Replacement Shocks

[cemhunter]

Has anyone replaced rear shocks on a 2020 Tri Glide Ultra ? If so what shocks work best for the money without too many if any alterations?
Thanks

 

[nucseal]

I replaced the rear shocks on my 20 Tri Glide with PRO-Action 14" and lift from DK Customs. No mods needed. I have over 40,000mi on these shocks and best thing I did for ride comfort. I understand the NEX-Gen shocks from DK Customs are the next best thing for the Tri Glide.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Get ahold of DK Customs for more info on what works best, they test all of their products in house

DK Custom Products

DK Custom Products for Harley-Davidson Tank Lifts Coil Relocation Ignition Relocation HiFlow 587 Air Cleaners Custom Foot pegs Tour-Pak relocation rigid struts Bear Trap brass knuckles bmx XiED Solo Seat Systems Pans ChopperShox K&N filters Thunder Torque Inserts ViED

www.dkcustomproducts.com

 

[14TG]

ProAction 14” shocks work perfect.
In fact they do not recommend using any “lift or comfort” brackets. They simply are not needed per George at ProAction.

Just bolt them to your stock brackets. I’ve had their shocks on my several previous 2 wheeled bikes too. Excellent quality and customer service and lifetime warranty too.
(I’ve also heard good things about the DK Nex-Gen shocks too).
.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Good shox

 

[Notgrownup]

I have 14” Pro action and this year I dialed them in with the help of George at Pro Action and now they ride much better. I may try them later without the lift kit.

 

[Coool]

I ordered 13" Nexgens with lift. I can't wait to get them in!

 

[Coool]

The rain has stopped, and I put a few hundred miles on the 13" Nexgens w/lift. An amazing difference! I came from a street glide that I put Legends on to try to comfort my wife who has back pain. Legends helped but she still hurt after a half hour, so I wasn't expecting a magical difference with the Nexgens, I was wrong! These Nexgens have allowed her to ride for hours without back pain!! My wife said these Nexgens are 1000 times better than anything we've been riding over the past 6 years, she is thrilled with these shocks! Well worth the money!!!

 

[Notgrownup]

The rain has stopped, and I put a few hundred miles on the 13" Nexgens w/lift. An amazing difference! I came from a street glide that I put Legends on to try to comfort my wife who has back pain. Legends helped but she still hurt after a half hour, so I wasn't expecting a magical difference with the Nexgens, I was wrong! These Nexgens have allowed her to ride for hours without back pain!! My wife said these Nexgens are 1000 times better than anything we've been riding over the past 6 years, she is thrilled with these shocks! Well worth the money!!!

I’m wondering why you didn’t opt for the 14”?

 

[Coool]

I’m wondering why you didn’t opt for the 14”?

Dk's recommended installation is the 13 w/lift for 2017 and up and they have the same travel.

 

[DK Custom Products]

The rain has stopped, and I put a few hundred miles on the 13" Nexgens w/lift. An amazing difference! I came from a street glide that I put Legends on to try to comfort my wife who has back pain. Legends helped but she still hurt after a half hour, so I wasn't expecting a magical difference with the Nexgens, I was wrong! These Nexgens have allowed her to ride for hours without back pain!! My wife said these Nexgens are 1000 times better than anything we've been riding over the past 6 years, she is thrilled with these shocks! Well worth the money!!!

Thank you for the good review.
Super happy to hear that you are both pleased with them.


Below is a chart showing, for you and the OP, showing the differences between various shocks. Seems like your butt dyno's are about the same as the 6 of us that did testing on most of these shocks.

Wishing you many miles of smiles on Your Ride!

Kevin

 

[14TG]

Thank you for the good review.
Super happy to hear that you are both pleased with them.


Below is a chart showing, for you and the OP, showing the differences between various shocks. Seems like your butt dyno's are about the same as the 6 of us that did testing on most of these shocks.

Wishing you many miles of smiles on Your Ride!

Kevin

Kevin,

I have the 14” ProAction shocks on my 2014 (mounted on stock OEM shock brackets as George at PA recommend to not add any comfort lift brackets)…. (They do ride nice…)

But If I removed the 14” ProAction shocks and installed the 14” NexGen shocks… would the butt dyno feel a noticeable difference?

I have a friend that may be interested in buying mine over this winter and the chart you posted has me wondering if it’s going to be a noticeable difference as the “point numbers” are far enough apart on your chart.

I see the “street series” have 65 points, verses the PA/DK 14” with 80 points.
Mine are 14” street series (for the Trike)
What is the difference?
Do mine have 65 or 80 points?

Curious if a changeout would be a noticeable feeling?
What’s your thoughts?
Thanks, we appreciate you!

 

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin,

I have the 14” ProAction shocks on my 2014 (mounted on stock OEM shock brackets as George at PA recommend to not add any comfort lift brackets)…. (They do ride nice…)

But If I removed the 14” ProAction shocks and installed the 14” NexGen shocks… would the butt dyno feel a noticeable difference?

I have a friend that may be interested in buying mine over this winter and the chart you posted has me wondering if it’s going to be a noticeable difference as the “point numbers” are far enough apart on your chart.

I see the “street series” have 65 points, verses the PA/DK 14” with 80 points.
Mine are 14” street series (for the Trike)
What is the difference?
Do mine have 65 or 80 points?

Curious if a changeout would be a noticeable feeling?
What’s your thoughts?
Thanks, we appreciate you!

The 14" Pro Action shocks you have are shocks we co-developed PA, and they score an 80 on the comparison chart. The are specifically for HD Trikes, whereas the 12 & 13" PA shocks (Street Series) are for 2 wheel bikes, and we did not have a hand in developing those. Among other differences, they do not have as much travel, nor as heavy a spring.

The 14" PA shocks you have were designed to work best with a Convertible Comfort Mount. They put the shocks at a bit more of an angle and absorb the bumps better. PA says not needed (now, that is not what they used to say), because they got a little tweaked when we started making our own shocks.

Everyone's butt dyno is different, but I believe you will notice a difference...whether the difference is enough to justify the expense is only something you can answer.

I will let you know that we spent over 1.5 years making the NexGen™ shocks, and what we were chasing, and did not give up until we achieved it, is that the NexGen™ shocks had to ride noticeable better than the PA shocks. If we could not achieve that, then there was no purpose in making them, because we already had the co-developed PA shocks.

Here is a video where we talk about how the NexGen™ came to be.




Kevin

 

[14TG]

The 14" Pro Action shocks you have are shocks we co-developed PA, and they score an 80 on the comparison chart. The are specifically for HD Trikes, whereas the 12 & 13" PA shocks (Street Series) are for 2 wheel bikes, and we did not have a hand in developing those. Among other differences, they do not have as much travel, nor as heavy a spring.

The 14" PA shocks you have were designed to work best with a Convertible Comfort Mount. They put the shocks at a bit more of an angle and absorb the bumps better. PA says not needed (now, that is not what they used to say), because they got a little tweaked when we started making our own shocks.

Everyone's butt dyno is different, but I believe you will notice a difference...whether the difference is enough to justify the expense is only something you can answer.

I will let you know that we spent over 1.5 years making the NexGen™ shocks, and what we were chasing, and did not give up until we achieved it, is that the NexGen™ shocks had to ride noticeable better than the PA shocks. If we could not achieve that, then there was no purpose in making them, because we already had the co-developed PA shocks.

Here is a video where we talk about how the NexGen™ came to be.




Kevin

Hi Kevin,

Thank you for the clarification on the 14” PA shocks I have.
So the NexGen gets a 100, and the PA gets 80pts…. 20 points is still a considerable distance.

So the next question (and I can understand business with competition… competition is good for the consumer as it gives choices… especially if they are good ones).

So, the question now is: if I add a “comfort lift” which is basically not much of a lift at all, but rather kicks the shock back slightly and is advertised the angle helps with a better ride… would I benefit and actually “feel” a difference with the comfort brackets?

My curiosity is very high itself on a shock comparison between the NexGen vs PA on my own butt dyno on my stock brackets for a true comparison.
Then how much of a difference if I would add the comfort bracket kit? Would it truly even be noticeable a before and after?
Decisions, decisions! Lol!

thanks for the info & I'm all ears on any other advice and any other members who had one brand and a comparison of the two?
The PA is definitely noticeable… but when I see the chart and a 20pt spread…. Really warrants curiosity about the 20 pts difference.
I’ll keep all posted on a new thread (sorry OP) if my buddy does want to follow through and I’ll give an honest review on the change out.
Thanks!

 

[Notgrownup]

I’m curious about this as well since I have 14” PA with the comfort lift. I recently changed the settings on mine after talking with George and it’s considerably better. I still would like more. I’m considering removing the comfort lift to try….that will be my next mod.

 

[nucseal]

I’m curious about this as well since I have 14” PA with the comfort lift. I recently changed the settings on mine after talking with George and it’s considerably better. I still would like more. I’m considering removing the comfort lift to try….that will be my next mod.

So what settings did you change. A curious mind wants to know.

 

[14TG]

I’m curious about this as well since I have 14” PA with the comfort lift. I recently changed the settings on mine after talking with George and it’s considerably better. I still would like more. I’m considering removing the comfort lift to try….that will be my next mod.

I’m really curious if you would indeed notice a ride difference if the brackets were changed.
I understand some of the geometry that the angle of the shock may indeed help… but would it truly “Feel” a difference?

 

[Notgrownup]

So what settings did you change. A curious mind wants to know.

Added a bunch of turns to the pre load , more than what they came with. Got them 7.5” between the collets, put the clicks at 3. George told me he would remove the comfort lift if it was him.

 

[nucseal]

Added a bunch of turns to the pre load , more than what they came with. Got them 7.5” between the collets, put the clicks at 3. George told me he would remove the comfort lift if it was him.

Thanks for the info

 

[DK Custom Products]

Hi Kevin,

Thank you for the clarification on the 14” PA shocks I have.
So the NexGen gets a 100, and the PA gets 80pts…. 20 points is still a considerable distance.

So the next question (and I can understand business with competition… competition is good for the consumer as it gives choices… especially if they are good ones).

So, the question now is: if I add a “comfort lift” which is basically not much of a lift at all, but rather kicks the shock back slightly and is advertised the angle helps with a better ride… would I benefit and actually “feel” a difference with the comfort brackets?

My curiosity is very high itself on a shock comparison between the NexGen vs PA on my own butt dyno on my stock brackets for a true comparison.
Then how much of a difference if I would add the comfort bracket kit? Would it truly even be noticeable a before and after?
Decisions, decisions! Lol!

thanks for the info & I'm all ears on any other advice and any other members who had one brand and a comparison of the two?
The PA is definitely noticeable… but when I see the chart and a 20pt spread…. Really warrants curiosity about the 20 pts difference.
I’ll keep all posted on a new thread (sorry OP) if my buddy does want to follow through and I’ll give an honest review on the change out.
Thanks!

The Convertible Comfort Lifts and Mounts make a difference, more on little and medium road irregularities than the BIG ones.
Will you notice it? Hard to say. There are hundreds who do notice it, and some that say they don't notice much of a difference.
If you go to this LINK, and read some of the over 100 reviews, you will get a good idea of what others have felt/experienced.
When going from the 14" PA to the 13" or 14" NexGen™, the improvement is 20 points...when adding the Convertible Comfort, the improvement is 5 points. So, while it is an improvement, that most folks feel, it is designed to improve a good shock, not make a good ride out of a bad shock.

btw, you will note from the following quote that George wanted put on the website many years ago, it is a bit in conflict with what he is telling people these days.
"The more you have a cantilever (angle) on your trikes shocks, the smoother the shocks will operate."

George of Pro-Action Shocks

The PA 14" shock is a great shock, that gives a very good improvement over the stock ride. We still have it on our website, and we still have folks that purchase them from us.

If we had not gone the extra 1.5 years at working at making something better, it is the shock that I would be running on my own Tri Glide.

Hope that info helps!

Kevin

 

[Notgrownup]

Kevin. I want to make sure that you know I am not trying to undermine you and your Nexgen shocks by saying what I said about y conversation with George. I still have the comfort lift on mine.

 

[14TG]

Maurice,
Same here and hope my questions are not coming off as any type of “digs” either.

I’m local to PA, and have had their shocks on all my previous bikes.

But if there is something better out there, I’m all ears!
And if the NexGens definitely are a much better shock, I’ll certainly swap them out because I think we ALL can agree we want a better ride!

The ride is definitely improved with aftermarket shocks, and there’s only so much we can achieve with the solid axle/straight axle that we have.

In the same token, fair is fair and same with “competitive” parts & components.
Are these “comfort brackets” snake oil?
And no disrespect to DK whatsoever… just trying to determine if it’s truly noticeable with or without them?

As Kevin even stated, some notice, some don’t. (Is it just psychological…. Or does the butt dyno feel a better ride with a set of brackets that kicks the shock back a little bit?).

I’m certain not afraid to spend the money as long as it’s a justified noticeable difference.

I really want to do a complete swap of the NexGen in place of the PA.
(I have to get my rake kit fine first, along with a Müller hydro clutch kit first… then I may save up and purchase a set to see if it is really noticeable.

DK does make great stuff! I have their Tour Pack relocation kit, both rider & passenger floor board kits, the oil filter relocation kit (I made a video on that), and I also purchase their rear axle bearing retainer kit that I will install in winter too… so certainly great products!
…. Just really curious on a subjective customer comparison between these shocks.

Thanks!
-Brett

 

[14TG]

The Convertible Comfort Lifts and Mounts make a difference, more on little and medium road irregularities than the BIG ones.
Will you notice it? Hard to say. There are hundreds who do notice it, and some that say they don't notice much of a difference.
If you go to this LINK, and read some of the over 100 reviews, you will get a good idea of what others have felt/experienced.
When going from the 14" PA to the 13" or 14" NexGen™, the improvement is 20 points...when adding the Convertible Comfort, the improvement is 5 points. So, while it is an improvement, that most folks feel, it is designed to improve a good shock, not make a good ride out of a bad shock.

btw, you will note from the following quote that George wanted put on the website many years ago, it is a bit in conflict with what he is telling people these days.
"The more you have a cantilever (angle) on your trikes shocks, the smoother the shocks will operate."

George of Pro-Action Shocks

The PA 14" shock is a great shock, that gives a very good improvement over the stock ride. We still have it on our website, and we still have folks that purchase them from us.

If we had not gone the extra 1.5 years at working at making something better, it is the shock that I would be running on my own Tri Glide.

Hope that info helps!

Kevin

Thanks for the explanations… much appreciated.
We ALL want the best ride possible with the platform and suspension that we have.

I may just try a pair of the NextGen and see if my 58 yo butt dyno can tell a difference…
And who knows… I may then try a pair of the comfort brackets afterwards… again an apple to apple comparison.

Thanks again!
OP: sorry to derail a bit on the thread!
Maybe (and hopefully) this info can help us all.

 

[cemhunter]

Thanks for all the help