Touring shock replacement

[dwarthog]

Gents,

Anyone care to offer up thoughts on the life, mileage wise, of HD's air shocks they put on their touring bikes?

Got 30k on mine and to be honest, no matter what I put in for air, it doesn't seem to change the ride quality very much.

Ideas appreciated...

[Geezer-Glide]

Unknown on the lifespan, but everyone I know that has taken them off and put on 440's or works or whatever, will NEVER go back to air.

The lifespan may have several factors to concider. Loads carried, weight of rider/passenger, and type of roads riden. If you're here in New Jersey, the life span feels like about 50 feet! (Way crappy roads).

If you have an SE bike, the shocks are lower, need more air and give a harsher ride. I never could get my Low Profile Shocks to work right.

[dwarthog]

Thanks Geezer, I have been reading all of the wonderful things about moving over to the 440's, but I am being a tightwad about it.

I guess I just need to shut up, find a set at a reasonable price and just do it.

Right now, I hate even climbing on the thing because after riding the beamer it feels like I got onto a tank.

And yes, we have those same crappy roads here in OKC you got out your way....

[8-Ball]

Don,

I bought Geez's slightly used 440s and stuck them on my bike. What a difference! They took care of some of my front end handling problems as well. The thing just slides into the turns and hangs on now where it used to fight me. I tried to hit every chuckhole I could find... far more comfortable, never bottomed going solo... haven't tried them with Mary and all her crap yet...

I had 22k on mine when I changed them. In thinking back, I don't remember the handling be so bad when the bike was new, but the change is gradual and its hard to notice the difference little by little.

In my opinion, the 440s have been the best money I've spent on the bike for what it returns... and you don't have to drag around that stupid air pump.

I have a feeling, tho', that no matter what you do, that ol' hog is never going to match the ride of the beamer...

[Berserker]

I been thinking about this for awhile. The stock jsut do not impress me. The air shocks are all that really make the Road Kings a touring bike, IMO, and they just are not what I expected.

Its a bit of money to spend. I guess that is what has been stopping me.

Like to hear good sources. Are 440 the way to go? Are there differant models? I ride two up, but both of us combined are low 300s, do pack alot of gear on.

[Berserker]

Other thing that has stopped me, is bike is lowered, so probably not fair to rip on them to much. I am nto sure if this one done with differant shocks, or brackets. I suppose I could compare the part # on shocks to stock.

I though I saw 11" on them, would have to look again. One website has 11.5 to 13. Touring seat has raised me a bit. But I wonder if I should go higher?

I am 5'7" so I am nervous to do this.

Did ebay search, 388 buy now. Wheels are spinning.

[Berserker]

I was supposed to put down hardwd floor, OL is not going to be happy. But spend more time on the bike anyways.

[dwarthog]

I was supposed to put down hardwd floor, OL is not going to be happy. But spend more time on the bike anyways.

If you don't do the hardwood floors, I am betting you will have lots of time to ride, might be sort of cool around the house for a while....

I need to get off the dime and pony up for a set of the 440's, the airshocks just ain't doing the job at all.

[pairofnines]

Gents,

Anyone care to offer up thoughts on the life, mileage wise, of HD's air shocks they put on their touring bikes?

Got 30k on mine and to be honest, no matter what I put in for air, it doesn't seem to change the ride quality very much.

Ideas appreciated...

One trip up the Alaska highway two up loaded did mine in the first year we had the bike.

I've had 440's with standard springs for about 25,000 miles. Much better than the worn out air shocks but I still wonder what the Works would be like. I have never had a chance to try them on a bike.

The only issue with the 440's is they do tend to "top out" on sharp bumps. There is a two to two and half inch rise from the street into our drive almost a lip or curb. When we enter with the bike unloaded we hear the pop as they top out. When loaded with gear nothing. While I could readjust them it just is not worth the effort of dropping the bags every time I load or unload so I just live with it.

I run with seven full turns on the adjuster which is pretty stiff but it sure helps how the bike handles in the corners and I prefer a stiff ride anyway.

Course I also love a hard seat so the Corbin is just the ticket but thats another topic altogether.

[polarbear]

Don, my 92 electra glide has over 77k on the stock air shocks and I'm hoping it's just the air lines that are leaking.:huh: They seemed to have lasted a good long time even with my fat butt on it and a passenger. If it is the shocks that are bad and not lines, I'm thinkin the 440's might be the way to go. More research is ongoing at this time.:blink:


Polarbear

[chickenman]

I just bit the bullet and ordered 440's for my scoot. I hope they are delivered by the time I return to the real World. Thanks to Geezer for his help.:cheers: