Legend Axeo Tri Glide front end Suspension Review:

[Rooster57]

My trike is a 2016 Harley TriGlide:

...A few weeks back I purchased and installed the Pro Action 14" Rear shocks with Comfort Lifts Combo pkg from DK Customs on my trike...These things are AWSOME! (much smoother ride over stock HD air shocks!) ($900.00 cost parts only)

...So, I recently decided to upgrade the front suspension as well.....After much study I decided on the Legend AXEO Tri Glide Front End Suspension from Revzilla. ($749.00 cost parts only)

....after driving appx. 100 miles. this is what i found:

..............................The trike front end felt firmer (not really stiffer = I know that doesn't make much sense) Let me explain:

Going down a smooth highway at first I couldn't really tell a big difference from std. HD suspension.

...until I hit a bump or a pot hole, that's when these Legend Axeos really kicked in!.....They seemed to take the bone jarring bang out of those ruff parts.

(oh, you still feel'em....just much much smoother on the jolts by far).



...During the 100 mi. test, I also noticed the Legend suspension just seemed to make the front end firmer and "less violent overall" in its handling, which made it a much better and more responsive ride!

............Now understand that a TriGlides' ride comfort depends 75-80% on the rear shocks and 20-25% on the front end shocks as a "best guess" I would say.

.... so the front end will never make the comfort contribution to the overall ride quality that the rear does.

.....HOWEVER, these Legend Axeo front shocks made a fine, fine, fine contribution! ...The whole trike just seems more stable and has a better front end performance!

..........Worth the money? -Thow it hurts me to say so, as that's a lot of jack for front fork shocks (and the dealer installed them for another $700 bucks labor),

but: YES it is!!!

.........combining the rear suspension with front suspension up grades has greatly improved the total ride of my Tri Glide!......

How much of an improvement?..... I would best compare it to the comfort difference of riding in a short wheel base car to a larger standard wheel base car.

...and that's a big difference especially over a long distance ride. (of course it is not and never will ride like a Cadillac Eldurado because its still a motorcycle)



...... So, am I glad I made the total front and rear suspension upgrades to the Trike? "ABSOLUTELY!" ...and yes, I would do it again!

(but I must confess = This total suspension upgrading comes to an expense that is "EYE WATERING!", but so is the improved ride)



*** note: I don't work for or have any financial interest in any of these companies referred to in this review.

....I just wanted to state my personal experience in case anyone else is wondering about making similar upgrades to their HD TriGlide.

 

[ultrafxr]

Last year I helped a friend install the Legend Axeo front cartridges on his 2011 CVO Road Glide Ultra. This bike had the older pre-Rushmore smaller front forks and the Axeos made a huge difference in his ride and handling. I had put Traxxion Dynamics AK20s on my previous two wheeler but they are almost twice the cost of the Axeos. Based on his bike and feedback I think the Axeos are the way to go.

Now with the improved front suspension on my 2018 Tri-Glide I'm thinking I won't do anything. But if I should change my mind the Axeos are what I would do.

It's really not that difficult to do yourself for anyone wanting to install themselves.

 

[Rooster57]

Hey Jerry!

....If I had it to do over again I probably "would do it myself" as I DID do the rear suspension change out .............The Legends came with complete instructions that looked pretty straight forward....could have saved a tub full o' money!

...............But sadly, I lost my nerve and just let the dealer do it as I hadn't done it before.....(and the labor ended up costing a couple hunerd' more than I thought it would too!):Shrug:

 

[ultrafxr]

....If I had it to do over again I probably "would do it myself" as I DID do the rear suspension change out .............The Legends came with complete instructions that looked pretty straight forward....could have saved a tub full o' money!

...............But sadly, I lost my nerve and just let the dealer do it as I hadn't done it before.....(and the labor ended up costing a couple hunerd' more than I thought it would too!):Shrug:

First time doing things like this can be challenging and takes way more time than it should. Sometimes it's worth the $$$ not to have to worry with it.

 

[Rooster57]

reply to Jerry

Well i did consider the AK20s'........But as I understand it the AK20s' are not just a simple cartridge install (as are the Legends).....The installation of the AK20s I considered had to be actually assembled and required some possible minor machining to install (whatever that would have meant).

That ran me away from the AK20s with a quickness!

........and I discussed their install with my HD mechanic at the dealer who informed me that he'd never installed AK20s before but was sure it wouldn't be a problem!:xzqxzthat made me run away even faster!)

I'm sure they would have been awesome.....but, too much uncertainty going on on my end regarding the install of the AK20s...

So, I decided on the Legends.

............Am totally happy with Legends upgrade performance over HD stock front suspension shocks; and as I've never experienced the AK20s I'll never know if they are worth the extra cash or not.

(but i DO here theAK20s are most excellent!)

Be Safe!

 

[PosseRider]

Hey Rooster

My trike is a 2016 Harley TriGlide:

...So, I recently decided to upgrade the front suspension as well.....After much study I decided on the Legend AXEO Tri Glide Front End Suspension from Revzilla. parts only

What did you set the preload on the Axeo ???

 

[Rooster57]

Reply to PosseRider

Hey PosseRider...

Yeah!....It isnt as impressive as those rear shocks were you know.....but I really like these legend axeos in front as they are a nice touch to balancing the trike ride...it tames that front end!!!!

....you'll likem'!

...set mine at 2 turns.

....total weight between 300-400 lbs...........I weigh 200...wife 130.....likely 50-70 lbs luggage I figure at best.

..so I recommend 2 turns ( front end plenty firm you won't need more me thinks)

...tell me what you think when test riding soon!!!!!

 

[Rooster57]

Hey PosseRider!

Hey Bill,

....I got the standard height axeo legends for my trike and NOT the ones that are 1" lower that they also offer..............standard works nicely and you wouldnt know the legends were installed to look at trike as they are the same height as harley stock front shocks................as we both have those comfort lifts in the rear, I wouldn't want to drive down the road looking like a fat scorpion! (with my ass in the air 1 " higher than the front..........our rears are already raised!)

.......I'm sure you have already evaluated which ones you wanted and chose wisely.

Cheers!

 

[Rooster57]

Sorry Bill,

....I think I wasnt paying attention when I ran in here moments ago and opened up this thread......I thought I read that "You were getting some legend axeos!"

......my mistake I think.

 

[PosseRider]

Sorry Bill,

....I think I wasnt paying attention when I ran in here moments ago and opened up this thread......I thought I read that "You were getting some legend axeos!"

......my mistake I think.

Weighing all the options, but these look good.

 

[Rooster57]

reply to PosseRider

Heres the thing Bill,

With as many miles as ya'll ride each year..........you really might want to consider these Legend front shocks to compliment those great rear shocks you already have......but, it aint cheap unfortunately.............The wife and I are planning many miles this year and I finally decided "anything that makes the ride better" is worth it......but thats just my opinion of course.

.....you likely have enough knowledge and experience to do this job yourself and save some dough! ....I on the other hand, wanted an trained Harley mechanic to do it this first time (with warranty).

........but certainly see other reviews before you decide.

....anyway, you may know of even better front shocks than these! (You are a far more experienced rider than I am as you already know)

Best of luck with whatever you decide!

 

[PosseRider]

Heres the thing Bill,

With as many miles as ya'll ride each year..........you really might want to consider these Legend front shocks to compliment those great rear shocks you already have......but, it aint cheap unfortunately.............The wife and I are planning many miles this year and I finally decided "anything that makes the ride better" is worth it......but thats just my opinion of course.

.....you likely have enough knowledge and experience to do this job yourself and save some dough! ....I on the other hand, wanted an trained Harley mechanic to do it this first time (with warranty).

........but certainly see other reviews before you decide.

....anyway, you may know of even better front shocks than these! (You are a far more experienced rider than I am as you already know)

Best of luck with whatever you decide!

I have done this before on my 03 that we put 105,000 miles on. I am just wondering if it is something I want to do again or have my dealer do it. Also trying to decide if we want to do Chrome forks at same time. Are u going to Deadwood in July ??

 

[Rooster57]

Reply to PosseRider

.............As we are planning a ride to Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore, and thru Sturgis in mid June............The wife does not think we will have the time available to return to the Deadwood area only a couple of weeks later after we just got back from a long ride...........Personally, "I Really" would like to make the Deadwood gathering.....but the wife said her vacation time has already been confirmed and she doesn't want to mess with changing.......So, that's where we are in the argument!!!!! (however we "Could split it up and make it 2 different rides = I'll discuss with the other half)

If your gonna get those harley chrome forks too, then my vote is let dealer do all!!!! ....likely save a little as mechanic will have to reduce labor charge as he has to take old forks off anyway.........I have those chrome forks if you remember seeing my trike last year.....They are holding GREAT! ...They are tripple chromed and appear very tough and ding resistant.....I've had them on some 9000 miles now and not one scratch or road ding yet! ...the original aluminum harley forks got scratched and dinged constantly.

...I got my Legends Axeos from Revzilla, then carried them to Harley Dealer and had them install........while there, the dealer said I could have ordered the Axeos thru them. (It would have likely cost appx. a hunerd' bucks more the mechanic said)

 

[Rooster57]

Reply to PosseRider

.............As we are planning a ride to Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore, and thru Sturgis in mid June............The wife does not think we will have the time available to return to the Deadwood area only a couple of weeks later after we just got back from a long ride...........Personally, "I Really" would like to make the Deadwood gathering.....but the wife said her vacation time has already been confirmed and she doesn't want to mess with changing.......So, that's where we are in the argument!!!!!

(however we "Could split it up and make it 2 different rides = I'll discuss with the other half)

If your gonna get those harley chrome forks too, then my vote is let dealer do all!!!! ....likely save a little as mechanic will have to reduce labor charge as he has to take old forks off anyway.........I have those chrome forks if you remember seeing my trike last year.....They are holding GREAT! ...They are tripple chromed and appear very tough and ding resistant.....I've had them on some 9000 miles now and not one scratch or road ding yet! ...the original aluminum harley forks got scratched and dinged constantly.

...I got my Legends Axeos from Revzilla, then carried them to Harley Dealer and had them install........while there, the dealer said I could have ordered the Axeos thru them. (It would have likely cost appx. a hunerd' bucks more the mechanic said)

Say!.....as long as your sprucing up the Trike, why not put some Harley Enforcer chrome wheels on it too!!!!!...If my memory serves me, your tri glide is a dark blue based color and already looks very nice!.......But those chrome wheels and chrome forks would make your machine absolutely "AWSOME!" .....as we say in Texas, "You might have to sell some cattle to pay for it.".........but I think your trike would look "Striking!"

.......just my opinion of course.......I'm sending a couple pics showing the chrome forks and wheels on my "FRESHLY WASHED" ride.

 

[Rooster57]

Hey Bill,

Oh yeah....If you get those chrome forks, don't forget to add those front chrome wheel caps too! (I almost did when I had my forks installed)

 

[PosseRider]

Just off the phone with my dealer, ordered the chrome front, & legends. Gonna let my dealer do it. I have done 2 others but over 15 yrs ago. Can't roll around on the floor like I used to. Labor around $250. :clapping::Coffee:

 

[Rooster57]

reply to PosseRider

Yeah!

....wise choice me thinks to let dealer do it............especially with that nice labor price!

.............cost me mucho more in labor down here for the same thing!

.............now, just "eeeeeezzzzze over there" on the harley website and pull the trigger on those chrome wheels too! You can do it!!!!!

(I'm just messin with ya' Bill....but they really would look awesome on your trike! The Harley chrome wheels for the trike was the cheapest I found last year when I had them installed)

 

[paws]

Randy... when we see you at Kerrville I hope its a cloudy day! Otherwise you’ll put my eyes out with all that shiney shine on your bike! It sure is purty.

 

[Rooster57]

reply to Paws

Thanks Carla,

........its shiny 'cauz I had just washed it!!!!

 

[PosseRider]

Hey Bill,

Oh yeah....If you get those chrome forks, don't forget to add those front chrome wheel caps too! (I almost did when I had my forks installed)

Got it back. Not ridden yet. Snow one day & now heavy rains for a couple temps dropping again. Took some pics & yes I got the wheel caps,but,did you get the spacers too? Hope ya can see them.