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[TexasBowhunter]

I have always wanted a Traxxion Dynamics front suspension for my FLHTCU but the cost has been a deciding factor as to just when I was going to be able to afford it...
Years ago you guys here on the CVO Forum were perhaps the ground breakers on the front end for the Harleys and all of you that has gotten them have been really pleased with all that is offered with there suspension...
Then there was Race Tec, Ricor intimidators which I am presently running now...
Since the introduction to the Traxxion, Progressive has introduced there version of a cartriage system which has been claimed to be superior over the conventional front end which shouldn't be to hard achieve...the question which is on the minds of those of us who are up in the air is which one is truely superior in all aspects...
Now Harley has the introduced there version of a premium front end cartriage system which appears to be just the older 03-05 cartriage system...My understanding is its in the 2012 SE Ultra...If this is in deed a fact for those of you that has a 2012 can chime in on its handling characteristics...

My question here is for those that have had both the Traxxion and the progressive or the Traxxion and the premium system which is the better system to go with...
A system which will give the best handling whether it be on the super slab or the winding twisties...single rider or 2 up...whether loaded on the bike or pulling a trailer...Or just all of the above...
The Traxxion from what I understand can be set up where one fork is rebound and the other is compression...If one was to go with Traxxion should this be the way to go...
Does progression have this feature as well?
With the Harley premium system will changing the weight of the fork fluid change the characteristic's of the front ends handling...
I don't mind spending the money for the right front end...Just would like to believe I have spent if on the best...
paul

[digga25]

Paul,I cant speak from experience but from the feedback on this and many other forums,Traxion is the best.

[BUBBLEHEAD]

From what I have read Traxxion is the best without a doubt.  Seems like the Ricors run a close second with the differance in price vs performance not really being worth going up to Traxxion.  So really if you want  great susp. either will do. If you just want to say you have the best then, Traxxion.

[TexasBowhunter]

Paul,I cant speak from experience but from the feedback on this and many other forums,Traxxion is the best.

From everything I have read I agree that Traxxion is indeed rated as the best
However is it $800 best?
Is there truely a $800 of difference with Traxxion one could justify the additional samolians
Would the difference be truely felt and if so in what ways?
paul

[TexasBowhunter]

From what I have read Traxxion is the best without a doubt.  Seems like the Ricors run a close second with the differance in price vs performance not really being worth going up to Traxxion.  So really if you want  great susp. either will do. If you just want to say you have the best then, Traxxion.

From my limited experience the Ricors need to be improved on
The progressive are compared to the Traxxion more so then the Ricor
Although the Ricors are better then the stock I feel they are lacking in all around performance
paul

[Twolanerider]

Have both the Traxxion Dynamics and the Progressive Monotubes and have ridden a Ricor equipped bike.  Ride the TD and Monotube equipped bikes regularly.  Had the Traxxion for a long time before the Progressive package was available.

The Traxxion Dynamics package is better.  A little bit.  Both it and the Monotubes are very good and both are tremendously better than stock.  The small performing difference between the two, to me, doesn't justify the large price difference.  When I needed to make a choice for the recent project bike I easily chose another set of Monotubes.  Both the TD and the Monotubes are significantly better handling packages than the Ricor equipped bike I rode (50 miles or so).

[Talon]

Traxxion, is probably the best, it's also the most expensive that I know of. I have the Ricor upgrade and love it, easy to install, price isn't to bad and I love the change it made. Not sure what you think they need to improve on? There's also the progressive monotube. Never ridden it but sounds comparable to the Ricor. I can't think of the other valve system but it like the Ricor. I think you can't go wrong with any, just depends on how much you want to spend and your personal preference.

Craig

[Dan_Lockwood]

I've ridden both the Traxxion and Progressive on back to back rides, the same day, same roads,and same conditions on two different 09 CVO ultra glides.  I ride these Hill country curves, sweeping two lane roads a lot.

Here is my:

1.

Here is my: 1. "What?"

I see from your signature that you have Monotubes on your current ride.  Are the Monotubes your #1 choice?

Thanks.

Also on your rides comparing the two bikes on the same day etc, how did they stack up to each other?

Thanks again.

[Dan_Lockwood]

Traxxion, is probably the best, it's also the most expensive that I know of. I have the Ricor upgrade and love it, easy to install, price isn't to bad and I love the change it made. Not sure what you think they need to improve on? There's also the progressive monotube. Never ridden it but sounds comparable to the Ricor. I can't think of the other valve system but it like the Ricor. I think you can't go wrong with any, just depends on how much you want to spend and your personal preference.

Craig

Craig's how's it going?

When you say "easy to install".  The fork still needs to come apart and the Ricor goes in the bottom, correct?  If so, the Monotubes would be just as easy to install I would think.  The Traxxion I understand needs some special tools or machining to make it work, I may be wrong on the Traxxion though.

Thanks.

[Diamondback]

 

Here's impression having ridden both the Traxxion and the Progressives on 09 CVO Ultra's.  I road the two bikes on the same day, on the same Texas Hill Country roads for about 75 miles.  I ride these curvy, winding roads with low water crossing dips, long fast sweeping curves etc.

1.  When it comes to riding aggressive but not crazy, the two are very similar.  That said, the Traxxion is better.  Ride is more controlled but only noticeable when pushed.  The Progressive's are very good and light years ahead of the HD suspension.
2.  The Traxxion is overall better but a few negatives.  Requires much more maintenance and should be sent back to Traxxion for this service.  The Progressives require no maintenance.
3.  When pushed hard the Traxxion works better than the Progressive but I never felt like the bike was out of control with the Progressives.  Unlike the HD suspension which can be unstable easily and without warning.  Neither the Traxxion or Progressive were ever "out of control".

Considering the huge difference in cost, I went with the Progressives on my 11 CVO Road Glide and have not looked back.  Ordered the Ultra 940's (instead of the Bitubo's) for the back of the bike to improve the ride, handling and the inevitable bottoming out with the crappy air suspension.

All said and done, the cost for the "better solution" was in my opinion just to much for the marginal benefit.  10,000 miles later, I am still completely satisfied.  Thus the order for the Ultra 940's.

D'back

 

[TexasBowhunter]

Craig's how's it going?

When you say "easy to install".  The fork still needs to come apart and the Ricor goes in the bottom, correct?  If so, the Monotubes would be just as easy to install I would think.  The Traxxion I understand needs some special tools or machining to make it work, I may be wrong on the Traxxion though.

Thanks.

For me I would opt to take a ride out to Traxxion and have them install the cartiages and fine tune it from there...
I'm not SURE I would send them the forks and have them install the cartiage system in it and send them back
has anyone had experience with the sending them out and if so whats involved if any was there in tunning the system?
paul

[Twolanerider]

Requires much more maintenance and should be sent back to Traxxion for this service.  The Progressives require no maintenance.

It's true the Progressive fronts are non-serviceable.  The TD are field serviceable though.  They advertise that they'd like you to send the legs back to them for service.  But it's not necessary.  All standard seals and other bits for a normal front end service with their kit installed.  The service parts remain the same even though the guts are changed.

[sadunbar]

Here's impression having ridden both the Traxxion and the Progressives on 09 CVO Ultra's.  I road the two bikes on the same day, on the same Texas Hill Country roads for about 75 miles.  I ride these curvy, winding roads with low water crossing dips, long fast sweeping curves etc.

1.  When it comes to riding aggressive but not crazy, the two are very similar.  That said, the Traxxion is better.  Ride is more controlled but only noticeable when pushed.  The Progressive's are very good and light years ahead of the HD suspension.
2.  The Traxxion is overall better but a few negatives.  Requires much more maintenance and should be sent back to Traxxion for this service.  The Progressives require no maintenance.
3.  When pushed hard the Traxxion works better than the Progressive but I never felt like the bike was out of control with the Progressives.  Unlike the HD suspension which can be unstable easily and without warning.  Neither the Traxxion or Progressive were ever "out of control".

Considering the huge difference in cost, I went with the Progressives on my 11 CVO Road Glide and have not looked back.  Ordered the Ultra 940's (instead of the Bitubo's) for the back of the bike to improve the ride, handling and the inevitable bottoming out with the crappy air suspension.

All said and done, the cost for the "better solution" was in my opinion just to much for the marginal benefit.  10,000 miles later, I am still completely satisfied.  Thus the order for the Ultra 940's.

D'back

 

I'm curious as to why you state Traxxion "requires much more maintenance".  That's not been my experience....  

[Twolanerider]

I'm curious as to why you state Traxxion "requires much more maintenance".  That's not been my experience....  

The TD kits take the same normal front end maintenance the bikes should have always gotten.  The improved suspension does improve it.  But doesn't change the service requirements or parts.  You had to do anything extra or more regularly Scott?

[sadunbar]

The TD kits take the same normal front end maintenance the bikes should have always gotten.  The improved suspension does improve it.  But doesn't change the service requirements or parts.  You had to do anything extra or more regularly Scott?

Nope...that's why I questioned the comment.   

Fork seals are wear items, and ABSOLUTELY will wear out and fail eventually...in anybody's front suspension.  Replacing them in Traxxion forks is no more (or less) of a service task than with stock forks - or any other forks that I've worked on.  Traxxion gives you the option of sending your forks to them for service, but it's not a requirement.  I replaced my fork seals after 20K as a precaution - but didn't find anything abnormal when doing so...