Progressive Shocks
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Stage III
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: DFW Texas
Progressive Shocks
I'm new to this forum and while I realize there's lots of posts out in the bike forum world on this subject, I really haven't found any that helped me much or, they old threads and i'd like to hear from someone that might have a longer term opinion, so here goes.
I have a 2012 Ultra Classic and ride 2-up and loaded often. As thousands have said, the Harley air shocks sucked, so, I've been searching around for the right shock for me. I weigh around 230 and my rider around 120. I've been looking at the Progressive shocks, more especially the 944, 416, and Air Dragger. I understand that the 944 Ultra Tour isn't an air shock, but there seems to be a lot of folks that like it. I have a hard time understanding how a shock such as that can handle such a wide weight variance, which leads me to the 416 and Dragger. I already have a compressor system on my bike (I had some Monroe air ride shocks on it but they kept blowing out), so price for either will be about the same.
Does anyone have any opinions good or bad about any of these 3 shocks? I'm leaning toward the Dragger since I'm already equipped with a compressor, but at the end of the day, I want something that will work best..
I have a 2012 Ultra Classic and ride 2-up and loaded often. As thousands have said, the Harley air shocks sucked, so, I've been searching around for the right shock for me. I weigh around 230 and my rider around 120. I've been looking at the Progressive shocks, more especially the 944, 416, and Air Dragger. I understand that the 944 Ultra Tour isn't an air shock, but there seems to be a lot of folks that like it. I have a hard time understanding how a shock such as that can handle such a wide weight variance, which leads me to the 416 and Dragger. I already have a compressor system on my bike (I had some Monroe air ride shocks on it but they kept blowing out), so price for either will be about the same.
Does anyone have any opinions good or bad about any of these 3 shocks? I'm leaning toward the Dragger since I'm already equipped with a compressor, but at the end of the day, I want something that will work best..
If I had air ride already on my bike I would just be looking for the best air shocks. But that's just my opinion.
I have the 944 and ride two up 99% of the time I like them but the wife doesn't care for them she says they have made the ride to stiff.
I have the 944 and ride two up 99% of the time I like them but the wife doesn't care for them she says they have made the ride to stiff.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 432
Likes: 63
From: Savage
I bought the 944s with standard springs last year. I'm 180# and the wife is 120# and I have collar set to 4 rings showing. Riding solo is perfect, but with the tourpak and wife on the bike, it will bottom out on some bumps. I'm considering having the springs swapped for the heavy duty.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 615
Likes: 36
From: tx
Any adjustable shock will not ride right if the sag is not set right.Ifyou set the sag for one up,and then put anouther 150 or so # on it it will bottom out.If you set the sag for two up then it will ride rough for solo.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 22,999
Likes: 11,439
I had 944's on my RGU. They lower the bike 1 inch as they claimed . I was not happy with them when riding alone but they were ok two up. The problem is the shocks were not designed for light riders. No madder how low I adjusted them they just were never right.
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,621
From: along the shore of Mishigami
Just put the 944 HD on my RGU, I'm still adjusting the setting for two up. I'm at two rings and probably need to go 2 1/2 rings. Yes it's a pain to go back and forth on adjustments, but I like the 12" sit height until a hard left turn, scrapppp! Maybe a spare jiffy stand is in the future.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I've used stock air shiocks, also premium ones and neither of them couild cope with a fully loaded bike, causing bottoming out on occasions. They tend to have poor damping, which makes for an uncomfortable ride, especially over any distance. There are much better quality conventional spring shocks, which will knock spots off any air system IMHO.
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 288
Likes: 8
From:
2011 Street Glide.
I had the 944's with standard spring, sold them.
So far I have had:
Stock air shocks - Crap, bottom out, rode like a dump truck. In the trash.....
Progressive 944's - Better, still stiff and rode like a dump truck. Sold them....
Harley Premium Adjustable - Better than 944's, still rides like a dump truck. Will be for sale shortly.....
I just purchased Ohlin's #2 adjustable and currently waiting on delivery. I anticipate a better ride.
I should have never gotten rid of my '02 road king, worst mistake ever!
I had the 944's with standard spring, sold them.
So far I have had:
Stock air shocks - Crap, bottom out, rode like a dump truck. In the trash.....
Progressive 944's - Better, still stiff and rode like a dump truck. Sold them....
Harley Premium Adjustable - Better than 944's, still rides like a dump truck. Will be for sale shortly.....
I just purchased Ohlin's #2 adjustable and currently waiting on delivery. I anticipate a better ride.
I should have never gotten rid of my '02 road king, worst mistake ever!
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