Help! Shocks & Advice for my 08' XL 883 Low!

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Apr 27, 2012 | 06:01 PM

chad883

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Joined: Mar 2012

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From: Orange County

Help! Shocks & Advice for my 08' XL 883 Low!

So it's been just over a month since I've got my baby and I'm absolutely 100% in love and obsessed! Can't complain with my new addiction being something that actually keeps me out of trouble. I've added a few little parts and done some paint work and have a thousand more things at least to do in the next year.

So here is my problem:

When I bought the bike, it came from the dealership with no blinkers and 10" Biltwell struts on the back! NO SHOCKS! Looks awesome and haven't needed a back surgery this far....but I'm afraid it's getting there..

The longest rides I've hit has been a few days of 9 hr rides at most with a bunch of stops on the coast in between. PCH from Laguna Beach up to LA and back. Hitting these bumps and potholes are killing me now!

CAN ANYONE OUT THERE GIVE ME SOME ADVICE/STEER ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

I have 10" Biltwell struts now and not sure what the lowering approach has been other than the struts, but it's a great ride height and looks perfect to me!

I HAVE to order shocks next week...haha can't take the beatings anymore!

I have a 2008 XL 883 Low...DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT I CAN SWITCH OUT TO WITH KEEPING CLOSE TO THE SAME RIDE HEIGHT WHILE THROWING SOME SHOCKS ON THERE?

I was told stock sportys (Nighty, 48's, Iron, ect.) run 11" shocks...

Will I be ok the throw 11" Burly or Progressives on there?

I don't want to make it any lower cas I've been scraping a lot on sharp turns and if it's a tiny bit higher - I'll live....

Anyone make this switch or know what a good route to take would be??

This site has helped me with EVERYTHING I've done so far and was hoping to get a little more direction/advice on what to do...

HELP??? Hahah Thanks in advance guys! Looking to order whatever will be best next Monday and have a smoother ride from there on out!

Here's the bike now....

Apr 27, 2012 | 06:07 PM

Ragnar Danneskjöld

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Joined: Mar 2010

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From: Ottawa, Ontario

11" Progressive 412's would be fine.

Apr 27, 2012 | 06:16 PM

chad883

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Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 197

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From: Orange County

Quote:

Originally Posted by X04D

11" Progressive 412's would be fine.

Thank you! And I thought those would do the trick. From what I heard those Progressives are great too..

Apr 27, 2012 | 06:22 PM

chad883

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Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 197

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From: Orange County

Quote:

Originally Posted by X04D

11" Progressive 412's would be fine.

oh and X...would i want the Standard Duty or Heavy Duty with the Progressives?

thanks again!

Apr 27, 2012 | 07:35 PM

baka1969

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2012

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From: NE Philly

I have an '07 883L and I weigh around 220. I plan on getting the Progressive 412 12" or 12.5" regular duty shock as I'm afraid that the HD might be a little too harsh for me. I'll just crank it to it's top setting and hope they won't bottom out. I don't go 2up and won't load the bike up that much. You may want to think about 11.5" shocks. They'll still have a low height but will give you a little more suspension travel without ruining the look. If I'm not mistaken the '07 883L comes stock with 11.5" shocks. I'm not sure what the '08 had stock though.

Comfort for me is more important than the overall aesthetic. But that's just me.

Apr 27, 2012 | 07:41 PM

Ragnar Danneskjöld

Road Warrior

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 1,948

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From: Ottawa, Ontario

Quote:

Originally Posted by chad883

oh and X...would i want the Standard Duty or Heavy Duty with the Progressives?

thanks again!

Standard should be fine unless you ever run 2-up. Even still, you'd need quite a but if weight to require the heavy duty.

Apr 27, 2012 | 07:56 PM

barrygreen

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 3,654

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From: Mansfield Texas

I wanted the low look of the struts but did not want to compromise the ride. I purchased the Burly 10.5 shocks and got the low look I wanted and better ride quality over the stock 11" shocks. I guess it all depends on what your going for as far as ride and looks.