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Softer shocks

  • Thread starter Thread starter trtsmb
  • Start date Start date
Showa air shocks - take-off from Harleys. Dial in your comfort level and they actually control the rear of an unruly GS850 rather well, varying between unloaded, fully loaded, gentle puttering about or ear-holing around the back roads.
$30 - 50 a pair, can't go wrong - and often come complete with their linking air hoses.
 
Grimly said:
Showa air shocks - take-off from Harleys. Dial in your comfort level and they actually control the rear of an unruly GS850 rather well, varying between unloaded, fully loaded, gentle puttering about or ear-holing around the back roads.
$30 - 50 a pair, can't go wrong - and often come complete with their linking air hoses.
Click to expand...

I actually have a 450.
 
Air shocks are nice, if they are FULLY air (no metal spring), but they have some harsh limits, too. :-k

Air, as a spring, is a wonderful thing. It is truly progressive by nature, and when set up properly, give a VERY nice ride, but there is still the hydraulic damping thing going on. If the damping is set up for a 600 pound bike with a 250 pound rider, a 100 pound rider on a 400 pound bike is going to find it rather harsh.

The beauty of air shocks is that the spring rate is ALWAYS correct, the air that you add only adjusts the height, for the amount of travel available. In fact, they work best when they just barely move when you sit on the bike, so they have about 80% of the travel left. (All-metal springs work that way, too.) If you have metal springs and air assist, things get interesting trying to adjust for spring rates. If your metal springs are wound for a progressive rate and you have air assist, it gets even MORE interesting. That is why progressively-wound springs (from companies like Progressive suspension) and air assist (even just the air trapped in the forks) are not a good idea for front suspension.

.
 
trtsmb said:
I actually have a 450.
Click to expand...

I assume then, that you're not a large lady? These would be perfect, even on a middleweight bike, for the more amply-proportioned rider. I just throw that out there for those who might be looking for alternatives.
Help save Harley Shocks from the dumpster, is my new cause :)
 
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