I have a 2012 Road King that I've already swapped out the 13" stock rear shocks for used 12" Street Glide shocks. Bad move - they suck. And I'm pretty sure the seals are blown as riding through back roads in Mississippi over the summer was the roughest riding I've experienced.

So, naturally, I wanna go lower.....because America

I already know it's an inferior ride to a 13" shock - you're not telling me anything revolutionary

My question is how much difference is there in short touring shocks? I have a set of Burly Slammers I got off ebay for 50 bucks to try out. They suck ***. But they may be shot - I dunno.

So the general consensus I'm getting off this forum is Ohlins or Pro-Action are top notch. One guy said the 11" Pro-Actions were amazingly better than his 13" stock shocks

So yeah, my question is pretty much answered. I'm really leaning toward the Pro-Actions, but with that little amount of travel from the get go, are they that much better than 11" Progressive 412s, for instance? I was leaning towards the 944s for a second, but the science behind the Pro-Actions seems pretty straightforward. My dilemma still is with such little travel, is the extra cash worth it? In a case of 13" I'd say you're damn right it is, but in 11", I dunno...

 

I can only tell you what I have experienced, but as you have discovered, the lowered Street Glide, Road Glide shocks are terrible. This winter I will be switching out to Ohlins. Now, I had placed Progressive 412's of the 11" variety on my V-Rod, and that was a huge mistake. Looked cool as hell, but the ride was terrible. Looking cool is one thing, but the ride rarely will be very good with 11" shocks.

 

Try out the 12" Legend Revos. You usually get what you pay for with suspension.

 

Just my .02, but use a 13" shock and a 1" lowering block from DK or someone. You've got the room in the fender (at least I do) to drop it an inch and still maintain full travel. My only experience with 12" shocks have been on 2 different RG specials, a 13 and a 18, both of them rode like utter ****. I have my Ultra dropped with a block and 13" shocks still and it's night and day better than the 12 inchers to me. A better shock will be much better than that as well.

 

Looking good is fine and dandy, but I think I'd take a softer ride over looking badass.

 

OK, "America", I get it. I'm not going to argue over it, but why?

Why because depending on that answer, is the next answer or suggestion.

OK, where low is practical or looks cool is at low speed or parked, and we all know the importance of looking cool when parked or riding past big store windows. But when you're riding out, you cant see it nor can anyone else because you're going by fast. It's then you might need actual suspension.

The suggestion, therefore, is one of the sets of Legends (or others) air suspension, that you can lower to the ground or pumped up and to ride. They also offer half way decent suspension qualities.

If it's just for going down to the bar in Summertime, man up and save yourself the money, and just have a set of solid struts to put on; just let some air out your tire to add bounce. As you've learnt, lowered shocks really don't offer much suspension worth having.

Can't remember their name, but there is a custom bike shop offering a service of lowering the stock Showa shocks.

 

For what it's worth........I did Pro Action 11" on my '16 FLHTK from the stock air shocks. Their shocks are great, but if I had to do it again, I'd probably go with PA's 12" model and a 1" lowering block. The reason is that the expansion joints in NYS are HORRID! They are like hitting a 4" granite curb.

In my pea sized brain, I figure that extra 1" of travel would help. But yes, IMHO, lowered shocks are worth the $$$. My bike is better for my 29" inseam and 62-year old carcass.
FYI- I also did PA's fork inserts.

 

I already know it's an inferior ride to a 13" shock - you're not telling me anything revolutionary....

then asks....

is 13 inch better than shorter shocks.

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Not a fan of lowering blocks, I’ve seen them break.

Guess I’m in the minority here. Running 12” Harley-Davidson shocks with no air pressure on my 01 Ultra (tour-pak removed) and they perform good for me.

 

I put on a pair of 11" Pro Action shocks on my '15 RGS this past summer and it rides far better than the stock 12" hand adjustable premium shocks.
The little lady is also happier with the ride improvement.

For what it's worth I did try lowering blocks and I feel with the increase in shock angle with the shock being mounted further back to make it lower affected the shock "action".
The big ring below the spring on the shocks also rubbed the bag.
To cure the rubbing I then ground the ring down on the shock for clearance and made sure the bag was as far back on the mounts before tightining as I used bolts and u-nuts and a thick washer between the bag and mount to increase clearance.
Another thing to consider is a narrow primary cover, that will make a big difference in ease of flat footing for short people.

Good luck in your decision.