thinking about installing 13.5" progressive 412 shocks on my RG

[gabbyduffy]

                       Anybody have any experience with progressive 412 shocks?..... I'm looking for as much suspension travel as I can get. that's why I'm looking into 13.5"

[bigfoot5x]

My only experience was putting shorter 412's on a Dyna for my wife. Can't really help you with longer ones. What are you looking for?

[ScottFree]

Email the folks at progressive (there should be a "contact us" link on their website), tell 'em what you want to do, and ask what they recommend. When I did this a couple years ago, they got back to me very quickly with detailed advice. Don't be surprised if they tell you you'll need to alter the front end if you go with longer shocks in the back--the baggers are very sensitive to anything that changes the rake angle up front. F'rinstance, they've got an article on their site about what you have to do to keep the bike handling properly if you replace the stock front wheel with a 19-inch--just plopping it in there messes up the handling; you have to either shorten the forks or raise the rear end to match.

[Bigs]

I had the Progressive 412's on my '06 RG. They had the standard springs instead of the HD springs. Solo I had them set on the middle setting and when my wife rode on back I turned them all the way up. I weigh about 175 and the wife 125 and I think I was on the border line for the shock springs. If I was going to do it again I would get the HD springs. All in all they were better than the stock ones but I got tired of taking off the saddle bags and changing the settings every other day so the wife could ride so I went and bought a 2010 pair of Harley 13" touring shocks and then it was easier to just change the air setting. I did change the shock fluid in my old shocks to 7 1/2 wt. shock oil and found they performed the same as the new ones I bought. Oh well, live and learn.
   Bigs

[04 SE Deuce]

  Another option if you are purchasing replacement shocks is to add some more coin and buy a more quality/premium set of shocks,  performance after purchase with make the price more palatable.  Ohlins offers many overall and travel lengths for your app. and Works will make whatever you like.  The common opinion of those that have run Progressives shocks is that they perform better than stock but not a big improvement.  I'm surprised my riding partner from my last trip hasn't commented on this thread.  The 07 bagger he was riding has Progressive shocks that were on the bike when he bought it,  possibly longer than stock length and we had a conversation about them as he felt a cattle-guard we hit at 75-80 had caused his tour pack to come lose...the bump was a non-event on my bike, he was running faster a hit a different area of the guard..consensus was there is room for improvement.  Rick

[akjeff]

I'm running 13.5" PS 440HD's on my 09 FLTR and very pleased. Sorry no 412 experience. As for handling, I can't feel any difference. Baggers have so much excess trail, I can't imagine a half inch taller shock doing anything adverse.

Jeff

[rkrdr2]

I know a couple guys running 13in 412 hd on street glides and love them. They say it's night and day difference over the POS Harley air ride.Make sure you go with the Heavy Duty spring the standard are to light for a bagger. Eastern Performance sells them for $210 shipped to your house.