10 Best Shocks For Harley Sportster of 2024 (Buying Guide)

Are you a motorcycle enthusiast wanting to buy the best shocks for harley sportster?

You can trust our in-depth review, detailing all the necessary information about the available brands on the market to help you identify the correct shock for your motorcycle.

If you want to manage your Harley Sportster motorcycle well enough and ride on rugged roads as smoothly as possible, performing optimally at all times, then you need to pick the best shocks that will serve this purpose.

Finding the best around you sometimes comes with much hassle since there are lots of options on the market that would give you a dilemma in your decision.

Harley Sportsters have varied models and sizes; hence, not all shocks will work with it.

A particular shock can be suitable for one Harley Sportster model, while the same shock might not be suitable for another model of this same motorcycle.

Besides, it can even be customized as requested by a buyer.

Cost is not the only thing to take into account while shopping for the best shocks for your Harley Sportster.

There are other things like rate, performance, size, durability, quality, etc., to put into consideration.

On the market, you will find some great brands like Progressive-Suspension-412-4003B, Burly-B28-1253, Factory-Spec-FS-04505, etc.

What Are The Best Shocks For Harley Sportster?

Based on our experts’ intensive research, Personal usage, and observation, Progressive Suspension 412-4003B is the best shock available on the market.

You can trust this shock to provide your bike with the best performance on all types of roads.

However, if it does not fulfill the requirement for your needs, we recommend HTTMT LS003 as an alternative.

Why Progressive Suspension 412-4003B The Best Brand For a Harley Sportster?

We pick Progressive Suspension 412-4003B as the top choice from the available lists of our top 10 best shocks for Harley Sportster because they are reliable when it comes to handling extreme loads.

The shocks are inexpensive and very durable. They are built to offer optimum smoothness and softness when riding on your bike, meaning they can improve your motorcycle’s performance for as long as you use it.

The shock absorbers are designed with double-wall steel, equipped with a robust nitrogen-charged spring that enables them to attain the softest and most extended shock absorption.

Comparison Table of Best Shocks For Harley Sportster

Top 10 Best Shocks For Harley Sportster Reviews 2024

01. Progressive Suspension 412-4003B-Best rear suspension shock for heavy-duty replacement

 

Highlighted Features

• Preload adjuster ( 5 Position cam style)
• Double-wall steel body
• High-pressure nitrogen-charged
• Multi-staged velocity sensitive valve
• Powerful long spring
• Weigh up to 9.58 pounds

Our top pick from the top 10 list is the Progressive Suspension 412-4003B. You can bet on this shock when it comes to the best value on the market.

This product comes with a durable design and has been tested and proven by our technician to offer your motorcycle’s suspension with improved performance on any road surface.

The body is constructed with double-wall steel, equipped with a sensitive multistage velocity valve, high-pressure nitrogen charge to provide a continuous damping performance and smooth ride.

It also comes with a five-position Cam style preload adjuster, enabling you to adjust effortlessly in your ride (whether you are a light or heavy rider).

The progressive rate spring feature in chrome finish means it can perform efficiently even with heavy loads.

Pros

• Straight forward installation
• Consistent damping performance
• Last very long
• Improves ride and higher clearance
• Performs excellently with heavy loads

Cons

• Stiff at first installation
• Loses most of its damping and spring tension after few years of usage

02. HTML LS003-Fit to Black 10.5 Inches

 

Highlighted Features

• Weigh 7.53 pounds
• Preload adjustable 
• Black finished
• Dimension: 13.39 x 5.43 x 3.31 inches
• Length: 10.5-inch eye-to-eye

If you need a shock that would serve your Harley’sHarley’s motorcycle for a long time without issues, then the HTTMT LS003 shock is your best bet.

This shock is able to withstand environmental elements in summer and winter and still perform efficiently.

It does not deform, corrode or rust under extreme heat due to its ability to withstand harsh temperatures.

This shock was created using diligent research and development practice; thus, their efficiency, quality, and durability are assured.

You can trust it to perform efficiently and protect your bike during racing, cruise, or hiking in the hills in the countryside.

It is designed with durable materials to improve your bike’s performance levels over rough roads.

HTML LS003 shocks are built to match 1984-2013models of Harley Sportster, including ultras, road kings, and street glides.

If you own any of Harley’sHarley’s motorcycle models, you can spice up your ride with this cutting-edge HTTMT LS003 shock.

Pros

• Improve bike performance over rough roads
• Can withstand harsh elements
• Very resilient
• Good damping capability
• Able to handle heavy loads

Cons

• It may need replacing the lower bolt with a shorter one to clear the pulley
• It may ride a little tougher at initial installation

03. Progressive Suspension 412-4065B

 

Highlighted Features

• Cam style preload adjuster(5 Position)
• High-pressure nitrogen charged.
• Progressive rate (standard)
• Dimension: 17 x 6.5 x 3.5 inches
• Weight: 9.5 pounds
• Velocity sensitive damping(multistage)

If you are looking for a durable shock that will add improvement to the suspension of your motorcycle while riding, this 412-4065B is a good option for the best shocks for harley sportster.

Its body construction with double-wall steel, integrated with charged nitrogen, sensitive velocity valve offers a smooth ride and consistent damping.

Whether you are a light or heavy rider, you are sure to spice up your ride with this powerful shock as it features a five-position Cam style preload adjuster, letting you adjust effortlessly on the go.

It also comes with a progressive rate spring capable of supporting heavy loads.

Pros

• Offer softer ride
• Last very long
• Guarantees smooth ride
• Straightforward installation
• Handles heavy loads

Cons

• It offers a harsh ride on the first installation

04. Burly B28-1253

 

Highlighted Features

• Weight: 9.2 pounds
• Dimensions: 17 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches
• High-performance damper
• Color: black
• A primary and secondary coil

These Stiletto shocks are designed to offer proper suspension travel needed by standard machines, including post-apocalyptic bikes, scrambler, cafe, etc.

If you love riding rough, this shock is best for you, as it offers a plush ride.

It features a highly efficient damper, incorporating dual springs capable of handling road noise and smooth out slight road defects.

It is created with long-lasting material to provide performance improvement to your suspension while on the go.

Its primary coil is designed to control bottoming and absorbs any big hits. It is available in 15-inches and 13-inches for most Harley Sportster models.

Pros

• It prevents bottoming
• It offers a plush ride
• Can handle road noise
• Suitable for most Sportster models
• It is inexpensive

Cons

• Not suitable with all of the most recent Sportster models

05. Progressive Suspension 413-4039B

 

Highlighted Features

• Five-position preload adjuster
• High-efficient Freon-charged gas cells
• Double-walled construction
• Hard chrome rods (heat-treated)
• Weight: 10.6 pounds
• Dimensions: 22 x 12.2 x 4.5 inches

The Progressive Suspension 413-4039B is designed to offer your motorcycle a smooth ride, even on rough roads.

It is capable of handling excess load without developing any scratch. These shocks’ maker gives high priority to durability, thus constructing it in a double wall to provide extra durability.

It features hard-chrome rods treated with heat, making it last a long time without rusting.

They are sealed with a special oil, implying that they are resistant to fading.

This 413-4039B shock has been tested to offer high-performance improvement to the suspension system of your Sportster.

It also comes with a five-position preload adjuster, meaning you can effortlessly adjust it to suit your weight.

You need no worries if you are a rough rider, as it offers a plush ride too.

Pros

• Pocket-friendly
• Extra durability
• Fade-resistant
• Easy to install
• Offer great ride quality

Cons

• It sometimes packs up and gets too rigid on a set of bumps

06. Burly Brand B28-1253

 

Highlighted Features

• Dual spring
• Color: Black
• Length: 13.5 inches
• Weight 9.2 pounds
• Dimensions 17 x 6.7 x 3.5 inches

The Burly Brand B28-1253 features cutting-edge dual springs to provide a high-performance damper to your motorcycle’s suspension.

The primary spring is designed to avoid bottoming and handle big hits, while the secondary coil is able to smooth out slight road blemishes.

If you enjoy playing rough with your Sportster, this shock is designed to offer a plush ride, aligning with your riding style.

It is constructed with durable material, implying it can last for a prolonged period.

The high-performance and rear suspension travel it is capable of offering are second to none.

If you consider replacing your Sportster’s shocks and contemplating which brand to choose, the Burly Brand B28-1253 is an excellent option to try out.

Irrespective of your weight, you can spice up your trip with this high-performing shock without worrying about any issue.

In some cases, adjustment of exhaust brackets may be required to open up belt clearance.

Pros

• Offer plush ride
• It prevents bottoming and absorbs big hits
• Priced well
• Easy installation
• Durable

Cons

• It only comes in 13.5 inches, making it incompatible with all Sportster’s model

07. Progressive Suspension 412-4063B

 

Highlighted Features

• Adjustable cam style preload (five-position)
• High-pressure charged nitrogen
• 14.25-inch length
• Multistage velocity receptive damping(multistage)
• progressive rate spring (standard)
• Weight: 9 pounds

Another excellent shock on our top ten list is the Progressive Suspension 412-4063B.

We pick from the 412 series of this great brand again due to the quality consideration of this product’s manufacturer and efficiency.

The durability design is top-notch, and you can count on it to improve the suspension of your motorcycle.

The body of this shock is constructed with double-walled steel and integrated with a high-pressure nitrogen charge and velocity receptive valve (multistage) to offer your bike a continuous damping and smooth ride even on uneven roads.

If you love riding rough but concerned about your weight, this shock features a high-quality progressive rate spring (heavy-duty) capable of handling significant loads.

Are you looking for that shock that will offer your motorcycle the best performance? The Progressive Suspension 412-4063B shock is your best bet!

Pros

• Easy to install
• Last long
• Offer consistent damping and smooth ride
• Supports heavy loads
• Cost-effective

Cons

• It makes riding rough on the first installation

08. Factory Spec, FS-04505

 

Highlighted Features

• Preload adjuster
• Weight: 3.61 kilograms
• A 35.31 x 15.24 x 7.87 cm in dimensions
• Length: 10.5 Inch
• Color: black

Factory Spec, FS-04505 is another quality shock you can rely on to offer your motorcycle suspension with the best performance, suitable for all types of roads.

It comes with Preload Adjuster Tune, implying that it is adjustable to any loads.

The manufacturer of this product is vast-experienced and offers nothing but the best when it comes to producing motorcycles’ accessories that last for a prolonged time and live up to the norm.

This shock is designed to perform excellently, even on rough roads, perfect for rough riders.

Factory Spec, FS-04505 is the right choice if you need a shock that you can install by yourself without calling in a professional.

Asides from being very inexpensive, its performance, simplicity is second to none.

It comes with a simple instructional manual that gives you the basic idea of everything needed to get it installed at home.

The body is designed with quality materials that account for its durability. It can withstand extreme elements and still perform well without corroding.

Pros

1. Tuneable to rider’s weight
2. Withstand corrosion
3. Hassle-free installation
4. It is light-weighted
5. It adds stability

Cons

• May cause dragging as it does not come with Bumps

09. Burly B28-1203B

 

Highlighted Features

• Weight: 6 pounds
• Dimensions: 17 x 3 x 3 inches
• Preload adjuster
• Length: 10. 5inches
• Color: black

The Burly B28-1203B is another excellent shock on our top ten list because of its reliability to offer top-notch performance to your Sportster’s suspension system.

Our technicians have personally tested this shock and can testify to its durability, high performance, easy installation, etc.

This shock is one of the best budget-friendly shocks on the market currently.

It does not need disassembling the forks, and you can install it even while the front end is on the motorcycle (on most models).

The Burly B28-1203B is straightforward to install yourself, saving you the time and money to call in a technician.

Irrespective of your weight, you can spice up your trip with the Burly B28-1203B and enjoy a smooth and undisturbed ride, as it features a preload adjuster to tune to our weight.

This product is capable of lasting for an extended period and is able to withstand harsh elements either in summertime, spring, or winter.

Pros

• Pocket friendly
• Easy to install
• Assures comfortable ride
• Can correct bike’s geometry
• Long-lasting

Cons

• Rigid at first usage and may lead to a rough ride

10. Pro-Action 11″

 

Highlighted Features

• Nitrogen gas charged
• Threaded coil-over spring(hand-adjustable)
• 2 stage rebound system(pressure sensitive)
• Length: 11″
• hard coat anodized finish
• Color: black

If you have been searching for that shock that features what makes a motorcycle’s suspension deliver the best performance, look no further!

We pick the Pro-Action 11″ among our top ten list due to its excellent characteristics.

They are designed with nitrogen gas-charged, threaded coil (that is hand adjustable) and hard coat anodized finish responsible for the shock’s high-quality nature, long-lasting ability, and consistent performance.

They are also created to travel a long distance.

It comes with three-stage steadily pressure-sensitive compression valves (that you can adjust yourself) and two-stage pressure-sensitive rebound systems that are capable of transforming the way your Harley Sportsters ride.

The shocks are very easy to install, saving you the time to seek professional assistance, are lightweight, and can fully be rebuilt.

One fascinating thing about this brand is its regard for customer satisfaction.

They achieve this by building the shocks for Harley Davidson users as per their motorcycle’s specifications.

Pros

• Offer a consistently smooth ride
• Very easy to install
• Completely rebuildable
• Hand adjustable
• Long-distance travel

Cons

• They are built on order only (per customer spec); hence, they are not tunable to the rider’s weight.

Buying Considerations For Choosing The Best Shocks For Harley Sportster

If your motorcycle shock starts to give signs of replacement and you are considering getting one, there are few things to consider before spending that money.

The goal is to buy a perfect product that will suit and serve your motorcycle for a long time.

The truth is, there are lots of shock brands on the market nowadays, and more are still expected to surface.

If care is not taken, the retailer may persuade you into buying what will not work well for your machine.

Sometimes, many brands provide misleading information through their product’s description, luring innocent buyers to purchase the wrong product.

You want great value for your money; hence, you should observe proper care before dashing into the market.

We recommend that you read customers’ reviews or check the third party’s assessment of the brand to make an informed decision.

To be certain you are obtaining the right shock that will serve your Harley Sportster, you can read the buying consideration below from our experts:

01. SIZE AND TYPE

One of the most important things to put in mind when upgrading or replacing your Harley Sportster’s suspension is to ensure that the shocks you are getting are perfect for your motorcycle.

Make sure that they have the correct size and are compatible with your motorcycle model.

Do not be in haste to neglect this simple but most important aspect; check the specs carefully to ascertain that the shock is perfect for your particular machine in terms of size.

02. PERFORMANCE

Another essential thing to consider is the performance of the shocks.

Standard shocks are designed in such a way to handle vibrations and bumps you may experience when riding.

When taking that decision for shock replacement, you indirectly want to improve the performance level.

Standard rear shocks are to offer improved handling and a smoother ride than factory shocks. So ensure you are buying the one that would serve this purpose.

The bottom line is to enjoy a comfortable ride as value for your money.

Any shock that does not provide this feature should not be regarded as anything.

Read customers’ reviews and ratings about the shock on its performance to decide whether it is worth the money.

03. QUALITY MATERIALS

Quality accounts for a product’s durability! When buying rear shocks for your Harley Sportster, do all it takes to pay close attention to the materials.

You need to find out what material is used for the build-up; are they durable and able to withstand harsh environmental elements, or otherwise?

Due to the rough handling of motorcycles, their parts need to be built out of durable steel or other materials.

Your money is valuable to you, and you will not be happy replacing the same shocks you recently purchase due to low quality.

While some rear shocks have chrome coating, others have black finished.

Try to find out the material used to construct the shocks themselves before parting with your money.

04. FRAME COMPATIBILITY

Frame compatibility is another thing to consider when shopping for your Harley’s shocks. Ensure that the shocks you are getting are fitting to the motorcycle’s frame.

The eye-to-eye-measurement of the shock you are getting, including the shock’s stroke length, will help you determine whether they are compatible with the bike’s frame.

It is also necessary to use the right connecting component, like the end bushings and bolts attaching the shock to the frame.

Conclusion

When it becomes obvious to upgrade or replace your motorcycle’s shock, you would want to obtain the particular one that will serve your bike for a prolonged period.

Getting the best shock from the market is not easy, as there is a lot out there to choose from.

If finding the right product for your need puts you in a dilemma, you are not alone!

That is why our experts take out time to thoroughly research the top 10 best shocks for Harley Sportster for your needs.

The top ten shocks highlighted above were carefully researched and tested by our technicians.

So you can rely on our recommendation to buy a suitable one for your motorcycle model.

By following our buying consideration guideline, you are sure to get the perfect, durable shocks that will serve you for an elongated period without any issue.