I'm fixing to pull the trigger on Progressive 422 RAPs and I'm looking for constructive reasons why I shouldn't buy/install them.

I have a '09 Heritage with stock seats that have gel pads installed.
I ride about 50% 1-up and about 60% around town and never more than 5 hours road trips.

I never intend to "slam" my bike and plan to leave it at stock height.

What I'm looking for is a dependable better shock system than stock that will give me a softer ride and one that I can adjust more easier.

I'm also not looking at spending >$600 on the system.

 

I think your plan is a sound one. Past threads seem to indicte that the 422 RAP setup is pretty good.

While I read about the great ride that the Shotgun air system provides, I also way too often read about leaks or other failures with that system, and although the vendor of it apparently provides really excellent no-cost service when that happens, I simply don't want to be dealing with problems and repairs that can come at any time, and that leave you stranded where they occur (No, I will NOT ride my bike with the rear suspension sitting on its stops). I really dislike too the idea of adding mechanical complexity (compressor and air lines) and electrical complexity (another electrical accessory set of connections) to a vehicle that is already complex enough.

The 422 RAP seems like you get improved ride and easy basic adjustment without adding either complexity or failure points. Sounds good to me. I might even at some point do it myself.

Jim G

 

Sounds logical Jim. I think I agree with you but I would not rule out the SS just yet. You can find negatives on just about every part you may consider buying, especially on the forum. I would prefer to call JD at SS and simply express any concerns with his product. I would assume he would be honest with you as to what failures he has been seeing. I think the op would be best to go for the alternative just based on the price. I think they would be right for him.

 

I am looking at getting the same shocks for my Heritage. I bought the new shocks for my Limited with the remote preload and have been very happy with them. If you do get the new shocks for your Heritage, make sure you update this thread with your opinion.

 

The softer ride expectation is the only concern. I believe RAP shocks have the heavy duty springs in them, designed for a rider weighing ~230-250 lbs. Call progressive to confirm. Maybe they can install the standard springs?

Now the standard springs are designed for a rider weighing 160-170 lbs. I was told this by Progressive.

I have 422's with the standard spring and weigh 185. The ride is not soft, but sporty, a little firm. But, much improved over stock. Better road feel, handling, no bottoming out.

I highly recommend to wait and see what Motorcyclemetal.com, Howard, decides. He may be bringing a softail shock to the market. If he does, it will be far superior to progressive.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...metal-com.html

If his shock interests you, let him know. We need a quality shock for the softies.

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Well I'll be honest, if it was just me I wouldn't change from the stock shocks.
With the gel pad inserts I think for the most part the Heritage rides pretty smoothly.

However my Wife complains about the bumps and how tired her thighs get when riding because she's squeezing the seat on every major bump.
BTW, I'm kinda liking how much stronger her thighs have gotten

So I'm only looking for an improvement for her.

From what I've read apparently the Shotgun Shocks provide the softest ride, but certainly at a cost which is tough for me to swallow. I concede that everyone has a different priority list and for some the $1250+ price tag is worth it, and for anyone whose followed my post, I certainly spend questionably.

Also like "JimG" stated, I'm really not looking to add more stuff to my bike that has a better than average chance of on-the-road failure however I'm certainly not saying that the SS failures are any more frequent than any other air ride suspension.

I'm still going back and forth, but as of today it looks like in a couple of weeks I'll be adding Progressive 422 RAPs to my Heritage just in time for my vacation to the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota.

When I get back from the Black Hills in a month or so, I'll certainly let everyone know what I think of the 422 RAPs.

 

we now are offering the 422 shock with RAP with the standard rate springs.
Progressive Suspension.

 

I too have started looking at the progressives...the Shotguns are just too much coin for what I need/want. Not sure when I am going to pull the trigger for these, but am considering.

 

When looking at a vendor's ad, what part number or other code should a buyer be looking for to ENSURE that he/she gets the standard spring instead of the heavy duty spring?

Jim G

 

YOU don't list Fat boy as a model you have 422's for is that correct? And yes how would one order the standard spring version?