If you’re planning on making improvements to your motorcycle, you’re probably going to get an aftermarket exhaust, body kits, and some fancy lights. However, these parts don’t necessarily improve your bike’s ride as much as motorcycle shocks do.
Many people refrain from investing in a shock because it can be quite pricey. A nice aftermarket stock may set you back at least $500, but there’s a reason why people still make the change. A new high-quality shock will make a significant, long-lasting difference to the quality of your ride!
Motorcycle shock absorbers are a great aftermarket purchase if you want to improve the way your bike feels! A good shock can increase throttle response, enhance grip, and make the handling tighter.
You may not notice a large difference if you’re a casual rider. However, if you plan on going on long journeys, an aftermarket shock is a great investment. The adjustable shocks are great if you’re on a long journey or on a track day!
There are countless aftermarket shocks on the market; however, you should pick yours carefully! If you’re going to purchase an expensive part for your bike, you’ll need to ensure it’s effective. Here are our picks of the top 10 motorcycle shocks in the market.
Top 10 Motorcycle Shock at A Glance
- Legend Suspension Revo-A Coil Shocks: Excellent ride quality
- Progressive 412 Shocks: Bang-for-the-buck
- Drag Specialties Ride Height Adjustable Shocks: Most comfortable
- Ohlins STX46 Street Rear Shock: Best for street racers
- Burly 13″ Cafe Stiletto Rear Shocks For Harley Sportster
- Fox Factory IFP-R QS3 Monotube Shocks For Harley Touring 1993-2022
- Progressive 465 RAP Shock For Harley Softail
- Ohlins Black Line S36PRCL Adjustable Rear Shocks For Harley Dyna
- K-Tech RCU Razor-R Rear Shock
- Burly Slammer Shocks For Harley
Legend Suspension Revo A-Coil Shocks
The Legend Suspension Revo is one of the best aftermarket shocks on the market. It uses a conventional coil spring paired with a shock absorber to improve your ride’s quality. Furthermore, the Revo suspension is great for a smoother ride because of the slight spring rates.
These shocks are great for a wide range of road conditions. They’re made from strong composite aluminum, making them sturdy for harsh roads. Its special spring acts to deliver a sweet spot when compressed, so your ride is noticeably better!
Features
- You can adjust suspension without additional tools
- Special spring that delivers a ‘sweet spot’ for a comfortable ride
- High-performance shocks provide better control and ride quality
Shop here: Legend Suspension Revo A-Coil Shocks
Progressive 412 Shocks
If you’re looking for affordable shocks without compromising on quality, check out Progressive’s 412 shocks. Price doesn’t always mean better quality, and this is most evident in this product. The simple design of the shocks provides a noticeable improvement in your ride quality, adding to the comfort and enjoyability of your bike!
These shocks are made with a double-wall steel body, making them stronger and more durable than most stock shocks. They’re charged with nitrogen and have velocity-sensitive valves that give you soft damping. Furthermore, the shocks can be adjusted in five different positions, so there are plenty of options depending on the road conditions.
Features
- Double-steel wall for added protection
- Smooth damping for improved shock absorption
- Five-position adjustable settings for a variety of road conditions
Shop here: Progressive 412 Shocks
Drag Specialties Ride Height Adjustable Shocks
The Drag Specialties Shocks are a great pair of aftermarket shocks for you to invest in. If you plan on taking long road trips, you’ll need a reliable pair of shocks that guarantee comfort as you’re riding through different states. These adjustable stocks are great for a variety of road conditions, so they’ll work great for you.
The shocks are highly functional, making your ride a lot smoother than it would be with standard stock shocks. They’re made with nitrogen-charged steel with a chrome-plated shaft. Its sturdy body is one of the reasons why it makes the ride smoother and more comfortable for you!
Features
- Super comfortable ride thanks to the chrome shocks
- Can be brought in black color to enhance your bike’s look,
- Can easily be installed without complicated tools
Shop here: Drag Specialties Ride Height Adjustable Shocks
Ohlins STX46 Street Rear Shock
Ohlins has taken their many years of expertise developing championship-winning shocks and applied it to the development of the STX46 Rear Shock. If you want to improve your ride quality significantly, this is a great addition to your bike.
The shocks consist of a 46mm large piston that absorbs all bumps helping you stay comfortable. Each of its components is tested rigorously to ensure that they don’t fail during use. Furthermore, the shocks are available in multiple weights, which is great because they’ll be ideal for your bike.
Features
- Nitrogen charged with a 46mm piston for added comfort
- Made by Ohlins, which is renowned for making racing shocks
- Easily repairable in case of damage
Shop here: Ohlins STX46 Street Rear Shock
Burly 13″ Cafe Stiletto Rear Shocks For Harley Sportster
The Sportster is a unique motorcycle that deserves its own unique parts. That’s why we created this special rear suspension to give your Sportster the attitude and travel it needs. The main spring coil absorbs big hits and prevents bottoming, while the secondary coil smooths out minor road imperfections.
Shop here: Burly 13″ Cafe Stiletto Rear Shocks For Harley Sportster
Fox Factory IFP-R QS3 Monotube Shocks For Harley Touring 1993-2022
The FOX IFP-R QS3 rear shocks were designed for optimal comfort and control, whether you’re alone or with a passenger. With an internal floating piston that separates nitrogen gas from the shock oil, the IFP-R shocks will maintain damping control no matter how long you ride. The main piston valving has been reconfigured and extensively ride-tested in a full range of conditions to work in harmony with the new three-position Quick Switch Rebound (QSR) settings.
Three rebound settings give you the perfect amount of control for any riding situation: comfort on bumpy backroads, balance on any road, and a “glued to the asphalt” feeling on smooth twisty roads. FOX’s IFP-QSR three-position rebound adjustable design—combined with vehicle-specific damping and linear spring rates—gives you a confident connection to the road while soaking up the bumps mile after mile.
For the best possible ride quality, combine the FOX IFP-R rear shocks with the FOX fork cartridge kit. You’ll get ultimate comfort and control.
Shop here: Fox Factory IFP-R QS3 Monotube Shocks For Harley Touring 1993-2022
Progressive 465 RAP Shock For Harley Softail
The 465 w/ RAP Series Shock is designed to offer better damping and spring rates, resulting in a more compliant suspension. This allows the rear suspension to more effectively absorb road irregularities, such as bridge abutments and longitudinal pavement cracks, without the harshness you might associate with the original equipment suspension. Chassis stability is also improved for a more confidence-inspiring ride. The 5 position rebound damping adjuster lets you fine-tune the shock for comfort and control.
Shop here: Progressive 465 RAP Shock For Harley Softail
Ohlins Black Line S36PRCL Adjustable Rear Shocks For Harley Dyna
Ohlin’s PRCL line features an external Piggy back reservoir for oil, Rebound adjustability to control the springiness of the shocks, Compression damping adjustability to change how hard or soft the shocks feel, and Length adjustability to make the shocks longer or shorter.
These shocks provide reliable performance with every use and won’t fade from overuse. The external Rebound adjuster lets you change the shock to your preferences and needs for each ride. Going to be taking some curves? Turn the adjuster to the right to restrict oil flow and give an aggressive feel – perfect for performance. Need maximum comfort for a long ride? Twist it to the left to increase oil flow and provide a comfortably plush ride. For even more tunability, these shocks also include an adjustable compression damping adjuster wheel.
Shop here: Ohlins Black Line S36PRCL Adjustable Rear Shocks For Harley Dyna
K-Tech RCU Razor-R Rear Shock
The K-Tech Razor R Shock was designed with the street rider in mind. They wanted to create a product that would offer an improved riding experience in terms of comfort and control. Oftentimes, factory shocks don’t offer a wide range of adjustment to accommodate every rider’s needs – whether you’re someone who likes to take their time carving through canyons or if you’re commuting cross-country. If a factory shock doesn’t offer what you need, the K-Tech Razor R Shock may be a better option for you.
Shop here: K-Tech RCU Razor-R Rear Shock
Burly Slammer Shocks For Harley
The Burly’s Slammer Kits have made these shocks famous, and they are now available on their own. You won’t find a higher quality shock anywhere else, especially not at this price.
Shop here: Burly Slammer Shocks For Harley
Conclusion
You can invest in a wide range of aftermarket products to improve your ride quality, but nothing beats a good shock! Picking the right one for your bike may be difficult, considering the price.
Check out all four of our picks if you’re in the market for aftermarket shocks. The shocks on our list are miles ahead of their competitors and offer superior comfort!