I just bought some 444 Progressive shocks part # 444-4007C for my Sportster. These are 12.5 length shocks. I put a 100 miles on them today and they double suck. They are as bad as stock shocks when you hit a large bump or dip. I set the sag correctly and tried soft, medium and stiff settings. made no difference. They corner good and are smooth on a smooth road but hit a big bump and it will jar your fillings out.

I have been running Progressive 412 12.5 cruiser shocks that were not too bad. I thought I would spend a bunch of money and get sone really good shocks. Didn't work out.

I called progressive and spoke to customer service. Told them the problem and they said "maybe you don't have them mounted correctly" I have been working on bikes for over 50 years and have mounted many a shock with out any problems. I followed the directions. The are mounted correctly. They then asked me what do you want us to do. I told them their shocks were a piece of **** and they hung up on me. Buy Progressive shocks at your on risk.

 

That wasn't the most diplomatic thing to say! You might have been able to get your money back. Did you buy them from Progressive direct or a dealer?

 

I bought them from Powersports.net. I am returning them for a refund. Progressive can kiss my ***. I bought with a credit card so I can always dispute the charges.

 

I ordered the 11" shocks and inadvertently lowered the bike and received jarring bumps .

Sent them back for the 412 12.5. Could not be happier

 

my 12 inch 444 ride smooth much better then stock and much better then the 11 inch 440 i had. but the 12.5 inch shocks only have 3.1 inches of travel so you cant expect a world of different with limited travel sportster have to offer. pot holes will hurt no way around it. I want to get the 970 in a 13. or maybe get ohlins.

 

Well these ride much worse than my 412 12.5 inch cruiser shocks. Shouldn't be that way for the money they cost. . My back is killing me. I think I have a bruised vertebra after riding today. I traveled the same road as when I had the 412s on and that hasn't happened.

 

A couple things. What is your weight? Any extra weighty accessories? Also... 444's have a more aggressive damping in both compression and rebound. Maybe the 444 Series is too aggressive for your riding style and weight? Especially if the 412's were better.

The thing is, so many people mention they have "Progressive" so-many-inch shocks, but what model? The differences matter and reader's not knowing the exact model numbers doesn't really tell much. Then the next thing that is usually said is. . "Progressive shocks are cr@p". ..
A lot has to do with were they selected correctly for what you want in the ride.

You may have been better off with the 12" 412-4060 or 12" 412-6069 with Heavy Duty springs. The 412-4069 has a 115/155 spring/compression rate which is above the "normal" Heavy Duty of 90/130. Standard Sportster socks are 75/120/

It looks like the 444-4007 is the Standard Duty shock. They essentially have the same spring/compression rate as the Harley stock shocks . .. only they are 12.5" long and have more agressive damping.

You may have been better off with the Heavy Duty version 444-4001 or evena Heavy Duty 412 Series. Check attached Progressive pdf for specs on the 444-4401 through 444-4007. There are differing spring/compression rate.

Also, you can plug in your bike year and model to select various shocks from their catalog.

I just bought Progressive 412-4068, which is listed as a Standard Duty shock for it's size, but has a Heavy Duty spring like a few others for Sportsters. The 12" 412-4068 seem to work great for me.

Maybe try the 444-4001 with Heavy duty springs.

Here's a partial listing of 444 Series shocks for the Sportster. Note the spring/compression rate for the 4001 and 4007 that I highlighted. You bought a Standard Duty shock that has great travel, but lighter springs.

444-4001B/C 12.50" 317.50 9.53 242.17 2.97 75E/E 1370-20B/30 90/130
1.61/2.32
444-4002B/C 13.00 330.20 9.81 249.27 3.19 81E/E 1367-20B/30 90/130
1.61/2.32
444-4003B/C 13.50 342.90 10.10 256.47 3.40 86E/E 1367-20B/30 90/130
1.61/2.32
444-4005B/C 11.00 279.408.73 221.79 2.27 58E/E 03-1310-20B/30 90/130
1.61/2.32
444-4006B/C 11.50 292.10 8.98 228.03 2.52 64E/E 03-1310-20B/30 90/130
1.61/2.32
444-4007B/C 12.50"317.50 9.53 242.17 2.97 75E/ 03-1312-20B/30 75/120

 

What I bought is what the progressive web site recommended for my bike. I weight 180.

 

Progressive's website lists TWO 12.5" 444 Series. You can select either Standard Duty 444-4007 or Heavy Duty 444-4001.

SEE THIS LINK: - - -http://www.progressivesuspension.com...-series-shocks

Based on your 180 weight, you might be good with the 12" 412 Series with 90/130 spring rate.

Based on what you've revealed so far, and have previously used the Cruse Series 412CRZ-4064B shock. .. I would say you would be better off with the 12.5" 412-4060 or the 12" 412-4068 which would have decent travel , but a bit beefier spring set at a lower setting for more cushion. Adjust and tweak settings as you like. .. . riding a week at a time between changing the setting.

What are you looking to improve over the 412's that you had? Do you still have the 412 box with the model number on it or you order information form when you bought them?

 

The are the 412CRZ-4064C. I have to crank the 444 down to 4 groves to get the recommended sag.