Hey All, I have been taking the wife for rides on my 2007 xl1200L and at 350lbs, we are bottoming out on most big bumps.

I have researched the forums and it seems like the Progressive 412 Shocks are a great budget option.

My question is what size will provide the best ride for our weight? I assume I need Heady duty but am unsure on what length. The options are 11", 11 1/2", 12", 12 1/2", 13".

I am open to other recommendations as well. And yes, I will be buying a larger bike next year. I just want the sporstster to last me until I have enough cash.

 

The taller shock the better the ride. They have more travel to deal with the same forces. The hard part becomes fitment and packaging. Otherwise, we'd all be running those monsterous bypass offroad racing shocks.

 

I have the same bike and I put on 13" from an 07 1200R. Now my wife and I ride 2-up with no problem. That was the cheapest solution.

I too am drooling at the thought of an M8 softail. There are rumors that it'll happen soon.

 

At least a 12" if you want any sort of comfort. Especially if hauling that kind of weight.

If you get heavy duty shocks it'll probably be a rough ride when it's just you. So I would buy shocks for your weight and then crank up the pre-load a bit when 2 up.

I have Progressive 412's. I'm quickly over them. My next shock will not be a budget upgrade,..it'll be an actual upgrade like the Bitubo from DK Customs.

 

Great minds think alike. I am on the exact same path... ready to throw out the cheap fix and get the Bitubo.

 

If you're saving for a bigger bike next year, budget way would be used RK air shocks, and they give a much softer ride for two up, also. Just put air in them till you get the ride you want. Need to put two washers between the shock and frame/swing arm for clearance, fit fine. Did that on my 1200, love the ride. I also dumped the used oil (don't need anything special to do that, just put a shock on upside down with a tube from the valve to a container, push the seat down a few times and the oil's out) and put in 9 ounces of 5 wt, makes it more sportster friendly than the full heavier oil load for big twins. They're often on ebay as low as $50 a pair.

 

Try the different sitting on your old shocks first. I have mine on sitting #2 and almost never bottom out. I'm 275 pounds.

 

I have the 412's with the heavy duty springs on my 08 1200c. I ride 2 up most of the time about the same 350 lbs. I measured my shocks first (11.75 in) and went with the 12.5. They rode a little rough at first then smoothed out. They ride really nice.

 

Great options. I think I will go with the 412s for now, but i will keep and eye out for better ones.

 

I have some shocks for the progressive if you are' looking. they have about 5k miles on them. Black 03-1370B . call progressive to see if they will ork with your setup. they are heavy duty.