Rear Suspension
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 0
From: Gahanna, OH
RE: Rear Suspension
Nick,
I put on 12" 412 Progressive HD - they were 189 delivered from easternperformance. They are sligntly longer than my '05 1200C stock shock (11.75"), but ride several times better for me (225lb plus gear). I also replaced the front springs since they constantly bottomed out on gentle curbs. The progressive front springs were only 65 bucks and did not require changing the oil - I do not like the heavier oil idea, I want the forks to absorb bumps, but not bottom out. The stock springs are not progressive, but they are two stage. I am very happy with the ride now, before I thought I would need a mouthpiece to keep my teeth from knocking myself out.
I put on 12" 412 Progressive HD - they were 189 delivered from easternperformance. They are sligntly longer than my '05 1200C stock shock (11.75"), but ride several times better for me (225lb plus gear). I also replaced the front springs since they constantly bottomed out on gentle curbs. The progressive front springs were only 65 bucks and did not require changing the oil - I do not like the heavier oil idea, I want the forks to absorb bumps, but not bottom out. The stock springs are not progressive, but they are two stage. I am very happy with the ride now, before I thought I would need a mouthpiece to keep my teeth from knocking myself out.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 422
Likes: 1
From: Northern NJ
RE: Rear Suspension
How can one stop MOTO be so inexpensive..... I just had harley look up these prices in the Drag Specialties book, as I did my self, and its SO MUCH MORE....
What's The Catch????
Sounds to good to be true.... are these true Progressives.... or knock offs
JD
What's The Catch????
Sounds to good to be true.... are these true Progressives.... or knock offs
JD
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Denver Colorado
RE: Rear Suspension
Sorry no drama here... There are a number of dealers that are selling them for a lot less than MSRP... Eastern Performance is another, but they don't typically handle the longer shocks... Call Dennis Kirk with the Price from One Stop Moto and they will beat the price... Dennis Kirk buys from Drag and resells..... It all about how much profit someone needs to make (or you need to pay someone)... These are the real deal...
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 422
Likes: 1
From: Northern NJ
RE: Rear Suspension
Now i am really confused..... Some harley mechanic over hear in NJ, told me that my shocks in my 2007 XL50 are progressive in style and that i only need to change the oil.......
go figure....
JD
[IMG]local://upfiles/17455/F158DA9D03C64247BCA55F81EB782C4F.jpg[/IMG]
go figure....
JD
[IMG]local://upfiles/17455/F158DA9D03C64247BCA55F81EB782C4F.jpg[/IMG]
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 0
From: Gahanna, OH
RE: Rear Suspension
Drummer,
I am no expert, but the explaination I got was the heavier oil made the fork respond more slowly to compression force, transmitting more force to the bike. Progressive springs allow a faster initial movement, but progressively offer more resistance minimizing the bottoming out. I also based my decision largely on the opinions of teh members of this forum and the xl forum.
I did not ask the dealer. I am sure the dealer may not think you would spend the $120 for the progressive springs (at their price? ) and then another$80 for the labor, maybe they don't even offer them, so sugests $50 to change the $7 worth of fork oil? I have noticed a huge improvement in mine, before every time crossing the gentle curb into my drive, I would bottom out, launching the front end upward, making me concentrate to just keep control of the bike. Now no prolem at all. Of course your mileage may vary.
Most of the HD engineering seems to be great, but the stock sporty suspension seems to be value engineered.
I am no expert, but the explaination I got was the heavier oil made the fork respond more slowly to compression force, transmitting more force to the bike. Progressive springs allow a faster initial movement, but progressively offer more resistance minimizing the bottoming out. I also based my decision largely on the opinions of teh members of this forum and the xl forum.
I did not ask the dealer. I am sure the dealer may not think you would spend the $120 for the progressive springs (at their price? ) and then another$80 for the labor, maybe they don't even offer them, so sugests $50 to change the $7 worth of fork oil? I have noticed a huge improvement in mine, before every time crossing the gentle curb into my drive, I would bottom out, launching the front end upward, making me concentrate to just keep control of the bike. Now no prolem at all. Of course your mileage may vary.
Most of the HD engineering seems to be great, but the stock sporty suspension seems to be value engineered.
Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 354
Likes: 13
From: pennsylvania
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Rear Suspension
Check out "onestopmoto.com" for the best price on 440 progressive shocks. I bought them and front progressive springs and had them shipped to new jersey from Calif. and was $480.00 for all of it! Best price on the web and great customer service. I put the heavy duty 12 inch 440's and new front springs on my 2006 1200 custom sportster and I can't believe the ride! It far exceeded what I thought it would be. Unbelieveable. The bike rides 1,000% better now.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 7
From: Chester County, PA
RE: Rear Suspension
ORIGINAL: cHarley
The more travel the shock has the less harsh the ride.
The more travel the shock has the less harsh the ride.
If you're looking for mostly 2-up, you could easily get the 13" shocks and still maintain the lowered look and feel when you're both mounted up, and maintain a better ride.
$.02
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