Rear Suspension questions.

[fordmano]

About time to upgrade my suspension,, so relevant stats are as follows.

99 I/S stock with small amount of gear on regular basis.
Falkien C/T rear Avon up front.
250lbs 6'1" rider 99% solo riding ( 12 y/o son is only passenger approx 140lbs) 90%+ Highway high speed 80-90Mph normal commuting speeds slightly twisty highway, about average level of aggressive rider (I do have a small amount of chicken strips on my tires and only touched pegs a half dozen time or so.

Now with all that Info suggestions for EXACT model of rear shocks would be really appreciated.

I have been looking at Progressive air shocks, comments are welcomed.

Thanks
Matt

[Dag]

My recommendation is 440 Series. 12.5"
Part #440-4233B/C

[fordmano]

My recommendation is 440 Series. 12.5"
Part #440-4233B/C

I guess I should added, please give the reasons why, for your suggestions. Just because you have them does not tell me if you choose that model or did it just happen to come on your FatLady when you got her. If you could pick your own using my criteria what model would you pick. I am trying to understand the advantages for a model as it pertains to me and my setup.

Oh and thanks Dag for being the first to answer, I guess the other 18 or so viewers of this question did not have any advice at this early hour here in the U.S.

[Patrick]

I chose the 440 regulars for the Tourer and ride about 1/2 the time with appr 350# rider weight and am happy with them.. Probably an IS should use the HDs though.. 

[Bob E.]

Well, I have the 13" 440HD's and I guess I like them...sort of.  I bought them only because of the reviews of others here...and because I had some insurance money left over after hitting a deer (I fixed bike myself to save $$).  Also, my stock ones were looking rough and I was constantly battling rust on the chrome covers.  Anyways, personally, I think they are overpriced and for my riding style, I didn't notice enough of an improvement to justify the cost.  Others will disagree with that statement, but I guess I'm either not sensitive enough to that sort of thing and maybe I don't push the bike as hard as some.  The things I do like are the stiffer springs (I'm on the heavy side at 275lbs) and I like that they raise the bike up a little.  Also, they provide more adjustment for when the wife rides with me...although I rarely touch them because she rarely rides with me, but if we took a longer trip I could adjust them.  But the real kicker was that...I installed them in October 2006.  By spring 2007, the springs were already showing rust.  The bike had been sitting in my unheated garage most of that time over winter, so to say I was pissed would be an understatement.  And now, 3 riding seasons and 20,000 miles later, I think they are leaking.  The good thing is that they are rebuildable and under warranty...so I'll probably yank them off and send them back to Progressive for a rebuild.  I still have the stockers, so it won't affect my riding season much.  And maybe...I'll see just how much of an improvement the 440's are over stock when I switch back temporarily.

[Dag]

My recommendation is 440 Series. 12.5"
Part #440-4233B/C

I guess I should added, please give the reasons why, for your suggestions.

I upgraded to the 440s from the stock shock. I did alot of research on these before I bought them.
I was surprised of the difference. I had to get off the bike and see if it was mine 
Mine are 12", but you are taller than me so I think the 12.5" or maybe 13" would be the right choice for you. I think I would choose th 12.5" because you ride 99% solo....
Perhaps someone in your size & weight chime in with a comment?

[Jess from VA]

I recommend PS 440-4221's in 13"....you can save about 40 bux if you get black powdercoat over chrome.  However I have known several guys who used the 416 air shocks and were quite happy with them; they have greater adjsutability for varying weights, loads, trailers, and I believe they are better than the 412s (and priced between the 412s and 440s).   

[Black Dog]

I have no doubt that the 440's are superior shocks, but cost was a major factor for my choice of the 412's (13" HD Springs). 

I'm 6'2" and weigh 275. 

I went from the stock shocks ('97 Standard) to the Progressive 412's (HD springs, 11.5") many years ago, but found as I changed my bike from a Standard, to a tour, then almost an Interstate (added Champion bags, I/S trunk, and a Hoppe fairing), that the 11.5" shocks, would bottom, on rough roads. 

Sold the 11.5's and got the 13" 412's.  I do almost all solo, long freeway trips (luggage for the duration, included) with speeds in the 70 - 80 mph range, mix in some twisties (Kettle Moraine area of Wisconsin), and to and from work on two lane suburban roads/hiways.  I have the shocks set at the '3' (middle) position, and have found that to be the best of all settings.

I find that the 412's serve me well.  If I pulled a trailer, or had a co-pilot with additional luggage, the 440's would probably be a better choice for the adjustability.

Hope this helps.

Black Dog

[MarkT]

I've had 416's for maybe 10 years now.  Big improvement over stock.  Got them because I wanted to be able to quickly change preload, actually while riding.  I set it up with a compressor that also powers a truck air horn and can fill tires.  You can read about it here - http://horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/A_Premium_Air_System/a_premium_air_system.html

I'm about 280 & the wife is maybe 135.  I found the shocks didn't have enough preload for our weight, never mind full bags and camping gear.  I also found from Progressive, that you can add extra ATF fluid and it will accelerate the compression rate.  That works. 

I have since solo'd the bike, so I don't need the full range of preload I used to.  It's still nice to just turn the valve to get more preload & stiffen up the rear, when about to hit the twisties.  It's even handy to increase preload when you know there's a big bump coming up.  These shocks have a big sweet spot, since you are supposed to match the preload accurately to the weight.  This gives the bike a cushier ride than anything else I own.

I rebuilt the seals once years ago.  The right one is leaking again.  I got the kit to rebuild it again.  Gotta get a round tuit, probably hit it sometime this spring. 

[Hotrodwing]

Had the 440's then the started leaking. I wasn't the orginal owners so they would not repair for free. so I Replaced with the 416's air shocks .

[Larry]

I had 12.5" HD 412's but with the wife and I both it would rub a bit even on the highest preload on the big bumps, but that was with a CT. I'm a big guy at 280+ and 5' 11". I hadn't realized my stock shocks were 13" and so I have gone back to those and only need them on #4 preload. If I upgrade again I'll probably go with the 440's or Works shocks.

[Friagabi]

No real experiance here. But I quit looking after sitting on a tourer with progressive shocks.

We were riding headed north in the high desert in CA. Just south of Mt. Lassen the road veered to the right. I was leading on my 2KIS, stock shocks with the setting at 4 crank that up to 5 when wife rides with me.  I humped over the center of the road and took the road to the right. I can say no problem, no problem at all. Avon on the front BFGoodrich on the rear.

Slowed down to wait for my buddy he had not caught up. Pulled over and waited, no buddy. Went back to make sure he veered right instead of going left. He had seen the sign. Now he was on a tourer and was now in the dirt in the V of the road. The bike was on its right side. He said when he hit the road he watched the bike fly over him. Went over to him to make sure he was OK. All he said was oops! waited for him to revaluate his condition and he assured me he was OK and did not need a aid car. There were a couple of runners there and they helped me pick up the bike, proped it on the kick stand, checked my buddy again and went out into the road to check the skid marks. He had lost it as the front wheel went over the hump in the intersection. Was a strange skid. Would have been more understandable on a lighter bike. He ran bike tires on both the front and rear. It looked for all of the world like the back end had come lose from the road and then the front fell out from under the bike. To big of a bike to have this happen. Went back to him and the runners were helping him up. He was not doing badly except for a sore ankle. Hobbled over to a gravel driveway and I mounted his bike. WoW what a funny feeling bike. It floated up and down like it was on bungee cords. I settled down and the bike saged under my weight. Fired her up and drove her onto the road as soon as it quit smoking. Back to the intersection and pulled into the gravel parking lot. That was about as far as I wanted to ride that bike. Asked him what he had done to the rear suspension he told me progressive shocks. I firmly believe that if he had not changed those shocks he would have stayed upright in that intersection. They would be great out on the interstate but they would be the last thing I would want under me on a twisty road or when the road surface gets uneven. I would like the IS shocks if they were rated at an additional 200#. He also had progressive springs in the front end. It felt OK and I understand they get stiffer as they compress. I might try a set if I ever find a Valk with the progressive front springs and stock shocks in the rear. Sure would like to ride one before going to all of the trouble of changing the springs.

[fordmano]

Thanks folks,

Well with all of this info, I still have no idea what I am buying coming this next week.

Still kinda leaning in the direction of the 416's since I am installing a permanent air compressor so it will be EASY PEASY to change pressure on the fly. But the 440's are not out of the question yet.

Anymore insight on this topic will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again all.


Thanks
Matt

[sandy]

Another option. www.worksperformance.com I have a set on my tourer and love them. Springs can be chrome for more $$$. Custom built for your bike/weight/1 up or 2 up riding. Rebuildable. With your size/weight and you have the heavier I/S, get the 13" HD's if you go Progressive. The extra travel length will be appreciated.

[fordmano]

Thanks to all of you fine folks for all the personal info about your choices for rear shocks.

Now I just have to mull over what has been shared and what I have figured out on my own and what I have read from other sources then just make up my mind. Oh I guess I better figure out how I am gonna PRY the money from my better half's tight fists. She is my toughest fight over my selection.

Thanks
Matt

[Cliff]

I have the 13" 440 HD set on my 2000 I/S bought from another rider,  the loaded sag was a bit much so the factory sent me (no charge) some shims to install at the top of the springs to increase the preload which made a world of difference. My 300lbs and passenger 120lbs.

[hubcapsc]

I chose the 440 regulars for the Tourer and ride about 1/2 the time with appr 350# rider weight and am happy with them.. Probably an IS should use the HDs though.. 

I had 440 regulars, I'm 195, wife is about 130... We bottomed out often, on bridge expansion joints, other
stuff... they worked good for just me, though... I sent them back, and they upgraded them to heavy duty
for about $30... they're real stiff now, I like them that way... since progressive will take care of you after
the sale, you can't go wrong either way...

-Mike

[Larry]

I chose the 440 regulars for the Tourer and ride about 1/2 the time with appr 350# rider weight and am happy with them.. Probably an IS should use the HDs though.. 

I had 440 regulars, I'm 195, wife is about 130... We bottomed out often, on bridge expansion joints, other
stuff... they worked good for just me, though... I sent them back, and they upgraded them to heavy duty
for about $30... they're real stiff now, I like them that way... since progressive will take care of you after
the sale, you can't go wrong either way...

-Mike

Off topic, sort of. Mike you have any issues with adjusting the 440 shocks initially? I sort of remember some riders some time ago having a few problems with that and having to WD35  them.

[hubcapsc]

Off topic, sort of. Mike you have any issues with adjusting the 440 shocks initially? I sort of remember some riders some time ago having a few problems with that and having to WD35  them.

If you don't have bag rails, they're not so bad... if you have bag rails, you'll need Superman's fingers
to reach in there and turn them.

A cheap and easy solution is this $5 strap wrench from Sears:



-Mike