Another progressive shocks thread
Another progressive shocks thread
I have a 2008 Wide Glide. The beauty is a little stretched out for my 30" inseam and the stiff ride is hard on my two herniated discs.
In my attempt to make the bike more comfortable I have installed the 1" lowering blocks and changed the air cleaned to the small round one, which helps me get to the the brake peddle a lot easier.
I'm 5'10', 190#, with a 30" inseam. I need some help making this bike more comfortable for me. Evertime I get frustrated I start shopping for new bike, maybe a heritage, or a electra, or maybe road glide. But I love my wide glide
I have been doing the searches for several days. I almost never have a passenger. From what I'm reaing the touring seat is more comfortable than the stock seat? while not being as big as the sundowner. Agreed?? I would like a solo seat also. I am a little leary about seending my seat to mean city, because it is color matched for the Duracel anniversary colors and dont want to screw it up.
As for shocks, the 440's are nice, but not worth the extra cost as compared to the 412's.
I have it lowered pretty yclose to where I need it and don't want to sacrifice comfort to drop it any more. I am reading conflicting lengths on the 08 wideglide rear shock, wheather it is 12" or 12.5".
Can I get a little input? and if anyone has any of these for sale lets chat.
In my attempt to make the bike more comfortable I have installed the 1" lowering blocks and changed the air cleaned to the small round one, which helps me get to the the brake peddle a lot easier.
I'm 5'10', 190#, with a 30" inseam. I need some help making this bike more comfortable for me. Evertime I get frustrated I start shopping for new bike, maybe a heritage, or a electra, or maybe road glide. But I love my wide glide
I have been doing the searches for several days. I almost never have a passenger. From what I'm reaing the touring seat is more comfortable than the stock seat? while not being as big as the sundowner. Agreed?? I would like a solo seat also. I am a little leary about seending my seat to mean city, because it is color matched for the Duracel anniversary colors and dont want to screw it up.
As for shocks, the 440's are nice, but not worth the extra cost as compared to the 412's.
I have it lowered pretty yclose to where I need it and don't want to sacrifice comfort to drop it any more. I am reading conflicting lengths on the 08 wideglide rear shock, wheather it is 12" or 12.5".
Can I get a little input? and if anyone has any of these for sale lets chat.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 138
Likes: 4
From: South Carolina
Have you checked the stealer catalog? The HD catalog has a reduced seat and shortened forward controls to alleviate this just in case you didn't know, and you can change the shocks and fork springs(progressive) to allow for a more comfortable ride. They had some 5'6 chick on the HD website riding a fatboy that looked suited for her after the adjustments. I recommend the 440's and they run about 400-500, and with a lift they are a snap to install. I understand they are a bit more pricey, but I really liked my first set so I am sticking with them. I used them on my sporty 1200N, and they kept me from bouncing outta the seat with the stock shocks(man they suck!).
5'10, 32 inseam, and when I bought my FXDWG the basketball player or wtf owned it before me had 3 inch extensions on the forward controls so I emphathize on the reach. 70 bucks and some wrench time made the change back to stock.
The only problem with the changes is you start talking $$$ when you start buying parts to make the ride more comfortable especially form the stealership. I do agree that you need to be comfortable on the meatsled, or your gonna burn for it later!
I believe the length on the newer shocks is(mine is a 2011) 12.5 but compress to a 12 when measured eye to eye. You could go down to a 11.5, and some people run an eleven but you might have belt guard issues withe the rear fender hitting on a pothole when you bottom out.
Cheers!~
5'10, 32 inseam, and when I bought my FXDWG the basketball player or wtf owned it before me had 3 inch extensions on the forward controls so I emphathize on the reach. 70 bucks and some wrench time made the change back to stock.
The only problem with the changes is you start talking $$$ when you start buying parts to make the ride more comfortable especially form the stealership. I do agree that you need to be comfortable on the meatsled, or your gonna burn for it later!
I believe the length on the newer shocks is(mine is a 2011) 12.5 but compress to a 12 when measured eye to eye. You could go down to a 11.5, and some people run an eleven but you might have belt guard issues withe the rear fender hitting on a pothole when you bottom out.
Cheers!~
Last edited by FISM; Mar 18, 2012 at 11:36 PM.
Thanks FISM. I tried the reach seat. Legs were more comfortable but I felt too close to the handle bars. I have also read a lot about the shorter shocks, 11, 11.5, giving a stiffer ride. Probably just go with the 12's.
I'm looking at the prices now. The 440's are more than double the price of the 412's. I'm guessing there is a good reason for that.
412's "oh, that feels better"...440's "wow that feels great"??
I'm looking at the prices now. The 440's are more than double the price of the 412's. I'm guessing there is a good reason for that.
412's "oh, that feels better"...440's "wow that feels great"??
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
Since you have back issues, lowering by using a shorter shock is a bad idea. Stock is 12.5 on the older Wide Glides. Losing travel length is going to cause a rougher ride.
I run Heavy Duty shocks due to a lot of 2up riding so my advice is based on that. Have had the 412's and now have the 440's, and the 440's are more comfortable as far as ride goes. I would imagine the standard 440's would be well worth it for you.
I run Heavy Duty shocks due to a lot of 2up riding so my advice is based on that. Have had the 412's and now have the 440's, and the 440's are more comfortable as far as ride goes. I would imagine the standard 440's would be well worth it for you.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 69
From: Bay Area, NorCal
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 237
Likes: 40
From: Central Iowa
I bought my '08 Dyna with Progressive 412's on it. With just under 7k on the bike the Progressives failed and puked oil all over the swing arm. After calling Progressive I decided to just go with lowering blocks. Personally, I think the ride is better with stock shocks and blocks than with the Progressives.
Had I been the original owner of the shocks, they would have replaced them. Since I wasn't, it would have cost me somewhere between $60 and $260 to repair. They would have had to see them first.
Please note, I'm not bashing Progressive. Their customer service was very good, I just wasn't willing to go forward without knowing what it was going to cost me. I'm happy with the blocks I have now. I do miss the look of the black shocks though.
Had I been the original owner of the shocks, they would have replaced them. Since I wasn't, it would have cost me somewhere between $60 and $260 to repair. They would have had to see them first.
Please note, I'm not bashing Progressive. Their customer service was very good, I just wasn't willing to go forward without knowing what it was going to cost me. I'm happy with the blocks I have now. I do miss the look of the black shocks though.
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Thanks for the input guys. I am gonna go with the 12.5 440's.
How about the progressive front springs? do they help absorb any of the road? I hit a couple bumps today that made say bad words. I'm guessing I don't have to live with that. Especially if I'm gonna go another spring without getting a new bike
How about the progressive front springs? do they help absorb any of the road? I hit a couple bumps today that made say bad words. I'm guessing I don't have to live with that. Especially if I'm gonna go another spring without getting a new bike
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
Lots of ways to go with the front end, I run the Progressive springs with 7 wt BelRay and 3/4" preload, works fine foir me but it took several different configurations to get it the way I liked best.
