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[Chief2505]

I have finally been convinced that an upgrade to the front suspension is needed and should help my ride complaints..

I have completed reading a lot of threads on the progressive monotubes and I think they are what I am going to order. But I wanted to make certain that what I think I have been reading about and what I have chosen are indeed the same things.

These are what I am leaning to
http://www.progressivesuspension.com/product/1505/monotube-cartridge-kit-for-hd-sportster-softail-thru-2013-touring

Where is the cheapest place to buy them? Direct? Dealer? AMazon? Also what is the typical installation time for these and is the installation a DYI'er?

Thanks again for the help!

[05Train]

There are a lot of people who swear by their Monotubes.  I think they're absolute garbage.  I had them on the bike for about 4,000 miles, and they were simply horrible on anything other than a glass-smooth road.  The bike handled great with them, and brake dive was nonexistent.  But they were so terribly harsh that the front of the bike felt like it was rigid.  To the point that it was downright unsafe on really bad roads.

Yes, I used the correct weight and amount of fluid.


FWIW, I'll sell you my set for $120 shipped, but I damn sure wouldn't recommend that you buy them.

[Chief2505]

Thanks for the information. My complaint with the stock system is it feels stiff on the bumps. Jars right into my hands and arms. But the stock system also feels 'loose" and handles poorly.

[05Train]

I removed the Monotubes, and reinstalled the stock springs & damper rods with Ricor Intiminators and 5wt oil.  Night and day difference.  Much more compliant ride while retaining good wheel control.

Short of the megabuck Ohlins or Traxxion cartridges, I think the Intiminators are the best option out there.

[TinSpinner]

I removed the Monotubes, and reinstalled the stock springs & damper rods with Ricor Intiminators and 5wt oil.  Night and day difference.  Much more compliant ride while retaining good wheel control.

Short of the megabuck Ohlins or Traxxion cartridges, I think the Intiminators are the best option out there.

This is interesting. Never was aware of the Ricor Intiminator option, been trying to justify dropping another grand to improve the front suspension but this is significantly less expensive. Did you have to install any shims or the bottom out spacer?

[05Train]

This is interesting. Never was aware of the Ricor Intiminator option, been trying to justify dropping another grand to improve the front suspension but this is significantly less expensive. Did you have to install any shims or the bottom out spacer?

Nope.  It really couldn't be much simpler.  The bikes already have a valve in the tube under the spring.  Simply remove the stock valve and install the Intiminator.  No shimming, no nothing.  You use 5wt oil (right around 10oz for an Ultra works well) which gives you a very compliant highway ride, and then the shim stack in the valve does the job of firming up when you need it.

I am sure that the cartridge options from Ohlins or Traxxion are better......But are they $800~$1,000 better?  I dunno.

Call Brian at Ricor.  He's a good guy who will happily talk your ear off explaining how the IAS system works.

[SDCVO]

Spoke to Howard just today and he has just developed his own upgraded version of the new Ohlin front suspension. He has always been very honest and accurate with me (and many others on this site) and has me very fired up about these. He expects to start selling these very soon and I told him I "was in" as soon as they are available. I will post up as soon as I get/install/put miles on them.
I do ride very aggressively (only getting around 6000 miles per rear tire) and am currently running the HD premium cartridges on the front so I can't wait to experience the difference..

[kmh364]

After many years and tens of thousands of miles of suffering throught my FLHRCI's crap-tastic stock damper-rod air-adjust OEM H-D/Showa forks and air-adjust rear dampers, then upgrading to the slightly better, but now worn-out RaceTech Gold Valve-modded version of same and the equally worn/leaking non-rebuildable (but expensive) Progressive 440IAS's currently on the bike, I'm going to the Ohlins 25mm FKC-101 cartridges up front, and the "Motor Officer Special" HD-357 remote reservoir gas-charged shocks in the rear.

My private mechanic, a meticulous OEM-certified Master Mechanic (on most makes) that I trust implicitly, has installed many GoldValve set-ups and Progressive Monotube Cartridges on various makes/models. He's also a very competent and experienced machinist and track rider and has uncanny bike set-up skills. The verdict:

a) RaceTech's instructions, QC and tech support are sh*te...fixing one-problem usually results in the creation of another (I can verify this with my own install, done by the dealer);
b) EVERY customer whom he has installed the Progressive Monotube's on their bikes is dissatisfied with the performance.

I've also read the reviews of the H-D premium cartridges and Traxxion Dynamics's cartridges as well. Neither are Ohlins quality, although I understand the H-D items are better than stock and the TD cartridges are very good (as they should be at $1149/set!!!). The part-plastic H-D Premium shocks don't impress me, and TD uses Bitubo external reservoir DeCarbon-type rear shocks (@ $850/pair) which, while fully adjustable and rebuildable, are not Ohlins quality either.

Having ridden and owned many Ducati's with Ohlins suspension (I still currently own such a Ducati), it's hard to argue with their performance, not to mention their overwhelming sucess in both of the premier FIM World Championship Road Racing Series, i.e., SBK and MotoGP.

I've spoken to the tech support people at Ohlins USA in NC who have had a chance to ride their H-D Ultra cartridge-equipped test/development mule and their own stock front suspension-equipped bagger's back-to-back and they're all Jones'n to get them installed on thier bikes! Vast improvements in control and a smooth ride is the result!

FWIW, After waiting months for Ohlins to finally release these items announced last fall, there were only five sets of cartridges left yesterday at Ohlins USA after filling all their open orders, and I got one of the five remaining sets. They're on their way to my Mechanic now, who'll have them tomorrow. I'll be sure to post a review when I get them installed within the next two weeks.

Regards,

Kevin M Hogan
MSF #121548
NJMVC DCN 618

[05Train]

If someone at either Ohlins or CCE can figure out if the cartridges will work with the tree, I'd love to try them. 

[BigLew]

Stay tuned, would love an update!

BigLew

[b407driver]

There are a lot of people who swear by their Monotubes.  I think they're absolute garbage.  I had them on the bike for about 4,000 miles, and they were simply horrible on anything other than a glass-smooth road.  The bike handled great with them, and brake dive was nonexistent.  But they were so terribly harsh that the front of the bike felt like it was rigid.  To the point that it was downright unsafe on really bad roads.

Yes, I used the correct weight and amount of fluid.


FWIW, I'll sell you my set for $120 shipped, but I damn sure wouldn't recommend that you buy them.

Did you use any spacers when they were installed? If you weigh 220 or less, you should not use any spacers otherwise they may cause a harsh ride. I have the Monotubes and they are a big improvement over stock.

[Fired00d]

Did you use any spacers when they were installed? If you weigh 220 or less, you should not use any spacers otherwise they may cause a harsh ride. I have the Monotubes and they are a big improvement over stock.

Agreed, me too.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[gforce]

Put the monotubes in my 2011CVO Roadglide. Rode several thousand miles and never liked them. Bit the bullet and sent front forks to Traxxion in Woodstock Ga. $1300.00  Best money I ever spent.

[05Train]

Did you use any spacers when they were installed? If you weigh 220 or less, you should not use any spacers otherwise they may cause a harsh ride. I have the Monotubes and they are a big improvement over stock.

I used two spacers per the instructions and a call to Progressive.  I weigh 200 pounds.  Had I used no spacers, the front end would have dropped an inch, which would have been unacceptable. 

[dooinit2u]

I used two spacers per the instructions and a call to Progressive.  I weigh 200 pounds.  Had I used no spacers, the front end would have dropped an inch, which would have been unacceptable.

Did you buy the lowered version of the monotubes?

I have the standard height in my '10 SEUC and handles very well. I have the -1 monotubes in the SERG with a 21" front and handles and rides very good.

A few forum members I've talked to personally and know, who also ride in the "Fast Groups" say for the cost, there is NOT a night and day difference in Traxxion and Prog., at least when it comes to gthe cost, and I take them at their word and are very Skilled riders... My .02 cents.