Best Replacement rear shocks what to get?

[Maldog]

Hay Brothers I come to You all again  for your valued Guidance. I may need new rear shocks on my 2001  IS If so what  do you all recomend ,what do  they cost and wheres the best  place  price wise to purchace them,Im Gettin a slight tire rub at higher speeds when hittin certain  types of bumps or depressions ,I only have 13,000 ish mile on my bike and this issue just stated  reciently. Once again thanks  for all the good advice ,Mal.

[hubcapsc]

Progressive 444:  google.com <g>

Works Performance: http://xf6-custom.com/partpages/valshock.html

I like my Progressive 440's (that was the model number when I got them), lots of people
REALLY like their Works Performance shocks...

I got 13 inch HD ones, I'm 5-11... I wouldn't go shorter than 13 unless you need to,
to be able to flat foot it at stops...

It seems weird that your Interstate shocks would be totally shot at that low mileage...
did one of them become damaged, or have all the oil shoot out or something?

-Mike

[Bone]

Air temps are lower check the air pressure in that tire.

[quexpress]

What are the best shocks? I don't know but have a set of Ikons on my Tourer. 

[Maldog]

Thanks Mike Im about 5'7'' and 185 ,I can put feet down flat  with my stock shocks check tire pressure alot runnin 44lbs on my Avon Corba rear  ya I thought it seemed a lil soon mileage wise for shocks to be gone also but  they are  13years old lol i do have a hitch on my bike  which ive never used to this point although may want to in future (mabey) so  knowing that would it influance shock choice?. I have not noticed any evidance of my rear shocks leaking oil or anything and im fairly anal about keeping Her all shiny and clean

[R J]

What setting do you have them on?

If rubbing sounds like maybe 1 or 2.

I used to run my OEM's on 5,  when I got the Progressive's I had them set on 3.

Never touched a thing with the tire except the ground.

The heaviest weight I had on them was myself and a HD rider broke down on the highway.     I weighted 250, I'd guess him to be about 280-290, and I had my trailer on with it full.    So I'd estimate total weight at 560 on the shocks then.

[Ricky-D]

You cannot go wrong with stock Interstate shocks.

They are the best for the bike and are guaranteed to fit correctly.

***

[salty1]

What setting do you have them on?

If rubbing sounds like maybe 1 or 2.

I used to run my OEM's on 5,  when I got the Progressive's I had them set on 3.

Never touched a thing with the tire except the ground.

The heaviest weight I had on them was myself and a HD rider broke down on the highway.     I weighted 250, I'd guess him to be about 280-290, and I had my trailer on with it full.    So I'd estimate total weight at 560 on the shocks then.

+1 If your riding solo, set the shock at 3 and it should work fine. I doubt you need new shocks, but the shock bushings may need to be replaced. ???

[hubcapsc]

You cannot go wrong with stock Interstate shocks.

They are the best for the bike and are guaranteed to fit correctly.

***

Hi Ricky... when you were running 440s, what about them did you not like as much as your OEM shocks?

-Mike

[Jess from VA]

New interstate shocks from Honda will require a 2d mortgage.  Or thereabouts (I can no longer find how get into  HDL Honda schematics parts lists)

They are good, but not that good. 

Progressive 440 (444?) or Works for top quality.

Progressive 412 for about the same quality as original equipment, or a bit less good, but fine.

For Progressive, you need to spend time deciding how tall 13 (OE) - 12.5 - 12", and standard rate or HD rate shock springs (based on average carry weight).

http://www.directlineparts.com/byProduct.asp?prd=Suspension&sub=Shocks%2C+Struts+%26+Components-Shock+Absorber&str=0&mdl=1539&mdy=2001

[bt24]

Progressive Suspension
Password if needed: shock
CLICK HERE>Private Video on Vimeo   powered by Aeva
I have the 444 series and I think they work wonderful and the wife loves em......
Hope this link works, Enjoy  cooldude

[Chrisj CMA]

Thanks Mike Im about 5'7'' and 185 ,I can put feet down flat  with my stock shocks check tire pressure alot runnin 44lbs on my Avon Corba rear  ya I thought it seemed a lil soon mileage wise for shocks to be gone also but  they are  13years old lol i do have a hitch on my bike  which ive never used to this point although may want to in future (mabey) so  knowing that would it influance shock choice?. I have not noticed any evidance of my rear shocks leaking oil or anything and im fairly anal about keeping Her all shiny and clean

Im around your size and I have IS shocks on my standard.  I ride two up a lot and pull a trailer frequently.  The shocks are old but they are still just fine on #3 setting all the time.  Its hard to believe yours are worn out.  Are they set on #1 maybe?

[Hook#3287]

I just installed a set of the Progressive 416 air shocks.  They have performed excellent and adjusting the pressure is easy for changing from 1 to 2-up.

Took a 2800 mile ride on them to Georgia and back and they were great.

I guess the best way to explain why they're good is, while riding, I don't ever think about them.

[Ricky-D]

Service Honda

http://www.servicehonda.com/parts.html

$252.  each for the Interstate shocks

The only shock I've ever run on my Valkyrie.

***

[Jess from VA]

I stand corrected Rick. My memory is failing... I thought they were much higher. 

[Ricky-D]

No sweat.

I've never had one apart but, I think they have a keeper like on a valve stem.

I'd try and take it apart and then fabricate a shim, which ought to be an easy thing to do,

and shim the springs to make the shock stiffer. A shim would most likely be like a large washer.

Regarding the dampening, I don't consider that is so important. They all, OEM and aftermarket
probably fail pretty quickly, and the spring is the thing that does the majority of the work.

The only way you could test a shock for dampening would be to get the spring off.  All I've ever read
about rear shocks is the aftermarket variety seem to always develop leaks. Not so with OEM.

I know there are purists that will quibble about everything I say, and probably add in something about
compromising safety. Ok, that's their opinion, just like this is my opinion.

***

***

[hubcapsc]

I'm pretty sure the spring is doing the majority of the work on some bikes... 

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,4456.msg31768.html#msg31768

-Mike

[Maldog]

Hay Guys Thanks  for all the input it seems my stock  shocks are set or 4,if i havnt mentioned i do have a trailer hitch on the bike never used by me but i did buy the bike  used with a lil over 1,400 miles about 13,000 now mostly 1 up riding im thinking they are just old and tired so  do i buy oem at  $254 a piece or go aftermarket  , I want the best  i can get   i understand cost is a factor ,you guys that went  to aftermarket why did u  do so,thanks Mal

[hubcapsc]

Hay Guys Thanks  for all the input it seems my stock  shocks are set or 4,if i havnt mentioned i do have a trailer hitch on the bike never used by me but i did buy the bike  used with a lil over 1,400 miles about 13,000 now mostly 1 up riding im thinking they are just old and tired so  do i buy oem at  $254 a piece or go aftermarket  , I want the best  i can get   i understand cost is a factor ,you guys that went  to aftermarket why did u  do so,thanks Mal

Cost isn't really a factor. It is around $500-$600 for OEM or Progressive or Works...

I don't know how to quantitatively express in a post how the Progressive and/or Works
choice is the preferred one, but it it the one I would prefer... if enough different people
were to chime in on this thread, I believe most would agree with me.

Properly functioning Interstate shocks on a Tourer is a good solution, but I wouldn't
pay $500+ for it given the other available options.

-Mike

[Jess from VA]

An important thing to keep in mind is .... some shocks have a lifetime warranty (if you keep your receipt)..... OE shocks do not.

[JetDriver]

+1 on the Works.  I notice it most riding hard in the twisties.

[chip]

I am getting ready to purchase some shocks soon and inquired with progressive's customer service about the 412's and what I was told, is they only carry a one year warrenty and are welded and not rebuildable. Just something to keep in mind .

[hubcapsc]

I am getting ready to purchase some shocks soon and inquired with progressive's customer service about the 412's and what I was told, is they only carry a one year warrenty and are welded and not rebuildable. Just something to keep in mind .

Stanley Steamer got a set of those, he can't tell that they're any better than his
80,000 mile OEM Interstate shocks.

When my Progressive 440s blew a seal, I used Stanley's old OEM Interstate shocks
so that I could make a ride while Progressive was rebuilding my 440's under warranty...
Having Stanley's old OEMs allowed me to make the ride  but did not have
good action...

-Mike

[Northern Valk]

The shock thing has me puzzled.  I weigh two hundred pounds and my wife weighs one hundred, and yet we'll bottom out on the big bumps/potholes.  About jars your teeth out. I have it set on "1" because anything higher and the ride is uncomfortably stiff. Any ideas?

[The emperor has no clothes]

The shock thing has me puzzled.  I weigh two hundred pounds and my wife weighs one hundred, and yet we'll bottom out on the big bumps/potholes.  About jars your teeth out. I have it set on "1" because anything higher and the ride is uncomfortably stiff. Any ideas?

If you don't want to bottom out , you've to crank them up to at least 3. IMHO 

[GOOSE]

the interstate shocks are no longer available, so that eliminates those.

[Kunkies]

Progressive Heavy Duty [HD springs] 444's 12.5" (.5" shorter than stock) on my Tourer and I love them. 

I'm 5' 11", weigh 190lbs, and ride two up about 20% of the time.

Don't listen to Progressive; the 444's WILL fit the GL1500 Valk'

[Chrisj CMA]

The shock thing has me puzzled.  I weigh two hundred pounds and my wife weighs one hundred, and yet we'll bottom out on the big bumps/potholes.  About jars your teeth out. I have it set on "1" because anything higher and the ride is uncomfortably stiff. Any ideas?

I would expect them to bottom out two up set on 1 absolutely, you need to turn them up and you will get used to the ride

[Dagwood]

I also just put 444's on my standard at 50K after my original shocks started bottoming out set on 4 riding 1 up.  Have the 444's them set on 3, what a difference in ride. All I can offer is that the 444's will fit, but tight so just be patient.

[Valk6 (diaz)]

Can you tell me the part # of the 444's you installed??

Thanks!

Progressive Heavy Duty [HD springs] 444's 12.5" (.5" shorter than stock) on my Tourer and I love them. 

I'm 5' 11", weigh 190lbs, and ride two up about 20% of the time.

Don't listen to Progressive; the 444's WILL fit the GL1500 Valk'