Progressive 444's
Devil's Advocate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 36
From: Alberta, Canada
I'm getting the 444's in 11.5" standard duty soon as a get a little more cash. I'm 235lbs and the amount of time I will spend two up I don't think is worth getting the HD model and suffer a much stiffer ride when I'm riding solo, but something that I have been wondering about as I will be at over 320lbs w/ a passenger.
..........I've read and read how HARD the HD versions of the progressive are, so I think it will be fine on the highest setting. Am I right????????????????
..........I've read and read how HARD the HD versions of the progressive are, so I think it will be fine on the highest setting. Am I right????????????????
sounds like directcycleparts.com is getting a lot of business here. I too just ordered a set of 444 progressives. standard spring 12 inch stock height. I will have them tomorrow. hope to have them on by the weekend. I got mine for 438.00 approx. so I feel like I got a good deal. I looked at works but did not have the extra 200 plus some dollars. Like many of us I just do not have 600 bucks to spend on shocks.
Apparently that is what I was told, but one of the Members here was talking to his Progressive Rep and was told the 430 was not being discontinued. The 430 is a great shock as well and looks and works very similar except the valving technology and the contrast cut of the black shocks.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,580
Likes: 215
From: Illinois
GOMME, I'm not worried about getting the regular duty when I ride solo, but the extra weight with me and my lady....... I don't want to blow them or be bottoming out ever 5 seconds. I rode standard duty 412 11" on my buddies bob and they were pretty damn hard set at half way, so I think I will be fine at 11.5" standard duty w/ me and my lady together at around 320 lbs. and set to highest preload.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 295
Likes: 12
The progressive rep steered me away from the 970s and said the 444 does the same thing only automatically with the new FST at about half the price. You can call them and see if you get the same thing. Big price difference between the two.
Last edited by cocheese72; Jun 20, 2013 at 02:35 PM.
Devil's Advocate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 36
From: Alberta, Canada
GOMME, I'm not worried about getting the regular duty when I ride solo, but the extra weight with me and my lady....... I don't want to blow them or be bottoming out ever 5 seconds. I rode standard duty 412 11" on my buddies bob and they were pretty damn hard set at half way, so I think I will be fine at 11.5" standard duty w/ me and my lady together at around 320 lbs. and set to highest preload.
If I have my 444 only 1/4 turn for 165lbs, I would think you would not have to set them to max for the 2 of you. When my GF gets on the bike, I go to mid adjustment with no issues.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 295
Likes: 12
I thought I would give an update. I don't have a comparison to $1000 shocks, but so far these 444's are the best I have used, which has been stock (way soft), fox (lowered and stiff) , and V-rod (way stiff). I have these on the softest setting (I am 160lb) and I can't tell but I don't think I even got it to the 1" of sag. Need someone to check while I sit on it.
But, the ride is good. The 13" raises it and I am scraping less, but can still scrap the right peg, although have not scraped exhaust yet, which is good. Since I run a Lepera Bare Bones, I feel more of the road. But I think throwing the stock seat back on would remove any comfort issues.
They have improved fast sweepers on bad roads where the bike started going into a wooble.
My next upgrade which will be a big improvement will be installing some Metzler ME888s. And then just looking for other ways to tighten up this ride. Maybe a fork brace or maybe it needs new rubber mounts.
But, the ride is good. The 13" raises it and I am scraping less, but can still scrap the right peg, although have not scraped exhaust yet, which is good. Since I run a Lepera Bare Bones, I feel more of the road. But I think throwing the stock seat back on would remove any comfort issues.
They have improved fast sweepers on bad roads where the bike started going into a wooble.
My next upgrade which will be a big improvement will be installing some Metzler ME888s. And then just looking for other ways to tighten up this ride. Maybe a fork brace or maybe it needs new rubber mounts.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
hi all..
i have an fxdx, love the bike. had a set of 13" 412s standard rate for almost 7yrs, 99% solo ride. (stock shock length is 13.5). i set them on the highest (that is the hardest setting), i'm only around 165lbs, but when i sat on the bike, the shocks went down quite low, more than 1".
they now wallow so they're off the bike. i put the stock shocks back on but one of them is leaking a bit. the springs are quite hard but i like it when cornering, i can feel the road, less comfortable though.
i wanna go with 13.5 444s. i'm not sure whether they have heavy duty rate. i thought if i went with the standard rate, the shocks would just be a bit soft like the 412s. perhaps with the heavy duty ones i could set the preload to soften the ride.
i was confused when i emailed the proggressive, they said they dont make 412s for fxdx...but actually they fit just well. i've also been searching on ebay, some say 444s fit dynas, but some say dont.
i havent got a chance to feel the heavy duty ones, but are they like the brand new shocks on streetbob? coz i tried and sat on it, the bike dropped very very little.
anyone help please? appreciate all inputs, thanks!
i have an fxdx, love the bike. had a set of 13" 412s standard rate for almost 7yrs, 99% solo ride. (stock shock length is 13.5). i set them on the highest (that is the hardest setting), i'm only around 165lbs, but when i sat on the bike, the shocks went down quite low, more than 1".
they now wallow so they're off the bike. i put the stock shocks back on but one of them is leaking a bit. the springs are quite hard but i like it when cornering, i can feel the road, less comfortable though.
i wanna go with 13.5 444s. i'm not sure whether they have heavy duty rate. i thought if i went with the standard rate, the shocks would just be a bit soft like the 412s. perhaps with the heavy duty ones i could set the preload to soften the ride.
i was confused when i emailed the proggressive, they said they dont make 412s for fxdx...but actually they fit just well. i've also been searching on ebay, some say 444s fit dynas, but some say dont.
i havent got a chance to feel the heavy duty ones, but are they like the brand new shocks on streetbob? coz i tried and sat on it, the bike dropped very very little.
anyone help please? appreciate all inputs, thanks!
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