412 progressive vs stock
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 117
From: Southeast NC
412 progressive vs stock
while riding today my stock air shocks on my 13 ultra were horrendous. I cant take them anymore. even the wife commented on how bad the suspension was and on a 24 thousand dollar bike. i agree with her. sad on harleys part. ive played around with the amount of air pressure but still a pretty sad ride and a pain to keep the right air preasure in when releasing the pump. so. im gonna buy some shocks but i dont wanna spend a boat load so has anybody tried the progressive 412,s ive seen them for 220 on sale here an there. how are are they compared to stock
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 14
From: Seattle
I believe the correct pump will keep the air IN when you release the pump. A bicycle pump isn't going to work. You may want to try to borrow the correct type of pump before you spend money on shocks. I went to a bicycle shop and they let me use their "shock pump".
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 226
From: W PA
The Progressives are a firm ride, I tried both standard and HD. Just couldn't find the right setting. I agree stock shocks are BAD. I also agree with the HD Premium, I scored a set from a buddy who took them off a SGS. Best ride so far but sadly isn't as good as my 86' FLT stocks .. go figure.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 35
From: Fl
People talk a lot of BS about shocks on the forum. Some will have you believe $1000 shocks are needed, really? Bottom line, I have the 412 HD shocks in the 11.5 inch size, works great for me. Do you want to ride motocross on your bagger? Do you want to keep up with Jap rockets in the twisties? All I wanted out of my shocks was a reduced height, decent ride, and no bottoming, done deal. The stock shocks sucked, my Progressive HD 412s are much better. Spend more (lots!) and I'm sure you'll get a better shock, but I don't have a candy ***, the 412s work good enuf for me!
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 117
From: Southeast NC
so what if a shock is 220 bucks. if they work and give a nice ride then so be it. thats why i started this tread. and why would HD put crap on a 24k bike always a smart a**. but anyways i was kinda wondering about the HD premium shocks too. Floridapoolboy thx for the response. thats what i was looking for in a response.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: Delaware
I have just 1300 miles on my 2 week old 2013 leftover RK police (FLHP). I have been riding for over 40 years (roadraced for 18 including 4 as AMA pro), but this is my 2nd harley ('02 fatboy was first). Among many other bikes, I've also had 2 Roadstars, and one Guzzi 1400 California, so I'm used to 700+ pound bikes.
This RK has the singularly most horrible suspension I have ever experienced. The front end while it has the correct springs, has way to much compression damping, so the front end has no compliance over square edged bumps. Lighter oil should fix it, just haven't done it yet. Hoping it will get better w/a couple miles.
The *** end of this bike is worse. The air shocks are practically rigid, in terms of spring rate, way too high (I weigh 185). I cant even evaluate the damping because they literally don't move, regardless of pressure. As it is I had a set of 12.75" progressive 412's on the shelf from a Guzz project. Even though progressive told me to use 130/90 springs (I ride solo), I have been using the 150/105's that were on there, and they occasionally bottom out, so I'm in no rush to try lighter springs (which I also have on the shelf). The bigger problem is they, like the forks have too much damping, and pack down over a series of stutter bumps.
It is comical when the bike hits certain bumps, bouncing back and forth, inducing false inputs into my throttle hand, and throttle.
Once I get the saddle, windshield and forks sorted, I'll be dropping some big bucks on quality shocks.
This RK has the singularly most horrible suspension I have ever experienced. The front end while it has the correct springs, has way to much compression damping, so the front end has no compliance over square edged bumps. Lighter oil should fix it, just haven't done it yet. Hoping it will get better w/a couple miles.
The *** end of this bike is worse. The air shocks are practically rigid, in terms of spring rate, way too high (I weigh 185). I cant even evaluate the damping because they literally don't move, regardless of pressure. As it is I had a set of 12.75" progressive 412's on the shelf from a Guzz project. Even though progressive told me to use 130/90 springs (I ride solo), I have been using the 150/105's that were on there, and they occasionally bottom out, so I'm in no rush to try lighter springs (which I also have on the shelf). The bigger problem is they, like the forks have too much damping, and pack down over a series of stutter bumps.
It is comical when the bike hits certain bumps, bouncing back and forth, inducing false inputs into my throttle hand, and throttle.
Once I get the saddle, windshield and forks sorted, I'll be dropping some big bucks on quality shocks.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 35
From: Fl
so what if a shock is 220 bucks. if they work and give a nice ride then so be it. thats why i started this tread. and why would HD put crap on a 24k bike always a smart a**. but anyways i was kinda wondering about the HD premium shocks too. Floridapoolboy thx for the response. thats what i was looking for in a response.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 784
Likes: 56
From: Eastern Iowa
13" are stock on my Ultra but I got a sweet deal on some new 412 13 1/2" Progressive shocks.
Figured I could use the extra 1/2" anyway as I have full saddlebags of stuff.
Measured height before and after and not a big change.
Then I won a second set of 412 shocks.
Got the same thing in HD and couldn't feel it was a rougher ride.
I'm happy with my 13 1/2" Progressive HD shocks.
Figured I could use the extra 1/2" anyway as I have full saddlebags of stuff.
Measured height before and after and not a big change.
Then I won a second set of 412 shocks.
Got the same thing in HD and couldn't feel it was a rougher ride.
I'm happy with my 13 1/2" Progressive HD shocks.