Progressive 440 - any experience?

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Mar 9, 2009 | 10:46 AM

snidermire

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From: Toronto, Canada

Progressive 440 - any experience?

I have no problems with my 11" stock shocks when cornering, so I'm probably going to keep the stance of the bike the same. I called progressive and they said that out of all the 11" shocks the 440's are the best. I understand that with such small shock travel you aren't going to experience any "night and day" differences, but compared to the 412's, is there any significant differences that could justify me paying almost double for the 440's? The technical aspects are self-explanatory, but I'd like to know first-hand from someone who is running these...

Thanks!

Mar 9, 2009 | 02:59 PM

capttawes

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From: Crisfield, MD

Quote:

Originally Posted by snidermire

I'm suprised progressive told you that. I talked to Justin there a couple years ago about 440s and he said unless you're heavy even the std. springs are stiff due to short travel and the IAS sytem hardly works adequately with the short travel so in his opinion for my solo wgt. of 148 and total 2-up wgt. of about 285 it would be a waste of money and no better than my 412s. Most comforatable ride he suggested for an improvement of my 11 or 11.5" 412s would be going to 12.5" which he suggested under load would sit at nearly the same ride hgt. and provide more travel and better (less stiff) spring rate. His opinion was that those weighing 225 or more and using 12" 440s would see the benefit.

My $.02 on the 11" is that over time the springs soften and even on higher preload they bottomed out for me. I've run 11.5" last couple years and they are even getting soft now especially riding 2-up and the 11.5" heavy springs I tried were way too hard for solo use. MY next set will be 12.5" std. spring. Overall with short shocks and reduced travel the ride is far from night and day difference over the stock 11.75" I had.

Mar 9, 2009 | 04:02 PM

nikon

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progressive 440's

i have a 03' rkc. i have the low profile air shocks that lowered it about an 1". i want to put 440's on, and wondering if anyone knows if i get the 12", would that still be the lowered height that i have now???? thanks

Last edited by nikon; Mar 10, 2009 at 02:26 PM. Reason: putting on different thread

Mar 9, 2009 | 04:24 PM

snidermire

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From: Toronto, Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by capttawes

Yea that's what I wanted to hear. If I was REALLY going for comfort I'd go for longer shocks, but I just want an upgrade from stock, and didn't know if it was worth it to go for the 440's or to just by a set of 412's like everyone else. I'm 185lbs and will only ride with the girlfriend every once and a while, but primarily I'll be riding solo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by capttawes

My $.02 on the 11" is that over time the springs soften and even on higher preload they bottomed out for me.

Would they get any softer then a stock spring over the same amount of time?

Mar 9, 2009 | 05:19 PM

SPECIAL ED

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Joined: Jun 2006

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From: Templeton California

If you're going to get the 11" 412s I suggest going with the heavy duties. Reason being that they won't bottom out as easily and will actually be a real improvement over stock. A couple of guys on the Dyna forum have already blown up the standard 412s.