another progressive shock post
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 4
From: south of Boston
another progressive shock post
okay.... 07 Street Bob...rode with stock shocks for about 500 miles...switched to 440s and rode with those for about 1K miles- nice shock....solid!
then, switched out to HD412s, set at 4, and rode nearly 200 miles on them yesterday
It really is a great shock, contrary to what others have said... i never bottomed out, and the ride wasn't so 'rigid' as i had expected ....very smooth and stable ride....and IMHO, a little better than the 440s, i think
then, switched out to HD412s, set at 4, and rode nearly 200 miles on them yesterday
It really is a great shock, contrary to what others have said... i never bottomed out, and the ride wasn't so 'rigid' as i had expected ....very smooth and stable ride....and IMHO, a little better than the 440s, i think
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 461
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From: Glendale, AZ
I just put 440's on my 06 WG lst week. Definitely stiffer than the stock shocks which seemed a little flimsy. I have the 440 on the softest setting (I'm 185lbs and ride solo) and it seems too stiff although I haven't done but a test ride on it. It does feel really planted and handles bumps a lot better. I'll take a ride up into the mountains this weekend and see how it is in the twisties. I was looking at another forum this weekend and someone posted that they talked to Progressive and they recommended not using the 440 unless you weigh at least 210lbs so he got the 412's. Also I noticed the the sag on the stocks was just over one inch and the 440's are about 1/4 inch, has anyone else seen this? Anyway it sits me up about an inch higher now, I should have gone with a lower one.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 4
From: south of Boston
Well, the 440s were mighty stiff.... it was a pretty rough ride.... but the HD412s really planted the bike, nicely! ...i'm very satisfied ....i'm 190lbs and ride solo, as well
incidentally, the drop on the 412s was much more significant than the 440s when i had the 412s set at 3 or below....but at 4 and 5, they only drop a half inch to 3/4, at most
incidentally, the drop on the 412s was much more significant than the 440s when i had the 412s set at 3 or below....but at 4 and 5, they only drop a half inch to 3/4, at most
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 461
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From: Glendale, AZ
I just talked to customer service at progressive. They told me it would take 100-300mi for them to "break-in" or loosen up (faster if I ride 2-up). He said that if the sag didn't improve I will have to send them in for inspection. This sort of thing always seems to happen when I do the work, could be my wrenching skills.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
FWIW I am 190 or so and have the heavy duty shocks on 3...no way a 250 lb guy has the preload set right on 1 or 2...
also mine are 11"
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 4
From: south of Boston
i could be wrong, 'rounder'... but isn't the higher the setting the firmer the preload? ....for example, you say that on 1 and 2 your ride is very stiff.... wouldn't that be like 4 or 5 where the shock is at it highest points on the cam?
if you're facing the shock from the rear..and you turn the lower cover to the left, you increase the preload, thus moving the cams into a higher spot ...at least that's the way i understood it
settings 1 and 2 are the softest settings and you'd get some serious sag and bounce if you're at 190 lbs
if you're facing the shock from the rear..and you turn the lower cover to the left, you increase the preload, thus moving the cams into a higher spot ...at least that's the way i understood it
settings 1 and 2 are the softest settings and you'd get some serious sag and bounce if you're at 190 lbs
Last edited by jsbridgew; Sep 22, 2008 at 06:11 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 967
Likes: 3
From: Eastern Massachusetts
I think what he was saying was that at 1 or 2, with your body weight on the bike you're using up all the "soft" part of the shock with sag, so all that's left of the progressive response is the "hard" part. In that case, if you set the preload higher, then the springs take your body weight and the soft response part of the shock is available to take the road bumps.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,124
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From: FootBaLL FieLD
dfredb ...
You got any profile pics of those 11.5" 440's other than your sig pic? I'd be intersted to see the difference in stance between them and the 11's that most have.
Thanks ...
PsTaN
You got any profile pics of those 11.5" 440's other than your sig pic? I'd be intersted to see the difference in stance between them and the 11's that most have.
Thanks ...
PsTaN