Progressive 412 shocks
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 395
Likes: 11
From: Oklahoma
If the performance is better, I wouldn't mind paying that difference. I would hate to spend $220 for something that isn't that much better than what I have now. I'm kind of like you, the more I read, the more confused I get.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
No comparison at all. 412s are replacement shocks that are a bit better than the stock air shocks. That's it. They are not high end shocks. Progressive sells good shocks, but 412s are just base level units. Quality shocks cost quite a bit more.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 894
Likes: 6
Ok, I'm a simple guy and like to keep it simple. Are the Ohlins 6-times better than the 412 Progressives? That's approx. how much more they cost. To ME shocks either work or they don't. Riding 2-up these stockers hit hard and the wife is getting banged around; so they don't work. Anything that absorbs the impact would work for me.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 603
Likes: 8
From: Ct
Ok, I'm a simple guy and like to keep it simple. Are the Ohlins 6-times better than the 412 Progressives? That's approx. how much more they cost. To ME shocks either work or they don't. Riding 2-up these stockers hit hard and the wife is getting banged around; so they don't work. Anything that absorbs the impact would work for me.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 894
Likes: 6
Gents, little confused about how to measure the shocks. Since I have stock suspension, I'm reading I should have 13" shocks. I measured distance between the centerline of the top and bottom bolts and I get 11-1/2". Is 13" the distance between the mount holes with all weight off the wheel?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
You measure the shock by jacking the rear wheel off the ground. The center eye to center eye is how they are measured. A common myth is bikes like my 2013 road king has 13 inch shocks. It does not. My bike has 12 3/4 inch shocks. Newer street glides have 12 inch shocks.
Novice
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans
I swapped the stock air shocks on my 2012 Limited for Progressive 444's and love them, and the wife does too. Progressive 444-4020c to be specific. They're the 13" heavy duty shocks. I'm 230# wife 135#. I didn't want to lower my bike, want all the ground clearance I can get in tight turns. They're preload adjustable without tools, just turn them. They have 5 "adjustment rings" or indentations throughout the threads, I have mine set at 2.5, or "half way". Have found no need to move them one up or two.
I researched the hell out of this prior to buying these, and found about as many opinions as "what brand oil is the best?". "Bang for the buck" wise, I'm very satisfied.
If you go to Progressive suspension's website, you can look up your bike and it will show you all the shock options including lengths and what the stock length is.
Are they Ohlins, no, but they have been night and day over the stock shocks for around $450.
Hope I've helped answer some of the questions you have.
Good luck with your decision and RideSafe.
I researched the hell out of this prior to buying these, and found about as many opinions as "what brand oil is the best?". "Bang for the buck" wise, I'm very satisfied.
If you go to Progressive suspension's website, you can look up your bike and it will show you all the shock options including lengths and what the stock length is.
Are they Ohlins, no, but they have been night and day over the stock shocks for around $450.
Hope I've helped answer some of the questions you have.
Good luck with your decision and RideSafe.
Last edited by Chief Instructor; May 30, 2014 at 10:20 AM.
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I had the 412's for about a month and took them off and sold them. They definitely were not an upgrade to the air shocks for me and it was a PIA to adjust everytime I changed loads (1 up to 2 up or loaded up, etc...) Not hard to adjust, just inconvienent..
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 395
Likes: 11
From: Oklahoma
I swapped the stock air shocks on my 2012 Limited for Progressive 444's and love them, and the wife does too. Progressive 444-4020c to be specific. They're the 13" heavy duty shocks. I'm 230# wife 135#. I didn't want to lower my bike, want all the ground clearance I can get in tight turns. They're preload adjustable without tools, just turn them. They have 5 "adjustment rings" or indentations throughout the threads, I have mine set at 2.5, or "half way". Have found no need to move them one up or two.
I researched the hell out of this prior to buying these, and found about as many opinions as "what brand oil is the best?". "Bang for the buck" wise, I'm very satisfied.
If you go to Progressive suspension's website, you can look up your bike and it will show you all the shock options including lengths and what the stock length is.
Are they Ohlins, no, but they have been night and day over the stock shocks for around $450.
Hope I've helped answer some of the questions you have.
Good luck with your decision and RideSafe.
I researched the hell out of this prior to buying these, and found about as many opinions as "what brand oil is the best?". "Bang for the buck" wise, I'm very satisfied.
If you go to Progressive suspension's website, you can look up your bike and it will show you all the shock options including lengths and what the stock length is.
Are they Ohlins, no, but they have been night and day over the stock shocks for around $450.
Hope I've helped answer some of the questions you have.
Good luck with your decision and RideSafe.