I believe you.

I'm planning on installing the fork springs (didn't think about a fork brace, but, yes, of course that would help a lot, too) and 412s. I'm sure the intertial damping of the 440s are the cat's pajamas, but if it's a choice between spings/seat/shocks v. just shocks (for roughly the same budget), I'll go with the 13" 412s, springs, and a new seat.

I know it won't ride like an Ultra, but better handling, less fork dive, and something to take the sting out of potholes would be most welcome.

I appreciate your comments and experience here. Very helpful. Thanks.

 

So my issue with the longer shock and lowering block is that I gain nothing in travel. With a longer progressive shock I will actually only use the softest section of the spring and not get into the stiffer compression section of the spring. Are the longer shock spring rates higher, or am I just more likely to bottom out than I will with a stock length that will allow the shock to work in the stiffer range as it compresses.

 

I ride some truly horrible back roads on occasion with my 2009 xl1200c, especially in the spring. I went with 12.5" standard 412s. I am 6' even, 180 lbs, and my wife is about 105 lbs and rarely rides with me, so standard springs were the right choice. These shocks give almost an inch of suspension travel over the stock units, if I remember correctly. I can't compare with 440s, but there is definitely a significant improvement in ride quality over stock -- it's not cushy by any means, but that extra travel makes a a big difference, and the rear of the bike feels more planted. I am running the stock seat right now, and with the 412s, it is fine (but an hour in the saddle is a long ride for me). Also, with the 12.5 inch shocks, changes to the geometry are minimal, both in terms of appearance and feel. I had no need to adjust belt tension, and did not feel any real difference in handling. I did quite a bit of debating and research regarding which length to buy, and am ultimately happy with the 12.5 inch.

 

Now, just how would you lose suspension travel using a lowering block for example my 3.18" of travel is still there with the lowering block. In fact the shock is at a shallower angle to the swing arm and the swing arm travel might be increased a little if anything.

 

I wasn't saying that I would lose travel length. I was saying that the spring in the shock takes less force to compress at the beginning of travel than at the end. So if the spring is longer and not stiffer then it would take less force to cause the spring to compress the 3.18" on a 12.5" shock than an 11" shock. This would cause the bike to bottom out more wig the longer shock. Maybe it isn't an issue, just something that I was wondering about.

 

Sorry, I didn't grasp it the way you meant it, but that's what the pre-load adjustment is for, it effectively makes the spring stiffer. I run my 440s four turns down from softest setting.

 

How about 250lbs ? - would you still recommend the regular over HD at 250lbs ?

 

Progressive Suspension says 225 lbs.

But there are those in this thread who have posted that despite being over that limit they prefer the standard springs.

And since I prefer comfort over stiffness in suspension, I'll go with their advice.

(I have another bike for really pushing it and riding hard, my Ducati Monster 1100, and it has phenomenal suspension! When I ride my Sporty, I just want to relax.)

 

I'm 230 lbs. and have the standard springs and they're fine. One thing to consider is that I have the lowering blocks which according to 1200C reduces some of the plushness due to a slight change of shock angle. I wouldn't want the HD springs with my setup as I dont ride two up much and when I do the passenger is very light. If I were going with the heavy duty springs, I would be sure to get at least 12.5" shocks as the springs are more plush in both HD and standard at this length and longer.

To sum: I would say at 250lbs, get HD shocks at least 12.5" or longer if you're not using lowering blocks. Consider standard if you are using lowering blocks.

 

Thanks everyone - one more question:
when discussing with my dealer about replacing my stock shocks with 12.5 or 13" - he mentioned to be careful since it also changes the kickstand height

has anyone had any issues with this ?