Two-wheel touring? Most riders start with SR2 LT.
Built to your weight, ships in 3–9 business days • Free shipping • 30-day returns • Limited lifetime warranty • Made in USA
Best Rear Shocks for Harley Touring Bikes
The best Harley Touring suspension isn't simply the most expensive shock or the brand your buddy runs. It needs enough usable travel, the right spring and damping setup, and the ability to control the bike with the rider, passenger, luggage and real touring load actually on it.
Best Harley Touring Shocks: The Short List
Here's how I'd sort it if you were standing in the shop asking. These are all real options riders put on touring Harleys. The facts below come from each maker's own listing.
| If you… | Look at | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Ride real miles, two-up sometimes, carry bags or a Tour Pack | Super Shox SR2 LT, $895 | 3.5" of travel on a relocation mount. Preset for you and your bike, with a load chart written for you. Built to order in 3–9 business days. Limited lifetime warranty. |
| Want a stock-mount upgrade, or ride a trike | Super Shox SR1, $745 ($920 with the trike exhaust extension) | Bolts in the stock location. Same rider-specific preset and load chart. Limited lifetime warranty. |
| Want to adjust compression damping yourself | Super Shox RR1, $1,450 | SR2-style relocation setup plus remote compression adjustment. Limited lifetime warranty. |
| Want damping that adjusts on its own, with hand-set preload | Progressive 944 series, from $960.95 | Damping adjusts automatically to the bump (no external damping adjusters). Preload adjusts by hand. Pick a Standard, Heavy-Duty or Super Duty spring by combined rider weight. Lifetime limited warranty. |
| Want an external rebound adjuster | Legend REVO-A, $999.95 | Hand-adjustable preload plus an external rebound adjuster. Pick a light-duty, standard or heavy-duty application by weight. Lifetime warranty. |
| Want preload, compression and rebound all adjustable | Screamin' Eagle / Öhlins remote reservoir, $1,699.95 | Adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping, with a remote reservoir. Fits most '14-later Touring models (check the exclusions). 1-year limited warranty. |
The biggest difference between these is who does the setup. With most shocks you choose a spring category by weight and fine-tune after the install. Super Shox arrive preset for the rider and the bike, with a load chart written for you. When your load changes, move preload one notch at a time.
SR1 vs SR2 LT vs RR1 at a Glance
| SR1 Premier | SR2 Premium LT | RR1 Platinum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $745 ($920 with the exhaust extension on 2017–25 trikes) | $895 | $1,450 |
| Mounting | Stock shock location | Super Shox relocation mount | Super Shox relocation mount |
| Length / travel | 13"–14" two-wheel, 3" travel; 14.5" trike shock, 3.5" travel | 14" extended / 10.5" compressed, 3.5" travel | LT: 14" extended / 10.5" compressed, 3.5" travel |
| Ride height | 13": ½" lower than a stock 13" shock | Stock ride height (SL: about 1/2" lower) | Same as SR2 LT |
| Adjustment | Preload, numbered scale on the body | Preload, numbered scale on the body | Preload the same way, plus remote compression damping |
| Best for | Trikes; stock-mount upgrade | Most two-wheel touring riders | Riders who want to tune damping |
What Makes A Harley Touring Shock “Good”?
A premium shock should do more than bolt onto the motorcycle. It has to control the rear of a heavy Touring bike through rough pavement, braking, corners, passengers, luggage and changing loads without beating the rider up.
More usable travel gives the suspension room to absorb bumps and control movement instead of constantly running near the end of its stroke.
The spring needs to support the actual rider and load instead of an assumed average rider.
Damping controls how quickly the suspension compresses and returns so the rear of the bike stays composed instead of bouncing or kicking.
Good suspension has to settle into the correct operating position once the rider and load are actually on the motorcycle.
Solo, two-up, Tour Pack, luggage and rider weight all change what the rear suspension has to control.
Touring Bikes Ask A Lot From Two Rear Shocks
Harley Touring motorcycles are heavy before you add the rider. Add a passenger, loaded saddlebags, a Tour Pack and road-trip gear and the rear suspension is suddenly responsible for controlling a very different motorcycle than the one sitting unloaded in the garage.
Find your shock: SR2 LT for touring ($895) • SR1 for trikes (from $745) • RR1, race-derived ($1,450)
Start With The Rider — Not Just The Motorcycle
Two identical Road Glides can need different suspension setups. Rider weight, passenger use, luggage, Tour Pack weight and how the motorcycle is ridden all change what the suspension has to control.
That is the part of the Super Shox approach we believe matters most. Your bike model determines the application, but your rider profile helps determine how the shocks should be configured.
Off-The-Shelf Suspension Vs Rider-Profile Suspension
There are several genuinely good Harley suspension brands. The difference is how closely the final setup can be matched to the rider and how the motorcycle is actually used.
Choose A Model, Length And General Weight Range
- Choose the shock that fits the motorcycle
- Select from available length options
- Choose a general spring/load category
- Adjust after installation
This can absolutely produce a good result, especially with a quality suspension brand.
Build The Setup Around The Rider And Load
- Bike application first
- Rider weight considered
- Passenger use considered
- Tour Pack and luggage considered
- Riding use considered
- Setup reviewed before production
For a Touring rider carrying changing loads and putting in real miles, that additional setup information is why we prefer this approach.
Find your shock: SR2 LT for touring ($895) • SR1 for trikes (from $745) • RR1, race-derived ($1,450)
Super Shox SR2 LT
For most Street Glide, Road Glide, Road King, Ultra and Electra Glide riders, SR2 LT is where we recommend starting.
Extra Travel Without Turning The Bike Into A Lifted Touring Bike
The LT configuration uses a longer-travel shock and relocation setup so the suspension gains usable movement while keeping the motorcycle at stock ride height.
That matters because more usable suspension travel gives the rear suspension more room to manage rough pavement, loaded touring and changing road conditions.
Why I Run SR2 LT on My Own Street Glide
My 2018 Street Glide is a working touring bike: long days, a passenger some weekends, bags full. SR2 LT is what's on it, and it's where I start most two-wheel riders who ride like that. More on my Street Glide setup →
How Super Shox Get Set Up for You
You don't get a generic chart and a spanner wrench. Tell us your weight, your passenger, your luggage and how you ride. Your shocks arrive preset for you and your bike, with a load chart written for you. When you add a passenger or pack for a trip, adjust preload one notch at a time and ride it before going further.
Built to order in the USA in 3–9 business days. Limited lifetime warranty, 30-day returns, and free shipping.
You Actually Use Your Harley Like A Touring Bike
- You ride long-distance
- You ride two-up at least occasionally
- You carry luggage or a Tour Pack
- You ride rough roads or expansion-joint-heavy highways
- You care about comfort without giving up stability
- Your load changes from solo to fully loaded
Find your shock: SR2 LT for touring ($895) • SR1 for trikes (from $745) • RR1, race-derived ($1,450)
The Rear Suspension Isn't Actually The Problem
- Your harshness or bottoming is coming from the front suspension
- Your only goal is getting the motorcycle as low as possible
- You specifically want extensive external damping controls
- Your issue is tire pressure, worn components or another mechanical problem
We would rather point you toward the actual problem than sell you rear shocks that aren't going to fix it.
Best Shocks by Harley Touring Model
- Street Glide: I run SR2 LT on my own 2018 Street Glide. Full breakdown: Best rear shocks for Street Glide →
- Road Glide (incl. Limited/CVO): SR2 LT for most riders, RR1 if you want to tune damping; SR1 only for select lighter solo setups. Road Glide suspension →
- Road King: SR2 LT is our recommended start for 2002–2024 Road Kings; SR1 is listed for 2002–present for lighter setups. Running Road King Classic leather bags? Ask us before you order. Super Shox for Road King guide →
- Ultra / Electra Glide: usually the most heavily loaded bikes we set up, so give us your real two-up and Tour Pack weight. Street Glide / Ultra / Electra suspension →
- Tri Glide, Freewheeler, Road Glide 3, Street Glide 3: every Harley trike runs SR1 14.5". 2017–25 trikes with the stock head pipe and cat need the exhaust extension. Trike shock buyer's guide →
Year ranges: check the product page for your bike.
Harley Touring Suspension FAQ
What is the best suspension for a Harley Street Glide?
For most Street Glide riders who tour, carry luggage or ride two-up, we usually start with Super Shox SR2 LT because it adds usable travel and is configured around the rider and load.
What is the best suspension for a Harley Road Glide?
The same logic applies to Road Glide riders. For real touring use, SR2 LT is our normal starting recommendation unless the rider has a specific reason to choose another setup.
Are 14-inch shocks better on a Harley Touring bike?
Length alone does not make a shock better. What matters is usable travel, correct geometry, sag, spring rate and damping. A longer-travel setup can be extremely useful when it is engineered to maintain the correct riding stance.
Will SR2 LT raise my Harley?
No. LT adds usable travel without raising the motorcycle. The relocation mounts keep the bike at stock ride height. The SL sits about 1/2 inch lower than stock.
What are the best Harley shocks for two-up riding?
Shocks set up for your real combined load, not a generic "heavy-duty" spring. Give us your weight, your passenger's weight and your luggage. Your Super Shox arrive preset with a load chart, and you move preload one notch at a time when the passenger climbs on.
Should rider weight determine which shock model I buy?
Rider weight is used to configure the suspension, but it does not necessarily determine whether SR1, SR2 or RR1 is the correct platform. Bike application and desired suspension characteristics come first.
Super Shox or Legend Suspension?
Both companies make legitimate premium Harley suspension. We prefer Super Shox for many Touring riders because of the way the suspension is configured around the rider, passenger, load and actual touring use.
Read Our Full Comparison →What rear shocks give a Harley touring bike the smoothest ride?
The smoothest ride comes from shocks with enough usable travel that are set up for the weight actually on the bike. That's why most of our two-wheel riders start with Super Shox SR2 LT: 3.5" of travel, preset for the rider and the bike before it ships.
What are the best shocks for a Harley trike?
Every Harley trike we fit (Tri Glide, Freewheeler, Road Glide 3 and Street Glide 3) runs Super Shox SR1 14.5", $745. Many 2017–25 trikes with the stock head pipe and cat also need the exhaust extension, $920 total. See our trike shock buyer's guide for your year.
How much do good Harley touring shocks cost?
Super Shox SR1 is $745 ($920 with the trike exhaust extension), SR2 LT is $895 and RR1 is $1,450. Each set is built to order in the USA in 3–9 business days, ships free and carries a limited lifetime warranty with 30-day returns.
Tell Us How You Actually Ride Your Harley
Send us your year and model, rider weight, passenger use, luggage, Tour Pack setup and what you're trying to improve. We'll help you narrow down the suspension setup before you spend the money.
Ready to choose? Pick your bike.
Race-derived RR1 with adjustable damping: RR1 Street Glide $1,450 • RR1 Road Glide $1,450
Built to your weight, ships in 3–9 business days • Free shipping • 30-day returns • Limited lifetime warranty • Made in USA
Riding a Road King or Road King Classic? Super Shox for Road King guide
Your shocks are built after your rider and bike information is reviewed.
Built to order in the USA rather than pulled from a warehouse shelf.
Each set is dyno tested before it leaves Super Shox to verify performance before it reaches your bike.
Questions about fitment or setup? Ask us before you buy — we would rather get it right the first time.
