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[Midnight Rider]

Got the work done yesterday at Traxxion...as usual, the reaction is WOW!!!!  Was a bit concerned that the rake on the V might make the difference less noticeable on the front end work, but that is absolutely not the case.  The springs that come out of the V rod stock front end...the tech said it is absolutely rediculous that HD puts a spring that weak in a bike like the V.  Front end behaves itself now, under all circumstances.

The shocks:  Performance is great...the three adjustments on the shocks, rebound damping, spring preload, and compression damping, actually work!!  Ride quality is much improved...no more bouncing off the seat on rebounds of the POS stock shock.  Rear wheel stays on the ground over choppy bumps, and my fillings don't get rattled out.  Very simple to make quick adjustments to the suspension, and the operation of the adjusters is very smooth and linear.  Setting proper static sag is very important in initial set up of the shock, then make the rebound adjustments as desired, then firm up the compression settings as needed.

Looks wise, I'm not crazy about how they are on the V, but we're working on that one.

Functionally, both myself and all the others at the shop were impressed with the shocks performance, just comparing them to what they know about in the sport bike and Gold Wing market.

Traxxion has to decide now what the price point will be for "regular" customers and for us as CVO members.  They must also decide about stock, since it takes a bit of time to get the shocks once ordered from Italy. 

The shock MSRP is $780.00 US (this could vary a bit, depending on the order date/exchange rate).  We will probably get a 10-15% discount.  As soon as I know something, I'll post in the vendor discount section.

So, Progressive 440HD's are running about $450-$500, depending on where you find them?  If the Bitubo's turn out to be a feasible alternative, would you be willing to pay another 200-250 for the tunability of the shock?

[Hoist!]

Got the work done yesterday at Traxxion...as usual, the reaction is WOW!!!!  Was a bit concerned that the rake on the V might make the difference less noticeable on the front end work, but that is absolutely not the case.  The springs that come out of the V rod stock front end...the tech said it is absolutely rediculous that HD puts a spring that weak in a bike like the V.  Front end behaves itself now, under all circumstances.

The shocks:  Performance is great...the three adjustments on the shocks, rebound damping, spring preload, and compression damping, actually work!!  Ride quality is much improved...no more bouncing off the seat on rebounds of the POS stock shock.  Rear wheel stays on the ground over choppy bumps, and my fillings don't get rattled out.  Very simple to make quick adjustments to the suspension, and the operation of the adjusters is very smooth and linear.  Setting proper static sag is very important in initial set up of the shock, then make the rebound adjustments as desired, then firm up the compression settings as needed.

Looks wise, I'm not crazy about how they are on the V, but we're working on that one.

Functionally, both myself and all the others at the shop were impressed with the shocks performance, just comparing them to what they know about in the sport bike and Gold Wing market.

Traxxion has to decide now what the price point will be for "regular" customers and for us as CVO members.  They must also decide about stock, since it takes a bit of time to get the shocks once ordered from Italy. 

The shock MSRP is $780.00 US (this could vary a bit, depending on the order date/exchange rate).  We will probably get a 10-15% discount.  As soon as I know something, I'll post in the vendor discount section.

So, Progressive 440HD's are running about $450-$500, depending on where you find them?  If the Bitubo's turn out to be a feasible alternative, would you be willing to pay another 200-250 for the tunability of the shock?

Great report Terry! Glad to see the V saw as much improvement as the Dresser did. That with the shocks, it must ride awesome! The shocks sound really great too. Between yours and Chief's brief reports I'm ready! Answer is YES, when can I order them. Be nice to have before Hot Springs! I'll take mine in Chrome with Heavy Duty Springs if they're giving Materials/Spring choices.

Did Max ride yours before and after? Curious what he thought. Should we be getting a group order ready yet?

Hoist!

[Midnight Rider]

Great report Terry! Glad to see the V saw as much improvement as the Dresser did. That with the shocks, it must ride awesome! The shocks sound really great too. Between yours and Chief's brief reports I'm ready! Answer is YES, when can I order them. Be nice to have before Hot Springs! I'll take mine in Chrome with Heavy Duty Springs if they're giving Materials/Spring choices.

Did Max ride yours before and after? Curious what he thought. Should we be getting a group order ready yet?

Hoist!

Howie...they didn't have to ride the bike before...just sat on it and rocked it like a rocking horse    They were amazed at the amount of dive in the front end, just sitting, locking the front brake, and rocking it down.  Of course, the FL's are just as bad.  Hell, every HD made is just as bad, unless it's been modified in some way.  Max's front AK-20 cartridge is really an amazing piece of work, and one that he invented himself. I read a bunch more stuff while I was there...he cuts NO corners, using the 7071 grade aluminum instead of the cheaper 6021 (I think those numbers are correct)...he invented the Axxion valve.  There is simply no other front suspension out there that can even come close for our bikes.  You can stick all the emulators, springs, fork oil...whatever...and it's simply not going to even come close.  It would be better than stock, but not close to this.  IMO, it's the best money anybody can spend on their bike, regardless of riding style, even the "putters" can benefit.  Those who ride hard at times...it's a must have modification.

I guess I made a mistake getting the Ducati before I got anything else to ride, after my long absence from riding.  It spoiled me, but Max's system gets even our bikes, and especially my V, as close to that as they can be.

Max, Mike, the German sounding tech (Mark?), and another one of the techs rode the bike afterwards.  None of them had ever ridden a V before, or seen a Screamin' Eagle version...they were all surprised when they cracked it above 4K.

I kind of think their plan will be to order several of the shocks for the FLH models (they are all going to be the same shock)...that's what they've got to decide: how many and what type.  They get the spring based on the bike model...there's so much adjustment that actually functions, and isn't just there for looks or to play with, tuning it for the situation, after a little trial and error, would be quick and easy.  The rebound setting is going to be a set it and forget it thing for the most part, or maybe set at two or three for solo and four for two up (there are five settings).  Figure out a couple of settings for the spring preload, and you'd be indexed to dial it in quickly. 

I'd bet that the same shock for the V would also work for the Dyna's, if someone wanted them.

Aesthetically, the shock is well built, with a nicely chromed spring.  I think they make a chrome cap for the shock too...I'm checking on that.  The aluminum resi is machined nicely, and it's just something we're going to have to live with on these shocks.  It could be polished, I suppose, but really doesn't look bad at all as is.  The black tops/bottoms of the shock for the V is a different story, but in this case, if necessary, I'll sacrifice form for function.

They're chatting about it all today, so I'll know something soon.  Just about the entire country of Italy takes August off work, so they will be making a decision soon.

[mr_magoo]

Good news glad you guys are happy.  Progressives are leaking will wait for a price before I decide.

[Midnight Rider]

Here's some pics of the shocks on the Vrod.

Right side first...they're a little blurry.  Sorry

[Midnight Rider]

Left

[Midnight Rider]

Right side top...this shows the compression adjuster.  It has click settings and arrows for hard/soft

[Midnight Rider]

The knurled ring at the bottom is the rebound damping adjuster. Goes from 1-5 for settings

[Midnight Rider]

Rear of the bike...

[Chief]

The knurled ring at the bottom is the rebound damping adjuster. Goes from 1-5 for settings

Two things.

1) The bottoms on mine are chrome.
2) Why don't you spin the bottom of the shock around so you can see the adjustment numbers on the outside.

[110tHunDer]

. . .

So, Progressive 440HD's are running about $450-$500, depending on where you find them?  If the Bitubo's turn out to be a feasible alternative, would you be willing to pay another 200-250 for the tunability of the shock?

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.

[Midnight Rider]

Whole bike.  When the new V&H pipe gets on the bike next week, it'll have a new look to go with the shocks.

[Midnight Rider]

Two things.

1) The bottoms on mine are chrome.
2) Why don't you spin the bottom of the shock around so you can see the adjustment numbers on the outside.

Interesting that the bottoms are chrome.  I would like that better, at least on bottom.

The numbers are showing, you just can't see them in that shot.

[Chief]

Interesting that the bottoms are chrome.  I would like that better, at least on bottom.

The numbers are showing, you just can't see them in that shot.

Gotcha. I first installed mine with them to the inside and then changed it. The numbers don't show well in my pics either.

[Chief]

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.

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.