Question about shocks

[Chrisj CMA]

I have made comments and hinted about this question before, but I never got a real answer.  Ok, here it is:

I have been riding motorcycles for 40 years and I have never known shocks to blow out and leak oil all over the place like Progressives.  Are they really that good that its worth putting up with the odds that your progressive shocks will puke oil all over you and the bike someday?

Now, to be fair I have never used anything but OEM shocks on whatever motorcycle I owned at the time, but seriously....everyone I know that has Progressive shocks has had a blow out.  Good warranty or not, I just dont see the tolerance for it.

[Patrick]

I'm not going to be much help.. I've always used original shocks too without problems,,but,, for some reason I decided to stick on some Progressives.. That was about 12 or so years ago and haven't had a problem with them.. I'm not to sure they are any better than the originals and if they develop any problems the originals will go back on..

[hubcapsc]

440s are certainly way better than the beater OEMs that were on my bike.

And they're better than the 50k OEM Interstate shocks Stanley Steamer
lent me when my 440s blew out  ...

I don't think Stanley sees much difference between his OEM shocks and
the 412s he replaced them with.

I'd like to try a set of those works shocks...

-Mike

[Dr Bobs Patient]

One of the deciding factors on my recent purchase of Progressive 416 air shocks is that they are rebuildable.  That being said, I replaced the Progressives that were on the phat gurl when I bought her, not because they had blown out, but because they were 12.5" and I needed 13" with a little more clearance for the CT.

DBP

[Jess from VA]

Well, the PS 440s are about the best quality and ride you can buy (Works too probably), and the 440s have a lifetime warranty (don't know about Works).... so, you get the best possible ride and performance, and yes over time they will probably leak, but they will be fixed or replaced for free, for life.... thou you will have a little down time eventually, it is not very long.  Have 440s on both bikes, and managed to get a third set, used but PS rebuilt with no receipt, in my backup parts, so I won't have to wait for rebuild of either of my two purchased-new sets with receipts (which I can use to get a free rebuild on my used set if I need to).

I also believe your need or desire for top performing shocks may be rightfully influenced by the geography of your local/daily riding area.  If all you have is flat and pretty straight you may not really need top of the line suspension.  The same goes for those who generally follow a mostly sedate riding style.  Routinely pulling trailers is another reason for upgraded suspension.

I do not know personally, but have heard it said many times the PS 412s are about the same ride quality as new OE shocks... but I doubt they have the same longevity as OE shocks. 

For someone (like me) with the mindset of keeping their Valk(s) forever, while spendy up front, the 440s are hard to beat.  Pay once and you're done forever. 

[Willow]

... but seriously....everyone I know that has Progressive shocks has had a blow out. 

That's not quite accurate.

I believe you know Lori and me.  We have Progressives on two of our three bikes.  No problems.

[9Ball]

Agreed...the 440s well worth the money.  Mine are coming up on 13 years old and no problems...but if there should be a problem they will be fixed or replaced free of charge.

They ride so well on the Valkyrie that I put a set on my Rocket 3 (BTW, same part number too).

[Chrisj CMA]

... but seriously....everyone I know that has Progressive shocks has had a blow out. 

That's not quite accurate.

I believe you know Lori and me.  We have Progressives on two of our three bikes.  No problems.

OK, let me rephrase that.  Each bike that I have worked on for friends that has progressives....each and every one, they had a blowout.  The one that didnt I even commented that they looked like they had some age and were holding up, no leaks.  Next tire.........yep.....blowout. 

[JaysGone]

Im just the opposite of all you guys.
My bike came with 440s on it.
For me it was unridable.
Harsh bumpy riding.
OEMs were and are much better for me.
Im currently using IS shocks on my standard set on 1.
Id like a half setting.

Now in Progressives defense all shocks will leak for someone at some point.
Had the PO of my bike ordered the 440s with the standard springs.
They might have worked just fine for me.
In the interum they are sitting in a box on a shelf, odds are never to be used by me.

[Chrisj CMA]

Im just the opposite of all you guys.
My bike came with 440s on it.
For me it was unridable.
Harsh bumpy riding.
OEMs were and are much better for me.
Im currently using IS shocks on my standard set on 1.
Id like a half setting.

Now in Progressives defense all shocks will leak for someone at some point.
Had the PO of my bike ordered the 440s with the standard springs.
They might have worked just fine for me.
In the interum they are sitting in a box on a shelf, odds are never to be used by me.

+1...I too have IS shocks on my standard and have them on #3 the ride is great and even with a trailer its solid.  I like draggin pegs n any twisties I can find and these give all the rigitity I need with a buffered ride........I just dont know how long they are supposed to last....had them several years now and still great

[hubcapsc]

My bike came with 440s on it.
For me it was unridable.
Harsh bumpy riding.

The shocks on my Mini Cooper S are harsh and bumpy compared
to the shocks on the Cadillac I used to ride in to High School 

The Cadillac lady wouldn't want my Mini Cooper shocks and I
would probably push the Mini off a cliff if it had the mushy
wallowy Cadillac shocks on it.

Stanley Steamer could ride circles around me in the twisties
if he wanted to, with his OEM shocks or with his 412s... but I've
had his OEM shocks on my bike, and I have a strong opinion about
which ones are better for aggressive riding...

-Mike "its the rider - its the shocks - its both!"

[JaysGone]

My bike came with 440s on it.
For me it was unridable.
Harsh bumpy riding.

The shocks on my Mini Cooper S are harsh and bumpy compared
to the shocks on the Cadillac I used to ride in to High School 

The Cadillac lady wouldn't want my Mini Cooper shocks and I
would probably push the Mini off a cliff if it had the mushy
wallowy Cadillac shocks on it.

Stanley Steamer could ride circles around me in the twisties
if he wanted to, with his OEM shocks or with his 412s... but I've
had his OEM shocks on my bike, and I have a strong opinion about
which ones are better for aggressive riding...

-Mike "its the rider - its the shocks - its both!"

You know me well enough from here already.
My original conception of the Valkyrie which I knew nothing about at all when I bought it was.

Its a stripped down version of the GoldWing.
Totaly wrong!!!!!

I wasnt expecting it to be for all intents and purposes a Hot Rodded GoldWing less the creature comforts.
For me and my needs this is the wrong bike for me.
Id have been better off buying a GoldWing but.
As the commercial says "this car has lots of buttons"
Im a buttonless kind of guy.
The Standard has no buttons.
Ive come to love the engine on this bike being so dammed smooth.
The ride.........................................not so much.
Give me a Cadillac, mushy cusshy, smooooth.
I already own a Z28 Camaro...............

So in a word your post is perfect.