Harley Premium shocks VS Progressive 944
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
An option I have not yet heard mentioned is the Progressive 444. Its an updated 440, and is well under 500 delivered to your door. I have run 440s on a number of my motorcycles and always thought they were an excellent upgrade for the money. Super easy to adjust, and smooth as can be, with or without the wife. I just saw a number of sets on ebay for $479 delivered. They come with a lifetime warranty as well.
I had the HD premium ride on my RK. They were a bit too stiff for me. I played with the adjustment but could not get the right setting. Better ride than the stock air shocks and I chose the 1" lower model. Its great in the twisties though. Wondering about those who are using the Progressives. How are they in comfort?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,981
Likes: 5,219
From: Michigan
I have a '13 CVO Ultra and I too was surprised that I need to spend more $'s to make my bike ride like a luxury touring bike.
I'm over 6' and weigh somewhere near 230 and I've tried adjusting my stock shocks from 10# up to 25" (as the manual suggests) and I still have a firm, hard ride.
On smooth roads this isn't much of a problem but on those bump, rough roads those sharp jolts go right up my back.
My bike now has over 7,000 miles on it so I'm sure the shocks are broken in.
If I'm going to replace the shocks, and I have to spend $ 400+ another
$ 100 or so wouldn't hurt much more but I want to be sure I get a shock that provides a softer ride, so from what I've read so far it looks like it will either be the H-D Premiums or the Progressive 944's.
Thoughts?
I'm over 6' and weigh somewhere near 230 and I've tried adjusting my stock shocks from 10# up to 25" (as the manual suggests) and I still have a firm, hard ride.
On smooth roads this isn't much of a problem but on those bump, rough roads those sharp jolts go right up my back.
My bike now has over 7,000 miles on it so I'm sure the shocks are broken in.
If I'm going to replace the shocks, and I have to spend $ 400+ another
$ 100 or so wouldn't hurt much more but I want to be sure I get a shock that provides a softer ride, so from what I've read so far it looks like it will either be the H-D Premiums or the Progressive 944's.
Thoughts?
I thought the CVO bikes came standard with the HD premium shocks???
I have a '13 CVO Ultra and I too was surprised that I need to spend more $'s to make my bike ride like a luxury touring bike.
I'm over 6' and weigh somewhere near 230 and I've tried adjusting my stock shocks from 10# up to 25" (as the manual suggests) and I still have a firm, hard ride.
On smooth roads this isn't much of a problem but on those bump, rough roads those sharp jolts go right up my back.
My bike now has over 7,000 miles on it so I'm sure the shocks are broken in.
If I'm going to replace the shocks, and I have to spend $ 400+ another
$ 100 or so wouldn't hurt much more but I want to be sure I get a shock that provides a softer ride, so from what I've read so far it looks like it will either be the H-D Premiums or the Progressive 944's.
Thoughts?
I'm over 6' and weigh somewhere near 230 and I've tried adjusting my stock shocks from 10# up to 25" (as the manual suggests) and I still have a firm, hard ride.
On smooth roads this isn't much of a problem but on those bump, rough roads those sharp jolts go right up my back.
My bike now has over 7,000 miles on it so I'm sure the shocks are broken in.
If I'm going to replace the shocks, and I have to spend $ 400+ another
$ 100 or so wouldn't hurt much more but I want to be sure I get a shock that provides a softer ride, so from what I've read so far it looks like it will either be the H-D Premiums or the Progressive 944's.
Thoughts?
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Making a decision on suspenstion too and, with all the Howard-busting going on, I decided I'd better call him myself. He answered my call well after normal business hours, politely answered my questions not with a 'yes or no', but with comparisons about the different effects based on the technologies of the products being questioned. He tried to related it this to my expectations of the product and the cost of the benefit of one over the other. Did not try to give me a hard sell on any product, not even his own. Little tolerance to stupid questions, but freely explained why it was a silly question. Was a real azzhole, but then again I kind of like that in a man....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 39
From: San Diego
A little out of the box thinking for those who are mostly interested in ride comfort, and are satisfied with the stock handling.
I was in the market for some aftermarket shocks for my 12 Street Glide. Before ordering the shocks I put on a Hammock seat. Now have no interest in better shocks. The seat did the job. Do not feel the bottoming out, and no longer get those sharp jolts up my back. Ride for my self and passenger is now fine, with the stock shocks.
I used to cringe when ever I saw that I was going to hit a pot hole, but no longer. Much more relaxing ride.
I was in the market for some aftermarket shocks for my 12 Street Glide. Before ordering the shocks I put on a Hammock seat. Now have no interest in better shocks. The seat did the job. Do not feel the bottoming out, and no longer get those sharp jolts up my back. Ride for my self and passenger is now fine, with the stock shocks.
I used to cringe when ever I saw that I was going to hit a pot hole, but no longer. Much more relaxing ride.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,981
Likes: 5,219
From: Michigan
A little out of the box thinking for those who are mostly interested in ride comfort, and are satisfied with the stock handling.
I was in the market for some aftermarket shocks for my 12 Street Glide. Before ordering the shocks I put on a Hammock seat. Now have no interest in better shocks. The seat did the job. Do not feel the bottoming out, and no longer get those sharp jolts up my back. Ride for my self and passenger is now fine, with the stock shocks.
I used to cringe when ever I saw that I was going to hit a pot hole, but no longer. Much more relaxing ride.
I was in the market for some aftermarket shocks for my 12 Street Glide. Before ordering the shocks I put on a Hammock seat. Now have no interest in better shocks. The seat did the job. Do not feel the bottoming out, and no longer get those sharp jolts up my back. Ride for my self and passenger is now fine, with the stock shocks.
I used to cringe when ever I saw that I was going to hit a pot hole, but no longer. Much more relaxing ride.
It's not that my bike is "bottoming out".
It's just that the shocks don't seem to "absorb" the sharp jolts very well regardless of what psi I have in my shocks.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 279
From: .
Well if anyone is interested of have a set of HD Premiums sitting in my garage. The previous owner had them on the Limited. I took them off when I bought it with 6,300 miles. I took the progressives off of my old bike.