I'm wanting to put a set of heavy duty progressive 440 shocks on my '08 FDXC for 2-up riding with the girlfriend but not sure what "length" to get... how can I tell which length are already on my bike? I'm finding them in 11.5", 12", 12.5", and 13" and have no clue which ones are already on the bike... I don't really want to change the height, just put some stiffer shocks on so we don't bottom out when riding 2-up.


My bike:

 

Check www.progressivesuspension.com , they provide a fitment chart for every model Year

 

Check www.progressivesuspension.com , they provide a fitment chart for every model Year. The stock lenght is usually in yellow

 

I appreciate it but that doesn't help tell me what size I already have on my bike, which is what I need to figure out before I order some. There are several sizes that will FIT but I want to keep the size I already have.

Edit: Oh I didn't see the part about the stock height in yellow... I will look again, thanks.

 

Ok I went back and checked, it looks like the 12.5" ones are the ones I need. Thank you very much!

 

I can tell you that from personal experience short shocks are not the way to go so 12.5" is a step in the right direction. Stockers are 12" The more travel you have the more you can adjust the shock for smooth transition of energy. If your a heavy hombre (pardon the pun) the longer the better. I went with 11.5" at 185 lbs I found them to be too stiff and sold them off opting back to my stock 12" shocks and I can't complain.

 

Thanks for the advice... I'm a pretty damn big hombre and plan to ride 2-up so maybe I'll just get the 13".

 

good info here, thanks

 

Yes it certainly is!

 

Longer is probably better. You can always set the spring preload on the lighter side and it will settle down when you sit on it. My 2011 came with shorter shocks and had 3 in. of rear suspension travel. First thing I did was install longer shocks to increase the rear travel to 4 in. like the FXDC used to have. I use less preload and the ride is much better with more rear travel. If you are a pretty big dude AND ride 2 up I would think you would really like longer shocks.