Hey, thanks for this post. I've got an 07' Bob I am thinking about upgrading the suspension including 412's for the back. I'll keep mine the stock height, but I am pleased to hear there is a noticeable improvement for $$ spent.

 

I'm also glad to see that the shorter shocks still provide a nice ride. I just bought some 11' 430's and haven't got them installed yet. I'm tired of taking a beating from the stock suspension! So is the consensus that the front doesn't need to be lowered the same amount as the rear?

 

Thanks for this info as I will proably do the same set-up on Karine's S B to lower it a little bit....
Greets from Belgium,
S

 

to keep the geometry of the bike stock, which will keep handling as close to factory as possible, the front should be dropped to match the rear.

you'll sacrifice clearance, but you'll keep factory trail and rake.

if you're shelling out for the shocks, drop another 100 bucks and pick up the drop in lowering kit for the front tubes.

 

Thanks for the info, was looking at putting the same set up on my 08 FXDF but was reading some really negative posts about the 412's, But gonna order em this weekend now. They have the exact look I'm going for and can't be worse than the stock ones.

 

The stock shocks on my '04 SG suck! I ride hard around NYC and I am definitely ordering the 412's in 11". Tee shirts for everyone?

 

People (sometimes me included) love to rip on Progressives 412's. They do it because the 412's are an inexpensive upgrade to the ricebombs that come from the factory. I have run so many 412's over the years I honestly can't keep track of them all. For a little over 200 bucks you get a good shock. Progressive ALSO makes extremely nice shocks, but guess what, they ain't two hundred bucks. I can install Works, Ohlins or Penske's that will ride light years better than 412's, but they are 4 times the cost of 412's. I can also buy really nice Progressives that use the exact same Ricor technology as the crazy race shocks you see on the circuit, but 440's do just fine for me and the wife. Plenty of people run 412's and are perfectly happy. There is NO reason to not buy 412's because we fight on the internet over nit picky details. They are good shocks!!!

 

Thanks BikerLaw. The core intent of the 412 Series of shocks is an economical ride quality upgrade over stock and you hit it right on the head.

http://www.progressivesuspension.com...ies/index.html

 

I love the look of the 412 11 inch shocks on mine but the ride with the stock shocks was actually better. It's not bad enough to switch back to the stock shocks though.

 

I've had the 11" 412 HD's combined with the drop-in lowering kit for a few rides now and ride quality is a big improvement. Installation is a breeze too.