11" prog 412 HD's vs. STD. What a difference.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,120
Likes: 17
From: Indiana
11" prog 412 HD's vs. STD. What a difference.
So I bought some 11" progressive 412 heavy duty's off a fellow forum member and they were stiff as hell no matter what preload I had them set to . I'm 220 lbs and even at the first preload I could barely move them. I contacted progressive and wouldn't you know they have a spring swap program and they told me I was to light for HD's. It was $15 per shock plus shipping there and back. Total was about $50, so now I have the standard springs set on the 3rd preload and it's smoother then stock. Of course the big bumps will get you just because of the lack of travel, but I'm happy now that it does not ride like a rigid anymore.
Turn around time is about 72 hours after they get them to send back. Total from leaving my house and returned was two weeks.
Just thought I would get the info out there.
Turn around time is about 72 hours after they get them to send back. Total from leaving my house and returned was two weeks.
Just thought I would get the info out there.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 558
Likes: 30
From: Clarksville, TN
Thanks for the info but how do you get through to them. I've never been able to talk to anyone at progressive. I've also got the 11" 412's, bran new, and they rode like a hardtail on my switchback. Good info to know though. Maybe i won't trash them now.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 29
From: Baytown Tx.
Everyone buys the HDs because they think oowww they are "heavy duty" they must be better. The truth is Progressive's spring rates are too stiff anyway. On the HDs they are WAY too stiff. I made the mistake too when I had my Wide Glide. Bought a set of 11" HDs and it rode like a rigid. They were way too stiff even on the softest setting. I thought it was because they were short. I had a set of 12" Progressives with STD springs on a Superglide I used to own and it rode great. I swapped the ones on the Wide Glide out for a set of 12" HDs and the ride was better but still too stiff. I should have bought the Standard ones like I had on the Superglide. Live and learn.
Btw, the chick I was dating back when I had the Superglide wasn't exactly small. I had the Standard shocks on the softest setting, and we never bottomed out once. She rode with me all the time. I don't see why anyone would need the HD's unless them and their old lady were each over 300 pounds.
Btw, the chick I was dating back when I had the Superglide wasn't exactly small. I had the Standard shocks on the softest setting, and we never bottomed out once. She rode with me all the time. I don't see why anyone would need the HD's unless them and their old lady were each over 300 pounds.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
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Likes: 17
From: Indiana
7145238700
Everyone buys the HDs because they think oowww they are "heavy duty" they must be better. The truth is Progressive's spring rates are too stiff anyway. On the HDs they are WAY too stiff. I made the mistake too when I had my Wide Glide. Bought a set of 11" HDs and it rode like a rigid. They were way too stiff even on the softest setting. I thought it was because they were short. I had a set of 12" Progressives with STD springs on a Superglide I used to own and it rode great. I swapped the ones on the Wide Glide out for a set of 12" HDs and the ride was better but still too stiff. I should have bought the Standard ones like I had on the Superglide. Live and learn.
Btw, the chick I was dating back when I had the Superglide wasn't exactly small. I had the Standard shocks on the softest setting, and we never bottomed out once. She rode with me all the time. I don't see why anyone would need the HD's unless them and their old lady were each over 300 pounds.
Btw, the chick I was dating back when I had the Superglide wasn't exactly small. I had the Standard shocks on the softest setting, and we never bottomed out once. She rode with me all the time. I don't see why anyone would need the HD's unless them and their old lady were each over 300 pounds.
What about me? I have been looking at 11" springs.
I'm about 290lbs & if a girl is ever riding with me that would be a minimum of 100 extra pounds, most likely more.
would the HD's be too stiff for me? or would the standards bottom out?
I ride with my stock springs on 5 - stiffest, cuz i bottom out sometimes on 4. but i think my stock springs are worn out & gone to ****. cant ride another dyna to compare.
I'm about 290lbs & if a girl is ever riding with me that would be a minimum of 100 extra pounds, most likely more.
would the HD's be too stiff for me? or would the standards bottom out?
I ride with my stock springs on 5 - stiffest, cuz i bottom out sometimes on 4. but i think my stock springs are worn out & gone to ****. cant ride another dyna to compare.
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I also have the 412 progressives Heavy Duty. They are way too stiff. I think next go around, next spring I am going regulars.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 237
Likes: 40
From: Central Iowa
I managed to break my 412's (I blew the seal out), so I put the stock shocks back on. I will definitely have the Progressive's repaired and I'll reinstall them. I recently bought the bike and had never ridden it, or any dyna, with stock shocks. I'm going back to the progressives.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,120
Likes: 17
From: Indiana
What about me? I have been looking at 11" springs.
I'm about 290lbs & if a girl is ever riding with me that would be a minimum of 100 extra pounds, most likely more.
would the HD's be too stiff for me? or would the standards bottom out?
I ride with my stock springs on 5 - stiffest, cuz i bottom out sometimes on 4. but i think my stock springs are worn out & gone to ****. cant ride another dyna to compare.
I'm about 290lbs & if a girl is ever riding with me that would be a minimum of 100 extra pounds, most likely more.
would the HD's be too stiff for me? or would the standards bottom out?
I ride with my stock springs on 5 - stiffest, cuz i bottom out sometimes on 4. but i think my stock springs are worn out & gone to ****. cant ride another dyna to compare.
Write the progressive sponsor here on the forum and he will let you know. They got back to me in like 2 days, but you'll have an answer. Or call that number I listed above for a quicker answer. They answered the first time I called and the guy I talked to was very nice and helpful.
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