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live2ride
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« on: December 03, 2015, 09:05:45 AM » |
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Hello everyone. I have a 1998 Standard. It had Progressive 440's on it which I found to be very stiff for my weight (160lbs). I just replaced them with a set of OEM shocks and they feel much better and softer.
I am planning to also ride with a trailer and I was wondering whether the OEM shocks are good enough to ride with a trailer?
Sell the 440's or keep them for when I take the long ride with a trailer ?
What are your opinions ?
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16781
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #1 on: December 03, 2015, 09:24:25 AM » |
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Hello everyone. I have a 1998 Standard. It had Progressive 440's on it which I found to be very stiff for my weight (160lbs). I just replaced them with a set of OEM shocks and they feel much better and softer.
I am planning to also ride with a trailer and I was wondering whether the OEM shocks are good enough to ride with a trailer?
Sell the 440's or keep them for when I take the long ride with a trailer ?
What are your opinions ?
I weigh 35 more lbs than you. I love my HD 440s and could bottom out my not-HD 440s... I like both more than the OEM Tourer shocks that were on my bike when I got it, and Stanley Steamer's OEM Interstate shocks that I used on a BRP ride a few years ago. Maybe you should find out if you have HD springs or not, and maybe change to the non-HD springs if so, before you give up on the 440s... -Mike |
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h13man
Member
Posts: 1757
To everything there is an exception.
Indiana NW Central Flatlands
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« Reply #2 on: December 04, 2015, 08:11:39 AM » |
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From my own experience, I replaced my stock Showas on my 06' 1100 Spirit with Progressive 440 standard duty after 29,000 mi. and they were way to harsh/stiff especially loaded two up. Went back to the stockers with new bushings and was pleased once again. As far as the stock Showas on the Valk, I replaced the bushings with neoprene aftermarkets for wear sake and quite honestly I like the ride just fine. The bushings take a beating regardless of material used to make them. The front springs were replaced with the softest Racetechs and the combination has been a very good setup especially fully loaded.
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16781
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #3 on: December 04, 2015, 08:46:38 AM » |
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I guess the difference might be - do you like to chase down pig trails after the wild bunch, or do you like to cruise long distance down the highway...  I hate "soft" suspension, but that doesn't make soft suspension bad... I also hated my OEM shocks, but they were real beaters when I got the bike. I used Stanley Steamer's Interstate shocks for about 500 miles and didn't like them either, but he'd charged hard on them for 70,000 miles before I got them... -Mike |
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Punisher
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« Reply #4 on: December 04, 2015, 10:54:34 AM » |
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Did you have all of the pre-load off of the Progressive 440's?
Hubcap is right, it depends on what type of riding you do.
I prefer a stiffer suspension because I like riding curvy roads and a stiffer suspension is more reactive to input and is more stable leaned over hard in a curve.
I also travel long distances loaded heavy (sometimes even a trailer) with a taller rear tire, a 65 series car tire, and a stiffer shock is best for that combination. I have custom made Works shocks, made in the USA.
A lot of folks report that low mileage Interstate shocks work pretty well on a Std/Tourer. Those shocks have a slightly heavier spring due to the extra weight of a Interstate.
If you want to have just one set of shocks and not have to swap them around I'd either do some e-bay/craigs list searches for low mileage IS shocks (check trike shops too) or check with Progressive on how much they would charge you to swap the heavy springs for the standard springs.
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live2ride
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« Reply #5 on: December 04, 2015, 11:32:09 AM » |
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Thanks for all the comments and tips. I live in Florida (South Florida) and there really is nowhere to enjoy twisties, we simply don't have such roads here. And to me personally, I prefer comfort. I like long, comfy, relaxed rides.
Based on the feedback I am reading i'll probably just keep the Stock ones and slap the 440's on ebay. Really dont want to mess around with replacing springs, especially when I am completely satisfied with the stock ones. What I'd really like to know is if anybody has experience with a trailer on the stock shocks as that is the only thing that would make me want to keep the 440's
I did try different preload positions but havent been able to find a setting where I can really enjoy a comfy ride. Which is why I ended up ordering a pair of used OEM's on ebay that seem to be working great.
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People don't plan to fail, they fail to plan.
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Punisher
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« Reply #6 on: December 04, 2015, 12:41:30 PM » |
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I live in Florida (South Florida) and there really is nowhere to enjoy twisties, we simply don't have such roads here
Well...at least it's not all flat down there....   |
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« Reply #7 on: December 05, 2015, 04:22:08 AM » |
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Thanks for all the comments and tips. I live in Florida (South Florida) and there really is nowhere to enjoy twisties, we simply don't have such roads here. And to me personally, I prefer comfort. I like long, comfy, relaxed rides.
Based on the feedback I am reading i'll probably just keep the Stock ones and slap the 440's on ebay. Really dont want to mess around with replacing springs, especially when I am completely satisfied with the stock ones. What I'd really like to know is if anybody has experience with a trailer on the stock shocks as that is the only thing that would make me want to keep the 440's
I did try different preload positions but havent been able to find a setting where I can really enjoy a comfy ride. Which is why I ended up ordering a pair of used OEM's on ebay that seem to be working great.
I have stock shocks. I've only done one long ride with the trailer so far. 2 up and trailer loaded pretty good and no problems at all.  |
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live2ride
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« Reply #8 on: December 05, 2015, 08:51:07 AM » |
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I live in Florida (South Florida) and there really is nowhere to enjoy twisties, we simply don't have such roads here
Well...at least it's not all flat down there.... Punisher, I forgot to also say man-made....lol Meathead, Thank you for that info. Now I feel comfortable with selling the 440's... |
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People don't plan to fail, they fail to plan.
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ultrahuck
Member
Posts: 42
Ride safely
Long Island, NY
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« Reply #9 on: December 08, 2015, 06:17:22 AM » |
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On my '99 Tourer, I replaced my stock shocks with a set of stock Interstate shocks from a VRCC member who was selling them. They needed new bushings but the ride is remarkably better - no longer bone-jarring stiff. Can't tell you how happy I am with the more comfortable ride of the Interstate shocks on my '99 Tourer.
Be safe.
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Fazer
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« Reply #10 on: December 08, 2015, 07:02:18 AM » |
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I put 444 Progressives on after breaking one of the OEM. I did not get the HD. I only have them cranked down three marks of the ten they can go to, and so far the ride is great. Have not yet bottomed out. Haven't done any two up riding, though. I have found that they are difficult to adjust, in fact impossible for me, without removing the saddle bags. I cannot get enough muscle on 'em to turn--guess I'm just a pussy. But hey, I can open pickle jars! |
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16781
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #11 on: December 08, 2015, 08:54:28 AM » |
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I put 444 Progressives on after breaking one of the OEM. I did not get the HD. I only have them cranked down three marks of the ten they can go to, and so far the ride is great. Have not yet bottomed out. Haven't done any two up riding, though. I have found that they are difficult to adjust, in fact impossible for me, without removing the saddle bags. I cannot get enough muscle on 'em to turn--guess I'm just a pussy. But hey, I can open pickle jars! Get a little rubber strap wrench for $5 at Sears or somewhere, and you can turn it with that... I got a college kid who played football to try and turn mine at Church once, he couldn't do it either... -Mike |
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #12 on: December 08, 2015, 10:36:16 AM » |
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I put 444 Progressives on after breaking one of the OEM. I did not get the HD. I only have them cranked down three marks of the ten they can go to, and so far the ride is great. Have not yet bottomed out. Haven't done any two up riding, though. I have found that they are difficult to adjust, in fact impossible for me, without removing the saddle bags. I cannot get enough muscle on 'em to turn--guess I'm just a pussy. But hey, I can open pickle jars! How in the heck did you break one ? |
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Fazer
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« Reply #13 on: December 09, 2015, 08:11:42 AM » |
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Mike--I have a strap wrench but would not be able to use it without removing the hard bags. Really not that big of a deal, but not very convenient to do on the spur of the moment.
Hubcap--I was trying to change the setting from five back to three and did not realize I had to go forward from 5 to 1-3. The one side turned backward ok, but the left side would not budge. I used a bigger hammer (lever) on the spanner wrench and actually snapped the lower connector. Not the last dumb thing I will do, I am sure.
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #14 on: December 09, 2015, 08:27:25 AM » |
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I can use my strap wrench with the bags on, just don't have a very long throw.... lots of short throws.
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