Chief Instructor, did you do the install yourself? Any big deal there?

 

Replacing shocks is easier that changing the oil. I'm eye-balling those 444's. Seem to have superior valving and they are hand adjustable. Looks like they're about $650. Almost 3 times more expensive than the 412's.

 

Those are the ones i'm eyeballing. I just don't think the 412's are going to be that much of a difference over stock.

 

I sure did Stan. It was pretty simple. Remove the saddlebags. Jacked up the bike enough to remove the weight off the swingarm (rear tire just barely touching the ground). Bled air out of stock shocks. Removed air lines by depressing red keepers on shocks where air line attaches. Removed stock shocks (two bolts each, one on top and one on bottom) and air line off the bike and reattached the air lines to keep internals clean in case I wanted to reinstall (that won't be happening unless there's a warranty issue down the road). Btw, the Progressive's have a lifetime warranty. Also, make sure you keep the stock shocks upright as not to leak the oil that's in them out if you'll need them again.

Progressive's went on easy. Instructions are clear and well written. Setting the preload is simply turning the top half of the shock by hand after its installed. Was snug initially, but once it moved, it moved fine through the whole adjustment range.

I picked mine up through Amazon.com. I'm a "prime" member and knew if I didn't like the shocks I could return them no questions asked. Look for the ones that show prime. They are fulfilled by Amazon even if they're sold by another company.

Again, hope this helps,
Darryl

 

Apples to oranges. $220 Progressive 412's are nothing like $1200 Ohlins with adjustable rebound, compression, along with preload.

For apples to apples compare the Progressive 977's to the Ohlins shocks.

 

Yea, I was just checking Amazon for those. No problems there and much cheaper! Thanks for the information. Take care!

 

t
Just checked on Amazon, the 444 -4020b's are $444.25.

 

I'm sorry I disagree. These are all features that may or may not be of interest to the owner. Performance is (to me anyways) how do the shocks compare side by side when ridden on the same terrain and installed on the same bike? Is there an appreciable difference in the ride? I keep waiting for the post that says: "Yea, I had the 412's and upgraded to the brand X and they were way better because..."

 

Dang, heck of a deal! I just double checked my JP catalog and they are $625

 

Do yourself a favor and skip the 412's - had them for less than a month and couldnt believe how bad they were when riding 2 up (170lbs and wife 115lbs). They were 12" standard duty so maybe a heavy duty would be better but I was upset how many times they bottomed out cranked all the way up.

Wound up switching to the 444's and its no comparison. I dont even have to adjust them when riding with the wife or fully loaded. Definitely worth the extra $$$