I have a 1200C and ordered and installed 412 11" shocks. I did not understand why every instance of a road irregularity I was bottoming out at all settings.

Then I realized I may have purchased in ignorance a shock made to lower the bike in the rear. So I ordered some 12.5" because I prefer longer travel before bottoming .

I will be selling my 412 11" Ordered a 12.5" set of 412s. Hopefully they will ensure a better ride and not one that jars my spine running over a paper cup

I am sure there are those who like their bikes lowered and will go to a 11" shock. ....

Oh well live and learn. This is why I should have a dealer's input before ordering online.

I will have to sell my 412 11"

 

Im going to get called a *ick again but, why wouldn't you think that 11" shocks would be a bad idea.

I've never understood why people lower like that or go solid/ridgid. It just plain awful. I guess they do it for looks on bar hoppers... all fun and games til you hit a pothole.

This does not improve your ride and it ruins your lean angles.

TEHO...

 

I have a XL1200L and my bike came with 11.5" shocks. I lowered the bike with 10.5" burly slammer lowering kit because I wanted to plant my feet on the ground....and because I was going for the low profile look. I never bottomed out, but did feel every imperfection in the road. I recently installed 11.5" SG air/oil shocks...great ride and I can now make sharp turns or hard corners without scraping my pipes and go over speed bumps without hitting the frame. This was a $125 upgrade.

 

As stated it's for short people. I had the stock 2014 iron shocks 11-11.5 inch. I went with 412 12.5" progressives and now kind of tip toe at intersections. Not a massive difference but that is exactly why people get shorter springs. And to be fair, some of us still have our youth so the pot holes aren't as bad. Try telling a person who is under 5' they are dumb for wanting shorter shocks.

 

Well, I just replaced my horrible stock 11.5's with Prog 412 12", and sad to say I really don't feel much difference at all. I'm pretty disappointed about this. I don't know if 12.5" would've made much difference.

 

Sorry to hear that. I was hoping you'd be happy with the results because I want to do the same upgrade for the same reason.

 

Youth has nothing to do with it. Jarring is jarring, at any age

 

Going to install the 12.5s this week. Now that I understand the need and methods. Might level it out more

 

Best upgrade you can do, like the big rides but with soprties attitude.

 

I installed 11.5 progressive 412s and initially thought it was smoother but then was bottoming/being jarred to much. I only weight 150 and progressive says I need no pre-load.
I tried increasing one notch to try, was better. If one is better what about 2, better. I am now at 3 notches from lowest and ride is pretty good, no jarring from every bump. My static sag is about 1/2 inch.