Progressive 944 Advice Please?
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From: Vermont
Progressive 944 Advice Please?
I want to purchase a set of Progressive 944 shocks for my Street glide. Despite what some of the literature says I'm seeing a lot of conflicting info on Standard verses Heavy Duty.
I lost a ton of weight, about 60 lbs and now weigh between 180 and 185. The literature calls for standard springs yet a few reviews say make sure to go heavy duty and set pre load to the lowest notch when solo?
I ride two up, but not too often but when I do e travel very long distances. She weighs between 150 and 160 depending on the day... LOL....
Can those with knowledge about the 944's offer advice based on experience? Also its my understanding that these shock are 1 inch lower than a stock 13 inch so they are the same ride height as my 12 inchers on the Street Glide, yet have the travel of a 13 inch? Don't know how that can be but Ill take it for what its worth...Truth? Thanks Folks
I lost a ton of weight, about 60 lbs and now weigh between 180 and 185. The literature calls for standard springs yet a few reviews say make sure to go heavy duty and set pre load to the lowest notch when solo?
I ride two up, but not too often but when I do e travel very long distances. She weighs between 150 and 160 depending on the day... LOL....
Can those with knowledge about the 944's offer advice based on experience? Also its my understanding that these shock are 1 inch lower than a stock 13 inch so they are the same ride height as my 12 inchers on the Street Glide, yet have the travel of a 13 inch? Don't know how that can be but Ill take it for what its worth...Truth? Thanks Folks
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 201
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From: Gilbert, AZ
Most people I've seen comments from prefer the standard springs. I'm around 200 lbs and was going to go with the standard when I was looking. I actually went with the 412s based on info from a mechanic who told me that the triple the cost for the 944s isn't really worth it. Could just be my experience, but I rode 412's for a year and never had any issues.
Last edited by MAJ Ethanolic; Oct 23, 2017 at 11:44 AM.
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From: Vermont
Most people I've seen comments from prefer the standard springs. I'm around 200 lbs and was going to go with the standard when I was looking. I actually went with the 412s based on info from a mechanic who told me that the triple the cost for the 944s isn't really worth it. Could just be my experience, but I rode 412's for a year and never had any issues.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Santa Clarita
Have heard some pretty negative comments about the 412's on this very forum. Based on what I've read here, and what I know from a buddy of mine with 944's, they do seem to be worth the extra money. I'd venture to say you'd be better off with the standards, and your concerns about the 13's versus 12's jibe with what my friend found out...he went with 13's, his bike is still about the same ride height as with his OE 12" air shocks...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
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From: Western South Dakota
I want to purchase a set of Progressive 944 shocks for my Street glide. Despite what some of the literature says I'm seeing a lot of conflicting info on Standard verses Heavy Duty.
I lost a ton of weight, about 60 lbs and now weigh between 180 and 185. The literature calls for standard springs yet a few reviews say make sure to go heavy duty and set pre load to the lowest notch when solo?
I ride two up, but not too often but when I do e travel very long distances. She weighs between 150 and 160 depending on the day... LOL....
Can those with knowledge about the 944's offer advice based on experience? Also its my understanding that these shock are 1 inch lower than a stock 13 inch so they are the same ride height as my 12 inchers on the Street Glide, yet have the travel of a 13 inch? Don't know how that can be but Ill take it for what its worth...Truth? Thanks Folks
I lost a ton of weight, about 60 lbs and now weigh between 180 and 185. The literature calls for standard springs yet a few reviews say make sure to go heavy duty and set pre load to the lowest notch when solo?
I ride two up, but not too often but when I do e travel very long distances. She weighs between 150 and 160 depending on the day... LOL....
Can those with knowledge about the 944's offer advice based on experience? Also its my understanding that these shock are 1 inch lower than a stock 13 inch so they are the same ride height as my 12 inchers on the Street Glide, yet have the travel of a 13 inch? Don't know how that can be but Ill take it for what its worth...Truth? Thanks Folks
After that set the "sag" correctly.
If someone cannot do this for you, then wait until there is a rally that you will be attending where Progressive will be and have them set the sag for you.
They will free of charge as after all it is their product and they want it to be the optimum for your comfort.
Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 464
Likes: 42
From: NC
I installed PN 944-4002UT on my SG which is the standard spring, about 18 months ago. I was about 205, now 175, riding two up most of the time. All I can say is I really like them.
Last edited by diggerv; Oct 23, 2017 at 12:45 PM.
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From: Western South Dakota
Still like those flames digger!!
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Tourer
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Thanks lionsm... one of these days I hope to get out your way...
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Long Island, New York
944 HD here on 2005 Road Glide. I think they are superior to the stock air ride. Wife and I combined are probably 10-15#'s less then 400#, sorry to say. Packed heavy for the long haul, no problems. Also all good running solo. Really a good all around shock, I like them. Good luck.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 86
From: Centeral Coast, California
Rick: I too weigh 180, and when I bought my 940's I was 25 pounds heavier, and still needed the standard springs. Now I REALLY need the standard over the HD. When I ride solo, my sag is set properly with the adjuster **** turned about one full turn down from the top....if that. You'll be fine riding two up with the standard springs.
I have a buddy that rides with 412's, and I don't know if those come with HD springs or not, but his Road Glide rides like a tank. I think that they're otherwise good shocks for him though, and are much better than the stock air shocks at a fraction of the 944's. While I like my 900 series Progressives, if I were to do it over again I'd spend the same money on a set of Ohlins from Fuel Moto. (Many on here will tell you to run (not walk!) to Motorcycle Metal for your Ohlins, and I'll leave that company to them. The proprietor is not one that I care to give my hard earned money to, but there are those that swear by his service.) It took me a very long time to find the sweet spot on my 940's, and it shouldn't have been as difficult as it seemed to be. I know how to set sag, and the standard springs were THAT stiff.....it was hard finding a smooth and responsive ride with them. For that reason, I'd go with Ohlins for the same or close to the same money if I were to do it all over again knowing now what I didn't know 5 years ago.
So to distill it all down, the 412's for much less money will possibly serve you well, but for the money of a set of 944's I'd go for a set of Ohlins and be done with it. if you go with the 944's, be patient if it takes you some time to find the sweet post between both solo riding and two-up riding. But do go with standard springs or you'll regret it at what you and your wife weigh.
Good luck in sorting it all out!
I have a buddy that rides with 412's, and I don't know if those come with HD springs or not, but his Road Glide rides like a tank. I think that they're otherwise good shocks for him though, and are much better than the stock air shocks at a fraction of the 944's. While I like my 900 series Progressives, if I were to do it over again I'd spend the same money on a set of Ohlins from Fuel Moto. (Many on here will tell you to run (not walk!) to Motorcycle Metal for your Ohlins, and I'll leave that company to them. The proprietor is not one that I care to give my hard earned money to, but there are those that swear by his service.) It took me a very long time to find the sweet spot on my 940's, and it shouldn't have been as difficult as it seemed to be. I know how to set sag, and the standard springs were THAT stiff.....it was hard finding a smooth and responsive ride with them. For that reason, I'd go with Ohlins for the same or close to the same money if I were to do it all over again knowing now what I didn't know 5 years ago.
So to distill it all down, the 412's for much less money will possibly serve you well, but for the money of a set of 944's I'd go for a set of Ohlins and be done with it. if you go with the 944's, be patient if it takes you some time to find the sweet post between both solo riding and two-up riding. But do go with standard springs or you'll regret it at what you and your wife weigh.
Good luck in sorting it all out!