Progressive 944 or 444?
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 52
From: South Jersey
Progressive 944 or 444?
Looking for new rear shocks and looking on input from those riding with progressive. Looking for the best ride and handling. What gives a better ride, 944 or 444?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,599
Likes: 421
From: Lansing mi
I have 12.5" standard spring 444 I put on this year on a 14 King. I'm 180 lbs on a heavy day. Like a lot say better then stock but not great. I have 3000 miles on them and have adjusted them in every way I can. Stutter bumps a lot better, single bumps not so good. They feel like the valving is to stiff. I know it;s not the springs, I have had it set so it bottoms out way to easy yet on a small single bump, knocks me off the seat with out bottoming out. I got them delivered for $463 had I paid retail I'd be pissed.
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 52
From: South Jersey
I have 12.5" standard spring 444 I put on this year on a 14 King. I'm 180 lbs on a heavy day. Like a lot say better then stock but not great. I have 3000 miles on them and have adjusted them in every way I can. Stutter bumps a lot better, single bumps not so good. They feel like the valving is to stiff. I know it;s not the springs, I have had it set so it bottoms out way to easy yet on a small single bump, knocks me off the seat with out bottoming out. I got them delivered for $463 had I paid retail I'd be pissed.
That's what I was afraid of. I'm about 200lbs. I'm not looking for a stiff ride.
I've had another brand shock on my bike whose name I'm not ready to disclose but that ride was very stiff so I hear your pain and understand exactly what you are describing.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,121
Likes: 489
From: sunny florida
The 944's are definitely better , I had the 940's on another bike , with that said the cheapest I've seen them is $569 and for that price I'd look at better options around that price range , good luck
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 104
From: Prescott, AZ
Back in 05 I wanted new rear shocks and called and talked to both Progressive and Works Performance - Works took more time and had better CS - I ended up going with them... They built our shock based on OUR weights and our Luggage weights - I could NOT have been happier.
Now that I have a 2015 LOW - Not real happy with the front and rear suspension... Ya, its low but a little stiff for me - I am currently putting the front back to normal - then it will be closer to a Street Glide suspension... IF the Rear low is still not to my liking, I will again be going back to WORKS - Have already talked to them and again, CS is Great...
I would look at both, do your homework and give both a call and see who fits YOU best
Now that I have a 2015 LOW - Not real happy with the front and rear suspension... Ya, its low but a little stiff for me - I am currently putting the front back to normal - then it will be closer to a Street Glide suspension... IF the Rear low is still not to my liking, I will again be going back to WORKS - Have already talked to them and again, CS is Great...
I would look at both, do your homework and give both a call and see who fits YOU best
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 117
From: Southeast NC
i bought 444s for my 13 Ultra a few months ago. bought the heavy duty shocks. 13 inch. im 190. wife 150. at first they were stiff but definitely a better ride than the garbage air shocks. 2 months later they have broken in and ride very smooth. no more feeling every line in the road. now the fronts feel like crap because the back is so much better. i recommend them especially for the money.
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If you're willing to spend 944 money, do your self a favor and look at Ohlins base line shocks. From Fuel moto or motorcycle metal they'll set the shock up specific to you and how you ride the bike. Cant go wrong there, and you'll have a better riding AND better handling bike.
I bought a set of Progressive 430's for my dyna and while the dampening was right the spring weight was too stiff even having the "standard" springs (not HD ones) rate on the shocks. I contacted Progressive and they're about as helpful as a concrete block to a drowning man. I got ONE reply from them telling me to back the preload off, which I explained to them in my first email I had already done, problem still existed. I responded back multiple times never to hear from them again and promptly took the shocks off my bike with less than 200mi on them. I'll be getting Ohlins when my vehicle modding budget allows, and somebody buys my 430 shocks.
I bought a set of Progressive 430's for my dyna and while the dampening was right the spring weight was too stiff even having the "standard" springs (not HD ones) rate on the shocks. I contacted Progressive and they're about as helpful as a concrete block to a drowning man. I got ONE reply from them telling me to back the preload off, which I explained to them in my first email I had already done, problem still existed. I responded back multiple times never to hear from them again and promptly took the shocks off my bike with less than 200mi on them. I'll be getting Ohlins when my vehicle modding budget allows, and somebody buys my 430 shocks.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 575
Likes: 4
From: SouthWestern Ontario
Solo rider 95% of the time. The 944 Progressives are great until I hit a set of terribly uneven railway tracks or some really bad road, etc., then they on occasion, will allow the bike to bottom out. I'm 270lbs with a boney ***. My (Kong) seat suspension helps a lot as well. I had spent a whole day trying to find the "sweet spot" after installing the shocks. I think they are set up as good as they can be.