Just curious, but did you mount them correctly. I just installed mine, Progressive 940's from Phat Performance, and after 500 mines, a couple of adjustments, like them just fine. Not a Cadillac cushy, but firm and comfortable. I ask if you mounted them correct because mine came with a bag of bushings and the applications were not very clear. For FLH it was listed 5spd. I originally started putting them on without the bushings but quickly realized the bushings, #4 shouldered bushings in your parts bag, were required top and bottom. Without them the shock would bang around on the bolt.

 

The 940's are pretty stiff, in my opinion. If you're 210# or more, or ride two-up (so your total weight is greater than or equal to that) then they'll probably be ok for you. But if you aren't carrying that much weight, I can see (judging by mine) where you'll have a rough ride out of them. I've got a set of 940's on my 04 RK, I weigh 215#, and at the 'softest' setting they're just about perfect. Maybe they could be just a little 'softer'. But if that meant they'd bottom out, then they're perfect as is.

I'll bet if you give the Progressive guys your stats (weight, type of riding, e.g., 2-up mostly, solo mostly, etc.), and send them your shocks, they'll get you sorted out with the proper springs. I wouldn't be surprised if the 940's come stock with 'heavy duty' springs, or something pretty close. Just supposition, but my seat-of-the-pants scale says they're quite a bit 'stiffer' than 440's with standard springs.

As for your shocks, you could sell them for most of what you paid ($505) as lightly used, on eBay, or elsewhere. I don't think I'd bad mouth them, myself, if I was trying to sell them. Just say they're great shocks (they are), but didn't suit your needs. If you do this, try the 440s with 'standard' springs. If it was me, I'd stick with the 940's, and let Progressive re-work them. If they're willing to do it for 60 bucks, I'd go for it, if it was me.

As for believing what others say...myself in this post, and others, elsewhere, I don't know what to tell you. It would be nice to take people at face value always, but that's pretty hard to do. It's not even so much that most folks lie (I don't believe they do), but very often, we hear what we want to hear. And if someone's trying to sell us something, very often they'll accentuate the positive, and downplay everything else...

I looked up the return policy you referenced. The Phat Performance web site clearly states that parts that have been installed cannot be returned, unless they're defective. I found this in the Help/FAQ, under Terms and Conditions, just now. A suggestion in the future is, research the return policy for your retailers, and if you can't find it, ask them specifically about it. This will save you a lot of grief, if this instance is any indication...

Good luck.

Alan

 

Man, its right here in black and white, took me about 5 seconds to find it:

http://www.phatperformanceparts.com/returns.asp

 

NO returns on installed parts!
Ultima 11" - $139.95 shipped
Soft ride for baggers - low ride, low travel

 

As long as they take it back if it is defective, what more can we expect?

I have not seen many companies offer 'try before you buy' parts, except for some marine dealers offering use of demo props to help dial in a boat right for diameter and pitch to purchase brand new props.

Do your homework and know what you are buying ahead of time, not relying solely on advertisements, as we all know they are biased. For every item we consider, we can post here and get 25+ real life responses/experiences/advice/opinions probably in less than 24 hours. Use the forum for homework in advance and also to pitch in and help others with your own experiences, not to slam a vender after a transaction because you are not happy with a product and nothing to do with it being defective and you want to return a now USED item that they can no longer sell as NEW.

There is a TON of experience here on these boards at our disposal. Use it.

 

Anyone looking for a high quality bagger shock check out Terry cable. i spent a few hours talking with them at Vegas. They had stock bagger shocks, progressives, and theirs and he showed me the difference between them all. If I had a bagger these would be on it in a second. I can get them for you as well.
http://www.terrycable.com/

As far as return policies, it is what it is. Returning items after they have been installed and used is hard to come by. I'll bend over backwards for my customer, but there is only so much I can do. I cannot solve every problem. This thread really is a two way street as once you work for a retailer you understand both sides of the street much better.

Drew

 

First of all this is just MY opinion so don't flame me!
At 56 I grew up in a time where a handshake and your word was all that was needed. So having said that....it makes no difference where I buy something whether it is a reseller or manufacturer I expect the product to perform as advertised. If the product does not perform as advertised it is defective period. And therein lies the problem....who determines if the product performs as advertised? Most companies assume the product performs because the manufacturer says it does but some companies still let the customer decide. Those are the companies that thrive in any economy (Wal-Mart comes to mind). Anybody can get a customer once.....the trick is to get them back.
And asking for opinions on the forum is nothing more than soliciting advertising. Most members are openly honest but it is still just THEIR truth and may not necessarily be MY truth.

So....to the OP....been there done that and I feel fer ya. Sell 'em and cut your loses.

Caveat emptor (Let the buyer beware)

 

?????What????? Are you serious?

 

I've purchased from them in the past for carb parts on my Metric....too much competition out there to have to put up with average service. Will I buy from them again, probably not.

 

I purchased a set of Progressive shocks a few years back for my SG, they kept topping out over certain type bumps. I weigh 200lbs, a friend of mine weighs about 280 and they did not top out for him. Of course the manufacturer said they were perfect for my weight but after complaining they offered to fire burn the springs to get them to perform for me. I told them to forget it and sold them for a loss on this web site.
Since then I have not been a fan of that brand shock. They seem to need too much tweaking. I went with HD 13" shocks from a Ultra and am very happy with the ride.