Burly Stilletto 13" shocks or ?

[John Harper]

Found very little info about these shocks being used on a Sportster through the Search tool.

Does anyone have these shocks on their 86-03 Sportster? I understand they are manufactured by Progressive. Looking to maybe ask Santa for a set this year. Budget around $300 which pretty much leaves Progressive. Burly, or Drag Specialties (also Progressive?).

Burly Stilletto
Progressive 412
DS Ride Height Adjustables

Open to any and all suggestions, not that interested in adapting RK shocks or air shocks from another model HD. Love to go with high end, but $800-$1000 is 4-5 times what my bike cost me brand new (long story/happy ending!) 32 years ago.

I emailed Burly about spring rates, etc., since they seem my first choice, if only for cosmetic reasons.

John

[XL Ed]

Ohlins from Revzilla at $600 are an interesting option...

[John Harper]

Originally Posted by XL Ed

Ohlins from Revzilla at $600 are an interesting option...

2X my budget, but Ohlins are a good product. If I rode more miles/year it might make sense. Thank you for the suggestion, appreciate any input.

John

[John Harper]

Well, it looks like an overwhelming response to my post so far. Anyway, I heard back from Burly about spring rates, suggested preload, and mounting hardware.

1 – Long spring (black) = 130 lb. per inch – Short spring (red) = 200 lb. per inch. Long spring helps with the small bumps and the short spring helps with the large bumps giving an overall smooth ride by utilizing a progressive rated spring.

2 – There are 5 preload locations. You are considered a very light rider at 160 pounds. I am about 180 and ride on the softest setting and crank to setting 3 when I get the wife on the back.

3 – All spacers and mounting hardware will be included for your bike so there is no need to purchase any additional items.

Hopefully someone has some experience with these shocks.

John

[sportsterpaul]

John, can’t help you with Burly experiences as after switching to Progressive over 20 years ago I’ve stayed with them for all three Sporties. Something to think about, especially after your years with yours, that higher initial costs can be offset with added features and a “lifetime warranty”. I’ve had three sets of Progressives refurbished or replaced over the years. My last set they replaced my 440’s with a new set of the 444’s, a really, really nice shock. Cost me shipping one way which now has cut the cost of the shock in half. Food for thought but the bottom line is you are worth the best shocks you can afford. Keep it safe!

[Tomcatt]

Originally Posted by John Harper

Well, it looks like an overwhelming response to my post so far. Anyway, I heard back from Burly about spring rates, suggested preload, and mounting hardware.

1 – Long spring (black) = 130 lb. per inch – Short spring (red) = 200 lb. per inch. Long spring helps with the small bumps and the short spring helps with the large bumps giving an overall smooth ride by utilizing a progressive rated spring.

Sounds reasonable, you'd have an initial rate of 79 lb/in. How do they control the crossover point? A sleeve inside the heavier short spring?

The other thing that's IMPORTANT is the shocks' shaft travel. More is better. My 13.26" Ohlins have 4" shaft travel minus some for the bumper. 85/137 lb/in progressive springs

[John Harper]

Originally Posted by Tomcatt

Sounds reasonable, you'd have an initial rate of 79 lb/in. How do they control the crossover point? A sleeve inside the heavier short spring?

The other thing that's IMPORTANT is the shocks' shaft travel. More is better. My 13.26" Ohlins have 4" shaft travel minus some for the bumper. 85/115 lb/in progressive springs

Thanks TC! I was hoping you'd have some input. I will email Burly and see what they say in response to your questions.

John

[John Harper]

Originally Posted by sportsterpaul

John, can’t help you with Burly experiences as after switching to Progressive over 20 years ago I’ve stayed with them for all three Sporties. Something to think about, especially after your years with yours, that higher initial costs can be offset with added features and a “lifetime warranty”. I’ve had three sets of Progressives refurbished or replaced over the years. My last set they replaced my 440’s with a new set of the 444’s, a really, really nice shock. Cost me shipping one way which now has cut the cost of the shock in half. Food for thought but the bottom line is you are worth the best shocks you can afford. Keep it safe!

I'll a deeper dive into what Progessive offers, your advice is solid.

John

[John Harper]

Originally Posted by Tomcatt

Sounds reasonable, you'd have an initial rate of 79 lb/in.

How did you calculate that? Trying to get up to speed on comparing shocks.

At first I thought 130 lb. spring/2 shocks made sense, but that's only 65 lb/in. Perhaps the angle of the shock changes the equation?

I do recall when "laid down" shocks were an innovation and now standardized in the early 70's on dirt bikes, and street bikes. This suspension geometry seems interesting now.

John

[Tomcatt]

Originally Posted by John Harper

How did you calculate that? Trying to get up to speed on comparing shocks.

The spring rate they give is for one shock. So when I say a 79 lb/in rate that's 158 lb/in when you have two shocks. But, for comparisons that doesn't matter.

When you "stack" 2 springs (like your 130 & 200 lb/in springs) the initial rate is figured like 2 different value reisistors in parallel using Ohms' Law.

(Rate1 X Rate2) / (Rate1 + Rate2)
(130 X 200) / (130 + 200) = 79

79 lb/in initial rate that transitions to a 130 lb/in final rate. Equivalent to a single "progressive" spring with a 79/130 lb/in rate.

Yes, the laydown angle reduces the "wheel rate" but that's fixed. The change is slight if you change shock lengths.