Got to ride today with my new Progressive 412's!!!

[Speedy818]

Well, I picked up my Christmas presents at the dealership last night. My lovely wife was wonderful enough to pick me up at the bus stop and we got up there right before they were about to close. Brought home a new pair of Progressive 412's, a pair of 1200S forks and a new Sport windshield.

I put the 412's on this morning and had to go for a ride out to the car dealership to have her car looked at! 55 degrees in Chicago today. Man, those shocks make the world of difference. I used to ride with the stock shocks in the 3rd position (that's the 5th position for you Custom folks with the short shocks). I'm now in the middle and the ride is so much better. I wish I thought of this a long time ago.

The only unfortunate thing is that I get to spend tomorrow morning washing my bike, since all of this melted snow left spots all over my bike - but it was well worth it!!!

Speedy

[Aussiegirl]

You say the shocks make a big difference...How???

[Gyahmers]

Hi Aussiegirl.

I have 11" 412's on my bike and this is what I have noticed.

First, I don't bottom out whatsoever. At 220 lbs. I would bottom out on the stock shocks (11.75") if I hit the smallest of bumps. The 412's don't do that at all. They also feel better on the road, a little more stable you might say, especially when ridding the curved and banked roads.

On the downside, they don't have much give/travel. Might as well be ridding a softail, but I don't bounce up out of the seat like I did on the softail when I hit a large hole or bump as much. I've let a little air out of the tire (about 4 or 5 lbs.) to help make up for the loss in swingarm travel.

Hope this helps some...

[Aussiegirl]

thanks!!!!!!!

[rider1951]

You say the shocks make a big difference...How???


I went with 12 1/2" 412s on my custom. I was looking for a little more shock travel and maybe a little more ground clearance. I probably would have been okay with 11 3/4". Along with the Progressive fork springs the bike rides pretty nice now. My neighborhood has a lot of speed bumps which really messed with the stock setup. Now I can take them at 25-30 mph without any rebound slapping or bottoming out. Most bumps and rough roads are soaked up with only the most abrupt or sharp bumps causing any real problems. With the standard spring the bike now has some sag that the stock shocks really didn't have. I got mine for $184 shipped to my door and was well worth the money.

[ace57]

Hi folks,
I have an 883 L .... I wonder if there is an aftermarket shock that would replace the stock low shocks to provide a somewhat smoother ride on the roughs.
I know when I bought the Low that the ride would be compromised to a degree, I liked the lowered look etc... just wondering what's out there.
Any thoughts?

thx
ace57

[xl1200r]

ace57,

Progressive offers all of thier shocks in a variety of lengths, so you won't have a problem finding the right length to keep you low ride hieght.

[wickedsprint]

Man that is gonna be one nice improvment to your 1200R, you arebasically fixing my two main issues with it, are 1200S legs the only real easy way to get front adjustability?

[ace57]

thanks for the response XL1200R, but do you think the progressives would give any better of a ride than the stock harley shocks? My ride is lowered enough, I'm just looking for more smooth if thats possible with this short a shock.

thx

ace57

[BobbyB]

The Progressive shocks are way ahead of the stock ones in ride quality and service life.
Bobby

[ace57]

Thanks BobbyB, I'll check it out............................................... ....................... as soon as I finish buying all the other crap I can't afford. ;o)


ace57

[Confused89]

I got some aftermarket shocks on my bike, put on there by the previou owner. No idebtification other thatn a little fox head. The squek alot but the ride is nice. My friends always tease me about the squeking.

[Speedy818]

WickedSprint:

The only other way that I know of to get the front end up to snuff is to put in RaceTech Emulators & higher-duty springs. That will run you about $250 - $300 or so, plus you have to pull your forks completely apart to do it. The 1200S forks were $200 apiece from Chicago Harley, come pre-assembled, and I still get to hold onto my stockers if I want to. They're fully adjustable for preload, rebound and compression - without taking the forks apart. The RaceTech emulators can be adjusted for compression (I think, not rebound, or maybe I ahve that backwards), by taking the fork apart, instead of just turning a dial on the fork. IMHO, not offering the 1200R, and even the 883R with these forks was a huge mistake on the factory's part. I remember reading someplace that they considered it and said that "most people don't want to pay for an adjustable suspension since they set it and forget it, or don't know what to do with it in the first place". That's like a car manufacturer saying that they aren't going to offer adjustable seats since most people keep the seat in one place while they're driving.

I dont' know how much longer you'll be able to get 1200S forks, there has to be a limited supply, since the model is obsolete (from a manufacturing standpoint, not a riding standpoint, nobody get mad about that). Highly recommended.

Ace57 - keep this in mind: With the progressive springs, as you hit a bump, you'll move a bit and then the progressive winding will kick in and you'll move less and less as the shock compresses. With stock springs, you'll move the entire distance of the bump. You won't regret it - no more bottoming out.

Speedy

[wickedsprint]

Thanks for the headsup friend, I already own a 1200S so I already got the dial to play with, was just curious what the options were in terms of front ends, cause my buddy is considering something with his 94.

[Speedy818]

Hmm - double check on the axle diameters and the brake caliper dimensions. Hopefully he won't have to replace the entire front-end from the trees down.

Speedy

[ace57]

thanks speedy 818
appreciate the input

ace57

[dave]

So does anybody have a favorite vendor from which to order Progressive shocks? In other words, good service - good price...

[dave]

What's the "eye to eye" size of the stock rear shock for a 2004 1200 Custom - 11.75"?

[cantolina]

I put the 412's on this morning and had to go for a ride out to the car dealership to have her car looked at! 55 degrees in Chicago today. Man, those shocks make the world of difference. I used to ride with the stock shocks in the 3rd position (that's the 5th position for you Custom folks with the short shocks). I'm now in the middle and the ride is so much better. I wish I thought of this a long time ago.

They really are the cat's ass, aren't they? First upgrade I did to my bike....
I can't imagine going back. SO much more stable, and the difference REALLY shows when we go 2-up....

Enjoy!

[thunderpaw]

So does anybody have a favorite vendor from which to order Progressive shocks? In other words, good service - good price...

Dave, I got my 440s from Jireh. They had the best price that I have found. If you are going for the 412s or 418s, they carry both the standard (for riders under 225 lbs) and heavy duty series for Sportsters. They only have the 440s in heavy duty. I have had very good luck dealing with them on multiple occasions. Friendly, fast and cheap...what's not to like?

Kim

[dave]

Thunderpaw,

Do you have Jireh's catalog? They don't list a 412-4001C (412, heavy duty, 12.5", chrome) on their website, and said they can't look it up. The only solution was for them to send me a catalog (2 week wait!!).

If you could look up that part number, I would be most grateful!!!

[MRK585]

How do the 412 11" do with 2 riders with a total weight of 265 give or take i dont want the fender to hit the tire how much do these normally run any suggestions

[rider1951]

So does anybody have a favorite vendor from which to order Progressive shocks? In other words, good service - good price...

I bought mine from Parts Direct for 184 dollars shipped. They had free shipping but charged a $5 handling fee. I got the standard 12 1/2" 412s and really like them. Stock length on the Custom is 11 3/4". The shocks are listed the same as the older bikes. Go to progressivesuspension.com
and look up the part number. I think I got mine in about a week.

[dave]

Rider1951,

Thanks for the info!!! I just ordered my 412 shocks from Parts Direct (12.5", chrome, heavy duty).

Can't wait to try 'em out!!

[rider1951]

Your welcome I hope they work out for you. If you haven't already done the fork springs you might make that your next project.

[dave]

Rider1951,

Yeah, I did the fork springs already. Big improvement!!!

[Speedy818]

MRK 585 - if you ride two up a lot - you might want to consider the Heavy-Duty versions (don't worry if you don't see them listed under XL's - they're the regular duty for the FLH's). They're suggested for a regular ride weight of 220+.

Otherwise, you can just crank up the preload on the regular ones, but I think that defeats a lot of the purpose of the progressive springing.


Speedy

[thunderpaw]

Sorry, I missed your post yesterday, Dave. Jireh's number for the 412 Heavy Duty 12.5" chrome shock for Sportsters is 116-47. Price is $179.95. Shipping over $79 is free. You did real well, anyway.
Again, sorry I didn't catch your post earlier.

Kim

[Danny3nose]

Anyone know the stock length on the 2004 Roadster? I think its 13" but I'm not sure. Been thinking of investing in Progressive Shocks. Do alot of 2 up and weigh about 190-195, and bumps really connect hard with the old lady.

[rider1951]

Anyone know the stock length on the 2004 Roadster? I think its 13" but I'm not sure. Been thinking of investing in Progressive Shocks. Do alot of 2 up and weigh about 190-195, and bumps really connect hard with the old lady.

Measure them and see it will probably be a little longer than when they are mounted. I thought they were 13 1/2", check Progressive's website and see what they list it as.

[thunderpaw]

I measured 13" on my Roadster...that's what I ordered in the Progressives.

Kim