rear wheel, the stock shocks run out of capacity very quickly. You can add preload via air pressure, but the damping just isn't sufficient to handle the extra weight.

Progressives help a lot, but they too can be overloaded and lack a compression damping adjustment. The Bitubos run a stiffer spring than the Progressives but also give compression damping adjustability, rebound too. Compression damping is the biggie for me. Hitting a bad bridge abuttment fully/over loaded, with insufficient shocks, will make you cringe, and its even worse for the passenger.

So I think it comes down to looking at how you ride most of the time to determine how much you need to do to your shocks. If you mainly ride on the light side, then the stock air shocks will probably never give you a problem. As your gross vehicle weight increases, rear suspension upgrades become more important.

This weekend will be the first chance I'll have had to test the Bitubos fully loaded. I'm sure there'll be at least one bad bridge to hit between here and Beaufort, and I'm sure it will be in my lane. Hopefully the new shocks will prevent, or at least lessen, the problems that bad bridges present.

I agree. Even though I weigh more then TC & Diva together (and probably a lot of two-up riders here) I think because I ride Solo most of the time and the placement of the weight (forward of rear axle) makes a big difference. If/when I have to replace shocks there is no doubt in my mind I would upgrade to something aftermarket, but for now the stock shocks are something I can live with.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Talon]

It also depends on how you ride, these aren't crotch rockets! The stock shocks may leave something to be desired, but I'm not sure I'm ready to put down the $$$$$ for this upgrade or some of the other air systems. The progressive 440 are good enough for me, but again it's a personal preference and I ride solo most the time, and when I ride two up, it's not a big deal to change the setting if needed.