So Progressive has a few models available for my XL1200C. the standard seems to be the 412. however there are 418, 430, 440, and 812 also.
price and simplicity leads me to the 412, but I beg the knowledge of the forum.....
what are the opinions of the different models.
Thanks

 

Too many options, huh? We can simplify.

Toss the 418 out, (we no longer make them) and the 812 is a 412 with covers on it.

That narrows it down to 412 (good), 430 (better) 440 (best).

What really matters is what kind of riding you do, how much you (and potentially passenger) weigh and if you intend to go with stock or lowered height.

 

Im a bigger buy, about 230 lbs and hated the bottoming out and bouncing around that I got with the stock shocks. I got 11.5" 412HD's and they are great. Even without pre-loading, I have yet to bottom out. Also, I've done some 2 up with my girl who is a little bigger and with the pre-load set all the way up, no bottoming out. They are cheap too.

 

I am looking at these also, if you don't mind, could you recommend something for me as well?

I'm looking to go to a 12" shock (Stock is 11" on my XL883N), so that would be probably a .75" lift in the rear. I'd like just a tad more ground/exhaust clearance, plus the extra suspension travel doesn't hurt.

I was looking at the 412. I will NOT be doing two up riding, I weigh about 200lbs with gear.

Sell me on a model above the 412....or tell me why my idea of going to a 12" shock is a bad idea....I'm definitely open to suggestions.

 

Par, since the shocks are slanted at about 45 degrees you raise the bike about 50% of the new additional shock length unless the new springs are stronger.

 

I have 13.5" 440's on my sporty and the ride is so much better than it has ever been. Great shocks. Now I need to do something to front end to balance it out.

Drew

 

Thanks guys, I didn't measure the angle of the shock, but of course if its 45 then the lift would be less than the increase in length by quite a bit.

And yes, I figure I'll see how the new rear does and then drop in matching Progressive springs for the front at some point.

 

Just did a set of 430 HD and so far cannot believe the diff over the stock ones. I weigh 235 and ride with the least amount of adjustment as a single. Put the wife on and cranked them down less than half way and eliminated our bottoming out issues. I like the looks of the model and also the fact that I can adjust them without a tool.

Dropped in Progressive front end springs as well and have had to learn how the bike should have handled all along. Much tighter and firmer.

 

Doc, I run the same 13.5" 440 standards with Progressive Fork Springs and used the spacers at their full 3" length. I run BelRay 7w fork oil and its a perfect balance between front and rear action. Bumps are no longer spine jarring affairs and bumps do not upset the bike in a turn. When hitting bumps in a turn the bike remains poised and on its line.

 

Your budget may be the deciding factor here.

A 12" 412 will provide you with a pretty significant improvement in ride quality, the higher quality damper and additional travel really make the difference.

Another option, although more expensive would be the 430 Series. Using a monotube design and deflective disc damping the 430 is a big step up in damping control (the better a shock controls damping, the better your bike will ride). The threaded preload adjuster also allows for a much finer tuning of preload (and therefore sag).

Both will improve the ride of the bike!