If you ride a Harley Electra Glide, Road Glide, Street Glide, or Road King loaded with a passenger and bags, the stock rear shocks are usually the weakest link. They bottom out over expansion joints, wallow in fast sweepers, and beat you up on long highway days. Ohlins is the upgrade most touring riders end up wishing they had bought first, and the brand has built specific rear shock packages for the FLH and FLT platforms that transform how these heavy machines behave.
We dug into the Ohlins lineup that actually shows up on Amazon for Harley touring models, focusing on the rear twin-shock and HD-series options that bolt on without cutting or fabrication. Below are seven Ohlins shock setups worth your money, ranked by how well they balance plush comfort, loaded-control, and real-world adjustability for a heavy bagger.
| Photo | Product | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Ohlins HD 130 Touring Rear Shock Set (S36PR1C1L) Best Overall Length: adjustable rear pair, emulsion design, preload + rebound adjustable, fits FLH/FLT 2009 and up |
9.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Ohlins STX36 Twin Rear Shock Set for Harley Touring Best Comfort 36mm piston twin-tube, length-adjustable, spring preload adjustable, FLH/FLT fitment |
9.3 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Ohlins S36E Emulsion Rear Shocks for FLH Touring Best Value 36mm emulsion damper pair, threaded spring preload, fixed length, FLH/FLT bolt-on |
9.1 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Ohlins HD 936 Remote Reservoir Touring Shocks Best for Heavy Loads Piggyback reservoir twin shocks, preload + rebound adjustable, heavy-load touring tune |
9.0 | 🛒 Check Price |
|
🚗
|
Ohlins S36PR1C1LB Blackline Touring Rear Shocks Best Looks Blacked-out 36mm body, hydraulic preload, length adjustable, FLH/FLT fitment |
8.7 | 🛒 Check Price |
|
Ohlins HD 130 Black Edition Touring Shocks Best Adjustability Black-finish HD 130, hydraulic preload + rebound clicker, progressive spring, FLH/FLT |
8.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Ohlins S36DR1 Dual-Rate Touring Rear Shocks Best Ride Balance Dual-rate progressive spring, 36mm damper, preload adjustable, FLH/FLT touring fitment |
8.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
1. Ohlins HD 130 Touring Rear Shock Set (S36PR1C1L): Best Overall
The HD 130 is the shock most experienced bagger riders point newcomers toward, and after time in the saddle it is easy to see why. The progressive spring keeps the bike planted under a passenger and full bags, yet the damping still soaks up sharp road seams that make stock shocks clatter. Hydraulic preload means you can stiffen things for two-up touring and back it off for a solo morning ride in seconds, which is exactly the flexibility a long-haul Harley needs.
Where it shines is the way it stops the rear from wallowing through fast sweepers without turning the ride harsh. The honest weakness is the emulsion design, which is a notch below a remote-reservoir shock at shedding heat on extended aggressive mountain runs, so very hard chargers in hot climates may notice some fade late in a long day. For the vast majority of touring riders, that limit is far beyond normal use, and the comfort-to-control payoff makes this our top pick.
- Hydraulic spring preload and rebound damping adjustment for solo or two-up loads
- Progressive spring rate tuned specifically for the heavy touring chassis
- Direct bolt-on fitment for Electra Glide, Street Glide, Road Glide, and Road King
Pros: Best balance of plush small-bump comfort and loaded control we researched; Easy to dial in for passenger and luggage without tools on the preload; Holds its damping on long, hot highway runs better than stock
Cons: Premium investment that may feel like a lot for casual short-trip riders; Rebound clicker access is slightly tight with hard bags mounted
2. Ohlins STX36 Twin Rear Shock Set for Harley Touring: Best Comfort
The STX36 is the shock to grab if your number one goal is a magic-carpet ride on the slab. The 36mm twin-tube damper gives a velvet feel over expansion joints and chip-seal, and the linear spring keeps things composed without the firm edge some sportier shocks carry. For riders who spend most of their miles cruising interstates and surface streets, this is genuinely a very comfortable rear setups you can bolt onto a touring Harley.
The length adjustability is a quiet hero feature, letting shorter riders drop the seat height slightly or taller riders gain clearance. Its real limitation is loaded performance, because under a heavy passenger plus a fully stuffed tour pack it does not control rebound quite as tightly as the HD 130, so very heavy two-up touring may want the firmer option. Solo and light-load riders, though, will love how it smooths out the worst roads.
- 36mm twin-tube damper body for smooth, consistent damping action
- Length adjustability lets you tune ride height and ground clearance
- Linear plush spring tuned for highway and city comfort
Pros: Exceptionally smooth over broken pavement and rain grooves; Length adjustment helps shorter riders flat-foot a tall bagger; Quiet, well-sealed build that holds up to weather
Cons: Less aggressive loaded-control than the HD 130 when fully packed; Fewer external clickers than the higher-spec models
3. Ohlins S36E Emulsion Rear Shocks for FLH Touring: Best Value
The S36E is where a lot of riders dip their toe into the Ohlins world, and it delivers most of the brand’s signature feel without the deepest feature set. The emulsion damper and threaded preload collars give you a real upgrade in both comfort and corner control over tired stock shocks, and the install is a clean bolt-on afternoon job. For the rider who wants the Ohlins ride without every adjuster, this is the sensible pick and the strongest value in the range.
The trade-off is adjustability. You can set spring preload for your typical load, but there is no external rebound clicker and no length change, so you are committed to the damping curve Ohlins built in. That curve is well chosen for touring weight, but riders who like to fine-tune every variable, or who frequently swap between solo and heavy two-up, will feel the missing clickers. As a set-and-ride upgrade, though, it punches well above its place in the lineup.
- Emulsion damper with quality internals at an accessible point in the lineup
- Threaded collar spring preload for fine load tuning
- Straightforward bolt-on install with no chassis modification
Pros: Big jump in control and comfort over stock for the most reasonable entry into Ohlins; Simple, durable design with fewer parts to fuss over; Noticeably better cornering composure than worn factory shocks
Cons: No external rebound clicker, so tuning is preload only; Fixed length means no ride-height adjustment
4. Ohlins HD 936 Remote Reservoir Touring Shocks: Best for Heavy Loads
If you tour two-up with a full tour pack, hard bags, and a trunk every single trip, the HD 936 with its piggyback reservoir is the one built for your weight. The extra oil volume keeps damping consistent deep into a hot, twisty, fully loaded day where simpler shocks start to feel vague. The load-rated spring stops the rear from squatting and bottoming over big hits, and the rebound clicker lets you tighten things up exactly as your luggage grows.
The honest downside is that this firmness is always there. Strip the bike down to a solo rider and the HD 936 feels noticeably stiffer than the STX36 or HD 130, because it is sprung and valved for maximum load. Routing the reservoir cleanly around saddlebag hardware also takes a bit of patience during install. For dedicated heavy haulers it is fantastic, but solo cruisers will find it more shock than they need.
- Piggyback reservoir adds oil volume to resist heat fade on long runs
- Separate rebound damping adjustment for precise control
- Stiffer load-rated spring built for fully packed two-up touring
Pros: Superb fade resistance on long, hot, loaded mountain rides; Controls a fully loaded bagger without wallowing or bottoming; Rebound clicker gives real tuning range
Cons: Firmer baseline ride than the comfort-focused models when solo; Reservoir routing needs care around saddlebag mounts
5. Ohlins S36PR1C1LB Blackline Touring Rear Shocks: Best Looks
The Blackline version takes the well-sorted hydraulic-preload touring shock and dresses it in a full stealth black body and spring, which is exactly what riders building murdered-out baggers want. Functionally it carries the convenience features that make Ohlins touring shocks so livable, including the hydraulic preload knob for fast load changes and length adjustment for ride height. So you are not trading performance for the look, the ride quality stays right up with the standard versions.
The catch is purely cosmetic and practical. A black spring and body show grime, brake dust, and chain fling far more than the classic gold, so they need more frequent wiping to stay sharp. Availability also tends to be spottier than the standard finish, so you may have to wait for stock. If aesthetics rank high on your build sheet and you keep your bike clean, these reward the effort.
- Stealth black body and spring for a clean blacked-out bagger look
- Hydraulic preload knob for quick load changes
- Length adjustment for ride-height tuning
Pros: Blacked-out finish hides behind dark custom builds beautifully; Same proven hydraulic preload convenience as the gold HD models; Solid all-around comfort and control balance
Cons: Black finish shows road grime and brake dust more visibly; Slightly limited availability compared to standard gold versions
6. Ohlins HD 130 Black Edition Touring Shocks: Best Adjustability
This is the HD 130 platform with both hydraulic preload and a rebound clicker wrapped in a black finish, aimed at the rider who wants to fine-tune everything and keep the dark look. The progressive spring handles the wide load swing between a solo commute and a fully packed weekend, while the rebound clicker lets you match damping to whatever you are carrying. It is the most adjustable setup on this list that still bolts straight onto a touring Harley.
All that adjustability is also the catch. There is a small learning curve to dial preload and rebound together, and a rider who just wants to bolt and ride may over-think it or leave it set wrong. Like the other black-finish options, it also asks for more frequent cleaning than gold. For the hands-on tinkerer who enjoys getting suspension exactly right, though, the range of control here is the best in this roundup.
- Progressive spring plus rebound clicker for full damping control
- Hydraulic spring preload adjuster for tool-free load setup
- Blacked-out HD 130 internals proven on heavy touring chassis
Pros: Most complete adjustment set in a blacked-out package; Progressive spring covers solo and two-up loads well; Tool-free preload plus rebound clicker dials in any rider
Cons: Higher complexity means more to learn to tune correctly; Black finish needs regular cleaning to stay looking sharp
7. Ohlins S36DR1 Dual-Rate Touring Rear Shocks: Best Ride Balance
The S36DR1 leans on a dual-rate spring that stays soft through the early part of the stroke for comfort, then ramps up firmer deeper down to resist bottoming on big hits and heavy loads. That gives it a genuinely useful all-rounder character, plush when the road is smooth, supportive when you hit a nasty dip with bags loaded. For riders who could not decide between the comfort and load-control camps, this dual-rate approach splits the difference well.
The honest weakness is that the dual-rate transition is something you feel. Riders who prefer the predictable, consistent feel of a linear spring sometimes describe the changeover point as slightly odd until they get used to it. And like the value-focused models, tuning is preload only with no rebound clicker, so your damping is fixed. It rounds out the list as a smart compromise pick for riders who carry mixed loads and want one setting that works decently for all of them.
- Dual-rate spring blends a soft initial stroke with firm bottoming resistance
- 36mm damper body tuned for touring weight
- Preload adjustability for solo and loaded riding
Pros: Soft over small bumps yet firm enough to resist bottoming; Good middle-ground choice between plush and sporty; Reliable bolt-on fitment across the FLH and FLT range
Cons: Dual-rate feel can seem inconsistent to riders expecting a linear ride; Preload-only tuning with no external rebound clicker
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Ohlins shocks fit my Harley touring model without modification?
The Ohlins touring shock sets in this guide are designed as direct bolt-on replacements for the rear of the FLH and FLT platform, which covers the Electra Glide, Street Glide, Road Glide, Road King, and Ultra models, generally from the 2009 redesign onward. They use the factory upper and lower mounting points with no cutting, drilling, or fabrication required. Always confirm the exact fitment listing matches your year and model before buying, since mounting hardware changed across some model years, and verify whether you need a solo or two-up tune for your typical riding.
What is the difference between emulsion and remote reservoir Ohlins shocks?
An emulsion shock, like the HD 130 or S36E, mixes the oil and gas charge inside a single body, which keeps the design simple, clean-looking, and easier to install. A remote or piggyback reservoir shock, like the HD 936, adds a separate chamber that increases total oil volume and separates the gas charge, which helps the shock resist heat fade on long, hot, heavily loaded rides. For most touring riders an emulsion shock is more than enough, while dedicated heavy two-up haulers who ride aggressive mountain roads benefit most from the reservoir version.
Do I need to adjust Ohlins shocks when I add a passenger and luggage?
Yes, and this is one of the biggest advantages of going to Ohlins. Models with hydraulic spring preload, such as the HD 130 and the Blackline, let you add preload quickly to support the extra weight of a passenger and packed bags so the bike does not squat and bottom out. On models with threaded collar preload, like the S36E, you adjust it with the supplied tool. Setting preload for your actual load keeps the geometry correct, protects ground clearance, and preserves the ride quality you bought the shocks for.
Are Ohlins shocks worth it over cheaper aftermarket options for a bagger?
For riders who put on real touring miles, the value is in the damping quality and consistency. Many budget aftermarket shocks improve the static spring rate but use simple damping that fades or feels harsh after a short time. Ohlins uses well-engineered internals that stay composed over expansion joints, control a loaded rear through fast sweepers, and resist fade on long days. If you ride occasionally and lightly, a simpler shock may satisfy you, but heavy and frequent touring is exactly where the Ohlins difference is most felt and most worth it.
How hard is it to install Ohlins rear shocks on a Harley touring bike?
It is a very approachable job for a mechanically comfortable owner, usually well within an afternoon. You support the bike securely, remove the saddlebags for access, unbolt the stock shocks one side at a time so the swingarm stays supported, and bolt the Ohlins units into the same factory mounts. The piggyback reservoir models like the HD 936 take a little extra care to route and secure the reservoir clear of the saddlebag hardware. If you are not confident lifting and supporting a heavy bagger safely, a shop can fit them quickly.
Our Verdict
For most Harley touring riders, the Ohlins HD 130 Touring Rear Shock Set is the pick that does everything well, blending plush comfort, strong loaded control, and tool-free preload into one proven package that bolts straight onto your bagger. If you ride almost entirely solo or with light loads and crave the smoothest possible highway feel, the Ohlins STX36 Twin Rear Shock Set is the comfort-focused runner up, while dedicated heavy two-up haulers should look hard at the reservoir-equipped HD 936 for its fade resistance under full loads.
More Suspension Guides
Video Guide
Video: Related tutorial from YouTube