@R3Tex: I have no experience with these. The HD shocks don't use a bag so they can't be compared directly to this brand. They may work great. What, exactly, do you want to accomplish with the rear shocks? Lower ride height, better handling, smoother ride, carry lots of luggage??
HansO
Not Taking Life Too Seriously
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- 08 Rocket III R.I.P now TEX Triumph Explorer
coming in late in this thread but I often regret that I had not kept the Fornales and had then extended the extra 10mm that they can have done to them as while the Hagon Nitros are great they do not give as smooth or comfortable ride as the Fornales did, Yes they are pricey but worth it
TOMCAT
Rage against the machine
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My mate Tang is running Fournales on his RIII .. although set up for his 135 kilo weight I found them pretty comfortable on all but the sharpest of bumps. Likes been said they are over the top expensive here in Australia. Half the price on the Fournales UK website though.
R3Tex
Living Legend
I am looking for a comfortable ride that is easily adjustable for load. My 09 has been set up as a touring bike and i would like to make it as comfortable as possible and still carry a fairly heavy load. While the ultra classic isnt my favorite bike ever it is very comfortable on a long ride and i can load it as heavy as i want. I am looking to emulate this capability on the rocket. Air shocks just seemed to be the easiest way to get there
Ygransom
Turbocharged
Did you check that shock length was right - the description says low profile. Our Rockets weigh about the same as a Roadking so it seems the shocks should work.
Two parts to your problem. The compression dampening for the R3 is a '*****" to get right. It needs heavy very low speed dampening due to its heavy sprung weight, light mid-speed dampening to feel comfortable and to hold the road over normal irregularities and then heavier high speed dampening again to control the heavy un-sprung weight. This is not easy to accomplish in any type shock. Add to this the less than ideal shock/wheel travel. The spring rate is less important than I thought it would be. The stock R3 Classic springs are about 265lb/in. I have tried 225, 175, 150 and 125lb/in rate springs on mine and four different type shocks. (Okay, I like to experiment a little.) I ended up using modified small body aluminum midget car shocks in which I have modified the valving. Going back in to them for the 7th time shortly to make another adjustment. They, along with 150 lb/in rate springs, are really nice riding one-up. But with Mary aboard and luggage I use the stock R3 shocks with 225lb/in springs heavily preloaded.
You can use 1-7/8" ID x 9 or 10" long midget race car springs (available for $80.00 pair or less online at Southwest Speed) on the stock shocks but you need to make a PVC spacer. Easy to do. A spring compressor takes the load off the shock eye and then the eye threads off. Release the spring compressor and it all comes apart. Just use care to not damage the shock rod. Scratches, dents and burrs will destroy the shaft seal in minutes. No buying the rod as a separate item either so use caution.
I have not tried the comfort shocks but think they might work well with replacement springs of choice. However, air shocks may be the only practical way to quickly adjust for large load changes. Just get a pair that have the dampers valved right for the R3. Most universal replacement motorcycle shocks, which include Progressives, are too much of a compromise for what they cost in my opinion. If Fournales come well recommended then they may be the best buy of all. I suggest also using longer shocks with longer travel. This combination will require less preload to hold normal ride height but still have the same bump travel. 13" to 13.5" long with 4" of travel works well set with 1-1/2 to 2" of sag with rider aboard. This gives good rebound extension over undulations and larger bumps which keeps the wheel on the gound. Works really well braking into a corner too. Adjusting preload to raise ride height and having minimal extension travel left (little or no sag) is a recipe for a rough riding motorcycle.
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The Roadking's rear suspension has a different leverage ratio, hence motion ratio, than the R3. They will fit with bushing modification and you can ride it but I would not recommend them.
The Roadking's rear suspension has a different leverage ratio, hence motion ratio, than the R3. They will fit with bushing modification and you can ride it but I would not recommend them.
R3Tex
Living Legend
As all of the HD touring bikes are essentially built on the same frame I'm assuming that knocks out all other take off parts from other models too?
barbagris
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Do NOT make the mistake of comparing FOURNALES with AIRBAG Shocks.
Most air suspension is an air bag over a standard damper (albeit maybe a good damper).
Fournales DAMPING is affected by the changes in air spring as it's all in one unit. You pump more air it to take more load - wife/dog/kitchen sink and the damping is changed as well - to the extent you will not feel the handling change. This most certainly was not the case with S&W airbag type units - which ime worked best loaded to the gills.
Most air suspension is an air bag over a standard damper (albeit maybe a good damper).
Fournales DAMPING is affected by the changes in air spring as it's all in one unit. You pump more air it to take more load - wife/dog/kitchen sink and the damping is changed as well - to the extent you will not feel the handling change. This most certainly was not the case with S&W airbag type units - which ime worked best loaded to the gills.
