I just finished installing a set of Progressive 440 shocks on my Street Glide. I went with the 12" length (same as stock) and the standard springs as per the recommendation of a Progressive sales rep. I weigh 175 lbs, and the rep said that the standard spring would be perfect for me. I just came back from a quick test ride and wanted to give you some feedback.

I've been contemplating making this move for some time now. My previous Harley was a 2004 Road King Custom, which had the same 12" air shocks that my Street Glide has. My bike before that was a 2000 Road King Classic which comes stock with 13" air shocks from the factory. The ride on my 2000 classic with the 13" shocks was much smoother than the ride on my custom and glide with the 12" shocks. That's an unavoidable consequence of 3" suspension travel vs 2". There have been times on my SG that I've hit big potholes at speed that just plain HURT! Freeway expansion joints were not fun on my SG or my custom either. I've never gotten around to buying the shocks due to the $400 (or more) price tag, until now.

Anyway, the bottom line is that the new shocks are a major improvement over stock. The difference was immediately noticeable as soon as I got on the freeway, and it was dramatic. The first obvious difference to me was the almost complete elimination of the jolts caused by riding over the expansion joints. I would say that they have been 90% eliminated. You can still feel them, but just barely. What a difference.

Next, I headed up one of my favorite canyon roads. This road has a couple of nasty dips that I'm very familiar with, as well as some potholes that I've also come to know quite well. With my stock shocks, I would bottom out on these dips at 65mph. I took the same dips today at 65mph - no bottoming! The 440's absorbed the dips completely, and I felt very smooth going over them - much more in control. Then came a pothole which I deliberately ran over - again a major improvement. I didn't bottom out and the jolt was absorbed MUCH smoother than with the stock shocks. I don't advocate hitting a pothole ever, but I just had to see for myself how well the 440's would handle it.

To sum it all up, the 440's were indeed a major improvement for me over stock. My preload setting on the 440 is at the softest setting, the way it comes from the factory. You have the ability to increase the preload for 2-up riding. I haven't tried this yet, but am looking forward to taking my wife out to see what she thinks. I like the ride of my 12" 440's at least as much as the 13" stock shocks that were on my 2000 Road King Classic, and I may even like them better.

As for the installation itself, it was a piece of cake. I had it done in less than an hour, and I was taking my time. Only 4 bolts are involved. You need to have the rear wheel off of the ground and you'll need a torque wrench and a 3/4" socket. That's it.

Hope that this review is helpful to anyone who might be contemplating going with the 440's. I highly recommend them. If anyone is looking for a set of stock 12" air shocks from my Street Glide, I have a set for sale - they only have 2200 miles on them.

Doug

 

One other thing I'd like to mention. Wally's Cycle World in Riverside, CA has the Progressive 440's on sale right now for $379.95 including shipping. If you live in California like me you'll have to pay the sales tax, but it's still an awesome deal. These shocks list for over $500.

Doug

 

Doug,
I have an 06 Ultra, that I bought and installed the HD 3/4" lowering shocks onto, since I have that short leg syndrome. Do you know if the stock shocks on youe SG are thast same shock? I haven't noticed a bad ride with them. We do occasionally bottom out on a pothole riding 2 up.
Thanks, Gene

 

Gene,

I don't know the answer to your question, but I think that the answer is no. The stock shocks from my Street Glide would lower your bike 1", not 3/4", so that is why I think the answer is no. I'm not sure though. By the way - that is a beautiful Fat Boy!

Doug

 

Doug,

Thanks for your informative review of the 12" Progressive 440s. I live in SoCal myself (LA) and have a Street Glide on order from Glendale Harley. I've been following the Street Glide threads on this forum and others to try and determine what options are "must haves" at delivery. For my own comfort and that of my fiancee, I've decided that a Sundowner seat and passenger backrest will be essential. After renting an Electra Glide Classic from Eagle Riders last weekend (they had no Street Glides) and riding PCH and the 101 up to Santa Barbara, I also decided that a cruise control would lessen the strain on my right wrist for freeway riding. I don't consider SE slip-ons/SERT/Stage 1 to be a must have at delivery but after reading various complaints about the lean mixture on '06s especially in California, I have pretty much decided on those upgrades as well.

All this leads up to the question of shocks. I've heard nothing but good things about the Progressives and have a feeling I'll end up with a set as some point. I'm not sure that I need them at delivery though. For the last six months I've been riding a Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic that's closely based on a Softail and, believe me, you feel all the bumps. The EGC I had for the weekend was like butter by comparison and I can't imagine the Street Glide, even with the stock shocks, being as bad as the V-Star. I, too, weigh 175 lbs which I think would make the ride less harsh than it would be for heavier riders. When it becomes time to do the longer trips, say Santa Fe or Northern California via PCH, the Progressive shocks are going to look like a lot more attractive proposition.

Adam

 

Doug,

Do you have a part# for the shocks? Did you go the chrome or the black chrome?

Any pics?

Thanks

 

Doug, I have experienced the same type of ride with my SG as you have described and let me tell you, some of those not so big bumps were downright painfull. I am not that young any longer so I had to make some improvements. I hated to loose the lowered look but my well being was more important than vanity. I went on EBAY and purchased a pair of Standard air shocks that were removed from an '05 Ultra for $47.
Wow, what a difference. I no longer notice that there ARE bumps in the roads I travel. In the past, I found myself looking down at the road to avoid imperfections, not a good idea when you're on two wheels. Now I'm looking everywhere but down. Smooth as silk!

Frank

 

Adam, trust me, I came off a VSTAR 1100 and it was butter when compared to the SG

 

$47 for the 13" shocks was a great solution for the ride problem Frank. I'm glad it worked out for you. I was contemplating going the same route as you, but decided that I had to have the lowered 12" shocks. The lowered look of the Street Glide is one of the main things that led me to buy it in the first place. I sure wish that I could have gotten a pair of 12" Progressives for $47!

Doug

 

Also wanted to thank you for the informative post on the 440's. I have a Street Glide myself and don't care much for the lowered H-D shocks.
I have been thinking about the 440's but was wondering if going up to 12.5" might be an even better result. I don't want to loose the lowered look of the SG and am curious if going a half inch higher on the shocks would be noticable? I may call Progressive and get there opinion on this if possible.