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Best rear shocks for a 2015

38K views 46 replies 32 participants last post by  Will 
#1 ·
Looking to upgrade to a better shock, I'm 300 lbs. sometimes ride with the wife who is 160 lbs.
 
#2 ·
I am sold on the HD premium shocks, there are adjustable to specific wieght, alot of members have them and like em, I had progressives, IMO these are superior. There are def better ones for more money but for the price I think you can't beat them, members sell them once in a while they were standard equipment on the specials.
 
#5 ·
Correct, I purchased mine from another member who took his off to put on I think air suspension, arnott maybe? But anyways I loved them best shocks I ever rode with and my wife agreed when we ride two up, the adjustability factor on the left shock is easy and gets dialed into to your wieght pretty close.
 
#15 ·
That's great news Jeff. When people purchase shocks, I don't believe they understand that Ohlins are purpose built shocks to your bike and your riding weight. That's just one thing that goes into the Ohlin shock. They also will build them to fit your two up riding if you do that 90% of the time. Either way, they are the supreme shock on the market. Many other shocks on the market that are adequate . But if you plan on keeping your ride or trading for the same platform ride, the Ohlin will be with you for a very long time. Also backed by the best support and warranty in the business and are completely rebuildable as well. Ohliins new customer guarantee? If you are not satisfied, send them back and they will get them to your liking no charge. I love mine as well and have never ridden a better shock.
 
#7 ·
Ohlins get good reviews. The RGS and SGS come with the premium hand adjustable shocks, 15 or 16. It's an expensive upgrade but they seem quite good for me. I've left them set at zero, probably 200lbs with gear. I may adjust once I get the backrest on for the wifey.
 
#10 ·
Something I learned about best shocks. I depends . Weight , light weights like me will find the shocks other think are the best in the world , worthless. Problem is not the shocks but weight many are just designed for heavier riders. HD Air shocks work better for me than every thing I have tried. And when wife is with me I just add a little air.
 
#14 ·
My custom has air shocks but you have to use the hand pump to adjust them. It took me awhile to get them adjusted to where I liked them. Im also noticing that now that I've just rolled 3k miles on the bike. It seems like they have gotten broken in and I like the ride even better. Im happy with the HD shocks.
 
#16 ·
All it comes down to is preference in ride and most importantly money, if I had the extra green I would go olins but they are not in my price range. So the premium is a great shock for the money , especially like me I got them as a take off.
 
#18 ·
I'm 5'9'' and 175 lbs and i don't have any complaints about the stock shocks on my FLTRXS. i love the upgraded shocks that came with that bike. Since i'm a bit on the short side i thought about maybe putting an air ride suspension on there with a pump so i could drop it down in parking lots when i'm backing up. i've got just under 1,000 miles on my bike (first bagger but not first bike) and i've gotten pretty used to how big and heavy it is. i think i might just leave it alone. Compared to my V Rod......this thing is a Cadillac. absolutely love it
 
#21 ·
Ohlins are defiantly the way to go, though I think the #6 is past the point of diminishing returns. The Ohlins HD774 or HD772 is plenty for a bagger, imo.

For the front I couldn't afford Ohlins and went with the Legends Axeo monotubes. A lot more than progressives and worth every penny.
 
#26 ·
Shop manager for HD dealer I uses has Ohlins on his bike. Likes them. He also did not recommend them for me because I am a light weight.
Yesterday I changed the shocks on my 2016 RGU to the low profile HD air shocks. You know the ones, same ones so many feel the need to take off the RG and SG.
Got some road time in with them yesterday so far they are doing as I expected. Added a little more air than I had in the normal ones.
Time will tell if they are the right way for me to go.
 
#27 ·
I have Ohlins S36E on my glide and I am very satisfied, but on my next upgrade I spend the extra money and go with Ohlins S36HR1C1L
 
#29 ·
Smitty, Howard at motorcylemetal will set them according to your weight and riding style. The springs are only there to account for the weight of the bike and rider to give you the full use of the shock stroke for compression and rebound. When you are sitting on the bike, you should only be using about 1/3 of the full travel(stroke) of the shock. I have the #6 and the FKC on my '08. I put more preload on the springs when I am loaded up to travel and undo the preload when I am home going to work, always have a great comfortable ride.
 
#31 ·
Put Progressive 444's on my '15 RG standard. Got the 13" to replace the stock 12 inchers. Night and day difference. Stock air shocks rode rough no matter what pressure I ran. Ride was so harsh it broke the rear fender facia that holds the brake light. Now rides like butter! I'm 6'2" so I needed the extra height.
 
#32 ·
Lots of Ohlin fans on here. I challenge anyone on Ohlins to try the Super Shox. Damn good, no, AMAZING customer service, and one of if not the best HD shocks on the market. They are 100% made in America too. You tell them your weight solo and 2 up and they put the right coil over on the shock for you. You have a technical request and want yours valved in a unique way? They do that too. Want custom colors? They have them. And of course, the performance kicks ass. When I find a damn good vendor I let the world know about it. The pricing is damn good too. Check them out and you won't be disappointed...they have a full 30 day money back guarantee.
 
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#33 ·
a lot of good info here. I run works performance on my dyna front and rear. my rg-c has progressive monotube's in the forks and some airs on the back. a decent shock will be coming very soon. would like to get a 19in front wheel on the front first then rear shock for sure.
 
#36 ·
I just had a terrible experience with Progressive 944 Ultra Low shocks.
The Shocks failed after 3 months and Progressive WILL NOT HONOR WARRANTY.
After 3 months the shocks quit working. Really! They have no sag whatsoever. The HD Dealer documented the failure. Notified Progressive. Chad (Warrenty manager) said my shocks work correct. They have less then 1/2 sag. HD dealer sent videos, emails & multiple phone calls. I personally spoke with Jorge & then Chad. Chad said if I wanted, I could take the shocks off (meaning I can’t ride), send them to him & he will verify thy are working correct. That means, I have to buy a new pair of shocks anyways. They will not authorize the dealer to install replacements because he is sure my shocks work. I will never do business with a company like this. EVER

Reading there product description, you would expect the shocks to be better then stock. WRONG! They get you because everywhere they are talking about sag, they are including the bike weight sag. They bike pulls the shocks down 1 7/8”. That means they feel you should have less then 1/2” of shock. The HD dealer put a 275 lbs man and 160 lbs man on the bike and it went down less then 1/2 inch… Progressive says, this is what they are designed for…
 
#45 ·
I put some 944s on my 2016 RGS at the 2019 Sturgis rally, 13" yes they were a little better than stock and didn't bottom like the stock shocks, but they weren't $700 dollars better.
I returned them through J&P cycles no problems as the shocks still looked new. Looking at maybe Bitubo's for the price and performance since they are $300 cheaper than anyone else
and have Rebound agj. Pro-Action I really like the owner and they are rated well but Dennis Kirk did a big shock comparison and rated the Bitubos and Pro-action the same. Out of a 100
points with stock Harley shocks getting a 0 the 944s were rated at 40 and the Bitubo and Proaction were rated at 80 points. They didn't compare Legends in the group, but they are not rebuildable so
they are not on my list. RWS-1 piggy backs look good also and they are under $900 from some vendors.
 
#37 ·
Do yourself a favor and do some reading on SuperShoxs.

Allot of folks are having great success with these and the price point is very attractive around 640.

I recently installed a set and they ride every bit as good as a set of JRI I had in the past.

Good price, amazing ride, great customer service and a lifetime warranty... cant ask for much more than that.

D.
 
#44 ·
Didn't read 5 pages.

I purchased a set of SuperShox this summer for my 16. Couldn't be happier. Total cost as sub 650. Lifetime warranty.

IMO, they ride every bit as good as some a pair of JRI shocks I had on my previous RG.

I have 9k miles on them now and still happy as can be.
 
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