Looking to do a cheap shock upgrade from stock. I am 190 and girl is 130. They are 12". Sick of them bottoming out. So I was thinking HD's

 

i have the 11 inchers and im 260 and the wife is about 140 and i think they ride damn good for a cheaper shock

 

I have Progressive 1/2" longer than stock (don't remember which #) on my 02 WG and I weigh 220 and mama is 140. I got the heavy springs but they were almost hardtail stiff so I put in their stock springs and the bike did really nice afterwards and only bottoms out on really big clunks. Just turned over the 100k mark on the bike sunday and the shocks are still working fine after about 85k

 

I feel ya bro, looking for slightly stiffer, yet good feeling shocks myself. Them stock shocks just are not meant for my fat 250# *** and the woman (120#) at the same time. They ride fine for me alone, just not the two of us.

 

I am 185 and the woman is 120 and they are fine. When I ride alone they are close to excessive. It stiffens the ride to almost rigid. If your like 225-250 they seem to be good. My dad rides with no problem on them but when I hit bumps it seems like they don't even move. Hope this helps. If you want pics or have any questions pm me. My sig is before I changed out the rear fender and changed the shocks.

 

Do not get HD springs. The progressive standard springs are much more stiff than the stock ones. You will be fine with standard springs. Your ride will be more firm and harsh either way though. I had tried both standard and HD springs at about your weight. Standard and you will not bottom.

 

Why do you want cheap? If you buy cheap there is no certainty you will get a better ride, or cure bottoming. Whatever you do, do NOT buy new shocks in a box off the shelf. Find a supplier who will build them for you, so the springs are the right strength. Better still phone HDF sponsor Motorcycle Metal and get a custom pair. That is how I cured bottoming out on my dresser. I only ride my Dyna solo. Buy well once, instead of splashing around cheap many times!

 

I don't find many that think the progressive shocks are an upgrade over the sock harley, I've read many are not happy. The least expensive quality shock I think are the Ricors at about $500-$600. Ricor will custom spring and valve them based on your weight and riding style. The sport tune is very stiff. More expensive shocks will give you the ability to adjust valving real time.

 

I'm 230lb, I bought progressive 440's HD, I hated them. They were way too stiff, switched to YSS sprung for my weight and riding style, much better.

 

Thanks rounder will buy the reg 412's. Thanks for all your input.