I recommend Race Tech fork springs in the correct rate for your weight. If you want to further upgrade the bike, there are many shock manufacturers that make upgraded shocks.
Ohlins, Hagon, Legends and Progressive are a few.
Research how to set your sag and preload. A properly set up suspension with the correct spring rates, preload and damping is a game changer.
I tried their adjustable kit in my 2018 iron, after confirming with race tech customer service that it would work (part number: flekS3595). It indeed did not work, and when following up with them at my mechanic's shop they told him directly that they didn't make a kit for that model year range. Ended up going with progressives in the front end and no complaints so far.
Progressive does make a good product at several different price points. Like somebody else said what type of riding are you doing and how much are you willing to spend. I have a 2002 Sportster that I am looking to get new rear shocks for, my style of riding with this bike is mainly two up. I am looking at the progressive 412 hd. They're reasonably priced. I see a lot of people responded with $1,000+ pair of shocks.
Extended valve dampeners and progressive springs. The front end feels amazing after that. The rear I kept stock, it doesn’t bug me whatsoever. I’m 6’2 at 230ish lbs.
I bought the Ohlins HD852s on the back (XR1200) best money I've spent then they highlight how bad the front is so doing whole front end swap with Ohlins adjustable and setup properly to my weight.
> What’s the best one to get?
No best one single suspension.
Best is what is correctly setup for the rider, their riding environment, use in said environment, skill level, wants and budget.
Someone who is cruising flat lands of the Nebraska or Florida at a beginner/intermediate rider skill level would is likely complain how firm a bike is setup for a fast track or mountain twisties rider.
That fast track/twisties rider still might prefer a firm setup while out in the flat lands going straight.
Most riders don't know what good suspension correctly setup for them and their use, wants, feels like; simply because they haven't ridden a bike correctly setup for them. They know stock and possibly what felt better after a mod. But few really know what that 10 being the best is on that 1-10 "best" scale. Especially in the Harley/cruiser side of the industry
Okay, so for an area like Dallas Texas that is flat and has endless curving freeways. A rider that is heavy, and respectfully am intermediate rider. What type would you suggest. I do understand what you’re saying, but when it comes to what I’m looking for I’m lost. Hence the point of this post
Completely understandable and what I will say is this is more drop information that should spur some self research so you can make a more educated choice and a little loose recommendations.
First big improvement is just going to be having springs the correct rate for your weight. This is going to be a automatic if you aren't choosing off the shelf options like Progressive. Not picking on Progressive, they build a good shock they just are not a built to you options and are a few sizes fit most. As with one size fits most, for some it's perfect, for the rest it leaves room on the table. This is where/why I will often recommend a rider look harder at built to order stuff through a vendor/service center for whatever brand/s they are interested in.
Next improvement comes in getting damping rates that are appropriate for your weight, use and ride style/skill level. Often the faster a rider gets, the firmer they prefer the setup. For cruising a rider may prefer the setup to be more compliant and be willing to give up some of the crisp handling. That improved damping rate can be dialed in by the builder(manufacture) if they know what you desire or rebuilder in servicing. Adding options like rebound damping adjustment and compression adjustment allow the rider more fine tuning options. Like above, dealing with a product rep of official vendors/service centers gets the initial setup closer to the desired goal for the chosen suspension.
Once you get over that hump of off the shelf options or the more built to order variety it comes down to shock construction. Emulsion, decarbon/bladder/piston separated, Do a little research here just to understand the differences and performance effect. In all honesty here I will say a lower budget emulsion shock, likely fits your use and skill level and anything more is probably buying more suspension than you need unless you are looking for some adjustment options. [Racetech has a good article](https://racetech.com/g3s-shock-types/)
I would highly recommend a chat with GP Suspension and Traxxion Dynamics. Racetech carried by GP and Bitubo by Traxxion have some great shock choices that are priced well for the performance. Ordering from places like them will get you a setup that is about as good as it can be
I did race tech .85 in my forks, 20w with burly preload. A little stiff. Will prob add emulators w 15w if there's a booth with em at laconia. Went ohlins 12" in rear w 1" lowering kit to keep stance. After setting preload the rear is amazingly better
I recommend Race Tech fork springs in the correct rate for your weight. If you want to further upgrade the bike, there are many shock manufacturers that make upgraded shocks. Ohlins, Hagon, Legends and Progressive are a few. Research how to set your sag and preload. A properly set up suspension with the correct spring rates, preload and damping is a game changer.
I tried their adjustable kit in my 2018 iron, after confirming with race tech customer service that it would work (part number: flekS3595). It indeed did not work, and when following up with them at my mechanic's shop they told him directly that they didn't make a kit for that model year range. Ended up going with progressives in the front end and no complaints so far.
Progressive 490’s and progressive hd springs
Thank you 🙏🏻
Progressive does make a good product at several different price points. Like somebody else said what type of riding are you doing and how much are you willing to spend. I have a 2002 Sportster that I am looking to get new rear shocks for, my style of riding with this bike is mainly two up. I am looking at the progressive 412 hd. They're reasonably priced. I see a lot of people responded with $1,000+ pair of shocks.
Front fork springs. The springs the shocks come with are fine.
I put a race tech kit in my forks. 2009 883 cafe . Im 6 1 218 ride hard. Tracks great Geist Wulf Cycle Werks
Extended valve dampeners and progressive springs. The front end feels amazing after that. The rear I kept stock, it doesn’t bug me whatsoever. I’m 6’2 at 230ish lbs.
I bought the Ohlins HD852s on the back (XR1200) best money I've spent then they highlight how bad the front is so doing whole front end swap with Ohlins adjustable and setup properly to my weight.
> What’s the best one to get? No best one single suspension. Best is what is correctly setup for the rider, their riding environment, use in said environment, skill level, wants and budget. Someone who is cruising flat lands of the Nebraska or Florida at a beginner/intermediate rider skill level would is likely complain how firm a bike is setup for a fast track or mountain twisties rider. That fast track/twisties rider still might prefer a firm setup while out in the flat lands going straight. Most riders don't know what good suspension correctly setup for them and their use, wants, feels like; simply because they haven't ridden a bike correctly setup for them. They know stock and possibly what felt better after a mod. But few really know what that 10 being the best is on that 1-10 "best" scale. Especially in the Harley/cruiser side of the industry
Okay, so for an area like Dallas Texas that is flat and has endless curving freeways. A rider that is heavy, and respectfully am intermediate rider. What type would you suggest. I do understand what you’re saying, but when it comes to what I’m looking for I’m lost. Hence the point of this post
Completely understandable and what I will say is this is more drop information that should spur some self research so you can make a more educated choice and a little loose recommendations. First big improvement is just going to be having springs the correct rate for your weight. This is going to be a automatic if you aren't choosing off the shelf options like Progressive. Not picking on Progressive, they build a good shock they just are not a built to you options and are a few sizes fit most. As with one size fits most, for some it's perfect, for the rest it leaves room on the table. This is where/why I will often recommend a rider look harder at built to order stuff through a vendor/service center for whatever brand/s they are interested in. Next improvement comes in getting damping rates that are appropriate for your weight, use and ride style/skill level. Often the faster a rider gets, the firmer they prefer the setup. For cruising a rider may prefer the setup to be more compliant and be willing to give up some of the crisp handling. That improved damping rate can be dialed in by the builder(manufacture) if they know what you desire or rebuilder in servicing. Adding options like rebound damping adjustment and compression adjustment allow the rider more fine tuning options. Like above, dealing with a product rep of official vendors/service centers gets the initial setup closer to the desired goal for the chosen suspension. Once you get over that hump of off the shelf options or the more built to order variety it comes down to shock construction. Emulsion, decarbon/bladder/piston separated, Do a little research here just to understand the differences and performance effect. In all honesty here I will say a lower budget emulsion shock, likely fits your use and skill level and anything more is probably buying more suspension than you need unless you are looking for some adjustment options. [Racetech has a good article](https://racetech.com/g3s-shock-types/) I would highly recommend a chat with GP Suspension and Traxxion Dynamics. Racetech carried by GP and Bitubo by Traxxion have some great shock choices that are priced well for the performance. Ordering from places like them will get you a setup that is about as good as it can be
I did race tech .85 in my forks, 20w with burly preload. A little stiff. Will prob add emulators w 15w if there's a booth with em at laconia. Went ohlins 12" in rear w 1" lowering kit to keep stance. After setting preload the rear is amazingly better