I think Progressive's guide for suspension spring rate is too universal. They should have a spring rate guide just for HD touring, including differentiating with a tour pack or not.
I bought a 444 13" standard rate for a 14 Street Glide Special. I weight in at around 200lbs. Their guide is very specific and mention the change over weight to an HD spring to be at 220lbs. Well, I put the new shocks (standard rate) in and when I dropped the bike on its rear wheel, the bike sagged automatically to 1"1/4 down. That was without saddlebags or anything else for that matter.
I was about 4 to 5 lines on the shocks before the bike raised back to full extension, and 8-9 lines (full) pre-load to get about 1" sag, without saddle bags. So I've tried riding with full pre-load with my saddlebags on and I bottom out like crazy. I'm now returning those shocks to get HD spring ones (thru Amazon... great service that way).

I do ride 2-up sometime, with a detachable tour pack and sometime a trailer for long trip. I hope the HD spring will be able to all this.

Hope this help for anyone looking at buying 444 in the future.

Mike G

 

I went from progressive to legends and I can tell you hands down the legends are worth every bit of the cost over progressive. Great company and made in Sturgis. If you have a question they are on it. If your gonna keep the bike it's well worth the money.

 

Progressive's spring recommendations are way off IMO. I weigh in at 230# and I had to preload the spring until the "softer" portion of the HD spring unit was coil bound in order to get only 1-1/4" of sag. I ended up with the new Super Duty spring and I am adding no preload at all and getting 7/8" of sag. It's a bit starchy riding solo but about spot on two up. I would like to see Progressive offer a wider range of spring rates, I am impressed with the damping control of the 444 shock though.

 

There is nothing wrong with the 444s if you get the right ones.

I am 280 and my wife is 105- that's already 385. When on trips, you might add an additional 50 for the trunk rack and loaded bad in the trunk. Saddlebags are pretty empty. So, at travel weight, I am at 435 or more.

My super Progressive shocks handle the bike very well - no bottom out - and I have it set at the 350 weight (which is the minimum for the super.

Just remember, Progressive has three different 444s for our bikes. The lightest is at 250. It appears that serval riders get this and try to adjust. My opinion, if you install this and get on the bike, you are already overweight (unless of course, you weigh in at 150 pounds or so and your co-rider is also very light))

 

I've been very happy with my 444s as well. I'm around 250 and the OL is another 150ish.

With the HD springs, I ride with 4 lines of preload showing, depending on how loaded down we are. Solo I like 3 lines of preload. It's on the firm side for just me, but handles well over bumps and doesn't bottom out.

 

This surprises me Nevada! You helped me dial in my Ohlins PERFECTLY!

 

I'm glad I could help. I'm not really sure why the Ohlins didn't work out for me. It could just come down to rider preference, seats, bike type, local roads, or any combination of all. I played with preload and damping a LOT. Hours and hours over many weeks. With my Progressives I had them figured out in one day. I know Ohlin makes a great shock, so no ill will towards them at all. It was just one of those things.

 

I have 444 shocks, im same weight, I have measured sag and 2 lines is perfect for one rider, when my wife is with me and luggage i put it to 3 lines seems to be pretty good