Progressive rear shock recommendation
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Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, OH
Progressive rear shock recommendation
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 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.
Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Marion, Ia
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.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,688
Likes: 4
From: Crisfield, MD
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/
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/
Novice
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From:
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.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 11
From: Colonial Beach, Virginia
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.
Last edited by 1200Cdriver; Aug 22, 2008 at 07:36 AM.
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