2005 xl1200c
ok so i ordered a set of progressive 440 standard duty 12.5" shocks and they SUCK! i just put them on about 2 hours ago and did 20+ miles and they seem to bottom out more than my stock ones. and yes i ajusted the preload as stiff as it will go i dont get it. when i sit on it, it compresses an 1 1/2" gives me about 1/2" of travel left
maybe a bad set but i doubt it? ne one else hvef this problem?

 

Man that sucks! How much do you weigh? Even though I should have bought the standard duty since I only weigh 170lbs, I decided to get the heavy duty 13" progressive 412's... Strangely they'll even bottom out when I'm by myself sometimes if I set them on the lowest preload setting. I keep the preload on 3 and they work great for me and don't bottom out.

Maybe you can send them back and ask for the hd version? Can't hurt to try, especially with how expensive they are. Hope it works out for you!

 

Should of went with road king shocks...

 

I think Progressive is a little on the light side with their spring ratings.
I have had a number of 412 heavy duty shocks on my bike, 12 inch and 12.5 inch, 13's supposed to get here today, and at 205 pounds I need to run them on the middle position if I am being sporty over rough roads.
If the roads are normal, positon 2 is ok, but even on 3 they will bottom sometimes on big sharp bumps.
That is one reason I keep going longer, as every increase improves things a lot.
Two up with the wife on the back at 160 pounds, position 5 is just stiff enough to give a plush ride, but I have to watch out for big bumps.

It seems to me like the springs should be a little more.....progressive....
They need to recalibrate the springs for the fat beer swilling American bikers....

Progressive would likely allow you to swap springs for something stiffer.
If my new shocks are still on the soft side, I may ask them about that.

Or, I could take the springs off and fit a spacer between the spring and the seat, to up the preload a little.

Brett

 

Sounds like something may be wrong here (incorrect shocks, or wrong spring rate for the app), drop us a PM, we'll get you sorted out.

 

Got to love the vendors that pay attention to the forums. Hopefully my wife will score me some 412s and fork springs for my birthday next month!

 

Yep, It's nice to see avendor step in and offer to fix things! I weigh 160 and my 13" 412's were pretty stiff when new. Now after 20k miles they are about perfect on the lightest setting, I'm thinking of trying to go up one on the stiffness just to see what it's like...