Anyone using Progressive 444 shocks

[norseman]

You could probably use a wrench and a bit of rag to prevent roughing them. I've been running with the 444s for about a year now and I'm very happy with them. I may soften them up JUST a bit since the highways in the area are full of bumps that have me hopping out of the saddle. They're great in curves and seem to have much better damping than the stock ones, which felt like the rear end was on a pogo stick on rough patches of road.

 

[cr0ft]

I agree that they're great shocks, they swallow the small annoying shaking repeated bumps especially well. I think my problem is the opposite of too tight, when the bike is fully loaded with a 2-up load they're set a little bit too soft so in the type of bumps you mention, the huge dips in the road, I think they bottom out and bounce off the rubber in the bottom which is less than fun.

The adjuster is chromed and pretty smooth, I think taking any kind of implement to it can cause surface damage even with a rag. Guess I'll need to come up with something brilliant. Or just wait a week or two or however long it takes for my new tires to arrive - can always adjust that when the local shop puts on the new rubber.

 

[1olbull]

I am thinking of getting the Progressive 444 shocks. Anyone have opinions on how well they work. Stock shocks are ok but are pretty harsh at level 3 and above and wife does not like harsh. Stock on level 2 the bike has too much bounch in dips. From video on Progessive shocks it looks like they take care of both problems. I had the 440 progressive on a VTX 1800 and it was a great improvement over stock, also had the front Progressive springs.

I am considering the progressive front springs for the Rocket but hate the cost and incovienous of taking to a dealer, closest dealer is 60 miles, and I am not confident that I could do the job without considerable frustration and dismay. Any techs close to Sherman Tx that have some time to spare?

Recently completed both the 444 rear shockies and front springs.
Well worth the money and effort IMO!
Those 444s would be cool for someone who rides double as it an easy twist of the wrist to adjust spring rate and damping.
GO FOR IT! You'll have to buy a $40 special tool for the fork springs.

 

[Camptc]

Cr0ft, take a bit of rubber tubing and wrap it around the chrome adjustment at the top of the spring... If you can't get a hand grip on it using the tube, then cut a couple pieces off and slip them over the jaws on a set of visegrips or channel locks. Won't scratch the chrome, but will grip well and give you the leverage you need.

 

[Joesmoe]

Would you please provide the information on the 444 and front springs ? I see different numbers for the 444 (I want chrome and the stock length, and even among chrome there are different numbers). Likewise, I see different offerings for the front springs, and would like to be as close to stock as possible in fitment.

 

[cr0ft]

Cr0ft, take a bit of rubber tubing and wrap it around the chrome adjustment at the top of the spring... If you can't get a hand grip on it using the tube, then cut a couple pieces off and slip them over the jaws on a set of visegrips or channel locks. Won't scratch the chrome, but will grip well and give you the leverage you need.

Most of my problems came from an acute attack of stupidity. It's obvious if you look at the shock for a while that there is no need to turn only on the knurled bit on top, you can grab the entire spring with both hands and twist as the whole thing rotates, which makes it easy to change preload by hand at any time. One of those do'h moments one I figured that one out.

 

[cr0ft]

I see different numbers for the 444 (I want chrome and the stock length, and even among chrome there are different numbers).

There are two variants of any given length. The 12.5 inch (stock length) comes in the HD spring or the regular spring. HD spring being for guys over 250 lbs or for people mostly doing two-up (and thus passing 250 in total) and may be harsh for the lighter solo rider. So basically you just need to choose between those two variants.

Front springs I have yet to research, but now my bike is much smoother over bumps in there rear than the front so probably going to have to look into those too, now it's THUD-whoosh, THUD-whoosh as the front first sends a shock into my hands and then the rear shocks swallow the majority of the force as the rear passes over whatever it was...

 

[Joesmoe]

Pray tell, what length front springs on a Touring please ?

 

[Elvis]

I had some progressives on a Valkyrie and the were ok but I did not notice a huge improvement on that bike. I also added the springs to the front, they made way too much noise and ended up removing them

 

[TriumPhil]

... and what? Therefore, Progressive's shocks and springs provide no better results on am R3?