I've put just over 2,000 miles on my 2015 Iron so far and I've noticed that I can scrape the pegs somewhat easily if riding at a spirited pace or performing tight parking lot maneuvers. Also the suspension is a little rough and bottoms out easily which doesn't bother me too much except the really hard jolts. I read about this before buying the bike so I knew what I was getting.


Anyway, now I would like to try and fix these problems somewhat. I know this bike isn't a sportbike but the extra cornering clearance would be greatly appreciated and I wouldn't mind the added comfort either. I lean with/off the bike so I don't have to lean the bike over as much but I'm still scraping occasionally and I don't like the sound. I came from sportbikes where if you scraped its not usually good lol. Maybe I just have to change my way of thinking, who knows.


So I've been considering the Progressive 412 13" shocks and have watched a few reviews; they seem to be really good. However, I'm very concerned with how the bike will feel after raising the rear. I currently have 10" mini ape handlebars and a Mustang wide solo seat w/ backrest and forward controls. The ergonomics feel great right now but I'm not so sure about after. Maybe I'll like it more, or maybe I will hate it. I'm hoping that I will like it.


If anyone could tell me their experience with the 13" shocks I'd really appreciate it. Especially if you have a similar setup as I do. Also if anyone has any advice, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks everybody.

 

Also I am 6'1" and about 185lbs. I'm not sure if the longer shocks will give me more room on the bike but that would also be nice

 

I have 12.5" 412's on my 48 and the ergos are definitely different but not night and day. The biggest ergo difference is that the bike leans a lot more when sitting on the kickstand to where it actually makes me a little nervous. I don't know how slammed a stock iron is but if it's close to the 48 I wouldn't got any higher than 12.5" on the suspension. Lean angle is improved and ride quality is improved. You will still feel all the same bumps but they will be muted somewhat. I have yet to hit a bump that has caused me physical pain with my new shocks the way I did with the stock shocks. That "edge" if you will has been taken off.

 

When you are riding on the bike, does it seem like you are leaning more forward? How does it feel at stop lights where you are holding the bike up; is there a big difference in the forward lean? Also, did you do the fork springs too? Thanks for the reply!

 

I talked with a rep from progressive and he told me raising the rear of the bike improves the handling characteristics of the bike for the better.
I just installed the monotube cartridge kit in the front forks and am going with the 444's in the rear due to a few spine jolting hits which scared the crap outta me doing 75 on the highway.
The front feels very stable now and smooth at highway speeds and soaks up bumps nicely because when I go over stuff now and the front takes it and I get jolted once the rear hits. If I could afford the 970's for $1,000. I would get it but the 444's will do 100% better than stockers.
My 2 cents is get the 444's for piece of mind knowing they'll absorb the hits way better. Go to progressive.com and see the description of each shock....

 

Nick;


A few comments from my experience with Progressive shocks, taller suspension, etc.


First, my previous bike was a Dyna Street Bob, so 150lbs. heavier than my Iron. (even more now that I removed some unnecessary things.)
I had similar issues with my Street Bob. Poor suspension, some bottoming, dragging parts. My first instinct was to save some money and buy 13" Progressive 412 shocks. They helped with cornering clearance, but the quality of the suspension was not much better than stock. In fact, the 412 series is made very similar to the stock HD shock on Dynas and Sportsters. The fact is, they are Progressive's base model and don't perform much better than stock; at least on the heavier Dyna. I ended up with a used set of Ohlins 13" oil and gas shocks and was amazed at the difference. They are pricey though.


In my opinion, and based on experience, the standard 412 is not much better than stock except the added height. A Progressive 444 is a much better shock, but a little more expensive. But read on....


Fast forward to my Iron that I turned into a café racer styled bike. I knew I needed taller shocks from the start. I once again shopped the 412's but couldn't get past my previous experience. But then I read about the Burly Brand 13" and 15" shocks that they market for the café conversion people. It is a Progressive 412, but lengthened, and with a secondary softer spring added. You can see the red spring in the picture at the bottom of the shock.
Totally worth the money. Between the added height, the lighter weight of the Iron compared to the Dyna, and the secondary spring, I find these morphed-412's to be actually quite good. By the way, I am using the 15" version.


Now, you are running medium apes and have a different style seat, so I can't speak for how your ergos will be with taller shocks. I can tell you that the previous poster is correct. Raising the rear lessens the steering angle of the forks, which make any bike turn-n slightly quicker. Obviously that's what I wanted, I can't say how you might like it. I suspect you would like it based on your sportbike past. I can confirm that lean angle/cornering clearance is much improved over the stock Iron.


The 15" shocks will require the relocation of the rear master cylinder. This wasn't an issue for me because I put rearsets anyway.
The 13" shocks from Burley will bolt onto your bike without any necessary mods.





Shamelessly posting the same picture that I already shamelessly posted in two other threads!

 

Hey "SLV" no need to be ashamed of shamelessly posting your pic cause I like your setup and find I have similar tastes as you so......good input on the burly shocks and confirming taller shocks equal better handling. I agree with the what type of setup nick has.
My ride was geared toward cafe style originally but the tank is too high for me and doesn't line up with the rear of the bike so I just wing it now and go for what I like...

 

A coupla shameless pics of my own..

 

Thank you SLV for the very detailed and informative post. I have started looking at the burly shocks and like you said they come in 13" or 15". I am still not sure what to go with but the 13" will probably be easier to install and a nice middle ground. However, I wouldn't mind having the 15" shocks and trying those out but I am not too sure how to relocate the rear master cylinder(haven't done any research on this just yet).


I did a bit of a test and I'm not sure if this will be accurate at all but I just wanted to see how the bike feels with the rear end higher up. I backed up onto 1.5" piece of wood and it wasn't really too noticeable but I definitely think it felt better sitting on it. I feel like this would be just slightly taller than if I install 13" shocks, right(I'm assuming I'd gain at least 1-1.25" actual ground clearance)? Anyway I also took another piece of wood for a total of 3" and backed up onto them. Again probably a little taller than 15" shocks but should be similar. What I've come to find out is that it does feel good and the backrest is adjustable so no issues there.


To be honest I preferred having the bike up higher and it just felt more natural to me. I do however have a few concerns if I were to do 15" shocks. Will this put unnecessary stress on my jiffy stand to where it could fail? Also, SLV, did you do anything to the front forks? Should I do anything to the front forks? How do I relocate the rear master cylinder? Anything else I should be concerned about? thanks again, everyone!

 

I forgot to mention the jiffy stand. I bought a 2009 XR1200 jiffy which is three inches longer. The stock one would have your bike leaning WAY over.

Also note that your stock rear fender will look really weird with 15" shocks.

You could relocate your master cylinder easily with an aluminum plate and some holes. It just needs to shift downward about 1/2" to allow the line to clear the swingarm.

I haven't modded the front yet. I have Progressive cartridges, but haven't gotten to them yet.