Looking to replace my stock shocks with progressive's

[Safety Steve]

I was wondering I have a 1997 standard that I put Beetle bags on, when I went to the progressive web site and did there " what kind of ride do you have " it came up with the 412's shocks, my question is are the Progressive shocks the same size as in diamater and the OEM shocks, will they fit my bike with the Beetle bags.

Thank you as always you guys know more about this bike them Honda..

Steve

[MarkT]

Smaller diameter IMHO though I didn't measure them.  And you can get 444's if you want.  That's what I just put on Jade, my '97'

[Safety Steve]

Thank you MarkT, so how do you like the 444's?

[Carl]

I just installed the 412 HD shocks.  I'm a pretty heavy guy so I went with the HD's.  At their widest point the OEM's are 3" diameter.  The 412's are 2.75".

Be sure you use the correct bushing.  I have seen where some used the wrong ones and were not satisfied until they figured it out.

I had a difficult time finding these.  NO one had them in stock in 13".  I hope the standards are easier to find.

[Fazer]

Just installed the 444 last night in standard duty 13".  Only have a few miles on them, but honestly, I can't tell the difference from the stock shocks.  They fit perfectly but still took a bit 'o work to get them installed.  I need to make a similar post on the thread I started.

[MarkT]

Thank you MarkT, so how do you like the 444's?

Don't have a lot of road miles on them yet.  I got the std length, with HD springs. A bit harsh compared to my 416 air shocks but of course they would be. Also that's with the OEM Dumflops at whatever high pressure the last owner used, before I replaced the rubber with Michelin DS, lower pressure and cushier ride. I set the 444's at lowest preload while I'm at 270# so I'm no lightweight.  Put wifey on the back w/o changing the preload, she's about 130; we bottomed out some.  For the ride back, dialed up the preload I guess 2 clicks.  (Couldn't be sure, I used a strap wrench and couldn't feel any clicks).  Ride was good then but probably could find a better setting with more experience with it.  I expect to be happy with it, but too early to report on it.

They have bushings in the kit for various fittings; intended for HD's I think.  I had to cut down one in length on the lathe and IIRC might have drilled it slightly on the drill press. (Don't recall, I do stuff like that quickly w/o thinking about it) No biggy but I'm well tooled. Other tools could have been used.