11.5" Shocks - observations and a Valk-specific question

[desertrefugee]

I just installed a decent used pair of Progressive 430s obtained from a member here.   They're 11.5" - and it made a considerable difference in the ride quality over the tired OEM Showa units.  Very happy with the road feel and more solid behavior.  Didn't realize how soft the OEMs had gotten.

I've lowered lots of bikes and only one needed to go back up a bit (a VMax).   But, on the Valkyrie, my initial ride did not reveal any negatives.  Much improved - and definitely lower.  I had thought about slipping the fork tubes half an inch or so, but I don't think it's needed.   I am not normally a peg scraper, so I don't think that'll be a problem.

Has anyone experienced any true negatives at 11.5" on a Tourer?

[hubcapsc]

You'll probably drag hard parts on tight mountain roads... I see some mountains near
Chandler, have you tried any tight roads out yet?

-Mke

[wingrider02]

I have either 11" or 11.5" Progressive 444's on my IS, and can scrape pegs pretty darn easy in TN where it is kept.  That is about the only downfall I can see with them. One of the reasons I plan to bring that bike up North, and put a Wing down in TN.

[Kunkies]

no such thing as an 11" 444, you have 11.5"

[wingrider02]

no such thing as an 11" 444, you have 11.5"

Couldn't recall off the top of my head when I wrote that.  Meant to look it up, but got to busy.  Thanks for clarifying, but turns out these are actually 12".

[Leathel]

I have some 12" 444 shocks on my bench that I removed before selling my last bike..... but they would lower the bike as std looks to be 13" (or very close to it) and I am already scraping so will need to get new shocks, currently looking at ones with adjustable damper/rebound

[nogrey]

One positive I've observed on a friends Valk that has the 11-1/2" shocks is.....it's not as far to fall! 

[desertrefugee]

Thanks for the chatter. So far so good.  Haven't really tested it yet, but again I don't exactly do a lot of canyon carving with this thing.  (but I don't baby it either)

Time will tell.