Progressive 412 suggestion
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Novice
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 15
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From: Toronto
Progressive 412 suggestion
Hi guys,
I know this topic has been covered several times before, but I was hoping to get a more custom suggestion as to which Progressive 412 shocks I should get? Length and Standard vs Heavy Duty??
I'm 5'8 150lbs and ride two up the majority of the time. My wife is 5'10", 140lbs and currently the stock suspension is just not cutting it.
Most of my riding is city, where there's enough pot holes and tram tracks to make the rides ugly. Longer trips I do solo.
I'll measure stock length to be sure but according to Progressive site, they are 11"
Lastly, given all of the above, should I also invest in fork sprig kit and why type (std vs HD)?
Thanks!
I know this topic has been covered several times before, but I was hoping to get a more custom suggestion as to which Progressive 412 shocks I should get? Length and Standard vs Heavy Duty??
I'm 5'8 150lbs and ride two up the majority of the time. My wife is 5'10", 140lbs and currently the stock suspension is just not cutting it.
Most of my riding is city, where there's enough pot holes and tram tracks to make the rides ugly. Longer trips I do solo.
I'll measure stock length to be sure but according to Progressive site, they are 11"
Lastly, given all of the above, should I also invest in fork sprig kit and why type (std vs HD)?
Thanks!
The first thing you should know is that 412 shocks are just a notch above stock shocks. Better, but not by a lot. If you have the money, look into the 440 units.
But, if you are set on using 412 and you don't mind the added height, add at least 1" over stock. It makes s huge difference in comfort.
Deciding between standard and HD, you have to decide between occasional bottoming with standard and a harsher ride with HD on solo rides.
If you ride a lot 2-up, say 50% or more, the HD is a good plan. If less than 50% and your 2-up riding is generally slower and on smooth surfaces, the standard shocks will do fine.
Seriously though, a little more investment in a gas-charged shock is one of the best investments for a happy ride.
Yes, you will want better front suspension too. Look at progressive or Race Tech for some progressive wound springs.
But, if you are set on using 412 and you don't mind the added height, add at least 1" over stock. It makes s huge difference in comfort.
Deciding between standard and HD, you have to decide between occasional bottoming with standard and a harsher ride with HD on solo rides.
If you ride a lot 2-up, say 50% or more, the HD is a good plan. If less than 50% and your 2-up riding is generally slower and on smooth surfaces, the standard shocks will do fine.
Seriously though, a little more investment in a gas-charged shock is one of the best investments for a happy ride.
Yes, you will want better front suspension too. Look at progressive or Race Tech for some progressive wound springs.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 250
Likes: 7
From: Kentucky
I am no expert but will give you my findings so far. Many people would suggest air shocks off of a touring model as a great cheap replacement. I tried that route a couple of times but was never able to score a set that I liked. So a few weeks ago I went ahead and installed the Progressive 444 with the front monotube kit. I also ride mostly 2 up. So far I have seen the biggest difference while riding two up. But even solo it is a pretty big difference. I have a 48 so 11" was stock. I chose the 12.5" standard 944. I wanted a little more travel to try and make the ride better. The height difference is barely noticeable to me as far as looks and seat height. It does handle a little quicker than before but I like that also. I have no comparison on progressive 11" versus 12.5" so I don't know how much of the change was the shock itself versus the size jump. But I am very pleased with it so far. Most of my riding is city with some rough roads also. Given the weight you have I would say standard is good.
The front fork change helped a lot also. I would occasionally, on big bumps or holes, bottom out in front or dip pretty good at least. Now I get nothing. I purposely tried to hit every bump in the road right after I installed them to test them out and it worked great.
The front fork change helped a lot also. I would occasionally, on big bumps or holes, bottom out in front or dip pretty good at least. Now I get nothing. I purposely tried to hit every bump in the road right after I installed them to test them out and it worked great.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,774
Likes: 105
From: Houston, Texas
I have an almost new set of Progressive 430 shocks with both heavy duty and standard springs for sale in the classifieds. $300 shipped and I'll put whatever spring you want and also send you the other set.
The 11 inch shocks just didn't work for my old as on the Custom model.
The 11 inch shocks just didn't work for my old as on the Custom model.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,725
Likes: 193
From: South
I am no expert but will give you my findings so far. Many people would suggest air shocks off of a touring model as a great cheap replacement. I tried that route a couple of times but was never able to score a set that I liked. So a few weeks ago I went ahead and installed the Progressive 444 with the front monotube kit. I also ride mostly 2 up. So far I have seen the biggest difference while riding two up. But even solo it is a pretty big difference. I have a 48 so 11" was stock. I chose the 12.5" standard 944. I wanted a little more travel to try and make the ride better. The height difference is barely noticeable to me as far as looks and seat height. It does handle a little quicker than before but I like that also. I have no comparison on progressive 11" versus 12.5" so I don't know how much of the change was the shock itself versus the size jump. But I am very pleased with it so far. Most of my riding is city with some rough roads also. Given the weight you have I would say standard is good.
The front fork change helped a lot also. I would occasionally, on big bumps or holes, bottom out in front or dip pretty good at least. Now I get nothing. I purposely tried to hit every bump in the road right after I installed them to test them out and it worked great.
The front fork change helped a lot also. I would occasionally, on big bumps or holes, bottom out in front or dip pretty good at least. Now I get nothing. I purposely tried to hit every bump in the road right after I installed them to test them out and it worked great.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jan 2015
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From: Toronto
Thanks for the info guys.
Unfortunately I'm on a budget so will have to stick to 412 series.
It's a hard call. Looking back, I tend to ride 2-up twice on weekends and maybe 1-2 times solo during the week, and honestly mostly downtown strolls...
I'm tempted to go for 412 HD, just not sure about length now. How will length impact my solo riding with HD?
@Guzzi, shame they're not black. What length are they?
Unfortunately I'm on a budget so will have to stick to 412 series.
It's a hard call. Looking back, I tend to ride 2-up twice on weekends and maybe 1-2 times solo during the week, and honestly mostly downtown strolls...
I'm tempted to go for 412 HD, just not sure about length now. How will length impact my solo riding with HD?
@Guzzi, shame they're not black. What length are they?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,851
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From: Santa Fe NM
Thanks for the info guys.
Unfortunately I'm on a budget so will have to stick to 412 series.
It's a hard call. Looking back, I tend to ride 2-up twice on weekends and maybe 1-2 times solo during the week, and honestly mostly downtown strolls...
I'm tempted to go for 412 HD, just not sure about length now. How will length impact my solo riding with HD?
@Guzzi, shame they're not black. What length are they?
Unfortunately I'm on a budget so will have to stick to 412 series.
It's a hard call. Looking back, I tend to ride 2-up twice on weekends and maybe 1-2 times solo during the week, and honestly mostly downtown strolls...
I'm tempted to go for 412 HD, just not sure about length now. How will length impact my solo riding with HD?
@Guzzi, shame they're not black. What length are they?
Last edited by Bowhunter8607; May 9, 2015 at 07:36 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Thanks for the info guys.
Unfortunately I'm on a budget so will have to stick to 412 series.
It's a hard call. Looking back, I tend to ride 2-up twice on weekends and maybe 1-2 times solo during the week, and honestly mostly downtown strolls...
I'm tempted to go for 412 HD, just not sure about length now. How will length impact my solo riding with HD?
@Guzzi, shame they're not black. What length are they?
Unfortunately I'm on a budget so will have to stick to 412 series.
It's a hard call. Looking back, I tend to ride 2-up twice on weekends and maybe 1-2 times solo during the week, and honestly mostly downtown strolls...
I'm tempted to go for 412 HD, just not sure about length now. How will length impact my solo riding with HD?
@Guzzi, shame they're not black. What length are they?
For your weight, the SD 412 shock is what you want unless you ride 2up more than 50% of the time. The break point for going to the HD 412 is rider over 200-220 lbs.
Depending on the model of your Sporty as shock length varies, the best riding 412's are 12.5" and longer. The 412's come with 2 different spring rates depending on the length, 12.0" and under and 12.5" and longer. The spring rate on the 12.5 and longer provides a better ride based on Progressive's information and in my experience as well.