Bill J. from Austin
40+ Posts
I searched the forums as best I could, but no one seemed to be discussing this particular question. If it has been asked before, I apologize, but I need some straight skinny.
I have a 2016 Freewheeler I picked up in April. Limited riding time since then, so I've only put on about 3000 miles. Absolutely love the ride on the highway and decent surface streets, but man, those bumps!
One of the threads I read before posting this pointed out that with three wheels, all in separate tracks on the roadway, you get three times the bumps. Makes sense to me, but there has got to be something I can do to mellow this beast a bit.
Red Mountain Pass, Colorado.
For reference, I rode a rigid-framed shovelhead with a frame-mounted butt bucket for forty years. I'm not a whiner (most days) and I don't think anyone would mistake me for a lightweight.
Skyline Drive above Cañon City, Colorado.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado.
I put over a half-million miles on my shovel, and by the time I clocked my first hundred miles, I'd figured out how to avoid or compensate for most bumps and road surfaces. On the Freewheeler, at 3000 miles, I'm still getting the Christmas beat out of me on a regular basis!
Before anyone suggests tire-pressure and air pressure in the OEM shocks, I did that. I'm pretty sure the OEM shocks leak, and adjusting them doesn't seem to help. The tire pressure didn't seem to make a difference, either.
The parts guy at the stealership recommended Progressive 444-4073B or the Legends REVO shocks, which cost more and require an additional $225 lift kit that Progressive specifically prohibits using.
I looked at DK Custom Products, and they might be everything they promise, but OMG! they are pricey! I'm not a wealthy man, so they'd have to be really special to justify that outlay.
Anyhoo, does anyone have actual experience on their trikes with any of the three brands of shocks mentioned? Is there some other shock absorber you'd recommend instead?
Thanks.
PS: I hope this isn't like asking what oil to use.
I have a 2016 Freewheeler I picked up in April. Limited riding time since then, so I've only put on about 3000 miles. Absolutely love the ride on the highway and decent surface streets, but man, those bumps!
One of the threads I read before posting this pointed out that with three wheels, all in separate tracks on the roadway, you get three times the bumps. Makes sense to me, but there has got to be something I can do to mellow this beast a bit.
Red Mountain Pass, Colorado.
For reference, I rode a rigid-framed shovelhead with a frame-mounted butt bucket for forty years. I'm not a whiner (most days) and I don't think anyone would mistake me for a lightweight.
Skyline Drive above Cañon City, Colorado.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado.
I put over a half-million miles on my shovel, and by the time I clocked my first hundred miles, I'd figured out how to avoid or compensate for most bumps and road surfaces. On the Freewheeler, at 3000 miles, I'm still getting the Christmas beat out of me on a regular basis!
Before anyone suggests tire-pressure and air pressure in the OEM shocks, I did that. I'm pretty sure the OEM shocks leak, and adjusting them doesn't seem to help. The tire pressure didn't seem to make a difference, either.
The parts guy at the stealership recommended Progressive 444-4073B or the Legends REVO shocks, which cost more and require an additional $225 lift kit that Progressive specifically prohibits using.
I looked at DK Custom Products, and they might be everything they promise, but OMG! they are pricey! I'm not a wealthy man, so they'd have to be really special to justify that outlay.Anyhoo, does anyone have actual experience on their trikes with any of the three brands of shocks mentioned? Is there some other shock absorber you'd recommend instead?
Thanks.
PS: I hope this isn't like asking what oil to use.
