I'd like some "shocking" information

[Titan]

I'm thinking this will be a tough question without a definitive answer. I hope I'm wrong.

Can anyone describe for me the difference in the ride with Progressive shocks as opposed to the OEMs?

I've seen many posts over the years touting various shocks and I've always wondered what difference, if any, I would get in the ride if I switched to Progressive shocks.

My bike is a '98 Standard, bought new in 2000. It has 28,600 miles, I weigh 180 lbs, and almost always ride solo. Bumps are hard enough sometimes to make me say ugly words! However, I can't imagine the factory shocks are even close to being worn. It rides the same as it did when I bought it.

Here's a comparison I can make with two of my cars. I have an E-class Mercedes and my wife has a new Honda CR-V. When I drive her car I swear I can feel every tiny little bump and imperfection in the road! The ride sucks! The Benz just soaks up the bumps and is quite smooth. It's not squishy or mushy. It's actually quite firm. But the ride is great.

Can I compare that to what I would get if I changed the Valk's shocks? Do Progressives make the ride software, firmer, bumpier, or does it stay the same other than just handling heavy weight riders better? Is it worth spending the money before the OEMs wear out?

[Hoser]

At your weight, you should run on the softest setting of the shocks, I weigh a bit less than you, and anywhere higher jolts me pretty good.  I have no experiance with the progressive rear shocks, but I do like my progressive front springs.  You can also soften the ride by using less air pressure in the tires, that may or may not accelerate tire wear,  I don't notice much difference, usually have 36 lbs in front and 38 in the rear, it's easy enough to raise the air pressure if you pack baggage for a trip or have a passenger.  hoser

[rodeo1]

geeze, you two skinny little dudes probably get 50 mpg on a valk. most valk owners i know weigh in about 275 to 300 - i weigh  in at 240 (solid muscle)

[Hoser]

Yeah, I like to hang out with big folks for protection!  I'm more like 165 pounds of solid flab.     Hoser

[NITRO]

I had the OEM shocks on my Standard and have progessive 440s on my Interstate. I don't notice much of a difference... The IS rides very well, but I didn't think the OEMs were a problem. I weigh 200.

[2qmedic]

I may not know what the tech differences are but I can say that I have an I/S, weight 165
(yea I know - light weight here). When I went from stock to progressive 440, the rear end felt better. Later changing the fork springs to progressive, the Valk just seemed to work/handle better.
The progressive fork springs provide a good feel and are stiffer (depending on the weight of fluid used). I don't have the brake diving anymore.
note: I have the heavy springs on the rear shocks, I prefer the firmer feel for what I do.
It works for me

[MacDragon]

I have Progressives both front and rear... They are just fine for me... I'm 175lbs

[old2soon]

All stock on my i/s. I'm right at 225 pounds. Metz 880 front car tire rear. F at 42 psi R at 44 psi. Like the ride and handling i'm getting. Shocks in 2nd position. RIDE SAFE.

[R J]

250+#'s. 242K miles and 200K of that is with the Progressive rears.   EOM shock was on #5, top, and it would bottom out most of the time.

Put the Progressives on and set them on #2 for a starting point.   They are still on #2 setting.

I have not bottomed out on this setting and the ride is a lot smoother, no harshness in the ride.

Don't know how else to describe the ride. Even the SO like the ride and she don't say too much unless it is to tear me a new A'Hole.   Have had no negative comments from her on these shocks.

[Tundra]

 I'd have to say from my experience with Progressive HD 440 on the rear and Progressive springs with slightly less oil in the front. I have a firmer but also smoother more comfortable ride. My wife swears she notices a big differance. She said she no longer feels any bottoming out (which I never felt). To me, the biggest differance was the better handling in corners and eliminating the nose dive when grabbing a handful of front brake.
  My personal opinion...money well spent, improves safety and handling.
My shocks were so bad and I didn't even know it. I was used to the OLD worn out ride. When I took them off, I could expand and contract the shock by hand.

[9Ball]

to me, the fork springs removed the nose diving and the front seems to float over expansion joints whereas OEM had a sharper jolt under the same conditions.

the 440 rears make the difference in handling.  The suspension doesn't seem to unload under heavy cornering, especially when there are imperfections in the road surface.  This makes the handling noticeably better for my riding style where I get a bit more aggressive in the twisties.

Low speed handling at parking lot speeds is improved by both the progressive fork springs and the use of the LaMonster risers.  From my experience, these two upgrades were the biggest improvement in riding enjoyment and the addition of the 440s made the final piece of the handling package.

Very happy with these changes for the past 10 years.

[Skinhead]

i weigh  in at 240 (solid muscle)

Your story, and sticking to it!

[BF]

Are there any differences in ride or handling quality between the Progressives and the Works shocks>

I know alot of you guys out there that have tried the Works shocks really like them....but I'm not sure as to why one brand over the other. 

[Ricky-D]

I just spent $400: and now my Cadillac rides just as nice as my Valkyrie.  I can't even feel the littlest bumps.

Like being on the parkway!

Did I say that right?

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