First impression of Progressive 944's
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,863
Likes: 55
From: Sedalia,Missouri
First impression of Progressive 944's
Well we had a 42 degree dry day so I tried out the new 944's. I have a stripped down 2010 Ultra and I weigh 183 lbs. I purchased the standard springs which are replacing my stock air shocks with 1 inch Burley lowering kit. To tell you the truth I couldn't tell a bit of difference in the ride. I didn't have anyone to measure the sag for me so I started out with one turn. Maybe it was my imagination but it seemed like I could feel the road surface more. When I would hit a bump it felt just like my old set up. I'm thinking about testing doing one full turn at a time. Any comments are appreciated.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 1,614
From: Eastern Ohio
I run 944's standard springs also. I had them in my 11 EGC. I thought they rode pretty well. I had them set up for 2 up riding. Well, I ditched the girlfriend, and the EGC. I kept the shocks and put them on my 12 SERG. I'm 200 lbs, no tour pak. I run them 2.5 turns and find them to be very smooth now. You need to get some miles on them to break them in. I also verified with Progressive, you can run them with the adjusters down. So that's how I installed mine. Now I can adjust them laying on the ground without removing the bags.
I hear a lot of guys saying they're a harsh ride, but I like them a lot. I think breaking them in is the key.
Another tip: I took a center punch and marked the shock body and adjuster when set to the lightest preload. Now it's easier to determine a full turn, half turn, or quarter turn even.
I hear a lot of guys saying they're a harsh ride, but I like them a lot. I think breaking them in is the key.
Another tip: I took a center punch and marked the shock body and adjuster when set to the lightest preload. Now it's easier to determine a full turn, half turn, or quarter turn even.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,863
Likes: 55
From: Sedalia,Missouri
I called Progressive and explained I have a stripped down Ultra Classic that I ride solo 100 percent of the time and weigh 183 lbs. They suggested I start at 1/4 turn and go from there. I have adjusted them to that and hope to take another test ride tomorrow if the temperature is above freezing. I have read before that it takes a few hundred miles to break them in.
Sponsor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 8,538
Likes: 1,646
From: SF Bay area
This is gonna sound odd but.... try making them stiffer.
When I had 944s on my Limited it rode harsh, turns out I was bottoming a lot & riding on the bump stops. I actually ended up sending them to prog & having the heavy duty springs put on, much better.
I'm 230ish & ride 100% solo.
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When I had 944s on my Limited it rode harsh, turns out I was bottoming a lot & riding on the bump stops. I actually ended up sending them to prog & having the heavy duty springs put on, much better.
I'm 230ish & ride 100% solo.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,576
Likes: 7,953
From: Long Island, New York
I have the HD shocks as we ride that bike two up all the time. Have them set at one turn for two up riding. First time we went touring with the new shocks I turned them up a second turn, assuming more load with the tour pak etc. Well after one day I was turning them back, bouncing all over the place, wife even noticed the poor ride quality. Been at one turn since, thousands of smiling miles, would never go back to the air ride. I do not change my setup for touring or solo.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,863
Likes: 55
From: Sedalia,Missouri
I should have mentioned I purchased the 13" 944's. I went out last night and adjusted them back to 1/4 turn. I guess I'll just start adjusting them upwards from there. I don't have quick release on my bags so it's kind of a pain taking the bags on and off. I may just leave the bags off so I can pull over and make quick adjustments. I will post my findings in case it might help someone else considering these shocks.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,860
From: Western South Dakota
The sag needs set correctly.
Either have a friend help you do it or wait until a rally is happening and see Progressive and have them set the sag for you.
After that, if you don't like them then pull em off and sell em on here.
I have the 940's which were their predecessors and I like them.
Either have a friend help you do it or wait until a rally is happening and see Progressive and have them set the sag for you.
After that, if you don't like them then pull em off and sell em on here.
I have the 940's which were their predecessors and I like them.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 424
Likes: 36
From: El Paso, TX
I have the 944s, HD springs on my 2016 Ultra. Had then on my Road King, had them swapped over when I bought the Ultra. Ride solo about 90% of the time. I am 240lbs. You do need to break them in. I set them up for 2up for the times my wife comes with me and leave them there. A bit stiff when by myself but I don't bottom out on any bumps and they are a huge improvement over the stock air shocks. As has been stated, you need to set the proper sag, bike by itself and with you on it.