OK, I was out for a weekend ride and stopped at a dealer 500 miles from home. He's got a set of Progressive shocks, new in the box for half price. He said the cost on a new set today is $750, but the price on the ones he's got is listed at $699.


I turned 77K on my 13 Limited today and I can't get crap out of it for trade in, so I'm planning on upgrading to a 124 crate motor when the motor in it starts to show it's miles. I'm thinking I'll put at least 1/4 million on it, so good shocks would be nice to have.


I know a lot of people like the Olins, but how are the Progressives? These are 13" shocks with a number of 940-4020UT on them.


I just about bought them today, then thought I'd do some research on them first. He said they would ship them to me if I called him.


Any input out there on the quality of the Progressives? I just don't want to spend 350 on these then turn around and spend another grand on Olins, because the Progressives weren't good enough.

 

Buy them.
If you don't like 'em, put them for sale and make money.
If I had a few extra clams, I'd be calling them to get em shipped.

 

Ohlin's #3-3's trough Howard don't cost $1K way less than that. If you really are thinking to keep that bike for a long time get Ohlin's, I just put them on mine (2015 RGS) and wow what a different! Next year will do the front shocks for sure.

 

940's have been replaced by 944's. so those are old shocks

Are you saying he wants $699 for them?

I would spend the money to get Olins that will have the correct spring for your setup. Not an old shock with a spring that might or might not work for you.

Here is some pricing on current 944's

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...&condition=new

 

Sorry for not being clear on this.


The sticker on the box was 699. They are on sale for 1/2 of that or 350.

 

I Can't compare, sure like my Ohlins though, Howard is good to work with.

 

I had the Progressive 940's before , they were a nice improvement over stock , they are not in the same league as Ohlins though , so it depends what you're looking for , better than stock or the best your budget will fit , Ohlins start at about $600 and go up from there

 

I wouldn't mind having those 940's on my 99. I just rebuilt the forks so I'm about tapped out but could do those. My shocks are not holding air. If I don't get them I will be watching every shock thread till I get some. Wondering how close some of the others are to the Orlins. Might be winter before I go threw the rear. But with the standard forks thinking the progressive or pro action would balance just fine.

 

anyone out there that has the Progressive shocks?


If so, how do you like them?

 

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I found out on the HD its tough to get a shock that doesnt ride hard yet controlls the bike well enough to still handle well when in a corner and hit a bump or swell and not have to wallow thru it esp riding 2up making that situation worse.

When you loosen up the ride to be more comfy the good handling for a big bike is out the window with shock's that do that i have tried 944's w-std spring.

But i went back back to the stiff air shocks from the 944 because coming from sport bikes that handled decent i liked the way the big HD handled in corners /esp 2up with the stiff stock kinda rough riding rear shocks.

That lrg bikebagger/ sticks like glue in the corners with the stock air shocks even when hitting a bump of swell in the pavement riding 2up vs other aftermarket shocks i have tried so far that all rode better but handling in corners suffered a lot which is didnt like for sure,was almost safe feeling and i didnt like that at al when the bike already showed how well it handled with the stiff rear shocks.

Dont get me wrong,the 944 are a decent shock which your avg hd rider would likely not have issue with esp if they have mostly or always ridden HD's and or lrg bike that dont always handle that well.

But me coming from sport bikes then to lrg HD flhtcu just prefer the crisper better handling the stiff stock air shocks provide on my HD though i dont like a harsh ride but i tollerate it to retain good/crisp safer handling esp in corners riding up & hitting a bump or swell along with the drop in 1" lower prog sprig kit i installed with heavier 10wt fork oil too has bike handling very well for a lrg bagger.

Had 2 new Michelin Cmndr 2's installed at the same time too which also helps my lrg bagger handle well.

BTW,i had the stock airshocks on my 09 flhtcu lowered 1" which also helped handling but they can bottom out when you hit a lrg hole or deep swell or raise in pavement.

But even the new 944's i had with plenty of additional preload dialed in also bottomed out in same road cond riding 2up.

The shocks i have yet to try are the Ohlins to see if they can deliver a soother more comfortable ride while retaining tight proper handling in corner when hitting uneven pavement like stock air shocks do esp riding 2up ,but can't afford them at this time so that will have to wait .

Bottom line for me was it came down to it did i want a smoother more comfy ride with poor handling in corners esp when hitting a bump or unevenpavement in a corner riding 2 up that would make the bike feel wallowy / boaty to down right spooky to handle when it happened at 60-70mph ,or did i want much better crisper safer handling esp if hitting a bump or uneven pavement riding 2 up in corners but having to tollerate a less comfortable when i was on poor road cond?

Yes ,i choose safer better crisper handling esp riding 2up in corners in not so good road cond at times here in NYS with the bad winters we have here vs having more comy ride and poor handling esp in corners riding up with a more forgiving suspension setup/pkg.

Maybe Santa will bring me some Ohlins to try out ,but other then getting ne Oh;ins to try i am staying with the stiff stock HD arishocks due to much better handling esp in corners riding 2up and i know many people here hate the stock HD air shocks for good reason being so dang stiff etc, i just cant bring myself to forgo the good MUCH SAFER handling the stiff stock air shocks give my bike in corners riding 2 up vs the 944's i just tried that rode better but lost handling in the corners on my bike riding 2up which to me was unacceptable.

From feedback i read on the 944's vs ohlins it sure looks to me (esp after 1st hand exp trying the 944's) that the ohlins are the way to go if you can afford the aditional $250-300.

Its the old " you get what ya pay for ", well maybe not always but hope you do!/LOL!!!!

Scott