Burly Shocks
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 210
Likes: 14
From: VA
when you say "too low" how low is that? Stock is just above 12.5 (correct me if I'm wrong). Also is this taking into account having the pre-load on its highest setting (assuming you have adjustable)?
What shocks were you running?
What shocks were you running?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
As far as I can tell, Dyna's as a "general rule" have contact issues at just under 10 inches. I haven't actually measured mine in years so I can't remember if its 9.7 or 9.8 inches or whatever it was on my year motorcycle. Honestly, anyone can put their bike on a jack, pull off the shocks and start slowly lowering the bike till the parts hit and take a tape measure and measure the distance between the center of the bolts. Progressive lists the total travel of every single shock they make right on their website, and would probably give you the total travel of the Burly's right over the phone. That way theres zero guess work. If for example the 10.5 Burlys have .75 inches of travel ( just a number I picked out of my head) and your bike has contact at 9.8 inches (another wild guess), you run the risk of contact with something if you bottom out the shock, but since theres more than .05 between the belt and guard, you would be safe from cutting up the belt. Now, I have no Idea at what point your bike is gonna hit, but if you got the tools to install a set of shocks, you got the tools and knowhow to measure and be 100% sure before you buy shocks. To me, if I was riding two up as much as you, 11" would be my maximum drop, but thats just me. Oh, and I run 12 inch 440's right now.
Last edited by bikerlaw; Feb 26, 2012 at 10:11 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 210
Likes: 14
From: VA
thanks bikerlaw. I was just going off the information I got from progressive. I'm gonna put the shocks on myself.
Here's the conversation I had with progressive:
From me:
Hi,
I'm sure you get these
questions all the time but I
couldn't really find a straight
forward answer surfing the internet.
I am interested in lowering the
rear of my 2011 Wide Glide. What is
the lowest you can go without
bottoming out while riding with a
passenger? I weigh about 190lbs and
my girlfriend weighs 135. Also
would that mean getting the heavy
duty or regular?
What is the difference between
the 412 series and the 418 series?
thanks!
Progressive:
Hi Seth,
No worries, that is what we are here for. If you ride most of the time 2 up I would suggest the heavy duty shock, it will give you a much better ride. The 412 is our entry level shock and the 418 has better valving as well as a rebound adjuster. You can lower the bike as low as an 11 inch shock, stock is 12 or 12 1/2. If you do go that low you will have to trim the rear fender above the belt guard other wise that will hit.
Frank van Es
Inside Sales Manager
Progressive Suspension
714-523-8700 EXT 259
Me:
Hey Frank,
thanks for the quick response.
Could I just remove the belt guard? I'd prefer not to cut into the
fender. As for the heavy duty vs. regular; I won't bottom out with the
regular shocks would I? I'd say I ride 2-up 50% of the time.
Progressive:
Yes, with standard rate and riding 2 up you will bottom more frequently. If you take off belt guard the fender will hit belt and possibly cut it.
Me:
Ok, but with heavy duty/ 2-up and belt guard removed I should be ok?
Progressive:
Yes if you run a 12 inch shock.
End of email convo.
As you can see it is conflicting information between the progressive guy and some of the people on the forum.
Here's the conversation I had with progressive:
From me:
Hi,
I'm sure you get these
questions all the time but I
couldn't really find a straight
forward answer surfing the internet.
I am interested in lowering the
rear of my 2011 Wide Glide. What is
the lowest you can go without
bottoming out while riding with a
passenger? I weigh about 190lbs and
my girlfriend weighs 135. Also
would that mean getting the heavy
duty or regular?
What is the difference between
the 412 series and the 418 series?
thanks!
Progressive:
Hi Seth,
No worries, that is what we are here for. If you ride most of the time 2 up I would suggest the heavy duty shock, it will give you a much better ride. The 412 is our entry level shock and the 418 has better valving as well as a rebound adjuster. You can lower the bike as low as an 11 inch shock, stock is 12 or 12 1/2. If you do go that low you will have to trim the rear fender above the belt guard other wise that will hit.
Frank van Es
Inside Sales Manager
Progressive Suspension
714-523-8700 EXT 259
Me:
Hey Frank,
thanks for the quick response.
Could I just remove the belt guard? I'd prefer not to cut into the
fender. As for the heavy duty vs. regular; I won't bottom out with the
regular shocks would I? I'd say I ride 2-up 50% of the time.
Progressive:
Yes, with standard rate and riding 2 up you will bottom more frequently. If you take off belt guard the fender will hit belt and possibly cut it.
Me:
Ok, but with heavy duty/ 2-up and belt guard removed I should be ok?
Progressive:
Yes if you run a 12 inch shock.
End of email convo.
As you can see it is conflicting information between the progressive guy and some of the people on the forum.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 3
From: West New york, NJ
It is pretty clear on progressives site as well that you have to trim a little corner of off the fender on the wide glide at 11". If you don't want to believe it, don't do it and take the chance. There is nothing conflicting about them stating it and many guys on here hitting the fender to the belt guard or hitting the bleeder on the caliper. I've seen it posted numerous times. I've hit the belt guard on mine when I had it at 12" and the preload set too soft and I don't have the wide glide fender.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Yeah, thats why I say measure it yourself. I threw a pissy fit in the Softail section a week ago because Progressive gave me the wrong info over the phone. I called them not once, but twice to get the correct part number for thier softail drop in front kit. The guy who answered gave me a different number than I thought it was, which is why I called back to verify. Again he said it was XXXXXXX. He was wrong, and I abandoned my common sense and listened to him. So now the ebay seller won't take the kit back and I am stuck reselling my buddy's lowering kit on ebay at a loss. So yeah, they can **** you off at times which is why I rely on this now a days. Its never wrong, theres no human error and its a great information gathering tool. Once you know where your bike hits, look up the shocks you want, find the travel and your never wrong. Also, if your not buying the cheap 412's and are willing to spend real money on shocks, don't count out the guys like Howard at Motorcycle Metal or Works Performance. They can custom make shocks like Ohlins that will be exactly what you want.
http://www.progressivesuspension.com/pdfs/7100-105.pdf
.
http://www.progressivesuspension.com/pdfs/7100-105.pdf
.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Taunton, MA
I got just the rear 10.5" shocks on without the front lowering kit. I plan on eventually lowering the front end soon, but as far as the ride I'll have to let you know once I get it back on the road and take my old lady for a ride. Here's a few pics
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 16
From: Fort Myers, Fl.
Sethcat, every time I see your avitar, it reminds me of these...
Also, if I may chime in, the sig pic of my bike has progressive 11" 412's. No problem riding 2 up if you adjust the spring rate, but it is a rough ride.
Also, if I may chime in, the sig pic of my bike has progressive 11" 412's. No problem riding 2 up if you adjust the spring rate, but it is a rough ride.
Last edited by Bagger Jim; Feb 26, 2012 at 12:25 PM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
Likes: 26
From: Southern Oregon
love those knockers