Need feed back on progressive shocks
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 944
Likes: 12
From: New York
Need feed back on progressive shocks
My buddy ask me if I could install a set of progressive shocks he needs to lower his bike a inch its a 09 HD Ultra . My question is which model should he purchase he would like to still keep a good ride without over paying . PS he is a big guy so doesnt want the bike bottom out on rough rodes..Joe Dolci
Last edited by 07JakeelwoodHD; Mar 25, 2012 at 08:59 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 17
From: Rosamond, Cali
940's are going to behave, in terms of 'stiffness' , similar to the 440's with heavy-duty springs. If your friend is over 200 pounds (I think the recommendation by Progressive is somewhere around 215/225), or rides a lot 2-up, heavy-duty springs on the 440's are recommended to avoid bottoming-out).
I have 940's. (I ended up getting lighter springs installed by Progressive on them, to soften the ride. I'm 210#, BTW). The advantage of the 940 is, it provides a lowered stance (about 1"), while retaining the travel of a standard 13" shock. Theoretically, this will limit the tendency to bottom-out (over the big bumps), it being easier to bottom-out a typical characteristic trade-off when you shorten the shock length/travel...
Alan
I have 940's. (I ended up getting lighter springs installed by Progressive on them, to soften the ride. I'm 210#, BTW). The advantage of the 940 is, it provides a lowered stance (about 1"), while retaining the travel of a standard 13" shock. Theoretically, this will limit the tendency to bottom-out (over the big bumps), it being easier to bottom-out a typical characteristic trade-off when you shorten the shock length/travel...
Alan
Last edited by AlanStansbery; Mar 25, 2012 at 09:02 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,437
Likes: 15
940's are going to behave, in terms of 'stiffness' , similar to the 440's with heavy-duty springs. If your friend is over 200 pounds (I think the recommendation by Progressive is somewhere around 215/225), or rides a lot 2-up, heavy-duty springs on the 440's are recommended to avoid bottoming-out).
I have 940's. (I ended up getting lighter springs installed by Progressive on them, to soften the ride. I'm 210#, BTW). The advantage of the 940 is, it provides a lowered stance (about 1"), while retaining the travel of a standard 13" shock. Theoretically, this will limit the tendency to bottom-out (over the big bumps), it being easier to bottom-out a typical characteristic trade-off when you shorten the shock length/travel...
Alan
I have 940's. (I ended up getting lighter springs installed by Progressive on them, to soften the ride. I'm 210#, BTW). The advantage of the 940 is, it provides a lowered stance (about 1"), while retaining the travel of a standard 13" shock. Theoretically, this will limit the tendency to bottom-out (over the big bumps), it being easier to bottom-out a typical characteristic trade-off when you shorten the shock length/travel...
Alan
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,824
Likes: 603
From: Myrtle Beach SC
I put 940's on my 2010 SG thinking they would be better than the stock air shocks. I was wrong. They were really stiff. No matter how I adjusted them they were stiff. Even had the experts at Progressive at their Myrtle Beach tent try it. Still too darn stiff. I'm staying with Harley air shocks even tho you need to check the airpressure frequently.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
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Likes: 15
I put 940's on my 2010 SG thinking they would be better than the stock air shocks. I was wrong. They were really stiff. No matter how I adjusted them they were stiff. Even had the experts at Progressive at their Myrtle Beach tent try it. Still too darn stiff. I'm staying with Harley air shocks even tho you need to check the airpressure frequently.
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 559
Likes: 51
From: maine
Alan, how did you like the 940's with the lighter springs? Did you see a big difference?
I put 940's on my King and found that the bike handled way better than with the air shocks but the ride was too firm even with the preload set as light as it would go..... I sent them back for the lighter springs but Winter got in the way of trying them.....
I also have a set of shorter air shocks reworked by Bitchin Baggers/Phoenix Customs that work sweet, but I am trying to eliminate the hassle of the air system...... Both the reworked air shocks and the 940's are way better than the POS stock Harley shocks.......
By hoofmender at 2011-04-12
I put 940's on my King and found that the bike handled way better than with the air shocks but the ride was too firm even with the preload set as light as it would go..... I sent them back for the lighter springs but Winter got in the way of trying them.....
I also have a set of shorter air shocks reworked by Bitchin Baggers/Phoenix Customs that work sweet, but I am trying to eliminate the hassle of the air system...... Both the reworked air shocks and the 940's are way better than the POS stock Harley shocks.......
By hoofmender at 2011-04-12
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
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i went form stock air shocks to the premium harley shocks to the progressive 440s and out of all of them the 440s work the best for me i weigh 210 there perfect. but i also ride solo.also i bought the 11 1/2 inch shocks.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,255
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From: Superior, WI
Did you do the standard or HD springs? I am about 210 as well, little more with gear. Ride solo at least 80% of the time, but do have my OL on the back at times. She's about 115.