@@Spazin0ut Thanks man! I considered lowering it but I'm going for a "club style" look so having the rear a little higher is ok. I'm hoping new fork springs will help keep the front from sagging so much. Trying to decide between the Progressive springs and the Race Tech springs.
Twins Moto Garage I can only vouch for the progressive. You can also get adjustable caps for the top. To adjust preload I had to mess with my pvc length some to get it how I liked it. It if you do these springs. You will notice a huge difference. You could go a step further and do oil too.
See my 2011 superlow only has maybe 2.5 inches of travel and bottoms out so freaking easy. I can almost max it out just when braking. I really for like for it to have less sag. It just drops down so much just on its own weight. I think I’ll be getting some of theses! Sounds like a win
Just ordered a pair of Progressive dual rate springs. Don't like my 1200 Sporty stock springs bottoming out just pulling into gas stations. Got a set of Progressive rear shocks too. The stock shocks suck also. A Vespa has more suspension than what Harley puts on these things.
Tim Westlake oh yeah I never realized how bad the stock shocks were till my wife got on. We are both fairly small people and we bottomed out everywhere. I want to grab some progressive rear spring for the rear too at some point.
Lampecap thanks mam! I’m no Harley mechanic but as long as there is the proper fluid height you should be fine. I’ve read people have changed the fluid to a higher weight for more damping. I have put a little over 1000 miles on my bike since the spring change and I’ve had no issues.
James Day These are amazing James. I’ve got a review video I need to post up. Me and my wife road for the first time last weekend. She noticed a huge difference. Not bottoming out anymore. For me I noticed a huge decrease in stopping distance due to the front end not diving as bad. I would totally recommend these. I went with the stock ride height they have some that are lowering kits. What shocks did you go with in the rear?
I grabbed some of the harley premium emulsion shocks. I found some on eBay for 100 bucks and couldn’t let that go. Night and day difference for the stock 2011 shocks
James Day no I took the springs out slowly and let the oil drain down so I didn’t loose much. From my research I should be ok on level. The fluid looked good. I only have 6k on the bike. I’m runing some ultra classic air shocks. They rock.
I just purchased my first Harley, it's a used 2008 XL1220 L Sportster with 9200 miles. I must say, it rides worse than any motorcycle I've ever owned. I've been riding for 64 years (I got my first bike when I was 12) and have owned dozens of motorcycles, all either British, CZs or Japanese (mostly Japanese) from the1950s to the present. All of them had better suspensions than my Sportster. That doesn't say much for Harley Davidson's reputation and quality. Why doesn't Harley use decent rear shocks and front fork springs in the first place? Customers shouldn't have to buy aftermarket parts to get a decent ride out of his Sportster. That's sad.
John Hampton I completely agree with you. They are skimping on the sportsters. With the air shocks from a ultra classic and these springs it rides so much better. But could still be improved.
“Not sure what the torque spec is on this, but we’re going to go with tight” haha 😂
rwe419 I usually go with 1 grunt or 2 when it comes to torque. 😂
Nice video! I just posted a video installing the Harley touring rear air shocks on my sportster. I think a fork spring upgrade may be next.
Twins Moto Garage heck yeah man! Those air shocks are nice. Was a huge improvement over factory did you have to lower yours any?
Just subbed btw looking forward to seeing what your doing next.
@@Spazin0ut Thanks man! I considered lowering it but I'm going for a "club style" look so having the rear a little higher is ok. I'm hoping new fork springs will help keep the front from sagging so much. Trying to decide between the Progressive springs and the Race Tech springs.
Twins Moto Garage I can only vouch for the progressive. You can also get adjustable caps for the top. To adjust preload I had to mess with my pvc length some to get it how I liked it. It if you do these springs. You will notice a huge difference. You could go a step further and do oil too.
See my 2011 superlow only has maybe 2.5 inches of travel and bottoms out so freaking easy. I can almost max it out just when braking. I really for like for it to have less sag. It just drops down so much just on its own weight. I think I’ll be getting some of theses! Sounds like a win
James Day this will fix those problems!
Just ordered a pair of Progressive dual rate springs. Don't like my 1200 Sporty stock springs bottoming out just pulling into gas stations. Got a set of Progressive rear shocks too. The stock shocks suck also. A Vespa has more suspension than what Harley puts on these things.
Tim Westlake oh yeah I never realized how bad the stock shocks were till my wife got on. We are both fairly small people and we bottomed out everywhere. I want to grab some progressive rear spring for the rear too at some point.
I have the same red Harbor freight stool.
Tim Westlake love me some harbor freight. I got more harbor freight stuff than I care to admit. Lol
Nice video. Isn't there a need to change the fork oil as well since you exposed it to air?
Lampecap thanks mam! I’m no Harley mechanic but as long as there is the proper fluid height you should be fine. I’ve read people have changed the fluid to a higher weight for more damping. I have put a little over 1000 miles on my bike since the spring change and I’ve had no issues.
Have the same bike and just upgraded my rear shock. Now the front is a must do! Mine bottoms out when my wife and I ride to. How do you like theses ?
James Day These are amazing James. I’ve got a review video I need to post up. Me and my wife road for the first time last weekend. She noticed a huge difference. Not bottoming out anymore. For me I noticed a huge decrease in stopping distance due to the front end not diving as bad. I would totally recommend these. I went with the stock ride height they have some that are lowering kits. What shocks did you go with in the rear?
I grabbed some of the harley premium emulsion shocks. I found some on eBay for 100 bucks and couldn’t let that go. Night and day difference for the stock 2011 shocks
Also did you have to remove or add any shock oil?
James Day no I took the springs out slowly and let the oil drain down so I didn’t loose much. From my research I should be ok on level. The fluid looked good. I only have 6k on the bike.
I’m runing some ultra classic air shocks. They rock.
I just purchased my first Harley, it's a used 2008 XL1220 L Sportster with 9200 miles. I must say, it rides worse than any motorcycle I've ever owned. I've been riding for 64 years (I got my first bike when I was 12) and have owned dozens of motorcycles, all either British, CZs or Japanese (mostly Japanese) from the1950s to the present. All of them had better suspensions than my Sportster. That doesn't say much for Harley Davidson's reputation and quality. Why doesn't Harley use decent rear shocks and front fork springs in the first place? Customers shouldn't have to buy aftermarket parts to get a decent ride out of his Sportster. That's sad.
John Hampton I completely agree with you. They are skimping on the sportsters. With the air shocks from a ultra classic and these springs it rides so much better. But could still be improved.