I've got a new Road Glide and the ride is terrible. I'm thinking of a suspension upgrade and moving to Progressive 412 shocks. Im curious about ride height. I've got some points on one of my cards I might as well use to upgrade the ride on my bike at Amazon.

I'm pretty sure my stock shocks are 11" but to be honest I'd like to raise the rear end some to more of a standard touring type platform like the RG Limited currently has. Being 5'9" I can handle the extra height moving to a taller shock will bring and I'm thinking that the 13" is what I'd go to.

Please everyone, if I'm wrong on either of those measurements, I'd like and appreciate the correction.

In any event, I'm wondering whether I can move to the 13" shock, or even if I can.

If I stay with the stock 11" height, will I still see a major improvement in ride quality?

What will moving to a taller shock do to handling?

Is 13" too big of a change? Is 12" kind of a compromise?

For informational purposes, I weigh 219 as of my Dr appointment this morning but that will change as I just put two racks of baby backs on the RecTec a while ago.
I don't consider myself an aggressive rider but I enjoy curves when I can.
I never ride with a passenger, always solo. I do like to pack when I travel so there's more than just me on the bike weight-wise.
I have a 32" inseam so touching the ground isn't an issue.
I'm not averse to riding the freeway for hours at a time to get someplace so while comfort and ride quality is super important, handling in the curves when I get to where I'm going is also kind of a big deal....but mainly comfort.

I'm looking forward to your feedback. I'm on a budget like everyone else so if you make recommendations please keep that in mind.

Thanks for reading, and ride safe.

 

I believe my shocks on my '13 RGU were 13" and I put the Progressive 944's on, the bike sits at 12" but ride like a 13" shock. The 13" shock will give you a more comfortable travel and you can adjust for a passenger much easier.

 

I have 13" Pro Action shocks on my 17 RGS. Far better than the same brand 12" that I swapped out.

 

sped, when you say new, how new? bike should of come with 12 inch shocks, not 11. Ok, just saw where you have a 2020, should be 12 inch in rear.

 

t's a 2020.

 

If you have the height I would go with 13, me on the other hand only got about a 27 inseam, with a 2019 FLHXS, been thinking of going with a 13 but with a 1 inch lowering kit, already have the front end down 1 inch, can flat foot, but have a heck of a time backing up sometimes, looking for more travel in the rear, so probably go 13 with the lowering kit.

 

short version, your bike should have come with 12'' shocks, not 11''.
progressive 412s are not really 'an upgrade' from the stock shocks.
13'' will give you a better ride than 12'', in most cases, and yes, your bike can take the 13'' with no problem.