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I'm average height and weight so usually I get an acceptable ride without changing shocks. My Low Rider (I think) rides better than my 2014 Street Glide did. The shock is adjusted to the lightest setting according to my weight. I thought the ride could be more compliant and the bike felt squirrelly at times, like the rear tire was leaving the road if I hit a bump while turning.
I've wanted to try a simple, relatively inexpensive shock so jumped into the 465. It's a real easy install, don't remove the rear fender and you can use their rebound adjustment allen wrench to loosen the pinch bolt at rear of shock. I just use a small, cheap screw platform lift to get the rear tire unloaded.
I'm not done playing with the adjustments, it will be easier to set sag with two people. The rebound adjuster has 5 clicks and is set to "3" from factory, I'm trying it at "2" right now. I've been out riding the city for a few days aiming for all the bumps I would usually avoid. The ride feels less harsh than stock and so far the rear tire has not left the road. I bought the stock Low Rider 12.6" length shock because I like the looks and feel of the stock height, so I'm expecting to hit that "surprise" bump that shocks the spine but so far I'm OK with the ride now. Oh, and for the weight weenies, I saved 3 pounds.
More opinion: I think this is crazy money to spend on a shock absorber cause I'd rather spend on going faster but making the bike more comfortable with different seat, bars and shock is all a part of the fun. I like the shock, I think it looks cool and gives me more ***** to turn. I'd say if you want more, spend more or change looks and feel with a longer shock.
I haven't played with my shock at all because I just recently discovered it was installed on my bike. One thing I may do is increase the preload on the spring, since I'm hitting on the bump stop (the yellow-orange disc on the shaft) when riding two up, and that can be quite a jolt.
Looking forward as you experiment with yours and hope you keep reporting on it.
I haven't played with my shock at all because I just recently discovered it was installed on my bike. One thing I may do is increase the preload on the spring, since I'm hitting on the bump stop (the yellow-orange disc on the shaft) when riding two up, and that can be quite a jolt.
Looking forward as you experiment with yours and hope you keep reporting on it.
Thanks, my target ride sag is 1.2" if this helps you.
I haven't actually measured the sag on mine yet. Was about to order the Harley shock adjustment tools since I didn't get them with my bike (bought used), but then discovered that 465 Progressive shock under there. Glad I didn't buy the HD tools! But now need the wrench for the Progressive shock. (whoa is me. I got a $650 shock for free, but now I gotta plunk down $30 on the shock tool. Life can be so unfair! )
FWIW, I have Progressive fork springs and shocks on my '89 Sporty, and Progressive shocks on my '82 Suzuki GS1100E. Obviously I'm a fan. Sure, I'd like Ohlins, but the Progressives really do work well for the price. Improving suspension has big payoffs.
BTW, which wrench did you get with yours? The one that's hinged?
I haven't actually measured the sag on mine yet. Was about to order the Harley shock adjustment tools since I didn't get them with my bike (bought used), but then discovered that 465 Progressive shock under there. Glad I didn't buy the HD tools! But now need the wrench for the Progressive shock. (whoa is me. I got a $650 shock for free, but now I gotta plunk down $30 on the shock tool. Life can be so unfair! )
FWIW, I have Progressive fork springs and shocks on my '89 Sporty, and Progressive shocks on my '82 Suzuki GS1100E. Obviously I'm a fan. Sure, I'd like Ohlins, but the Progressives really do work well for the price. Improving suspension has big payoffs.
BTW, which wrench did you get with yours? The one that's hinged?
I used something like this in the past, just unload the shock makes it easy to turn:
I'm average height and weight so usually I get an acceptable ride without changing shocks. My Low Rider (I think) rides better than my 2014 Street Glide did. The shock is adjusted to the lightest setting according to my weight. I thought the ride could be more compliant and the bike felt squirrelly at times, like the rear tire was leaving the road if I hit a bump while turning.
I've wanted to try a simple, relatively inexpensive shock so jumped into the 465. It's a real easy install, don't remove the rear fender and you can use their rebound adjustment allen wrench to loosen the pinch bolt at rear of shock. I just use a small, cheap screw platform lift to get the rear tire unloaded.
I'm not done playing with the adjustments, it will be easier to set sag with two people. The rebound adjuster has 5 clicks and is set to "3" from factory, I'm trying it at "2" right now. I've been out riding the city for a few days aiming for all the bumps I would usually avoid. The ride feels less harsh than stock and so far the rear tire has not left the road. I bought the stock Low Rider 12.6" length shock because I like the looks and feel of the stock height, so I'm expecting to hit that "surprise" bump that shocks the spine but so far I'm OK with the ride now. Oh, and for the weight weenies, I saved 3 pounds.
More opinion: I think this is crazy money to spend on a shock absorber cause I'd rather spend on going faster but making the bike more comfortable with different seat, bars and shock is all a part of the fun. I like the shock, I think it looks cool and gives me more ***** to turn. I'd say if you want more, spend more or change looks and feel with a longer shock.
I am considering the Progressive 465 for my Sport Glide (in the 13.1" variant) and was hoping to get a long-term review. @OldMike, was this shock on your previous Low Rider or your current Low Rider S?
Has anyone else logged some miles on the 465 and can provide any feedback?
I'm wanting to get a rear shock with better rebound damping and a slightly heavier spring for 2-up riding with all three cases loaded. I'm open to any other rear shock suggestions avaliable in the 13" flavor with remote preload adjuster.
What's the lowest rider weight that shock is designed for?
I was looking at rear suspension choices because I'm way under the minimum weight setting for the stock rear shock(FLFBS), 160lbs.(145lbs with gear on). Plus I plan on swapping to a lithium battery which drops another 12lbs off the rear end of the bike.
I was looking at the 465 since it was a few hundred bucks cheaper than the Ohlins, and well you got one so I thought I'd take a sec to ask.
I'm interested in what you're experience will be. If it's worth the 650$ compared to stock.
The 465 is only offered in Regular and Heavy springs. I would bet RaceTech could size you up a spring for your rear shock that is specific to your weight. But, I wouldn't swap out the spring on the OEM shock. Its best to swap out springs on a shock that has rebound adjustment. You'll need to adjust the rebound dampening with a different spring rate.
This is the point where I try to resist pointing out that my $9k V-Strom came stock with rebound adjustable rear shock but my $19k Softail does not. I re-sprung my V-Strom and adjusted the rebound to match using the OEM shock. My Heritage shock is just a little under dampened currently (with no adjustment) and will be more so if I put on a heavier spring. No dampening adjustment = new shock needed.
I am considering the Progressive 465 for my Sport Glide (in the 13.1" variant) and was hoping to get a long-term review. @OldMike, was this shock on your previous Low Rider or your current Low Rider S?
Has anyone else logged some miles on the 465 and can provide any feedback?
I'm wanting to get a rear shock with better rebound damping and a slightly heavier spring for 2-up riding with all three cases loaded. I'm open to any other rear shock suggestions avaliable in the 13" flavor with remote preload adjuster.
The 465 was on my 2019 Low Rider. It kept the rear wheel planted better was the thing I noticed most about this shock.
My new 2020 did not seem as twitchy on curves with bumps but still had to address bottoming out on sharp bumps. More shock travel is what I wanted so changed to the long shock from a Fat Bob, I'm happy with this.
AFAIK, the Ohlins 12.6 and 13.1 have the same travel so was not interested in those, but for a light rider an Ohlins with custom spring from Howard might work.
Check with Hulkss in his thread for a new shock with more options: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/2018-...l#post19200984
I'll toss another option in the mix, jRI makes a very high quality mono shock... Might want to check them out and ask what the specs are for shock options (they are hand assembled/made in NC as well, very high quality shock with ties to Nascar and other racing sports).
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Installed Progressive 465 Shock
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I re-sprung my V-Strom and adjusted the rebound to match using the OEM shock. My Heritage shock is just a little under dampened currently (with no adjustment) and will be more so if I put on a heavier spring. No dampening adjustment = new shock needed.
