Thank you! Yes I need about an inch just to have more bend in the knee. It doesn't effect me too much unless I'm on an incline and then I just can't get the leverage I need.

 

your welcome, considering that you do touring type riding and love the twisties, you would come to hate having only 1 1/4" of usable suspension back there. Also should you choose 412 progressives, they are more firm than your current shocks. You can buy new ones from www.easternperformance.com for only $200. If you want the best for the money, www.worksperformance.com. Their tracker series will be between $400-500 shipped(prices I was quoted depends on finish and options although I never asked about chrome springs over black ones). The works shocks are made to order and they set them up to your weight and riding style(full custom just for you!). Call em they can teach you alot about the differences in their shocks over some off the shelf ones.
EDIT: let me also add that the shocks off a streetbob, lowrider, and fatbob(nice chrome covered shocks) are 12" shocks.

 

I just put progressive 11’ on my wide glide, big difference in looks, I like it, the first test ride I could feel the bumps a lot more so adjusted them two clicks up and it was a lot better. Sat. I did the test ride with the wife she was ok with the ride and liked the looks aswell.But I might be looking at some Works 11.5”I was impressed with rep I talked to on the phone and his knowledge how there shocks work I’ll see how the ride feels as it gets warmer, and get some before and after pic’s as soon as I lower the front.

 

I just put Progressive 412's, 12IN. on a 05 Superglide which lowered the bike 3/4 of an inch, another 1/4 when you sit on it which does'nt sound like much but it was noticable another thing to consider is the distance between the rear fender and the chain guard any lower and it just looked like one good bump and they would hit. On my bike when the rear struts started to point towards the ground it just didn't look right. Rides much better than the factory shocks. Before I bought the shocks I put the bike on a jack took the old shocks off and lowered it to see the difference between 11 and 12's.

 

what length progressives?

 

Thanks for all the help and pics. Yeah Im willing to sacrafice some comfort for looks in this case. I have always liked the look of slamed softail deluxes and I want my bike to be low. I think I will give it a try with 11's. Do you have to lower the front too or can I just do the back.

 

Here's a set of Progressive 440s, 11.5", on my bike's sig pic.

 

You don't have to. I've ridden almost a year with just the rear lowered. I believe the geometry and handling is better with the front lowered also. The front feels too light to me in my current configuration so I'm waiting for a set of Progressive Drop-in Lowering springs for the front.

 

I feel the ride in the corners improved with the 11" 412HD's it a much stiffer ride and handles better. I do drag my pegs, but still prefer the ride over stock.
Stock


11" 412HD

 

Short shocks DO look really cool. However, they will affect the ride quality. Negatively. The Dyna has limited suspension travel at stock length (12.6 on an FXD), and yes, if you are already dragging it will be worse..

I just got off the phone with Works, I ride in the twisties. They suggest 13 or 13 .25." shocks for this style of riding. I will probably try the 13.25 (will raise the bike aboiut an inch). For me, the ride quality and cornering ability are more important since I ride in the mountains mostly.

Kind of a bummer you can't get everything, but that's how the bike is engineered.