Anyone swapped their stock shocks for Progressive?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,035
Likes: 5
From: near Buffalo, NY
I went fro stock to Progressives, and then to the Shotgun system.
Aside from the ability to adjust the height of the 422s, I thought they were no different than the stock ride. In short, they still suck.
It's very easy to spend $400.00 on a set of shocks and try to talk yourself into believing they are a big upgrade in ride, but trust me, they're not.
If you want to fix the softail ride, you need to spend the money and go with a air adjustable suspension.
Aside from the ability to adjust the height of the 422s, I thought they were no different than the stock ride. In short, they still suck.
It's very easy to spend $400.00 on a set of shocks and try to talk yourself into believing they are a big upgrade in ride, but trust me, they're not.
If you want to fix the softail ride, you need to spend the money and go with a air adjustable suspension.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
You'd want to get the weight off the back before you tried it. There's a nut on either side of where the rod goes through the frame at the front of the shock. The farther the shock rod sticks through the frame, the higher the bike sits.
I guess it could be done without a jack, but you'd be fighting the weight of the bike.
I would respectfully suggest that if you think the Progressives were/are no better than the stock shocks, you didn't/don't have the preload properly adjusted. There is a substantial difference in ride quality with properly adjusted Progressives.
I guess it could be done without a jack, but you'd be fighting the weight of the bike.
I would respectfully suggest that if you think the Progressives were/are no better than the stock shocks, you didn't/don't have the preload properly adjusted. There is a substantial difference in ride quality with properly adjusted Progressives.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,035
Likes: 5
From: near Buffalo, NY
You'd want to get the weight off the back before you tried it. There's a nut on either side of where the rod goes through the frame at the front of the shock. The farther the shock rod sticks through the frame, the higher the bike sits.
I guess it could be done without a jack, but you'd be fighting the weight of the bike.
I would respectfully suggest that if you think the Progressives were/are no better than the stock shocks, you didn't/don't have the preload properly adjusted. There is a substantial difference in ride quality with properly adjusted Progressives.
I guess it could be done without a jack, but you'd be fighting the weight of the bike.
I would respectfully suggest that if you think the Progressives were/are no better than the stock shocks, you didn't/don't have the preload properly adjusted. There is a substantial difference in ride quality with properly adjusted Progressives.
I played with every concieveable combination those shocks had to offer.
One thing remained a constant, they are the same reverse hydralic style system as the stock shocks, and there is no improvement with whatever difference there is in Progressive's valving.
As soon as you remove them in favor of a quality air ride, you will see just how lame the Progressives really are.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 7
From: kansas city,mo
You'd want to get the weight off the back before you tried it. There's a nut on either side of where the rod goes through the frame at the front of the shock. The farther the shock rod sticks through the frame, the higher the bike sits.
I would respectfully suggest that if you think the Progressives were/are no better than the stock shocks, you didn't/don't have the preload properly adjusted. There is a substantial difference in ride quality with properly adjusted Progressives.
I would respectfully suggest that if you think the Progressives were/are no better than the stock shocks, you didn't/don't have the preload properly adjusted. There is a substantial difference in ride quality with properly adjusted Progressives.
i have the bolts with stock shocks and my ride is GREAT, they are adjusted perfectly to my weight(225lbs). I get no botton outs at all. $25.00 compaired to $400.00 which doesnt take a brain scientist to figure out which deal to take. If your gonna spend the $400.00 why not just spend a little more for a air ride of some kind...IMO of course
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
Other than on anonymous internet forums, I've never heard anyone speak highly of any air suspension. I've ridden a few bikes with it, and I'd agree with the criticism. I know several people who either have them or had them. They all have some version of the same story....It's awesome to be able to adjust the ride height at will, but for anything other than barhopping the ride is awful. Now I understand that these are Softails, and they're never gonna ride like a touring bike or corner like a sports bike due to the rear suspension geometry.
The Shotgun Shock is intriguing, but I've heard exactly one good review of them from someone I don't know. I do know that it won't correct the inherent issues with Softail rear suspension. I also know that I'm not going to pay $1,600 to do their Beta testing.
Bottom line is that an air suspension is going to give you the dampening of air rather than a fluid or a spring (or a combination of both). I know which I prefer.
If you're happy with the stock shocks and bolts, then it'd be silly to spend money to fix something that isn't broken.
The Shotgun Shock is intriguing, but I've heard exactly one good review of them from someone I don't know. I do know that it won't correct the inherent issues with Softail rear suspension. I also know that I'm not going to pay $1,600 to do their Beta testing.
Bottom line is that an air suspension is going to give you the dampening of air rather than a fluid or a spring (or a combination of both). I know which I prefer.
If you're happy with the stock shocks and bolts, then it'd be silly to spend money to fix something that isn't broken.