Hi folks,

I am looking to swap out the rear shocks on my wife's bike.

All I am looking for is to help prevent the bottoming-out when I am riding the bike and hit expansion joints, for instance. the jolt travels up my spine and through my teeth.

I am confused by all the Progressive part numbers and different lengths.

I was hoping someone could recommend a directly replacement that is easy to install that will get me what I'm looking for.

thanks very much!

Jeff.

 

I'm wondering the same thing...
I want Progressive 440 I think but what is the stock length?

 

I believe the "LOW" model sportys have 11 inch shocks, and the others have 12 inch shocks.

 

Look in the JP Cycles catalog it tells you the stock length of each bikes shock by year and model in comparison to the offered lengths of the progressive shock. My sporty had 13.25" stock rear shocks and I purchased 412 series 12.5" progressive Heavy Duty shocks and I almost hit the belt guard when fully compressed, so I couldn't go any lower with out changing some things, as it is my jiffy stand scrapes in left corners when riding two up now. But all that said I love it I also purchased the progressive front lowering springs and dropped it 1" up front the bike rides like a Cadillac now and I no longer bottom out ever even two up, I love it.

 

thanks folks, appreciate the input.....i'll check out the catalog mentioned.

 

Std. sportsters and R models have 13.25" shocks, customs have 11.75", low and nightster have 11". Progressives come in .5 increments so the sz. either side of that is your stock equivalent. I can tell you after having run Progerssive 412s in 11", 11.5" heavy duty and 11.5 std. spring for the last 20k miles that they're only marginally better than stock. If you want better ride you must get more travel thus choosing 12-12.5", in fact the std. spring on the 12.5" and up is much softer riding (75-120 rate vs. 95-115 rate).
If you need it lower get longer shocks and lowering brackets, shorter shocks compensate for reduced travel with stiffer springs. You're only going to get so good a ride with about 1-1.5" of shock travel which is all oyu have under load with 11-11.5" shocks.
Bset prices by the way on Progressives are ususally through www.easterrnperformance.com or http://www.mawonline.com/

 

I was considering the Progressive 12"s. After calling a dozen different dealers I got 6 of them saying "you can't raise the bike an inch without adversely effecting the handling" and the other 6 said "it won't hurt the handling".... I decided to go for it. It Made all the difference in the world. No handling problems. No hands and the bike rides straight as an arrow. I can actually enjoy the twistys now. Highly recommend them. You won't regret it.

 

Z, I put these 13.5 inch Progressive 440 standard shocks on my 2007 1200C, since the 1200R has 13.5 inch shocks the handling will not be effected. The stock shocks on the 1200C are 11.75 inch. The ride with the new 440s is perfect, I am 5' 9" and about 188 right now. I also installed the Progressive fork springs and used the full length spacers with BelRay 7W fork oil, I ended up with a great compliant ride that is well controlled. Bumps on the straight no longer jar my spine and bumps in the turns do not change your line, which does improve the handling.

 

The R's have 13" rear shocks. Can't speak for the others.

15" fits just fine.

 

Bacon Grease,

What does the 15" shocks look like?
how is the handling with that?