Longer shocks?

[xring]

Bike is a 2004 XL1200R.

After a 1400-mile trip down to Deal's Gap through the Blue Ridge Parkway, etc, I am happy with my Sportster...I just wish it had a little more ground clearance. The left-hand foot peg and the front muffler on the right drag a little too early. I don't want to do any extensive mods; just get the best bang for my buck. I was thinking slightly longer shocks in the back and perhaps some Progressive springs up front. Any better ideas? If it will work, can anybody recommend a shock? The existing shocks are (I assume) stock; measure 13.5" eye-to-eye when unloaded.

This is my 4th trip down that way and I had the most fun, by far.
http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=04RK0190020005&po=5&pc=1228
http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=04RK0190020006&po=6&pc=1228

[Doc45]

I've got a '06 R and am running Progressive 412s (standard springs) in 13.5" length with Progressive fork springs. These made an amazing improvement in how the bike handles (I also added the SE fork brace). I know there are more expensive options out there but for my style of riding and the roads I travel I am quite happy. Do a search of my posts and you'll find plenty of pics of the bike.

Stock shocks are actually 13.25".

By the way I'm 5'9" and weigh about 195, always ride solo (so far anyway :D).

Good luck, ride safe.

[2slow]

Funny, you can actually see the sparks in the second pic.

If you look at the pics carefully it looks like the bike is loading up the suspension pretty hard through that turn. You could maybe try adding some preload or stiffer springs to keep it up higher as you crank it into the corners. You could also try hanging off a bit more (sportbike style). That will buy you a bit more speed within your lean angle limits. Other than that, I don't know what to tell you. If you're really wanting to tear up the twisties you're on the wrong bike. The XR would be a MUCH better choice or better yet, a Buell. There are also numerous Japanese bikes w/ much higher handling limits than the Sporty. The Sportster handles well for a cruiser but there are 100's of bikes that will take the curves MUCH better.


The Dragon is a ton of fun. I rode down there w/ my brothers and a couple of friends last year on the GSXR (1200mi in 3days on a sportbike). I just don't think you've REALLY experianced the Dragon till you've done it on a great handling bike. WOW.....that's all I can say. The Cherohala was probably my favorite though. BEAUTIFUL scenery on a beautiful road; just amazing! One of these days, I'm going to ride the whole length of the Blue Ridge Parkway as well. That looks like a fantastic ride.

[KevinJ]

The cheapest option would be to start putting your knee down to the pavement like racers do.

[jharback]

It's pretty easy to dragt he stock pipes on a sporty. I was kind of disappointed in my progressive 412 shocks. My understanding is that the 440's are much better. I would also take a look at Hagon Shocks.

http://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/HagShocks.htm

[turn8a]

I also have a 2004 1200r . I have ohlins rear shocks adjusted to 13.5 inches and the works dual rate fork springs with intiminators up front and can still drag parts . Rear-sets and high pipes will give a little more clearance.

[83XLX]

...If you look at the pics carefully it looks like the bike is loading up the suspension pretty hard through that turn. You could maybe try adding some preload or stiffer springs to keep it up higher as you crank it into the corners. You could also try hanging off a bit more (sportbike style)...
I agree - looks like your suspension is set up too soft for that type of riding. I have 13-1/4" FXDX shocks on mine, and the swingarm is 1/2" shorter than Sportsters made from about '88-on. No dragging any parts here, and I ride pretty agressively in the curves.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c237/rotcorp52/Temporary/P1000900.jpg

[ReddTigger]

6 year old stock shocks suck. Replace them.. On what one's will depend on your budget..

I replaced my stock 13.25 shocks with progressive 412's..

412's
http://i37.tinypic.com/2hno01k.jpg

stock
http://i35.tinypic.com/10ofiwh.jpg

The yellow lines are on the ridge of the tire.

[xring]

Thanks for the replies. I had a Buell XB9, and before that several Japanese bikes. I loved the Buell but could not get comfortable on it. 500 mile days were almost impossible. The Sporty suits me better, and I'm even happy with the handling, just wish it had more clearance. I will try Progressive springs and some stiffer shocks.
I rode Cherohala and several roads off the Blue Ridge Parkway. If you ever want to ride a really tight road, try the road from the BRP down to Candler, NC. Wow!

Thanks again.

http://myplace.frontier.com/~vzex25to/5.jpg

[LUCKY DAVE]

15'' shocks are more the ticket to make the change you're looking for, along with stiffer fork springs. I think the stock fork springs were sourced from a ball point pen manufacturer, they're incredibly feeble (and that's an understatement).
Also try raising the fork oil level to make the effective spring rate more progressive.
Raising the rear ride height by fitting longer shocks will quicken the steering a bit too, something Sportys benefit from as they steer slow as a barge in stock form.
After you've made these changes you're probably going to decide the wooden (stock) tires and brakes have to go.......

[new2HDfrank]

I think the stock fork springs were sourced from a ball point pen manufacturer......

At a discount, no doubt!!

Frank

[xring]

I see progressive has some 412's in 14.25". If they will bolt up I'll try them, along with front PS springs/spacers. The tires are Bridgestone Battle Axes, were on it when I bought it, need a new rear right now. Thanks!

[xring]

I emailed PS tech support to ask about the 14.25" 412's. They said the 13.5" shocks were all that is available for my 2004. I don't know why the longer shocks wouldn't bolt up unless they hit the belt or belt guard on the right side. It doesn't seem like an extra 3/4" of travel could hurt anything. I'm going to call them tomorrow and worry them about it some. Surely somebody has tried it before? I'm assuming the actual mounting bolts are the same diameter regardless of year.

Meanwhile an ebay seller is advertising 15" PS shocks for Sportsters up to 2010 model year.

If I get any answers I'll post about it. The front springs are on the way.

[LUCKY DAVE]

Phil Little has 15" shocks in stock, they're progressives (if I remember right, and I don't remember the model # either but they work well enough.)

[xring]

The very helpful tech at Progressive said the issue is the longer travel of the shock causes the belt guard to contact the sub-frame on the bike. He said if I could figure out a way to modify the belt guard or take care of that problem, the 14.25's would bolt on. I will look at it this evening. He recommended unbolting the shocks and putting the bike on a lift until the measurement was 14.25 center to center of the shock mounting bolt holes.
I can't imagine it being a difficult issue. I'll post up if I figure something out.

[Bone]

FWIW I've been playing with shocks on the Jackal and the 1200L for a couple of years now.

I recently moved a set of 13.5" 412s from the Jackal to the 1200L with good results, quickened steering a bit over the stock 12.5" ers - so I suspect with the taller forks you've got on the 1200R you'd get the same effect from moving an inch or so longer (from 13.25" to 14.25").

Anyway, my latest change on the 1200L was actually a result of needing longer shocks on my Jackal (I moved the Progressives over to the 1200L when I replaced the Jackal shocks).

I mention this because on the Jackal I went with a set of YSS shocks with rebound dampening, preload AND LENGTH adjustments. Some of the YSS shocks have threaded lower bolt housings which can be adjusted up to 10mm in length. In my case I went to 13.75" over the previous 13.5" I had - but I've got the ability to dial it back down if I want.

If you went with something like that you would have almost a 1/2" of adjustment so if you decided that 14.25" was too much, you could dial it back down to 14" or so. Just something to think about.

Not to mention there is no comparison between the quality of the YSS shocks I'm using and the Progressive 412s, the YSS are so much better it's not funny.

[xring]

I did buy the 14.25" Progressive 412's. Installation involved lifting the rear of the bike slightly on a floor jack and removing the rear (stock) muffler. The 412's bottom eye is offset so that you can turn the shock to get the best clearance. They also include different washers and spacers so that you can adjust as needed. After trying a couple of different things, I ended up turning the eye so that the body of the the shock was the furthest away from the bike. This was the best position (with no other spacers) for the right-hand shock to avoid contact with the belt guard on the inside and the back of the muffler on the outside.
The only issue I can see that may be a problem, is that at full extension (bike on the jack with the rear tire off the ground) the lower run of the drive belt rubs two spots on the rear brake linkage. Letting the bike down and setting it up off the sidestand lets the belt clear. I guess that if the rear end is unweighted enough when riding the belt may contact the linkage. The (conservative) test ride showed no contact. I intend to ride it and monitor to see if it is a problem or not. If it is I have a couple of fixes in mind.
I took the shock springs off after I got them and removed the chrome covers from the top and bottom of the springs. I don't think they would cause any clearance problems but I didn't like the look of them. I like to see the whole shock spring.
The bike sits up quite a bit higher in the back; unloaded shock length is 13.5" stock vs. 14.25 for the Progressive shocks; plus they are stiffer; so the resulting ride height with rider is probably about an inch higher than stock. It is enough to feel when sitting on the bike and riding. I prefer the look of the rear of the bike sitting up some as opposed to stock. Once I get the Progressive front springs in, I expect a noticeable increase in ground clearance.
I'll post pics as soon as I take some.
Thanks for the help!

[BWP 5p]

I did buy the 14.25" Progressive 412's.
I'll post pics as soon as I take some.
Thanks for the help!

We are picture whores!:laugh:laugh
Until we see YOURS..........we can't verify that any of this happened!:laugh:laugh:laugh
PS: How's the ride now?

[xring]

We are picture whores!:laugh:laugh
Until we see YOURS..........we can't verify that any of this happened!:laugh:laugh:laugh
PS: How's the ride now?

I know this! So am I....

But...it was one of those jobs I thought would take 15 minutes and actually took 2 hours...didn't know the muffler had to come off. By the time I got done it was after 9PM. So the test ride was brief, and I didn't take any pics when I got back (past my bedtime!)

The ride is noticeably better though. I just can't wait to see if really helped the ground clearance.

Stock shocks:http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=2790294&postcount=656

Now if I could just get away from work to make a return trip to Deal's Gap for testing purposes!

[dino]

Thats a great pic!

[Bob F]

There's 2 things wrong with the Harley shocks, the right one and the left one. I'm very happy with my Progressive suspension.

[trucks005]

I have the 15" progressive on my 05 and they work great. They did quicken the stering a bit so I sent my front forks to race tech in corona cal and had them rebuild them with there new valving and oil. Also I rased the front up 1/4" and got back a little stability on the freeway. Stortz rear sets and bub flat track pipes no way anything will scrape.

[BWP 5p]

Nice set up there trucks005:clap:clap

WELCOME to THE FORUM:clap:clap

AND.....we want/demand to see pictures of your bike!:laugh:clap:clap

[trucks005]

soon as its back together. new stering head bearings wheel and swing arm, new rear tire.

[xring]

I finally got a chance to put a few miles on my bike with the new shocks. It took me a couple of weeks to get my new back tire on and get the rear brake issue fixed. Anyway, the longer shocks do not help very much as far as ground clearance goes. The left peg still bangs the ground pretty easily; on the right side, the peg now contacts the ground just before the exhaust does, which is good. Previously the exhaust hit first. I still haven't installed the Progressive front springs; and I left the shocks in the middle preload position. With the new springs and the preload cranked up in the back, I might see some incremental improvement. Still, I'm pleased with the Sporty and have a blast on it.
I can't tell that the drive belt is getting damaged from contacting the rear brake linkage. I think it makes occasional contact when the rear suspension is unweighted, but nothing critical.
As always thanks for the input. I swear, I'll post pics soon!

[DF-SLICK]

By the way who took the photo? what angle was he/she at? outside the turn too. good photo, nice form in the turn.

[xring]

By the way who took the photo? what angle was he/she at? outside the turn too. good photo, nice form in the turn.

One of the photographers from Killboy.com took the photo at Deals Gap. I can't remember what angle they were at; one of them had a chair so they were sitting pretty low.

Moonshine Photo took this one:
http://myplace.frontier.com/~vzex25to/MSP_sparks.jpg

If you look close you can see the sparks...

[Don Burton]

I recently moved a set of 13.5" 412s from the Jackal to the 1200L with good results, quickened steering a bit over the stock 12.5" ers........


Keeping in mind that the stock 1200 R's with 13.5 inch shocks have a indentation in the rear muffler for shock bolt clearance, did you notice any problems with shock bolt clearance on your Low's rear muffler (which is the same as the front muffler on the R's) when fully extended while on the lift? The whole motor and exhaust system dances around some when running; have you seen any clearance issues?

[Bone]

If you look close you can see the sparks...

Actually that's the first thing I noticed.

Keeping in mind that the stock 1200 R's with 13.5 inch shocks have a indentation in the rear muffler for shock bolt clearance, did you notice any problems with shock bolt clearance on your Low's rear muffler (which is the same as the front muffler on the R's) when fully extended while on the lift? The whole motor and exhaust system dances around some when running; have you seen any clearance issues?

Now that you mention it, I'll have to keep my eye open for that - nothing noticed yet...

[DF-SLICK]

Hi guys here is a set of roadster shocks 13.5" Eye to eye, installed on my XCL1200C, The bike steers just fine with no wobble on the road at speed 80+, or skittishness in the corners. I still managed to grind the right front muffler on a very tight uphill right hander which had a bit of a pocket in it at the apex of the turn. But this is definitely better handling for me and my weight, 195lbs.
The Forks, well that's another matter entirely!

[Don Burton]

Actually that's the first thing I noticed.



Now that you mention it, I'll have to keep my eye open for that - nothing noticed yet...

So far the stock front muffler that I just put on the rear of my 1200 R hasn't contacted the shock bolt but I'm watching as well. I already miss my Gronks as these stock mufflers are quiet! I hope to sell the Gronks that I took off the bike but, as the stock mufflers are now mounted, I may just do another Gronk Mod on them right while they're on the bike. I think that I'm going to ride it quiet for a while just to see if I like it better before I do anything. Actually, I do like the quietness of the stock mufflers better while sailing down the interstate but the Gronks made more power when I got on it and they announced my presence better when I wanted them to. So, what to do?

[OrangeR]

I did buy the 14.25" Progressive 412's.....
The only issue I can see that may be a problem, is that at full extension (bike on the jack with the rear tire off the ground) the lower run of the drive belt rubs two spots on the rear brake linkage. Letting the bike down and setting it up off the sidestand lets the belt clear. I guess that if the rear end is unweighted enough when riding the belt may contact the linkage. The (conservative) test ride showed no contact. I intend to ride it and monitor to see if it is a problem or not. If it is I have a couple of fixes in mind..............

There is one other place to watch out for and that's the bracket on the stock exhaust balance pipe. (My thanks go to bighit4u32 for highlighting this problem for me........ :banana :clap :banana )

Here is a picture of mine:

http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae217/OrangeR_Photos/Belt.jpg?t=1285698937

I was testing out the possibility of fitting 360mm (slightly less than 14.25") shocks and this was where my belt was at that length of shock fully extended. The belt was extremely loose at this point and would easily rub against the bracket.

I went with 350mm shocks in the end, not so much because of the possible rubbing issues, but more due to the slackness of the belt when the shocks are fully extended. I took one of the many pieces of great advice given by XLXR and took both shocks off and moved the rear wheel/swinging arm through it's arc. I didn't really feel any binding but it did show me how tight the belt gets when it's all in line. The stock 13.25" shocks go through this line when compressed and again when fully extended. From what I could see so would the longer shocks, both the 350mm and the 360mm shocks. This meant that if I had gone with the longer shocks my belt would be going from very slack to tight with each full movement of the shocks. Now I'm not sure if this is really an issue but it just didn't seem that good to me........ :frownthre

So I went with the 350mm shocks which do make the belt slightly loose when fully extended but not really slack. Just that extra 10mm made a big difference to the belt's slackness.

Here's a picture of mine fitted:

http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae217/OrangeR_Photos/Hagons.jpg?t=1285698937

Keeping in mind that the stock 1200 R's with 13.5 inch shocks have a indentation in the rear muffler for shock bolt clearance, did you notice any problems with shock bolt clearance on your Low's rear muffler (which is the same as the front muffler on the R's) when fully extended while on the lift? The whole motor and exhaust system dances around some when running; have you seen any clearance issues?

Hi DB,

My Hagon 350mm shocks would hit my rear muffler when the bike is just standing and the engine is moving about when ticking over, except that they are a fair bit narrower compared with the stock ones where the bolts fit through so it's not an issue for me, which is lucky......... ;)

I hope this helps,

Cheers,

OR........

[xring]

Longer (14.25") Progressive 412's on my Sportster. Stock was 13.5". I've put around 500 miles on these now with no issues as far as the belt rubbing...at least not enough to cause any damage yet. Also, brand new Bridgestone Battle Axe rear tire in these pics.

http://myplace.frontier.com/~vzex25to/Sporty1.jpg

http://myplace.frontier.com/~vzex25to/Sporty2.jpg

http://myplace.frontier.com/~vzex25to/Sporty3.jpg

Last one shows the offset on the bottom of the shock. This way worked best for me. On the left shock it didn't matter which way I put it on; I just installed it to match the right shock:
http://myplace.frontier.com/~vzex25to/Sporty4.jpg

[trucks]

15" shocks, mid pipes and rear sets are the only way to stop draging things. Ive done this on my 05R with race tech front setup and bike handles great. only thing i can drag now is my head if I lay it over too far.

[mycle1000]

this summer i put progressive fork springs in both the yamaha and '05. with the vstar it was a necessity (believe me!) and on the roadster it was a definite improvement in feel and ride comfort. i haven't thought much about the rear shocks yet, but this is making me wonder which brand shocks you'd recommend-the progressives or some other?

[J.P.]

I've got 14.25 Progressive shocks with Progressive fork springs up front, as well as a fork brace and steering damper with the fork tubes pushed through the trees 1.5". I love this set up, not the best, but not crazy expensive either.