Progressive Shock Upgrade????

wildwr · 05-25-2016, 10:59 AM

Looking to upgrade my OEM rear shocks with some 412 Progressive's
I cant decide between Standard and HD

Here's some info

Me: 185lb
Wife approx: 140lb
40% riding is with passenger (hoping this increases in future)
40% towing with a well balanced bike trailer.
most riding is: day trips and local commuting to work.

If you have experience with Progressive 412s and have any constructive advice or thoughts please let me know.

Cheers

mooserd · 05-25-2016, 11:35 AM

I went with the HD. Just cause of my size. Hauling a trailer for that extra support. Love them over what was on the bike

turtle · 05-25-2016, 10:53 PM

I went through the same agony deciding which ones to get. I got the 412 standard. I ride solo and weigh 250. I run them on the 4th setting.

I think if you hope to increase your two-up riding and pull a trailer occasionally, you'll probably be happier with the HDs. You can run them on a lower setting when alone and then bump them up when you need the extra. They'll probably be a little stiff when you're riding solo but , if you get the standard ones for solo riding, you probably won't have the extra you'll need for riding two-up and towing.

Kcrowther50 · 06-02-2016, 03:31 PM

I installed progressive shocks and front springs on my 2001 1500 Classic. Completely different motorcycle now! handles so much better!

I went with the HD shocks and they are perfect for us. I'm about 200 and the wife is about 160. Drop the pre-load down when I'm solo and bump it up when she rides with me.

duo1983 · 01-22-2017, 08:41 AM

What is the part info for the HD shocks? I'm about 220 and my wife is around 180

Ridefree · 01-22-2017, 09:42 AM

I had just finished my front end rebuild with progressive springs and also did the head bearing while I was at it . I was totally amazed with the handling .

I'm ordering the progressive 412 HD also to complete the suspension upgrade . I went with the 13" to match the stock height of the bike . I know it'll be a bit of a pain to adjust the load but the price of these is more in my budget .

The part # is 412-4221C

Hope this helps !!

denny 606 · 01-22-2017, 02:52 PM

I had 412 progressives that weren't The HD ones . I'm a big boy about 285 and I bottomed those out regularly. I went back to the stock air shocks but plan on going back with a set of either the 412 HD or the next up I think 430 is the number.

**Framer** · 01-22-2017, 03:14 PM

I went with the 412 HD on my Nomad. I'm about 190 but I have a 50 lbs tour pack hanging off the back. I think I run them on the second setting. If I were riding two up and or pulling a trailer I would definitely go with the HDs.

mooserd · 02-01-2017, 06:49 PM

I went with the HD, Be prepared for the camper I purchased. Love them. Hand adjustable.

**MAS Tequila** · 02-02-2017, 07:51 AM

I also went with the 412 HDs.

You can't go wrong with them unless you're 125 lbs and never carry anything on your bike.

They say you can't upgrade the forks on the 03 because it uses cartridges, but yes you can.

It makes a world of difference when both the front and rear have been upgraded.

When you're ready we can point you in the right direction for the forks.

MT

DragonLady58 · 02-02-2017, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAS Tequila

I also went with the 412 HDs.

You can't go wrong with them unless you're 125 lbs and never carry anything on your bike.

They say you can't upgrade the forks on the 03 because it uses cartridges, but yes you can.

It makes a world of difference when both the front and rear have been upgraded.

When you're ready we can point you in the right direction for the forks.

MT

What He Said! I pulled mine off just because I vary a good bit on the weight I carry....I went with a total air system for the rear, but before I switched, I used the 412HDs....
The 412 HDs compared to the stock shocks is like comparing nite and day, theres no comparison!

Ridefree · 02-03-2017, 08:20 AM

Great thread ! I just completed the front end rebuild this past fall . Now I'm going with the 412 HD on the rear . I'm 180 lb's and sometimes ride two up so I'm looking forward to seeing what the outcome will be .

ctrider · 08-20-2017, 06:32 AM

Curious with the 412's do you have to remove the bags to adjust the preload?

Ridefree · 08-20-2017, 08:15 AM

Yes , the bags have to be removed to adjust the load on the 412's . Takes me only a few minutes to do it . The 430's are a step up and can be adjusted by hand but are a few $$$ more .

**vulcanscott** · 08-20-2017, 08:43 AM

Going thru same upgrades right now . thought about upgrading bike but My Nomad only has 15000 on it and We kinda gotta steady thing going ! any way got new prog. fork springs and neck bearings already here trying to decide on what length 412s to order this morning . I need to drop about an inch to flat foot it but do not want to do some thing that changes the handling for the worse . Going with HD springs what do everybody think about 12 inch rear shocks ? or should I stay with the 13s ? V Scott

05-25-2016, 10:59 AM	#1
wildwr Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Pickering, Ontario Posts: 71	Progressive Shock Upgrade???? Looking to upgrade my OEM rear shocks with some 412 Progressive's I cant decide between Standard and HD Here's some info Me: 185lb Wife approx: 140lb 40% riding is with passenger (hoping this increases in future) 40% towing with a well balanced bike trailer. most riding is: day trips and local commuting to work. If you have experience with Progressive 412s and have any constructive advice or thoughts please let me know. Cheers __________________ 2003 Vulcan 1500 Nomad. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-25-2016, 11:35 AM	#2
mooserd Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: New Holland, Ohio Posts: 92	I went with the HD. Just cause of my size. Hauling a trailer for that extra support. Love them over what was on the bike __________________ Vic "Nomad" Linsten Columbus Ohio Vulcan Riders Chpt 1-32 EMT, CPR, 1ST Aid instructor 2015 Vulcan Voyager 1700 New Holland, Oh VROC Member # 35721 http://www.columbusvulcanriders.com / https://www.facebook.com/groups/273462896002700/
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05-25-2016, 10:53 PM	#3
turtle Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Berlin NH Posts: 59	I went through the same agony deciding which ones to get. I got the 412 standard. I ride solo and weigh 250. I run them on the 4th setting. I think if you hope to increase your two-up riding and pull a trailer occasionally, you'll probably be happier with the HDs. You can run them on a lower setting when alone and then bump them up when you need the extra. They'll probably be a little stiff when you're riding solo but , if you get the standard ones for solo riding, you probably won't have the extra you'll need for riding two-up and towing. __________________ 2004 Nomad 1500 Blue/Silver 2009 Classic 900lt Black/Blue Cardo Scala Rider Q2 multiset Tour Master riding gear Last edited by turtle; 05-25-2016 at 11:03 PM.
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01-22-2017, 08:41 AM	#5
duo1983 Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 52	What is the part info for the HD shocks? I'm about 220 and my wife is around 180 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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01-22-2017, 02:52 PM	#7
denny 606 Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Inez, KY Posts: 280	I had 412 progressives that weren't The HD ones . I'm a big boy about 285 and I bottomed those out regularly. I went back to the stock air shocks but plan on going back with a set of either the 412 HD or the next up I think 430 is the number. __________________ "When all is said and done, there's usually more said than done" unknown "Ride hard or stay home" Joe Robinson aka Old Dog, R.I.P
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06-02-2016, 03:31 PM	#4
Kcrowther50 Jr. Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 1	I installed progressive shocks and front springs on my 2001 1500 Classic. Completely different motorcycle now! handles so much better! I went with the HD shocks and they are perfect for us. I'm about 200 and the wife is about 160. Drop the pre-load down when I'm solo and bump it up when she rides with me.
	0

01-22-2017, 09:42 AM	#6
Ridefree Sr. Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Saskatchewan , Canada Posts: 1,441	I had just finished my front end rebuild with progressive springs and also did the head bearing while I was at it . I was totally amazed with the handling . I'm ordering the progressive 412 HD also to complete the suspension upgrade . I went with the 13" to match the stock height of the bike . I know it'll be a bit of a pain to adjust the load but the price of these is more in my budget . The part # is 412-4221C Hope this helps !!
	0

01-22-2017, 03:14 PM	#8
Framer Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Piedmont OK Posts: 2,205	I went with the 412 HD on my Nomad. I'm about 190 but I have a 50 lbs tour pack hanging off the back. I think I run them on the second setting. If I were riding two up and or pulling a trailer I would definitely go with the HDs. __________________ David (Framer) Marang 2018 Harley Davidson Ultra Limited VBA#02245 VROC#35311 2013 Antlers 2014 Mountain View 2014 Antlers 2015 Eureka Springs 2015 Antlers 2016 Salem 2016 Antlers 2017 Eureka Springs 2017 Lake George 2017 Antlers 2018 Custer
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02-01-2017, 06:49 PM	#9
mooserd Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: New Holland, Ohio Posts: 92	I went with the HD, Be prepared for the camper I purchased. Love them. Hand adjustable. __________________ Vic "Nomad" Linsten Columbus Ohio Vulcan Riders Chpt 1-32 EMT, CPR, 1ST Aid instructor 2015 Vulcan Voyager 1700 New Holland, Oh VROC Member # 35721 http://www.columbusvulcanriders.com / https://www.facebook.com/groups/273462896002700/
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02-02-2017, 07:51 AM	#10
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	I also went with the 412 HDs. You can't go wrong with them unless you're 125 lbs and never carry anything on your bike. They say you can't upgrade the forks on the 03 because it uses cartridges, but yes you can. It makes a world of difference when both the front and rear have been upgraded. When you're ready we can point you in the right direction for the forks. MT __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
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02-03-2017, 08:20 AM	#12
Ridefree Sr. Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Saskatchewan , Canada Posts: 1,441	Great thread ! I just completed the front end rebuild this past fall . Now I'm going with the 412 HD on the rear . I'm 180 lb's and sometimes ride two up so I'm looking forward to seeing what the outcome will be .
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08-20-2017, 06:32 AM	#13
ctrider Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: South Windsor, CT Posts: 735	Curious with the 412's do you have to remove the bags to adjust the preload? __________________ VBA #02482 VROC # 36172
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08-20-2017, 08:15 AM	#14
Ridefree Sr. Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Saskatchewan , Canada Posts: 1,441	Yes , the bags have to be removed to adjust the load on the 412's . Takes me only a few minutes to do it . The 430's are a step up and can be adjusted by hand but are a few $$$ more .
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08-20-2017, 08:43 AM	#15
vulcanscott Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: chandler okla Posts: 854	shocks Going thru same upgrades right now . thought about upgrading bike but My Nomad only has 15000 on it and We kinda gotta steady thing going ! any way got new prog. fork springs and neck bearings already here trying to decide on what length 412s to order this morning . I need to drop about an inch to flat foot it but do not want to do some thing that changes the handling for the worse . Going with HD springs what do everybody think about 12 inch rear shocks ? or should I stay with the 13s ? V Scott
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