Been researching this on HDF and going to "spring" for a pair. Question I had, and couldn't find an answer, is how much preload to add from going to solo, to 2-up, to 2-up with loaded tour packs (about 50-lbs). What are you guys doing?

 

and the question that I've had, how big of a pain in the butt is it to do these adjustments? Is there some happy medium that can be achieved without having to change the preloads all the time?

 

Well, every time you go from solo to 2-up you just rotate the adjustment collars to the next notch. should be a set screw that needs to be loosened. Doesn't look like a big deal except you have to remove your bags.
Looks like Phat Performance has the best prices, does anyone know of a coupon code?

 

I would really like to ditch these crappy stock air shocks.

 

not hard to adjust take bags off and used wrench that comes with shocks . I called progressive I was not sure which spring to go with reg. or heavy duty the said hd spring and 3/4 sag great ride compared to stock crappy air shocks.

 

The answer depends on your weight and your passengers weight, and of course whether you use standard or heavy duty springs. 412's are just a basic upgrade to the air shocks. I have run so many 412's over the years its silly. On a bagger THEY SUCK to adjust because of the bags. You have to yank the bags every time you make an adjustment. For me, I like to run the heavy duty spring on the weakest setting over the light duty on a heavy setting. That way I can usually set them once and not have to mess with them when the wife gets on. Since they are just a basic shock, you will have to compromise or constantly change the settings. 13 inch 412's are pretty decent compared to the air shocks, but the shorter you go, the worse they work.

 

Now I'm really confused. Progressive says that if your combined weight is equal or greater than 3/4 of the weight capacity of the bike you should go with the heavy spring. I've read a lot of posts here that say the HD spring is too stiff. I'm 215, wife is 165, gear, say...65 Lb. Using a heavy spring on the lowest preload is an interesting strategy. Going to think about that.

 

[QUOTE=Tucker99;12790268]Now I'm really confused. Progressive says that if your combined weight is equal or greater than 3/4 of the weight capacity of the bike you should go with the heavy spring. I've read a lot of posts here that say the HD spring is too stiff. I'm 215, wife is 165, gear, say...65 Lb. Using a heavy spring on the lowest preload is an interesting strategy. Going to think about that.

Goose, when you talked to Progressive what weights did you give them?

 

How do the Progressives compare to Ohlins?

 

Well, one comparison:
Progressive: $220
Ohlin: $1200

As far as performance I've been asking this for a while and still can't get a straight answer. I'm just looking for a improvement over the stock shocks. Was going to replace the oil in the stockers but from what I'm reading it isn't much of a differrence.