Progressive Shock Difference, again?

[pjandbee]

Greetings from hot, humid and wet N.W. Florida.
My shocks are shot. I've been looking at the Progressive shocks and started wondering what the differences really are from people that use or have used them. I ride solo 99% and pull an Aspen trailer every now and then.
I have been trying to compare the '440' , '418' , '416'air & '412. I've seen a few comments about the '412' and to make sure to get the HD. I've been wondering if the ride justified the upgrade to the '418' & '440'. The air shocks aren't my first choice.
I call my self trying to find any info that would help me but to no avail, so I'll bother you guys, again,

I had to change my bad ignition switch and decided to change the location while under the tank. Old/bad switch = extra harness length. This turned out to be easier than trying to pull the harness to reach the new location. Relocated to the side cover and loving it.

[ringadingh]

I just installed a set of 13" Progressive 430 shocks, they are a lot better than the oem shocks. The only thing is that I find them still a little stiffer than I would like, even at the softest setting.

[lostnavigator]

I took the air shocks off my nomad, one was shot and not repairable. Went to progressive shocks, 4 months ago, no complaints.

[pjandbee]

Thanks ringadingh, I'm guessing that the 412's would not provide the damping that I'm looking for and the 430's I don't remember seeing. Perhaps the 430's dampening makes them stiff.
Still hoping for some ride thoughts on the other shocks.
Thanks again......

[ringadingh]

It will also depend on how heavy you are and if you ride solo or two up. I'm 170lbs and ride solo, I'm sure the shocks will soften up the more they get used over time.

[MAS Tequila]

The 412's are awesome shocks.

I'm on my 3rd set of them. The first set is still being used, I retired them because I painted my bike and wanted a new set, read no rust, and passed them on to someone else.

The 2nd set went to someone who wanted the stock height, while I went with a shorter pair which is the 3rd set.

The 440's, I had a set of them, are infinitely adjustable but are not any better as far as the dampening, just prettier, and I don't have any 1st hand knowledge about the 430's.

Once I ditched the air shocks I was one happy person.

Imagine NEVER having to check the air in the shocks again, NEVER having your bike bottom out because the air pressure was low again.

Since you tow, you need the HD version.

MT

[pjandbee]

THANKS MAS, just what I was hoping to hear. Looks like it may cost more to have good looks. Their pretty much hidden by the bags so looks aren't that important. So, I'm going to source out some 412-HD's, I feel like going shorter and think 12.5" is safe. I am curious, would 12" may be a little to much. I ride mostly solo and my lard butt weighs 225 lbs.



2003 Nomad 1500fi mine
1995 Vulcan en500 wife's
1995 Virgo 250 small toy

[MAS Tequila]

If you go shorter than 12 1/2" you WILL bottom out on shallow bumps and railroad tracks.

And trust me, you do NOT want to do that.

MT

[skiman]

Originally Posted by ringadingh

I just installed a set of 13" Progressive 430 shocks, they are a lot better than the oem shocks. The only thing is that I find them still a little stiffer than I would like, even at the softest setting.

Did you get HD springs?
I have SD springs and I'm set up solo, I set the sag and they were great but after some miles I guess the spring broke in and I bottomed on bigger bumps so I went up 2 turns a little too much but I didn't have a helper to set the sag. I'll get it set and I'm sure they will be good to go.

[ringadingh]

I have the standard springs and found that the rebound was too stiff even at the softest setting, I weigh 170. I called Progressive, and they suggested that I set the shocks one turn stiffer, I did, and I think it made a difference in the rebound, it didn't jolt me when riding over manhole covers and road cracks. I'll have a better idea today on the way to work later on.