cheap vs progressive
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Windham Me.
kidney beatings
I have the 422s lowered to the max. Unfortunately, the are beating the hell out of me. I have to do something or I'll bust a kidney. I'm going to try and play with them a little this weekend. I'm hoping the preload will soften them up a bit. If not, I'll start raising the bike up a bit. In the worse case, I'll go back to stock shocks.
I'm also running the Progressive lowering springs on the front. Again - it hits the bumps (to steal a term from above) like a stagecoach.
I feel I traded some rideability for looks which wasn't my real intention. I'm hoping it is just a misadjustment.
Don't buy cheap - ever. On my bike, anything I've skimped on I've paid for twice (or more). It just isn't worth it.
I'm also running the Progressive lowering springs on the front. Again - it hits the bumps (to steal a term from above) like a stagecoach.
I feel I traded some rideability for looks which wasn't my real intention. I'm hoping it is just a misadjustment.
Don't buy cheap - ever. On my bike, anything I've skimped on I've paid for twice (or more). It just isn't worth it.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,357
Likes: 11
From: The Lone Star State
I'm running the HD Profile low rear shocks that I got from a forum member used. I am about 235 lbs. and the ride is fine. I adjusted them about half way because the softest setting is too soft for my weight. I got them for $75.00 so the investment was minimal if I didn't like them. So far they are fine and I put 1000 miles in 3 days on a trip last fall. Lots of times you can find them brand new on ebay for under $200.00.
Only catch is they only lower the bike about 1 inch, which is all I wanted. If you want lower, then they may not work for you.
Only catch is they only lower the bike about 1 inch, which is all I wanted. If you want lower, then they may not work for you.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Windham Me.
I'm running the HD Profile low rear shocks that I got from a forum member used. I am about 235 lbs. and the ride is fine. I adjusted them about half way because the softest setting is too soft for my weight. I got them for $75.00 so the investment was minimal if I didn't like them. So far they are fine and I put 1000 miles in 3 days on a trip last fall. Lots of times you can find them brand new on ebay for under $200.00.
Only catch is they only lower the bike about 1 inch, which is all I wanted. If you want lower, then they may not work for you.
Only catch is they only lower the bike about 1 inch, which is all I wanted. If you want lower, then they may not work for you.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 253
Likes: 3
I just slammed mine last weekend with a pair of Ultima shocks. Picked them up for a song on Ebay last year. I know some people don't trust anything with a low price, but I all but stole my fattie for $7k and almost everything I've put on it since has been courtesy of ebay.
Having said all that, if you can afford it - go with an air adjustable system. The bike looks great, but rides like a hardtail. It would be so nice to change the ride height by just flicking a switch. I'm going to have to raise it a bit and dampen the pre-load to keep my niece from bouncing off the seat. It was somewhat of a pain in the *** to do myself, but that's mostly because I lowered it as far as I did, and my jack didn't give me a lot of room to work with under the bike. My sig pic is pre-slam.
Having said all that, if you can afford it - go with an air adjustable system. The bike looks great, but rides like a hardtail. It would be so nice to change the ride height by just flicking a switch. I'm going to have to raise it a bit and dampen the pre-load to keep my niece from bouncing off the seat. It was somewhat of a pain in the *** to do myself, but that's mostly because I lowered it as far as I did, and my jack didn't give me a lot of room to work with under the bike. My sig pic is pre-slam.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Windham Me.
i won main!!!
eh, i just won the 422s on ebay. there a site more expensive than the ultimas, but whatever. my next bike will be a hard tail so ill break my *** in now i guess. i put pics up asap. thanks for the help brothers, and be safe.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Boulder, CO
I used the Burnout Cycles kit from JP Cycles, think it was like $100. Uses your stock shocks, and is adjustable. I'm 210#, lowered mine almost the full 2", adjusted for max pre-load. Ride is stiffer, for sure, but still comfortable. And I figure anything I give up in stiffness, I get most of it back in the lower stance.
That said, when my stock shocks need replaced, I'll probably go with the 422's
Now on to lowering the front... Here are before/after pics
Before
After
That said, when my stock shocks need replaced, I'll probably go with the 422's
Now on to lowering the front... Here are before/after pics
Before
After
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 717
Likes: 3
From: IN
save your money and buy the studs. when slammed they ALL ride like crap! at least with the adj studs 5 min and you can raise or lower.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 253
Likes: 3
Good advice. With the Ultima shocks I have to remove the rear bolts to make the adjustment. It would be nice to adjust the height without taking the shock half off.
Also - GREAT before/after pics Eff. Those two pictures should be enough to convince anybody to slam their softie.
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