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[Black Diamond]

I've upgraded the suspension on my 02 Candy Brandy with products from Ricor. The front forks have the Ricor Intiminators installed. This causes no change in height but seems very effective. The bike maintains a line in a curve better, does not bottom out on anything but extreme potholes (we have those in Illinois), greatly reduces front end dive on braking and the overall the feedback to the rider is more positive and controlled.

Here's the Intiminators and Amsoil #5 Suspension Fluid.

[Black Diamond]

The Ricor rear shocks are relatively new to the market. I was so impressed with the Intiminators, I decided to try their rear shocks on the back of Ruby. They appear to be well made. I have been unable to give them a test due to rain & work.

[Black Diamond]

Here's pic of the right side of bike with OEM shocks

[Black Diamond]

Same side with Ricor shocks. These are the standard 13" shocks. They raised the rear end approx 1/2".

[Black Diamond]

Left side - OEM

[Black Diamond]

Left side - Ricor

I will post here later after a test ride or three.

JW

[Black Diamond]

I had a friend ride Ruby on our recent trip to the Great Smoky Mountains / Dragon area. We switched off several times so I was able to enjoy both of my scooters on some great roads. The Ricor rear shock arrived right after we left for the trip. I can say the Intiminators worked on the forks tho as they were installed with the Flander's Mini Ape mods.

I was all set to have a set of the Intiminators on Lexi (my 08 SERK) After reading SBB / Chip's post on the Progressive Monotubes and his comparison to the Traxxion system. I'm rethinking this. I have both systems (Progressive / Ricor) in the garage. Just have to decide which to go with Lexi's Works Performance rear shocks.

JW

[Indenial]

I like my Ricor Intiminators much better than I did the Progressive Monotubes.

[Twolanerider]

I like my Ricor Intiminators much better than I did the Progressive Monotubes.

In what ways are they different?

[Indenial]

Here's my comparison between the two.

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=49064.0

[Black Diamond]

I've had the Ricor rear shocks on her now for over 800 miles. Couple of observations:

When the shocks arrived, there was no mounting and/or adjusting information provided. This should never occur with a quality product.

I mounted the shocks without any problems. They are 1/2" longer than the OEM rear shocks. I took a measurement from the axle to a point on the fender with the shocks mounted and the tire off the pavement - 12".  After lowering the bike and sitting on her, I had my lady took a measurement at the same two points - 10"

Rode the scooter around town. Several bumps were quite harsh. Tried to called Brian @ Ricor. My phone (work phone) had been turned off. (Long story) So I sent Brian an email. He responded immediately. Great customer service. He let me know to set the sag for 1 1/4" to 1 1/2". I set them up at 1 1/4".

I rode down to Ft. Leonard Wood to visit my daughter. The shocks are much better but still not all I had hoped for. They feel spongy/springy. Like a slight bounce is always occurring. The harshness is gone. They react better to potholes and depressions than to any heave or rise in the pavement. A frost heave seems to propel you out of the seat. To be fair, they are significantly better than the OEM. However, I give the nod to my Works Performance rear shocks on my 08 SERK (Lexi) at this time.

Hopefully the phone will work so I can talk with Brian about additional adjustments. At this point the jury is still out.....

The Ricor Intiminators are still a great mod to the front forks. Reduced the braking dive greatly as well as harsh feedback thru the handlebars on potholes or heaves.

JW

[Black Diamond]

More on the Ricor rear shocks

I got my phone issues resolved and called Brian @ Ricor. I explained to him as best I could the performance of the shocks to date. He felt I was bottoming out on the rises / frost heaves. After some more discussion I added 1 1/2 turns to the preload. Just over 1" sag.

Additionally, after mounting my C&C solo seat, the spongy / springy feel is gone. I beleive the OEM seat was the problem.

After a 150 mile ride, I'm happy to report these shocks are perform very well. Once I got the preload set properly, they work as promised. Railroad crossing, familiar bad areas, etc are handled without any harsh feedback.

Comparing the Ricors IAS Shocks to the Works Performance ARS Shocks:

Ride goes to the Ricors. Ricors give a more "plush" ride while the Works are more of a sport tune: Cadillac v BMW. Both handle very well but differently. Both track like your on rails and transmit the road to the rider as information not as a harsh distractions.

Load Adjustment goes to Works. The Works ARS shocks are much easier to change the preload depending on need: two up loaded down - solo w/rain suit and tools.

Appearance goes to the Ricors. They are a "prettier" finished product, if that matters on a bagger.

Cost goes to the Works Performance Shocks. I got my Works for about $100.00 less than the Ricors.

I'm happy with the Ricors. However, if I were making this purchase now, the nod would still go to the Works ARS Shocks. FWIW & JMHO.

To finish: my 02 SERK with the Ricor suspension front and back is the best riding Harley I've ever owned. I love diving into corners on her as she feels rock solid. Now to address the front in on my 08!

JW

[stutz76]

If I may ask how many ounces of fluid did you put in when you installed your intiminator? I installed intiminator in my '02 purple serk and is hearing a clunk when I ran some dips coming from the front end. Only happened after installing the intiminator.
Thanks

[Trapperdog]

Always interesting the differering perspectives on shocks, etc. I recently had the Monotubes installed and have zero problems with them. No bottoming out and relatively no diving. On the other hand I was just talking to Erniezap who has the Ricors in his '05 and complains that they dive way too much and he can't stand them. Both were installed professionally by Jim (hd-dood) and we have similar riding styles so go figure. 

[Black Diamond]

If I may ask how many ounces of fluid did you put in when you installed your intiminator? I installed intiminator in my '02 purple serk and is hearing a clunk when I ran some dips coming from the front end. Only happened after installing the intiminator.
Thanks

I purchased the recommended 1 qt / 32 oz of Amsoil #5 Suspension Fluid from Ricor. After the Intiminators were installed, I got the remainder of the oil returned to me, 12 oz. Based on this, it appears I have 10 oz. in each fork.
FWIW. I have not had a sudden jolt transmitted to me thru the handlebars since having these installed. Braking dive is reduced. They are doing a good job for me. I no longer have any "clunk"s. However, a big bump / hole is still a big bump / hole.

Ask hd-dood, he knows what he's talking about, I'm just a rider.

JW