2018+ Softail Models Breakout

Heritage-progressive rear shock

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Old Aug 15, 2025 | 10:51 AM
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Default Heritage-progressive rear shock

Hello there, I accidentally posted this in the wrong forum, so re-doing it here where I shouldve been lol.
I'm looking for any opinions on Progressive's 465 rear shock. I'm thinking about putting it on my 23 heritage, get rid of the RAP recalls and upgrade the shock at the same time. Im thinking the 13.5", little extra height but probably not visually noticable. and the belt would pry still have cool tension.

I swapped to progressive shocks an fork springs on my dyna fat bob years ago, believe I went up 1-1.5 inchs on that bike but it fit that ones style.

Anyone have any opinions or experiences? good/bad/indifferent
 
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Old Aug 15, 2025 | 12:37 PM
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Progressive are a decent upgrade from the old softails and dynas, I don't think they are better for our new M8 softails. The mono shock is fantastic, gotta go Ohlins legends, Wilbur and the such to really upgrade.
 
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Old Aug 16, 2025 | 07:28 AM
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I have a Progressive 465 rear shock on my Sport Glide. It is a huge improvement. Progressive shocks get a bad rap because of their lower priced shocks. They have some lower priced optioned that people buy that obviously will not perform as well as their top line shocks. The 465 is a great shock that performs very well. When going down a road with joints that are raised, the front of my bike will bump up a bit and in the rear I don't even feel the bump. Good luck in whatever you choose.
 
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Old Aug 16, 2025 | 09:42 AM
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I have read from other members that Progressive is not as good as Ohlins.

Since YOLO and this being my final bike, I went with the Ohlins HD516. It didn't disappoint. Bike rides like it should have from the factory. No more banging and bouncing. I put in the DK Intiminator damper valves and spring kit up front as good enough, based on their subjective ride analysis.
 
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Old Aug 18, 2025 | 11:08 PM
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I bought a 13.5 inch progressive 465 shock with the RAP and it came from the factory assembled incorrectly. The hose for the remote adjuster has a 90 degree elbow that is supposed to go on the shock body side for easier routing. The shock I received had the 90 degree elbow on the shock adjuster side which made it difficult to install the shock. E-mailed them right away and took them almost a month to get an RMA number and then another month before they sent me a new shock.
Then a few months later the new shock started squeaking, likely from a leak. Sent it back on 7/18/2025 and they are supposedly going to send it back to me this week.
Needless to say, I'm not very satisfied with the shock or the service I received from Progressive.

Also, the 13.5 inch shock raises the bike by enough that you will probably want to get an extension block for your jiffy stand.
 
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Old Aug 19, 2025 | 06:23 AM
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Progressive is ok but if you're gonna spend the money might as well get a HyperPro or Wilbers shock for the rear as they are better performing and have better options and they can fine tune it to you.
Progressive mask fantastic fork springs though.
I would also not worry about a RAP, they are super super nice to have once you have to live without one. One thing you can probably do is install that kit that lets you add a side RAP like on the Fat boy, then you dont have to worry about breaking things.
 
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Old Aug 19, 2025 | 09:12 AM
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Ive looked a little more, now im thinking about the Legends revo a. But, I have a new question. Aside from the dial adjuster on these, theres a collar holding the top of the spring that can be threaded down to preload the spring as well. How do you know where to set that collar and spring?

Honestly, having the 5 pre load settings from factory was hard enough to pick one and stick with it, with these aftermarkets aving almost infitie settings, Im just going to stick with the factory one I guess. Rather spend my time riding instead of tuning the rear end.

 
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Old Aug 19, 2025 | 09:17 AM
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I bought my Slim in 5/19, installed a 13.5" Progressive 465 in 8/19. I paired that with longer front dampers and have no complaints. +68,000 miles later.
 
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Old Aug 19, 2025 | 09:34 AM
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Originally Posted by FranBunnyFFXII
Progressive is ok but if you're gonna spend the money might as well get a HyperPro or Wilbers shock for the rear as they are better performing and have better options and they can fine tune it to you.
Progressive mask fantastic fork springs though.
I would also not worry about a RAP, they are super super nice to have once you have to live without one. One thing you can probably do is install that kit that lets you add a side RAP like on the Fat boy, then you dont have to worry about breaking things.
What happened to Ohlins being "the best"? You didn't even mention them now.

Also, the RAP is only necessary if you switch loads a lot - i.e., go back and forth between 1up and 2up riding, like I do. Then access to the RAP means something - not have to remove the luggage rack and seats every time I need to change preload (twice for every 2up run) as with the factory RAP stuffed under the seat and inaccessible means something, for me anyway.
 
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Old Aug 19, 2025 | 09:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Blackout25
Ive looked a little more, now im thinking about the Legends revo a. But, I have a new question. Aside from the dial adjuster on these, theres a collar holding the top of the spring that can be threaded down to preload the spring as well. How do you know where to set that collar and spring?

Honestly, having the 5 pre load settings from factory was hard enough to pick one and stick with it, with these aftermarkets aving almost infitie settings, Im just going to stick with the factory one I guess. Rather spend my time riding instead of tuning the rear end.
I meant to include this pic, of the threaded collar I was talking about.


 
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