After calling Penske direct, I got my shock today!!! Im curious about length compared to stock. '15 Highball. I specifically asked for the 10mm longer shock. I see the new shock can also be adjusted for height at bottom. It came with a dyno, and a nice manual. Stoked!
You adjust it to how you ride most the time as far as weight goes. It still works with more or less weight; just not as good. Might be a little stiff or a little soft. Kinda like looking at soft porn.
It's actually less work. No effort at all since it's set.
Well I was thinking more that I might sometimes be 2up and other times loaded for a trip so those cases I think I would want to adjust it but looks difficult to do that. For now my stock shock works but if it fails I might be looking at these more.
This is why I haven't rushed off to change my XC's suspension(other than following some members advice and increasing the pressures I ride at)...but @bumpedmyhead is putting this Penske on a Highball and I'm willing to bet its going to be a HUGE improvement in all conditions.
Like I said in that performance thread.... I've come to the conclusion that the XC's stock suspension is adequate "as is" and imo the gains are not worth the cost of the upgrading. Hell, with almost 60k miles on my shock, I had 45lbs of air in it when I put it away for the winter last November...When I took the bike out last Wednesday getting it all back together and ready to ride...the shock still had 45lbs of air in it
But I know you and you are going to change that shock sooner or later ... LOL :wink
The HB doesnt have a factory air shock. Im 260 full dress with rain gear, leathers. Add a passenger, and I have no rear wiring. Happened on my 07 Vegas.
Somewhere in my garage I have one of those aluminum plates I bought for my KP but never put it in. I guess I ought to let it go to someone who could use it.
Finally installed! Did it myself since I have a service manual. Wasnt too bad, about 2 hours, probably because Ive never done one. The service manual is a little obscure, but useable. The rear fender measured
+ 7/8 inch increase over stock. Definately can feel it in the seat.
And more...straightforward install using the sevice manual. I did notice a misprint with the position of suspension link pivot, that you drive out to drop shock. I figured it out. Also got the wrong circlip because of it, so I reused it the old and ordered a new.
Its pretty smooth. Doesnt feel like a hardtail now. It felt "bottomed" out before. Absorbs bumps good, great lean now. Now the forks are horribly undersprung!
Yes...thats exactly how my Vegas felt after I fitted the Progressive 465 to the rear.
Wound up fitting Prgressive front springs and Gold Valves as well as Synthetic fluid.
But then scored a killer clearance deal from Leaders RPM on an USD Kingpin front end with chrome triple trees.
It works as well as my rebuilt Vegas front did performance wise and is more supple over bumps.
Its done a lot of kms now but so a change to Synthetic fluid is coming up in the near future.
Id advise you to at very least change front fluid and fit gold valves, while its apart Progressive springs complete the package.
Unless of course you can do what I did and get an USD setup at the right price.
I just fitted my KP with those same handlebars MBX. Still getting used them but I think I liked the higher hand position the Ness bars had. I just didn't think the squared off bars went with the rounded lines of the KP. I may have to look into some traditional mini-apes with risers for the KP. The key is finding the right bars that don't cause me to change the cables, wires, and brake line.
for the money an off the shelf shock like progressives are an improvement over OE but a quality shock built for you will likely be better as well as costlier. Penske builds your shock after talking to you directly. i called and asked for a longer shock for my 13 hammer + the tech noted a hammer S length was as much as could be properly fit. i opted for an internal reservoir as well + being only 150 lb backing off the preload to suit me it was the best $$$ i could have spent. i later added night dragon tyres for better handling + traction at the expense of longevity + they rode better than the dunrocks i removed. 6 years later i enjoy the better suspension on every ride, your $$$$ your choice as well, no right or wrong just what you want + are willing to spend.
I've always had mine with a good bit of air in it, close to max (72). 48,000miles and still fine. Still intrigued about that Penske shock, tho. Putting in 10w fork oil made a huge difference to the front.
mines had the dealer overhaul and I trust Kev the mechanic there, so should be good for a while yet.
The Vegas has had the Kingpin front which was new outta the box 37,000kms ago, it dont feel as good as it first did and we know they degrade so gradually we hardly notice the difference till a refresh of oil so thats on the cards for the Vegas sometime soonish.
Thanks for the heads up on the rear XC shock Ill pay close attention to pressures, its a magic carpet ride (to quote Steppenwolf)
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