Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech softer shocks please

I have read many posts about replacing the stock shocks w/ Progressives, Hagons, etc. What I would really like to know is which ones offer the softest ride. I recently compared mine to the stockers on my wife's 750 ACE. The Honda shocks offer a significantly softer ride & are about the same length, but the problem is they cost $256 each. I really need to find more "cush" if I'm gonna continue to ride this bike.

help the hurting, TM

I don't know if this helps but you can adjust your "rear" shocks for a softer ride. You turn the bottom ring under the coils in the direction that decompresses the spring assembly a little.(If you turn it in the wrong direction, it will get stiffer) I have heard of people using a screw driver in the hole to help turn it but tools specifically for this are available. Can't help if you are talking about the fronts.

TM, We put progressives on my bike. I really like them. They are a lot softer than the originals. We first put them on to lower the bike, I'm only 5'3", and hopefully to give it a softer ride. It does both. Worth the cash.

AmyLee

TM,
The nice thing about the Progressive shocks is they are, er, progressive. The dampening increases as the compression increases. On the stock shocks, if you set them for the lightest setting they will be soft through the entire travel of the shock. All the setting does is adjust the tension on the spring. In other words, they will be more likely to bottom out when you hit that big bump or pothole. And that metal to metal feeling transfers instantly to your spine and teeth.... not a good feeling.

I turned my adjusters up (stiffer) I like to feel the road and i think it handles better with stiffer shocks. Just a matter of personal preference i guess.

I've had my shocks set on the softest setting since I've had the bike...still too stiff for me. I've never had a bottoming-out problem, just too much impact @ bumps, holes, etc. As I said, the Honda shocks appear to be much more forgiving. AmyLee: which Progressives did you get? I don't care about lowering the bike, just softening it.

thanks all for the input, TM

TM, I put Amy Lee's new shocks on, they are 11.5 inchs 412-4254c Progressive shocks the one inch reduction helped her vertical challenged sitting position. I ordered them through Cycle Gear $255.45 for the pair. She rides at the softest setting, and loves it.

Robert

What is the stock lenght of the shocks on the TBA?

I am thinking of the 412´s but i dont want to much lowering of the bike just a little lower and better drivability.

Stock shocks are 12.5 in.

Thanks Tony!

Anyone out there who has the 12 inches?

I'd like to chime in with praise of the Ikon shocks sold by Brent. I've only had them on for a few miles, this is true, but I can tell a HUGE difference vs. stock.

Knowing I was going to be getting new shocks soon, I spent some time riding with the OEM shocks on a certain set of roads near my house which are in BAD shape. Up and down, up and down until I had a brain map of the bumps. My primary complaint with the OEM shocks was that every little bump sent a personal greeting straight to my tail bone (even on the softest preload setting).

I have repeated this test with the Ikons while experimenting with the preload and damping adjustments. I'm 210 lbs and I carry a bunch of gear on the bike all the time. I find that the middle preload setting and number 3 damping setting is heaven for me. No more jolts to the spine, far less wheel hop in corners, and an overall smoother ride.

I highly recommend the Ikons. I'm sure you can't go wrong with the Progressives either but I prefer the OEM look of the Ikons.