Harley shocks / Progressive shocks ...
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Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 1
From: FootBaLL FieLD
Harley shocks / Progressive shocks ...
... Are the Harley brand shocks really that bad?
I'm to the point where I want to lower my ride some. I had initially wanted to go with 11" 412's, but I worry about bottoming out with those ... especially on the occasional 2-up ride. With no 412 at 11.5", I'm left with going to the 418 at $400 or the HD shocks .
So, are the HD Shocks so bad that I should drop twice as much on the 418's? Or should I just get the 11" 412's and ride around worried I'm gonna *** the bike up eventually? Maybe I really want to be convinced the 11" 412's will be ok.
I've searched and read everything on the forums on this topic .... I guess we all take it a little more serious when it gets time to drop the $cash$!! LOL.
Thanks much!!
PsTaN
I'm to the point where I want to lower my ride some. I had initially wanted to go with 11" 412's, but I worry about bottoming out with those ... especially on the occasional 2-up ride. With no 412 at 11.5", I'm left with going to the 418 at $400 or the HD shocks .
So, are the HD Shocks so bad that I should drop twice as much on the 418's? Or should I just get the 11" 412's and ride around worried I'm gonna *** the bike up eventually? Maybe I really want to be convinced the 11" 412's will be ok.
I've searched and read everything on the forums on this topic .... I guess we all take it a little more serious when it gets time to drop the $cash$!! LOL.
Thanks much!!
PsTaN
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,871
Likes: 4
RE: Harley shocks / Progressive shocks ...
i have these shocks , and they are great makes the bike alot meaner looking, when i first got them i was a little worried my first ride i thought i was going to have`t to go into traction but found out they were set on #1 postion so i cranked them to #3 and rides like factory, when wife rides i crank up to the #5 and no bottoming out and i weigh 217lbs, and wife is 170
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,828
Likes: 4
From: Central Jersey
RE: Harley shocks / Progressive shocks ...
I have the same question (i.e. are the harley shocks really that bad?)
I'm not necessarily considering lowering my bike...but if I can improve the handling/ride quality, I'm all for it...and all I ever hear about are these progressive shocks. So my question is the same...will the progressives really improve handling/ride quality that much over stock...and if so, does anyone know a comparable progressive shock to the stock WG shocks. I don't really want to lower the bike...and/or lower the front end.
Thanks
Todd
I'm not necessarily considering lowering my bike...but if I can improve the handling/ride quality, I'm all for it...and all I ever hear about are these progressive shocks. So my question is the same...will the progressives really improve handling/ride quality that much over stock...and if so, does anyone know a comparable progressive shock to the stock WG shocks. I don't really want to lower the bike...and/or lower the front end.
Thanks
Todd
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
RE: Harley shocks / Progressive shocks ...
I had Progressive 412 shocks put on my 2004 Low Rider. OH MY GOODNESS! A fantastic improvement in the ride. Well worth the $300 investment. Go for it. You won't regret it. I've been told that Harley saves money by using the crappy stock shocks at the time or production.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,828
Likes: 4
From: Central Jersey
RE: Harley shocks / Progressive shocks ...
ORIGINAL: ebranman
I had Progressive 412 shocks put on my 2004 Low Rider. OH MY GOODNESS! A fantastic improvement in the ride. Well worth the $300 investment. Go for it. You won't regret it. I've been told that Harley saves money by using the crappy stock shocks at the time or production.
I had Progressive 412 shocks put on my 2004 Low Rider. OH MY GOODNESS! A fantastic improvement in the ride. Well worth the $300 investment. Go for it. You won't regret it. I've been told that Harley saves money by using the crappy stock shocks at the time or production.
I suppose if an upgrade is that much better than stock, I guess I could see where you're coming from. Still, I really can't make that call until I decide to upgrade and have a basis for comparison. Nonetheless, I can't really complain about the stock shocks. Just was wondering how much better the progressives really are. After reading your post, I'm that much more interested.
Did you do the install yourself? If so, what was involved? Was it difficult.
And once again...I'm not really sure what series of the progressives would be comparable to the stock WG...in terms of length/height....as I want to stay at stock seat height.
Thanks again.
Todd
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 1
From: Allen, Texas
RE: Harley shocks / Progressive shocks ...
I put the Harley Low Schocks of my Superglide. They came set on 2, haven't changed them. I'm only 150 lbs. Me and the wife (130lbs) went for a ride and no bottoming out, still on 2. As far as install was pretty easy. Have to have it on a jack to lower it to the height of the new shorter shocks. Only real issue was cleaning out the ID threads through the strut for the Loctite. Having a tap would be nice way to do it. If its not clean Loctite might not stick.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,022
Likes: 3
From: Hudson Valley- NY
RE: Harley shocks / Progressive shocks ...
I think that it's like any any question, ask 10 people, get 20 answers. I had my stock HD shocks shortened a year and a half ago, from the stock length (12.5") to 11.5" and I can't say that the ride suffered that much. However, after 10,000+ miles on the stock units, they are begining to show their age.
Personally, I'm leaning to the 418's in an 11.5" length. What I'd really like is a set of 412's in 11.5", but Progressive does not make them for my bike. It's either the 440's or 418's and I'm leaning toward the 418's pretty much based on price and reputation.
Personally, I'm leaning to the 418's in an 11.5" length. What I'd really like is a set of 412's in 11.5", but Progressive does not make them for my bike. It's either the 440's or 418's and I'm leaning toward the 418's pretty much based on price and reputation.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
RE: Harley shocks / Progressive shocks ...
I used to think the Harley shocks were crap until I adjusted mine.Mine were set at the lowest setting by the dealer for looks.The ride was harsh, it was constantly bottoming out on bumps,scraping pegs and hard parts in the turns and it wallowed during hard cornering.I cranked up the preload and now it's a whole different bike.IMO the right way to lower it if that is really what you want to do is to get good quality aftermarket shocks and lower the front to match.You will still have some ground clearance issues but other than that it should be fine.But before you do try cranking it up a few notches.The added hieght is barely noticable and the handling will be much improved.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 2
From: central TEXAS
RE: Harley shocks / Progressive shocks ...
I wont tell you the harley shocks were that bad..but I will tell you the 11" 412-4037c progressive is worth the money.... Im 6'1" 225 and my wife also likes to go for the occasional ride. The bike looks better about 1 1/4 lower and the ride is great. There is a huge difference between the stock and progressive....................................... .................................................. .My opinion........
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