Progressive 444-4221C s and overall Bike Height

[Maldog]

Need Some Info From The Guys That have installed 444-4221C  Progressive Shocks , I just  found out the my Left rear stock shock is done broke LOL well ive been wanting  to upgrade to Progressive Shocks well I guess the time has come , I saw a pair of used 444-4221c shocks on ebay a couple days ago the guy selling them said he went back to stock shocks cause the 444s made the bike too tall Well what I need to know is you guys who have installed 444-4221 C Hds  ,did you notice it making the bike taller  I'm 5'7'' and I fit fine on the bike with 13'' stock shocks I was concerned when I read that ebay add, My Bike dose have a hitch which I maaay or may not use I weight 220  soo should I be concerned  do the 444s make the Valk stand Taller or not Thanks Guys as Always Your Feed back is Appreciated Mucho

[fudgie]

I originally bought the 13" HD cause they were stock length. I found them to tall for me. On my toes a lot at 5'-7" & 210 lbs. Setting on it the bike had no bounce. Even had them set soft as they would go. Not sure why it was a tad taller then the I/S shocks. (Had them on my tourer). With the I/S shocks I was on the balls of my feet and flat footed 2 up. 2 up it was a tad better but she is short and light as a feather.
I went ahead and bought the 12" HD. I do get a little bounce with these. Seems to ride a tad softer also. Not sure if its cause the spring is shorter. I also have a hitch on the bike.
As a side note I did noticed the bike handled diff with the 13 vs stock. Not sure why. But when I put the 12 on it seemed to handle like the old bike. I did read in progressives web site that diff shock lengths can change the way it handles.

[Jess from VA]

MalDog, original 13" shocks on 12-18 yo bikes are probably not 13s anymore, even on the stiffest settings.  Shocks wear out, on bikes or cars.  

Over the years, many have felt that new 12.5s were closer to their old original 13s, in height.  And keep in mind, a half inch at the shock may only translate to a quarter inch at the seat, as the front end is staying the same.  

And your choice of standard duty vs heavy duty shock springs is just as important as height and will also have an effect on overall ride stiffness, as well as how much a shock will compress with you just sitting down in the seat.  And a shorter shock has less travel to do it's job and can also lead to a a harder ride.  

So in deciding on what shock to get, you have to figure your own leg reach to ground, whether you must put both feet down at every, or most stops (vs just the left with the right foot on the brake), your own weight, how often you will have a back-seater and her weight (combined with yours), and how sporting of a style you like to ride (how much you enjoy leaning over before dragging pegs or boards).

I don't know about the 444s, but the 440s have 10 full 360* turns of adjustment in rebound and dampening.  I replaced my OE shocks with 13" 440 Heavy Duty (HD) on one interstate (per their recommendation for all IS's), but put 13" 440 Standard Duty (SD) on my trunkless solo interstate.  And it's been about 10 years, but I seem to remember a PS rep telling me I would have to turn my SD shocks down 8 (of 10) turns to reach the same spring rate as the HD shocks at the softest setting (set at no turns).  Now both shocks are 13s and both bikes feel about the same height, but there really is a pretty significant difference in softness of ride, between the two (especially when brand new and not adjusted; they all come set at the softest setting).  My choices were made based on always riding solo.

If you have a back-seater that goes all or most of the time, you need to plan for that in your shock selection (probably HD), and live with the stiffer ride when you go alone.  It is my experience that most guys do not go out and adjust their shocks back and forth each time they ride solo or two up (it usually a PITA do do).  And, if she goes all or most of the time, holding the bike up at stops would make me lean toward a shorter shock (the wobbly factor).  But if she only goes once in a while, then I would chose a shock that was best for me riding solo (SD), and actually go out and adjust them tighter when she does go (then turn it back the rest of the time).  At least for the 440s, I recall the standard rider weight cutoff recommendation between SD and HS springs was around 225.

I'm only 5'9" with 29.5" pants inseam, and I like 13s because I want all the lean I can get, and I like all  the suspension travel I can get.  But at 5'7", you probably want to consider a 12 or 12.5" shock (I would try to stay as tall as you can live with for the added benefits that gives, but that's just what I would do).

You can probably count on new 13s feeling a 1/4 to 1/2" taller than your old 13" shocks, but they are also going to have less sag at rest, and more stiffness.  However, the issue of SD vs HD springs is just as important as height (the choices have to be made in combination), and you have said nothing of having a back seater at all, and if so, how often you will have one.  You also haven't told us which model Valk you have.  

Back when I was making my choices, I called PS progressive suspension on the phone and had a nice long talk with a tech rep, and I found that time very well spent in helping with my choices.  You don't have to tell them you are thinking of buying used.

[Valkorado]

When I replaced worn 13" 440s with new 13" HD 444s, it was tougher to throw my leg over the saddle.  Thankfully I'm still able to plant my feet firmly.