Yamaha, Honda, or Harley Davidson; no matter what you ride, you need your motorbike to handle the road well. That is only possible when you have the best motorcycle shocks.
A quality suspension system can turn a bumpy ride into a smooth one in no time. We have developed a list of best motorcycle shocks for your assistance so you can choose a pair according to the bike you ride and your riding style.
So keep reading to find everything you need to know about these top 8 best motorcycle shocks on the market.
Contents
Best Motorcycle Shocks Comparison Table
| Products | Materials | Weight | Eye-to-eye length | Best for | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Materials Steel | Weight 7.0 lbs | Eye-to-eye length 343mm | Best for Cruiser bikes |  (5 / 5) |
|
Also Great Burly Slammer Shock  View Price | Materials Steel | Weight 6.0 lbs | Eye-to-eye length 266.7mm | Best for Cruiser bikes |  (4.6 / 5) |
Also Great Progressive Suspension Monoshock  View Price | Materials Aluminum | Weight 2.0 lbs | Eye-to-eye length 320mm | Best for Road and cruiser bikes |  (4 / 5) |
Also Great Anngo Motocicleta Shock  View Price | Materials Steel | Weight 7.1 lbs/div> | Eye-to-eye length 320mm | Best for Go-karts, road, dirt, and quad bikes |  (4.5 / 5) |
Also Great GZYF Universal Shock  View Price | Materials Steel | Weight 9.7 lbs | Eye-to-eye length 340mm | Best for Go-karts, road, dirt, and quad bikes | (4.5 / 5) |
Also Great YongHong Motorcycle Shock  View Price | Materials Steel | Weight 7.0 lbs | Eye-to-eye length 320mm | Best for Go-karts, road, dirt, and quad bikes | (4.5 / 5) |
Also Great EMPI Coil-Over Shock  View Price | Materials Steel | Weight 9.0 lbs | Eye-to-eye length 370mm | Best for Buggies, go-karts, and sand rails |  (4.2 / 5) |
Also Great Generic Softail Shock  View Price | Materials Steel | Weight 11.0 lbs | Eye-to-eye length 298.45mm | Best for Softail cruiser bikes | (4.5 / 5) |
Top 8 Best Motorcycle Shocks In 2023 Reviews
1 Progressive Suspension Anodized Shocks
These anodized suspensions shocks by Progressive Suspension are 12-inch in size and come with an anodized finish for maximum durability. These shocks will significantly improve the overall road performance of your bike.
And that’s not all…! These shocks feature an all-steel damper with double-walled construction. They can handle different velocities and remain highly responsive. The five-position cam construction features a preload adjuster which makes shifting convenient.
These are the best motorcycle shocks and here’s why!
The shocks also come with high-pressure gas that is charged to deliver consistent performance to damp any road impacts. The rate spring of these shocks is also heavy duty so you can easily use them in different rides.
However, these shocks are best suited for touring or cruising bikes. These shocks are built to deliver maximum comfort in your ride.
Another advantage of these shocks is, if you are bulky, they will provide excellent support to your body weight. Engine power has a lot to do here but your suspension system is directly responsible for handling your body weight.
(5 / 5)Pros
- It has a durable construction that will improve the overall suspensions system of your bike.
- The wall damper of this machine features all-steel construction and double-walled design that ensures high response at different velocities.
- The shocks have a five-positioned cam design that operates with a preload adjuster.
- Its rate spring has heavy-duty constructions for a progressive ride.
- The shocks are charged with high-pressure gas for adequate and consistent performance.
Cons
- Not a suitable option for sports bikes.
- These shocks ride a bit stiffer.
2 Burly Slammer Shock
These stubby shocks are suitable for riding a bumpy road on a cruiser bike. The shock is preloading adjustable and you can tune it according to your body weight and ride preferences. The shock has an eye to eye measurement of 10.5 inches and can conveniently fit in a Harley Davidson Sportster 2004 to 2011 or any other bike of this size and measurement.
But that’s not all…!
The chrome finish of these shocks makes them look pretty sleek on any type of bike. The robust construction ensures your ride remains smooth and free from all the bumps.
These shocks are effectively a combo of stubby and dropped fork socks. And the best part is you don’t have to disassemble anything for the fork system to install these. The installation process of these shocks is pretty simple and easy.
But there is a catch as well…!
These shocks are designed for cruiser bikes only. You can use them on any other bike types or it will influence the overall performance significantly. If you are looking for a good quality shock for your suspension system, you are not going to find one with this level of performance.
They can handle different velocities pretty well but you can ride them at slow speeds. You might have to go with a few tweaks for any of your latest models. But you should consult the instructions manual before making any changes.
(4.6 / 5)Pros
- A top choice for any cruiser bike for a bump-free experience.
- You can tune the preload adjustment according to your requirement and your body weight.
- Its eye to eye measurements is 10.5 inches which makes the shock pretty simple to install without any disassembly.
- The chrome finish looks pretty elegant.
- Excellent for high-quality damping.
Cons
- Not a suitable option for sports or any other type of bike.
- Not suitable for excessively bumpy roads.
3 Progressive Suspension Monoshock
Here’s another one by Progressive Suspension that comes with a hard-anodized finish. This high-performance monoshock features five positioned adjusters for rebounds. You can conveniently change the position accordion to the roads that you are riding.
The best part?
The shock comes with a threaded body and allows you to make fine-tune adjustments to the overall sag. The shock looks pretty fine and stylish with its anodized finish. It won’t add too much to the overall weight of your suspension system because of its aluminum construction.
These shocks have aluminum construction, lightweight, and resistant to rust and corrosion. One of the best features of these shocks is the rebuildable damper.
Here’s more!
The shocks come with a state of the art design that can handle the high pressure of the gas in its monotube. The large seized 46mm bore along with the defective disc mechanism ensures precision damping.
The large size 16mm shaft is there on the custom seals to ensure leak and friction-free progress. You can custom tune and optimize them according to a variety of bike types. However, we would still recommend to use them with your bikes.
These are not suitable options for power bikes. By using these shocks you can conveniently alter the damping system and its spring rate to the jounce bumper. A separate set of shocks are also available for sports bikes with long swing arms.
(4 / 5)Pros
- You get the option of a rebuildable damper.
- Anodized finish with corrosion resistivity and lightweight construction.
- Looks pretty neat and stylish.
- You can consistently fine-tune your sag by making adjustments to its threaded body.
- Five positioned adjuster for a rebound that allows you to make any adjustments according to your riding style and comfort.
Cons
- Only suitable for cruiser bikes.
- You have to disassemble your fork system to install these.
4 Anngo Motocicleta Shock
These 320mm air shock absorbers by Anngo come with universal fitting and suitable for a variety of road bikes. These include the likes of Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki. These shocks are also an ideal option to use in your ATV and go-karts. You can even use them for your dirt bikes and various other types of sports bikes as well.
That’s not all!
These shocks can conveniently fit on most of those sports bikes that are powered by 150cc up to 750cc engines. The ideal setup is to go with a shock absorber with an eye to eye distance of 320mm. The diameter of the round hole is 12mm in size.
The shock comes with adjustable strength, so it’s a top choice for replacement, bike modification, and up-gradation of style. The shock has a smooth finish and is designed to take a lot of tolls.
You don’t have to get your fork system out no matter what. Just take out your old suspension system and replace it with the new one and experience the perfect ride. One of the best features of this motorcycle shock is its robust construction.
Make sure you have gas-charged the shock enough for considerable dampness. Some people have complained the socs tend to lose their effectiveness over time and impact damping decreases as well.
(4.5 / 5)Pros
- Suitable for several bikes on the market.
- Pretty easy to install with a minimum amount of hassle.
- You can conveniently adjust the strength of the shock.
- It’s an ideal choice for bike modification and shock replacement.
- Good to work with quad bikes, and dirt bikes as well.
Cons
- Not the best choice for cruiser bikes.
- You might have to adjust them from time to time.
5 GZYF Universal Shock
The Gzyf universal shock absorbers are also suitable for a variety of bikes. These include Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Honda. They are a top choice for your ATVs, go-karts, dirt bikes, and sports bikes as well.
And the best part is they don’t come with a chrome finish. If you like your shocks to come with a black finishing for a sleeker look, you should not look anywhere else. These shocks feature nitrogen reservoirs so impact dampness will be top-notch.
You have two different options to make adjustments to the pressure levels. You can either go with the spring adjustment or with air adjustment. These shocks are petty effective in their operation and they will ensure you don’t have to experience any bumps during your rides. The eye to eye size of the shock absorber is 320mm.
If you are a DIY enthusiast then you might know how to install these shocks on your ride. However, manufacturers recommend going for professional installation to make sure you get the best performance out of your motorcycle shocks. But that doesn’t mean you can’t install these shocks on your own.
If you have enough experience under your belt, you might end up getting these shocks in your bike in no time. But you won’t have any access to an instruction manual because these shocks don’t come with any.
Just make sure you pick the right pressure level for your suspension system according to your riding style.
(4.5 / 5)Pros
- Comes with a nitrogen reservoir.
- You can adjust the pressure either by air or by springs.
- Features an eye to eye shock absorber bottom.
- Conveniently fits into a variety of bikes including ATVs, dirt, and quad bikes.
- The black finish makes them look pretty sleek.
Cons
- Not instructions manual included in the purchase.
- Not the right option for any of those cruiser bikes.
6 YongHong Motorcycle Shock
The eye to eye size of this shock absorber is 320mm so it is also one of the universal designs you can use on a variety of vehicles. The blue and silvery paint-job of these shocks look pretty bold but they are equally good in terms of performance.
But that is not all…!
These shocks are suitable to use for a variety of bikes including the regular road bikes by Yamaha, Kawasaki, Honda, and Suzuki as well as dirt bikes, quad bikes, go-karts, and ATVs. These shocks are ideally suitable for bike modification and shock replacement.
These are the best motorcycle shocks and here’s why!
You can conveniently adjust the shock pressure and they are pretty easy to install.
Due to their universal fitting, the shocks are suitable to use with all bikes with engines ranging from 150cc to 750cc. But they are best suited for bikes with 320mm eye to eye shock absorbers.
These shocks are pretty simple to install and if you have the rough DIY experience you will get the job done in no time. Just make sure that you go through the instruction manual so that everything goes in just the way it was intended by the manufacturer.
For some people, the color of these shocks might not be the ideal option to choose but they still look pretty wild. Your purchase will also include a couple of spring adjustment tools as well.
(4.5 / 5)Pros
- Suitable to use with a variety of bikes including go-karts, ATVs, dirk, and quad bikes.
- Very easy to install and use.
- No disassembly is needed for the installation process.
- The eye to eye length of these shocks is 320mm and works well with most of the bikes.
- A top choice for replacement and modification of your ride.
Cons
- Only the blue color is available and it might not be the best match for your ride.
- Professional installations recommended and the instructions manual doesn’t feature smooch elaborated details.
7 EMPI Coil-Over Shock
The EMPI coil-over-shock features a front line pin and on its rear as well. The chrome finish of this shock is compatible with Baja, Sand Rail, VW Bug, and Dune Buggy. Available in pairs, these shocks come with a 4-inch diameter and 17-inches length. Its compressed length is 11.25-inches and the coil spring diameter is about 2.25-inches.
These shocks are better suited for country roads. You can also use them for a few of your off-road adventures. The shock fits most early models of Volkswagens. The manufacturer has developed these shocks to be used in tandem with stock torsion bar suspension. Therefore, you cannot use these shocks as stand-alone units in your ride. And that’s a bit of an advantage here!
These shocks are not suitable for two-wheel rides so if you are looking for such rides, you need to look elsewhere. If you do a lot of sand riding and don’t prefer to ride on payments, this is going to be the best motorcycle shocks for you. Essentially, they might not be the motorcycle shocks but they are suitable for every ride.
The best part is that these shocks are pretty easy to install and you don’t have to go through a lot to get the installation process done. However, we recommend you to hire professional help if you haven’t worked with shocks before. For the best performance, you need to go for professional assistance.
(4.2 / 5)Pros
- An excellent choice for a variety of sports and recreational four-wheel rides such as Dune Buggy and Baja.
- Very easy to install and use.
- You don’t need to go through any disassembly.
- Excellent for smoother rides on larger obstacles.
- High-quality finish for resilience and durability.
Cons
- Not suitable for two-wheel rides.
- You cannot use them on suspension systems that don’t feature any torsion bar suspension. So you can’t use them as stand-alone suspension components.
8 Generic Softail Shock
The Softail shocks by Generic are the best motorcycle shocks for cruiser bikes like Harley-Davidson Softail. The shocks are good to use for any models from 1984 to 1999. You can conveniently adjust these shocks according to your requirements.
If you are looking for a custom application and have limited space available these shocks will work pretty well for you. For proper heim spacing, your purchase includes aluminum spacers.
If you prefer to ride solo, there are no better shock absorbers than these. However, these are not suitable for two people riding. You can conveniently make any adjustments to the pressure according to your body weight. For different velocities, the shock can adjust itself to ensure a smoother ride.
But there is more here to talk about!
The installation of these shocks is pretty simple. You don’t have to go and take your fork system apart at all. Just take out the old suspension system and get this one in, tighten the screws and you are ready to roll.
If you are a bulky rider these shocks will work for you pretty well because you can conveniently adjust the damper of the suspensions according to your preferences. But make sure you never ride two people on your bike or the shocks won’t be as responsive and you will feel the bumps on the road quite often.
The design of these shocks makes them suitable for older bikes so make sure you own a 1984 or later up to 1999 Softail by Harley Davidson. You will have to upgrade to the newer models.
(4.5 / 5)Pros
- Suitable for all models of Softail Harley Davidson from 1984 to 1999.
- An excellent choice for older Softail models.
- Pretty easy to install.
- No disassembling is required.
- High-quality materials and excellent finishing for durable performance.
Cons
- Not for sports bikes
- They are not made for dual riding and are only suitable for solo rides.
Best Motorcycle Shocks Buying Guide
Motorcycle shocks provide you with improved handling, lower your stance, and proper support during your ride. You can either go with coil or air shocks based on your preferences. But there are some other important features you need to keep in mind when buying the best motorcycle shocks. In this guide, we will highlight all those features so you can make a well-informed buying decision.
Type and Size
When you are looking to modify the suspension system, the most important point to keep in mind is to choose the right size and type of shock for your bike. The shocks you purchase need to be of the right size and kind or in simple words they need to be compatible with your bike and its model and make. Therefore, before you finalize your option check its specs and make sure it is the adequate one for your two-wheels.
It also needs to be compatible with your bike’s frame if you want the best performance of your custom suspension system. The length of the shock stroke allows you to determine whether you have the right kind of shock in your hands for your bike or not.
Another feature that will allow you to help in picking the right size is eye-to-eye measurements. Correct connection hardware is also required. You need to choose whether to go for bolts or end bushings to attach your shock with your bike’s frame.
Materials
You need to make sure these shocks are made of high-quality materials. They have to go through a lot and for this reason, they need to be made of quality materials like aluminum or steel.
Some of them come with a black finish while others come with chrome finish. You need to pick the color according to your preferences and choice. But color and looks are not going to matter if the materials used in the construction are of poor quality.
Performance
You don’t need to swap our stock shocks with any OEM parts and components. You have the option of upgrading your performance with quality shocks made for customized applications. These are made to absorb vibrations and any road bumps that you might experience when riding. The best motorcycle shocks provide a smoother ride with fewer bumps and better handling.
Driver Weight
If you take into account your body weight, you are more likely to pick the right kind of shock absorber for your bike.
Coil vs. air
Both coil pressure and air pressure shock systems have their positives and negatives. Coils use metal spring for compression and are budget-friendly. These spring systems are pretty robust and go well with a variety of riding styles. They also allow you to lower your height on the ride pretty easily. But air shocks are more fine-tune in their suspension. You can choose the perfect options according to your riding needs. They are more versatile and sturdy but expensive too.
Damping
It is the aspect of how a shock absorber takes an impact. Nobody wants to bottom out and if your shock compresses entirely, you will feel a bump that is pretty unsettling. The spring might end up recoils pretty fast. If you have a shock that has superior damping, you won’t experience all of this. You won’t end up hopping like a kangaroo on your ride.
Conclusion
The best motorcycle shocks on the market are the Progressive Suspension Anodized Shocks. They are pretty easy to install and you don’t have to be an expert to get them on your bike. You won’t need to disassemble your fork system either. The shocks perform pretty well on several cruiser bikes and you will enjoy a great comforting ride with these on. You can conveniently alter the pressure according to your requirements as well.
So which one of these are you going to try for your next modification project? Leave your comments and suggestions in the space provided below and share your experience with us.