Progressive Shock Advice needed

[TomE]

Well, it's official, my new-to-me '99 Valk cruiser is a pogo stick on both the front and back ends.

I have stock shocks on the back, set to 5, and they still go through two complete up, down, up, down cycles after a big bump before settling down. The front is the same.

I want the bike to handle well, very well. The ride can be a bit "tight" but the bike has to corner nicely, even on a rough road. The shocks are the "keep the tire on the road" part of that requirement. I will also be getting some nice tires to go with the upgraded suspension.

I have thought of a lot of shock solutions, but am settling on these:

• Front: Progressive springs and 15 weight fork oil
• Back: a set of Progressive shocks

But which Progressive shocks to get?  I put 412's on my GL1000, a 605 pound bike, and found that I can leave them set on 2 when riding two up and they work very well. They have just the right amount of damping to allow the back wheel to follow the back side of a bump back down to the road surface without loosing traction.  They allow me to hot dog through the corners on less-than-perfect road surfaces with confidence. These shocks are $300 a set from Progressive, less from others. I wonder if the 412 will work as well with the heavier Valkyrie?

Also, I have seen some recommendations on this board for the pricer 440 Progressive shocks. At $600, the 440 is that! Is it worth the difference in price?

So which to choose, what do do? 

Thanks,

[Mr Steve]

My last shocks were 412's.  They lasted a while, but less than 50k, although I am 6'7" 300#.  If you are thinking about the 440's I would go with Works instead.  For the price of the general production 440s you can get custom made Works.

[hubcapsc]

I'm 195... regular 440s are OK for just me, bottom out on little stuff like bridge expansion joints and
stuff when two up (she's 135)... I like them fine everywhere now that I have HD springs on them...
13" is important for the kind of riding you described, I think...



I have 10wt and progressive springs in front. A lot of people like 15wt there...

Works shocks are supposed to be really good, I have no experience with them...

-Mike

[MacDragon]

I have the 412s on mine ... 11.5" which lowered the back a bit.  Progressive fork springs and new Bridgestone exedras.... Love the ride and very smooth in the twisties.  However, I'm 5'8" on a good day and 180 lbs.    I'm happy with the set up.

[Patrick]

I like the progressive stuff.. I use the front springs with 10 wgt oil.. 440 Std spring rear shocks that seem fine for us.. Most fellas seem to prefer the HD spring though..

[9Ball]

you can find prices for 440 shocks around the $425 range, not $600.

Like anything else, you get what you pay for....I've been really happy with the 440s for the past 11 years.  When I bought mine, I paid $560.  The latest ones I bought for my Rocket 3 were $418 which included shipping, but they were the black powdercoated version which are usually a little cheaper than the chrome ones.  If you research the model number you want, sometimes they are listed as VTX or Rocket 3 shocks, but they have numerous fitments for the same model number.  These are occasionally cheaper than the ones listed as Valkyrie shocks (don't know why that is, but it is).

Here's an example...440-4221C Heavy Duty (chrome) 13" (stock height) fits HD, VTX1800, Rocket 3, etc. for $439 with free shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Progressive-Shocks-440-Series-Harley-Chrome-Pick-Part-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem20b5bfa770QQitemZ140488189808QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Good luck...

[X Ring]

Here's a less expensive solution for you.  Buy a pair of lightly used I/S shocks on your Standard/Tourer.  I have a pair on my '97 Tourer and when I'm riding solo they are set on 1.  Highest I have had them two up is 3.  When I had the forks rebuilt, Progressive springs were installed.

Marty

[sandy]

My Valk has front Progressive/15wt and the rear has Works Performance shocks. My Wing(1800) has Progressive rear and HyperPro front springs. If I could do it all over, I'd research HyperPro's for everything. If you order Works, they ask your weight. Add about 25 lbs to your estimate for you and all your riding gear. If you carry things in the bags, add that too.

[JC]

13" 440 HD's and springs in the forks made a major difference for me. Didn't change the fork oil, just added enough to replace the small amount lost during the swap. Handles and rides like a different machine, no pogo!

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Dont disregard the Progressive 430's.  I love my set.  I also have Progressive front springs in the front.  I have had a set of Works on my last Valk.  Had them custom made for me.  Loved the look but I had some bottoming problems with them.  I prefer my 430's.

[Paxton]

Here is what I have on the rear of my 2000 Standard:
PROGRESSIVE TR77402... 412-4202C SHOCKS CHR 11.5."
They list for $299.95. I got them back in April on eBay for $249.95.

Dragonfly's Set-up:
RIDER (me) - 235 lbs, 5' 6" tall... (huge ass!). SOLO rider set up.
D/S Car Tire... NEXEN N5000 size 205/65/16 - 40 PSI.

After installing hard bags and truck stack pipes. it added another 45-lbs to the rear of the bike.
The truck stacks alone weight 22 lbs. 

To carry the load, I reset the 412's from #1 to #4 and went to 28 PSI on the rear tire.
As far as I know, the front is totally OEM...
The P.O. is deceased, so I have no direct information...
I checked for the P.O. in heaven but Peter said that he's still been booked! 


I love Dragonfly's set up. I am a short fat dude and still can plant both my boots flat on the ground.
It feels like am riding a Limo... but it's superb in the twisties. 
When turning left the side stand sparks pretty easy...
(SEE pics)...
I love the scraping sound and the sparks so I do it in purpose...

If I were to carry a say, 175-lbs passenger for a long haul,
I think I'd use my OEM shocks and go up to 42 PSI on the rear tire. ???

The wife does not want to hop up in the rear seat any more. So I always ride solo.


LINK: See the photo sequence...
https://picasaweb.google.com/103917731019176896112/DRAGONFLY

"If only they would all just leave me alone with my old cars and my motorcycles,
I would be content to let life, and the world pass me by"

[TomE]

Thanks for all the thoughful replies. This is quite helpful.

Reading between the lines, it seems that the 412's and even the 430's might be a bit light? Even the 440's need the Heavy Duty spring set. My wife and I are not light, and we do tend to carry 20 to 30 pounds of extra gear. And I do like to ride agressivly.

But weight is the spring selection. Rebound damping is keeping the tire on the road on the back side of a bump. hubcapsc had it just right with that road picture.   I keep finding these facinating back roads that twist and turn, but somehow, those same back roads never seem to get the best maintenance.

Guess it's time to call Progressive, Works, and HyperPro.

[Brian]

Steelers -Rude Dog, Did you clean your machine for this photo or does it always look showroom new? Nice looking ride.