Just bought a 08 883L sporty, suspension bottoms out pretty bad. Looking at a set of progressive 430 shocks but need to know the shock length. What's the stock length and how high can I go b4 I have to start changing other things like front end ride hight?

 

Give Progressive a call. They're pretty good at answering questions like this. Why are you going with the 430? Any shock meant to lower a bike will have limited travel and therefore bottom out faster than a regular shock. Sure, there are a few exceptions but then you have to be careful that the tire will rub the fender on big bumps.

That said, you can go 13 inches or more unless you have short legs. Always get the tallest shock (most travel) you can for the best chance at a good ride.

 

Just seems like a good shock, didn't know they were for lowering

 

I have an 07 1200L and I went to 13" without needing to change anything and without clearance issues.

HTH.

 

They are. Just get the 444. I would get the 13.5.

Actually.....I did get the 13.5 for my bike. Make sure to get the spring tool as well. You need that to clean the shocks. Trust me, you will want to do that to make preload adjustment easier.

 

Your factory 11.5 shocks have a short stroke similar to the same length Progressive lengths. Longer shocks will generally have a longer stroke and help prevent bottoming out.

The Progressive 430 - 4065 13" shocks will have a stroke of 3.62"
4063 11.5" shocks will have a stroke of 2.02"

Have you looked at FuelMoto Ohlins shocks?
https://www.fuelmotousa.com/i-212832...%7Cyear%3D2008

Their 13.25" shocks will have a 4 1/8" stroke.

With longer shocks your seat height will go up. You will have to check the swing arm angle and may need to change the belt tension. You will not need a different belt length.

Raising the rear without raising the front will change the suspension geometry, it will likely steer a little quicker. It may also change the high/low speed handling some.
Raising front and rear you may need to change the jiffy stand to a longer one.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...explained.aspx

 

I had the 430 shock & was happy with them. Even 2 up riding was fine. I had the 12" version. It was nice be able to adjust them by hand. A little tricky with saddlebags tho

 

well Im not a real big guy, only weigh 150lbs and haven't adjted my pre load yet (it's as low as it gets) because I don't have the tool, and that might help, but I figured maybe if a rais it bout an inch that might help? Trying to find something in the middle of comfort performance and style. And I actually almost don't have enough clearance for the stand as it sits now. Lol

 

I'm the same weight, the stock shocks were about the right softness for me except that like you, I needed more travel in order to not bottom out so much. So I bought used shocks from an 08 883R for $50 on eBay and... they work for me!

BTW a shock adjuster tool is 15-20 bucks on eBay. You might want to adjust the preload on your existing shocks first, try it, and then decide.

HTH.

 

yeah I'm ganna adjust them, it'll be a couple weeks before I pick up a new set of shocks, I haven't had the bike very long and it's rained so much I haven't even road that much. Ganna stop in at a local shop this weekend and see if they have any for sale and see what kind of info they might be able to give me on this and other performance parts matters.