First ride on new Progressive 430's

[ValkISDan]

Just purchased some 430's for the IS and have a couple of hours in with and without a rider. On a soft setting 1 up they feel noticeably better than the standard IS shocks. Just to be fair, I'm not sure but I may have had a bad stock shock. When 2 up in the same setting it was a bit soft. Wasn't able to adjust them by hand. The turn to adjust feature isn't going to be that easy due to the bag in the way and not having the leverage. I will probably have to buy a strap wrench. Over the winter I also had the front end rebuilt with new progressive springs, kinda feels like a new bike.

[cookiedough]

I have my stock I/S rear shocks set at the firmest setting possible, I think 4 or is it 5???   I probably could get by with 3 setting but 2-up and near pushing 500lbs. on the bike,  even the firmest setting squats down low in the rear.

How much do you weigh for only setting the new rear shocks on 1?  I would think the softest setting of 1 on the stock I/S OEM shocks would be way too soft for most riders.

Do the new shocks you got sit you lower or higher in the saddle? 

[ValkISDan]

My stock IS shocks for 1 up riding were at a 3 and I usually bumped it up to a 5 when riding 2 up. I weigh 215. It's the new Progressive HD shocks that are now at the equivalent of a 1 with a good ride. You turn the shock by hand to adjust the ride. Progressive has groves on the body that let you know how much you have it turned in or out. 4 grooves showing is the softest setting, 1 groove showing would be the stiffest. What I noticed wasn't a weak spring issue with the stockers but diminished dampening compared to the progressives.