Are you looking for the best Harley Sportster shocks? Then, you’re in the right place!
Harley Davidson is a beloved motorcycle brand that came into existence in the year 1903. This iconic brand is a synonym of class, passion, and power. Harley Davidson is an ultimate status symbol, and people have tattooed the company’s logo on their skin as they are fond of these bikes.
Selecting the best high-performance shocks for Harley Davidson Sportster requires comparing the options and detailed reviews.
These big bikes are built to last, and they come with powerful throaty growl engines. The high handlebars and the leather seats give character to these bikes. Being highly customizable, everyone can create a ride that fits their personality and style. The bike parts are replaceable, and shocks are one of those parts.
The decision to buy any shocks depends on various factors like where and how you ride. In this article, we have reviewed some high performance and best shocks available for Harley Davidson Sportster.
The Top 5 Best Shocks for Harley Sportster:
1. Progressive Suspension 412-4009B (Editor’s Choice)
Progressive Suspension 412-4009B shocks have a double-walled steel body with nitrogen charges. It has consistent and smooth damping with a velocity-sensitive multistage valve, and a five-position preload adjuster makes the ride comfortable.
The simple and durable design improves the bike’s suspension performance. The eye-candy chrome finish gives an excellent look and makes your motorcycle look entirely different. In addition, the load adjustment is proper if you are riding with a passenger.
These shocks are stiff enough to provide perfect stability in sharp corners. The shocks are an ideal replacement for your stock shocks and are budget-friendly. Set high for better riding performance.
Features
- They are specially designed for the Harley Davidson model.
- Constructed from high-quality material
- Spring shocks are high-pressure gas charged for excellent damping performance.
- Black finish spring with standard progressive rate
- Double-wall steel construction
- Velocity-sensitive damping
Pros
- Keep tires stable even in poor road conditions.
- Height adjustment allows a smooth ride that does not change with uneven load distribution.
- Superior compression on high speed
- It goes smoothly over corners.
- Heavy-duty shocks, especially for a ride with a passenger
Cons
- Slightly heavier than regular shocks
- Need additional tools for installation
2. Progressive Suspension 413-4039B
Progressive Suspension 413-4039B is durable, simple, and a super improvement to your bike’s suspension performance as long as you enjoy riding it. A five-position adjustable cam style preload adjuster allows a comfortable ride, whether you are a heavy hitter or a light rider.
It is a heavy-duty shock with double-walled construction. This high-quality product is made in compliance with industry standards to provide the best performance. The product is made under trained engineers’ supervision, and real-time testing creates the best quality and ideal suspension platform for your Harley.
The well-balanced design makes it easy to install with no extra modification required on your vehicle. In addition, progressive suspension 413-4039B gives excellent ride quality with no additional effort.
Features
- Fade-free damping due to freedom cell
- It comes double-walled built for superior durability.
- Heavy-duty hard chrome rods are heat-treated
- Long-life seals and fade resistant oil
- Five-position adjustable preload
- Freon-charged superior performance gas cells
Pros
- Provided detailed instructions make installation easy and quick
- Relives back pain and provide comfort ride
- It goes over corners smoothly and Provides stability.
- Heavy-duty performance
- Superior grade construction for uncompromising reliability
Cons
- Extra load on the bike can reduce the effectiveness
- The lowest setting can be too soft for some riders
3. Burly B28-1201B
Burly B28 features a decal on the top. It is a sticker, so if you want, you can easily remove it. Some Burley products may come with a separate label. You can adjust the height, and it can be down to two inches.
If your bike already sits low, then make sure to test it so that it can be prevented from the bottom out. If you have a heavy load on your motorcycle, it means if there is a passenger while riding, then softening will occur; however, it depends on weight. The more the pressure, the more it will be softening.
A heavy load will increase softness but will be balanced if both persons are equal in weight. The perfect design makes them visually appealing and offers you a balance between soft and stiff if installed at the correct height.
Features
- Adjustable preload to tune to the rider’s weight
- Combination of stubby shocks and dropped fork springs
- No disassembly is required of the forks
- Make your Harley appealing.
Pros
- Lowers bike’s height making it easier for a rider to touch the ground
- Installation is easy and quick and can be done in minutes
- Aesthetically appealing look
Cons
- Soft on uneven, bumpy roads
- The extra load can decrease its effectiveness
4. HTTMT LS003
HTTMT LS003 is a rear suspension shock. It prevents your bike’s engine from touching the concrete and assists with acceleration. Installation is easy, and you can do it yourself or take help from the manual.
These shocks have excellent absorption on roads with abrupt irregularities. While driving, you should avoid bumps and potholes on the road, but the impact will go over with these shocks fitted on your bike. No bottom out will happen, and bumps will push tires upwards.
The real-time testing of the product makes it a perfect suspension for your Harley Sportster. If you love touring, these may wear down fast, but most people are satisfied with these shocks’ performance.
Features
- 10.5″ eye-to-eye stubby measurement
- Adjustable preload to tune to rider weight
- It gives maximum handling ability to your bike
- Changes height as needed
Pros
- Quick and easy installation
- Heavy-duty shocks
- Provide stability on sharp corners
- Superior grade construction for uncompromising reliability
- Relives back pain and provide comfort ride
Cons
- It comes with shorter bolts, while some bikes may need longer bolts for installation.
5. Factory Spec FS-04504
These Factory Spec FS-04504 shocks are 10.5″ in length. During adjustment, you can preload them, and all you need is wrenches to get the desired height. These are an ideal choice for shorter rides.
Now don’t strain yourself by putting your foot on the ground without depending on the kickstand. The steel and black body is appealing and suits well with most of the colors. These shocks will give your giant beast a different appearance, and you will surely love it.
The product is designed under the supervision of engineers with state-of-the-art technology. So far, these premium shocks have given the best results, and they come with straightforward installation. Moreover, these shocks don’t ride hard on poor and uneven roads.
Features
- Shock length 10.5 inches eye-to-eye
- Adjustable preload to tune to rider’s weight
- With 1/2″ & 5/8″ bushings for mounting
- Superior suspension
- Made to OEM specifications
Pros
- Wrenches are included for height setting.
- Steel and black finish goes perfectly with different bikes’ colors.
- Fix the height to make the ride comfortable
- Heavy-duty and superior quality construction material
- Easy and Quick hassle-free installation
- Offer stability when riding on potholes and bumps, hence giving you an excellent riding experience.
Cons
- Bottom out can appear when a passenger is more weighted than the driver
- Installation requires a bit of homework
How to Pick the Best Shock for Harley Davidson
Shocks play a vital role when it comes to the riding experience. The primary purpose of shockers is to maintain the vehicle’s stability and resist road shocks. In addition, the correct suspension provides comfort, control, and isolation necessary for improving the ride.
The new pair of aftermarket shocks ease your traveling; however, you should pay attention to the specifications that cater to the specific bike. The guide below will make your task easy, and you can choose the shock which will serve best for your bike.
Soft or stiff: which is better?
You can choose soft or stiff shocks, but the soft front shocks are appropriate as they have better impact absorption from a general perspective. However, for better suspension, the rear shock should be stiff, and this will make your ride easy on rough terrain and convenient to carry the load.
Riding alone or with a passenger
The comfort level varies according to the passengers on the bike. The second person plays a crucial role when choosing a shock for your motorcycle because extra weight means more strain on bike shocks, especially in poor road conditions. For this purpose, you can select shocks with a high weight limit. Heavy-duty rear shocks can support a heavy load. Some shocks can evenly distribute the pressure of your bike.
Installing the shocks
Proper installation of shocks is necessary, or it would bottom out quickly and can lead to leaks. However, shocks with simple installation processes are a bonus, but they should not be the buying factor. If you do not know the installation process, then take help from the technician, but if you want to save some bucks, then YouTube videos will help you.
However, these types of online platforms are not always reliable. Moreover, not all aftermarket shocks come with detailed instructions, and some manuals miss essential points necessary for installation. So, when you are in doubt, then contact the brand for more specific details.
Height Adjustment
You can adjust Harley shocks up to a few inches. The height adjustment depends on personal user choice. Many users aim for lower heights than provided with the factory shocks. If you are taking technician help, then tell me about the height requirement. Doing two inches down will ease your foot to reach the pavement. That will give you control and confidence with a better riding experience.
Bottom out
Bottom out means when the bottom of the bike touches the road. This situation arises, especially when traveling through a bumpy road. Bottom out makes your bike vulnerable to damage, and it will need regular repairs. You can resolve this issue by buying the shocks with significant height. However, you can raise the level of the current ones too.
Eases Pain
Many people have complained about the inconvenience that they go through with Harley’s standard shocks. They have experienced severe back pain, even on a brief ride. That is the reason many people search for aftermarket shocks. Consider the shocks that will help you accelerate without much leg movement.
Conclusion: Best Shocks for Harley Davidson Sportster
We have discussed and evaluated the features of various shocks, and this must have given you a clear understanding of the product that will best suit your Harley. Both front and rear shocks are listed above, so you must consider them according to your requirement.
No matter which shock you choose from the list mentioned above, these will give you better performance with a comfortable riding experience than those from factory assembled shocks.
However, Progressive Suspension 412-4009B is the top pick because of its easy installation and superior performance in poor road conditions.
So, in our opinion, these are the best Harley Sportster shocks available on the market at the moment.