Suspension upgrade questions
#1
Suspension upgrade questions
Greetings. I’m looking to upgrade the suspension on my 2006 XL1200 Low. I know that many of you have been over this before, so I’m not meaning to beat the dead horse. I’ve researched the net and have found some of the old threads, and with myself not being an expert on the subject, there is tons of info to sift through. I’m narrowing things down, and my needs are fairly basic, so I thought I’d state my situation & questions, and see if you all think I’m on the right track.
I’m 6’1”, and 200 lbs. I don’t ride passengers on this bike, and don’t have extra weight, saddlebags, etc. I don’t ride the bike overly hard. I have a bad back, and am mostly looking for the softest and most comfortable ride I can get, as opposed to super high performance. I’m not concerned about keeping the bike “low”, so raising the seat height a little isn’t a problem.
So I’m considering the Progressive 412 series on the back, and will also do a spring upgrade on the front. I’ve been calling some of the reps from different suppliers, and from Progressive. From reading reviews and past threads, it seems that I should increase the length from my 11.5” shocks on the rear. One rep said that I should not go over 12.5” because it may jack the bike up too much in the rear. Another rep said that other models of Sportsters come with 13.5”, with the same front end as mine, and that I could go with 13.5” without harming steering geometry, so the length is my main dilemma at this point.
It seems that reviews I’ve read of the higher priced and higher performance models indicate that many people think that many of the higher end models are stiffer, and more geared toward performance over ride comfort.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, with my main question being whether to go with 12.5” or 13.5”. The roads where I live are not kept very well. Lots of potholes, and rough areas where potholes were patched, making them into speed bumps, and my stock suspension feels like I’m riding a hardtail, making my lower back problem worse.
JT
I’m 6’1”, and 200 lbs. I don’t ride passengers on this bike, and don’t have extra weight, saddlebags, etc. I don’t ride the bike overly hard. I have a bad back, and am mostly looking for the softest and most comfortable ride I can get, as opposed to super high performance. I’m not concerned about keeping the bike “low”, so raising the seat height a little isn’t a problem.
So I’m considering the Progressive 412 series on the back, and will also do a spring upgrade on the front. I’ve been calling some of the reps from different suppliers, and from Progressive. From reading reviews and past threads, it seems that I should increase the length from my 11.5” shocks on the rear. One rep said that I should not go over 12.5” because it may jack the bike up too much in the rear. Another rep said that other models of Sportsters come with 13.5”, with the same front end as mine, and that I could go with 13.5” without harming steering geometry, so the length is my main dilemma at this point.
It seems that reviews I’ve read of the higher priced and higher performance models indicate that many people think that many of the higher end models are stiffer, and more geared toward performance over ride comfort.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, with my main question being whether to go with 12.5” or 13.5”. The roads where I live are not kept very well. Lots of potholes, and rough areas where potholes were patched, making them into speed bumps, and my stock suspension feels like I’m riding a hardtail, making my lower back problem worse.
JT
#2
I used their 412's and 430's both in 12.5" lengths on an 09 Nightster and a 12 custom. I had similar desires and size as you and was quite happy with the improvements in both cases. My wife who has an Iron said mine was like a Cadillac compared to hers. (We had identical mustang wide solo seats which by the way are great). I am still skeptical that most folks can really appreciate and notice the upgrade $800+ shocks over more modest options. But some here will swear by them. My 2c
#3
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Red Banks, Mississippi
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Greetings. I’m looking to upgrade the suspension on my 2006 XL1200 Low. I know that many of you have been over this before, so I’m not meaning to beat the dead horse. I’ve researched the net and have found some of the old threads, and with myself not being an expert on the subject, there is tons of info to sift through. I’m narrowing things down, and my needs are fairly basic, so I thought I’d state my situation & questions, and see if you all think I’m on the right track.
I’m 6’1”, and 200 lbs. I don’t ride passengers on this bike, and don’t have extra weight, saddlebags, etc. I don’t ride the bike overly hard. I have a bad back, and am mostly looking for the softest and most comfortable ride I can get, as opposed to super high performance. I’m not concerned about keeping the bike “low”, so raising the seat height a little isn’t a problem.
So I’m considering the Progressive 412 series on the back, and will also do a spring upgrade on the front. I’ve been calling some of the reps from different suppliers, and from Progressive. From reading reviews and past threads, it seems that I should increase the length from my 11.5” shocks on the rear. One rep said that I should not go over 12.5” because it may jack the bike up too much in the rear. Another rep said that other models of Sportsters come with 13.5”, with the same front end as mine, and that I could go with 13.5” without harming steering geometry, so the length is my main dilemma at this point.
It seems that reviews I’ve read of the higher priced and higher performance models indicate that many people think that many of the higher end models are stiffer, and more geared toward performance over ride comfort.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, with my main question being whether to go with 12.5” or 13.5”. The roads where I live are not kept very well. Lots of potholes, and rough areas where potholes were patched, making them into speed bumps, and my stock suspension feels like I’m riding a hardtail, making my lower back problem worse.
JT
I’m 6’1”, and 200 lbs. I don’t ride passengers on this bike, and don’t have extra weight, saddlebags, etc. I don’t ride the bike overly hard. I have a bad back, and am mostly looking for the softest and most comfortable ride I can get, as opposed to super high performance. I’m not concerned about keeping the bike “low”, so raising the seat height a little isn’t a problem.
So I’m considering the Progressive 412 series on the back, and will also do a spring upgrade on the front. I’ve been calling some of the reps from different suppliers, and from Progressive. From reading reviews and past threads, it seems that I should increase the length from my 11.5” shocks on the rear. One rep said that I should not go over 12.5” because it may jack the bike up too much in the rear. Another rep said that other models of Sportsters come with 13.5”, with the same front end as mine, and that I could go with 13.5” without harming steering geometry, so the length is my main dilemma at this point.
It seems that reviews I’ve read of the higher priced and higher performance models indicate that many people think that many of the higher end models are stiffer, and more geared toward performance over ride comfort.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, with my main question being whether to go with 12.5” or 13.5”. The roads where I live are not kept very well. Lots of potholes, and rough areas where potholes were patched, making them into speed bumps, and my stock suspension feels like I’m riding a hardtail, making my lower back problem worse.
JT
We've published a couple of reports that I think you will find very useful.
Front Suspension Report HERE
Rear Suspension Report HERE
One thing that is counter-intuitive about suspension...especially on the Sportsters, the better the front suspension, the less you feel the jolts in your back from the rear tire hitting a bump.
Regarding your question of height. The more travel you have in a good pair of rear shocks, the plusher your ride will be/the more your back will thank you. I have 10's of thousands of miles on my Sportsters with 13" rear shocks...they are not too tall.
After you read the reports, feel free to write or call us with any questions.
The following 2 users liked this post by DK Custom:
HighwayStar (12-12-2016),
jlb2782 (12-07-2016)
#4
Before you spend any money...we have done a ton of research on suspension this year, testing well over 100 different configurations.
We've published a couple of reports that I think you will find very useful.
Front Suspension Report HERE
Rear Suspension Report HERE
One thing that is counter-intuitive about suspension...especially on the Sportsters, the better the front suspension, the less you feel the jolts in your back from the rear tire hitting a bump.
Regarding your question of height. The more travel you have in a good pair of rear shocks, the plusher your ride will be/the more your back will thank you. I have 10's of thousands of miles on my Sportsters with 13" rear shocks...they are not too tall.
After you read the reports, feel free to write or call us with any questions.
We've published a couple of reports that I think you will find very useful.
Front Suspension Report HERE
Rear Suspension Report HERE
One thing that is counter-intuitive about suspension...especially on the Sportsters, the better the front suspension, the less you feel the jolts in your back from the rear tire hitting a bump.
Regarding your question of height. The more travel you have in a good pair of rear shocks, the plusher your ride will be/the more your back will thank you. I have 10's of thousands of miles on my Sportsters with 13" rear shocks...they are not too tall.
After you read the reports, feel free to write or call us with any questions.
#5
I had 11 inch progressive 440. Then up the travel to 444 12 inch shocks(2.75 inch travel). Them just did what i should have done the first time amd went with 13 inch stock. Just pick up pro action 13.25 ( wanted to get the bitubos in 13 for price mainly but i guess thry are special order) progressive are on the stiff side.
#6
I'm 5'9", 225 or so, and also have a bad back. I'm running 12" Progressive 412's on the back, Progressive springs in the forks, and a LePera Barebones seat. It is night and day better than stock, and less than $500 total. It's not a Softail, and never will be. But, it's pleasant to ride now. I bought all my parts from Amazon, where I get free Prime shipping.
Links below:
Seat:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Shocks:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Springs:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Hope this helps!
Later!
Links below:
Seat:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Shocks:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Springs:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Hope this helps!
Later!
#7
Of course.....
I just logged in, and the ad at the top of the page was this:
http://www.progressivesuspension.com...to-spring-2015
I might be running a better series than the 412 with this offer.
Later!
I just logged in, and the ad at the top of the page was this:
http://www.progressivesuspension.com...to-spring-2015
I might be running a better series than the 412 with this offer.
Later!
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#9
I'll start with the front first. What you will probably find, as I did, is that your forks sag at least half of their total travel at present. Mine were more than half. In my case I replaced the springs with single-rate Race Tech, matched to my weight, then set sag correct. That is likely to lift your bike around an inch at the front and does away with the comments above about shock length!
Turning to the rear, you can now install 13" or 13.5" shocks with a clear conscience, as your bike will sit roughly level. All in that department will now be fine!
You have a bad back. I don't, nor I suspect do most other members who comment on suspension around HDF. You also say that you want 'a comfortable ride, as opposed to super high performance'. IMHO they are directly linked! In other words cheap suspension will not give you as comfortable a ride as more expensive ones.
The reason is simply that the more we pay, the better the design and materials used and the more controlled the damping is. In other words don't cheap out, not least because there are members around HDF who have tried umpteen cheap brands and been repeatedly disappointed. Buy as good as you can afford!
Turning to the rear, you can now install 13" or 13.5" shocks with a clear conscience, as your bike will sit roughly level. All in that department will now be fine!
You have a bad back. I don't, nor I suspect do most other members who comment on suspension around HDF. You also say that you want 'a comfortable ride, as opposed to super high performance'. IMHO they are directly linked! In other words cheap suspension will not give you as comfortable a ride as more expensive ones.
The reason is simply that the more we pay, the better the design and materials used and the more controlled the damping is. In other words don't cheap out, not least because there are members around HDF who have tried umpteen cheap brands and been repeatedly disappointed. Buy as good as you can afford!
#10
Of course.....
I just logged in, and the ad at the top of the page was this:
http://www.progressivesuspension.com...to-spring-2015
I might be running a better series than the 412 with this offer.
Later!
I just logged in, and the ad at the top of the page was this:
http://www.progressivesuspension.com...to-spring-2015
I might be running a better series than the 412 with this offer.
Later!
sadly i just sold my 444 for $250 on here.