Initial Impression of Progressive Rear Shocks = WOW

So I just finished installing a pair of 412 style rear shocks from Progressive Suspension.

My first impression of the shocks after "dropping" the bike off the center stand was WOW!!! I barely felt it!!

Before my bike + me + at least 50lbs of luggage/trunk/fairing went THUMP (probably bottoming out the shocks) when I rolled off the center stand.

I didn't have a chance for a real test ride, but I did ride up and down my street hitting every pothole I could find (we have way to many ATM). I barely felt any of them (on the rear shocks anyways). I have the shocks set on the lowest setting. I'm quite impressed and can't wait for my next real ride.

Now I need to buy the replacement front shocks and rebuild the front end (calipers, hoses, MC, shocks, seals, etc).

Installation Notes:

Upper bolt sleeves were a perfect fit on both sides.

The lower left (clutch) side bolt was a bit scary. Instead of unscrewing the NUT the entire threaded rod came out instead. I didn't ruin any threads and it went back in w/o any problems.

The lower right (brake) side bolt sleeve was to wide for the U shaped mounting bracket on the bike. A few minutes on a bench grinder and the bolt sleeve fit. A little bit of oil and a rubber mallet and the shock slipped right into place.

The addition of my hard saddlebags, trunk and luggage rack/back rest and brackets made installation a little more difficult. However it was not that much harder than a bare bike would have been.

Total time including removing tank and seat (to find/fix a loose wire), install the shocks and reassemble everything was about 90 minutes.

I can post pics (of my dirty) bike if you want later.

The part number of the shocks is the Heavy Duty version that the progressive website recommends.

 

Nice job

 

Couple questions. Why did you go with the heavy duty vs standard? Did you have to remove the mufflers to install?

 

Nice.. I have been thinking about going with a pair of progessives myself.

 

Mufflers: No I kept them on. However I was limited to using a plain 17 wrench on the lower bolt/nut. I didn't use my torque wrench but did tighten them good.

Heavy duty: Based on Chacal's (xjforever) and progressive's charts, heavy duty is recommended for heavier riders. This is more true for 750+ sized bikes with 200+ lb riders. Additionally I have over 50 lbs (estimated) added to the bike with a large windjammer fairing, hard saddlebags, trunk and necessary brackets PLUS the contents (ie good sized tool bag and rain gear). Beyond that I ride 2up with my pleasantly plump wife

But don't worry the bike can handle the weight. Now the rear shocks can as well.

 

I put the same shocks on my 750 Maxi last summer and it was an immediate improvement on the ride. Once you get out and ride you will truly appreciate them. Doing the front springs this week, tore down the front suspension yesterday before work and it wasn't nearly the pain I was envisioning.
Enjoy the new shocks, I know I did!

 

Cool. Let us know how the front springs improve the ride.

 

A set of Progressive shocks on my '79 CBX (standard damping and spring rates for my usage), along with a few other suspension mods and tweaks, completely transformed the bike. Progressives are some of the best bang-for-the-buck shocks out there IMO. Maybe the best.

 

put new ones on myself about a couple of months ago and there great,no more bottoming out around corners,

 

I completely agree. My experience is the same. Shocks and fork springs, a remarkable improvement, especially for the price. Highly recommended.