08 FXDB...what is the ride difference between a 490 and 444? They are similar price online and figure the 490's are more "track" ride and the 444's are more "comfort". Can anyone confirm this? Also, will the 444 13's fit with no problem? I weigh 190-ish with around 20lbs of gear (empty bags included) and do ride two up. Would I be better off with the HD versions as well?

THANKS A TON!!!!

 

I don't know the difference but I run the 444 on a 2012 wide glide non hd. I weigh 187 my wife is 110. I set adjustment to halfway , a little stiff one up, just right with her on. I run them with adjustable cartrige spring up front, for a bike with 36 degree total rake it handles great! Stock shock was 12 inches I went with 12.5 444.call progressive and I think they will tell u non hd.

 

Also I remember progressive tec told me I could go up to an inch taller shock than stock without messing with geometry of the bike, I went with half inch taller shock, not into the slammed look but I did not want the dirt bike look. Also by going from a 80 90 21 front tire to 90 90 21 also raised ride height a hair .no more heels scraping no more leaning the bike just to put kickstand down! Good luck with your decision.

 

I have a set of 444's am close to your weight, ride 2 up a lot, have been on 2 trips 2 up with gear, just set the spring tension up, they work great. I also went with the 12.5", 1/2 taller than stock, no more scraping the muffler .

 

Did you end up using progressive mono-fronts as well?

13's sound good since it would raise the bike a bit which would be nice since I'm 6'3" -ish with a 34 inseam lol but how would that alter handling without the front mono's? Still worth or both at once better?

 

Your gonna be hard pressed to get many side by side or real world comparisons of the two. And probably just as hard pressed to get much input at all on the 490. It was just recently released and I suspect very few people have tried them, let alone for very long. I have run many versions of the 440-444 shock and have always been happy with the ride. More people do themselves AND Progressive an gross injustice when the order the heavy duty springs. Then wind up with a stiff riding shock. I am the exact same 190 you are, and unless two up was the primary use of the bike, I would stick with the standard rate spring, regardless of which shock I chose. The 13 inch shocks will go on and work perfectly, with no adjustments or modifications. That being said, they seem to be advertising the 490 as a "Sport" shock. If your all about scraping parts, the 490 would be the shock I would be leaning towards. If I was a super-slab rider. The 444's are a proven entity at a good price. Scour ebay, and you can find them for WAY LESS than list price.

Now, get ready for the "do it once, do it right", Lemmings to chime in and try to get you to spend more money on Ohlins.

Here's a set for $486 delivered. It says 99-05. But if you call Progressive, I'm pretty sure that part number is applicable for your bike year as well. But that's just an example that took me 20 seconds to come up with.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Progressive-...NYo0y4&vxp=mtr

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444..., standard spring rate -> Good advice

You'll get as plush..., or responsive a result - as you *** desires

And be sure to set the damn sag - don't guess - else the results will be no better than hit or miss

And I am running progressives in the front as well


Bike reacts like it on rails - and adsorbs all bumps without disrupting the balance / killing my spleen

Admittedly - part of the "acts like it on rails" - I tribute to the predator - especially in corners

Ghost

 

I have the monotone fork kit, the bike handles great , if I remember they call for 1 inch of sag , i think I set my rear 444 a little less, but like ghost said dial in the sag

 

You guys rule! Hopefully I will have enough change by the end of the month for the front forks as well. Couple more considerations and hopefully answers for fixes and I'll be ready for riding hard this summer ^.^

 

I've posted this in another forum, though it may be helpful

"I ride a 08 Dyna Fatbob and have put on a good 3000mi on my 490S.. they are very adjustable. I like my ride stiffer than most (that's what she said) !!! But to the point of the story last year I had an accident training for a windsurfing race and messed up my shoulder and back.. I've adjust damping a bit, as well as the pre-load and had no issues with 500+mi rides after that.. keep in mind my seat is not the most plushy either (stock 2015 LowRider seat).. but when it comes to harden up the suspension and riding hard damm these works well specially when paired with fork cartridge kit.. I can sustain 120+mph and the bike is fully stable.."