Progressive 412 Series Shocks

[Big Gun]

Greetings,
Any of you upgrade the shocks on your Roadster? Did you pick the stock length? Heavy duty or Standard?
Thanks,
Jay

 

[CrzystghndKC]

I just bought a set yesterday and haven't they arrived. I bought standard with stock length because the bike they're going on will never have a load other than me. They're going on an 05 Standard.

 

[Kim Turner]

Greetings,
Any of you upgrade the shocks on your Roadster? Did you pick the stock length? Heavy duty or Standard?
Thanks,
Jay

2007 Classic. Stock length, standard and went with Avon Cobra Chrome for the tires. The tires feel a little bit more'solid' than the original Metzeler stock items, but that may just be me? Unsure if I read the Avons were out of production, or can be hard to get?

 

[atomsplitter]

Just a few notes, upgrading shocks isn't a bad idea, but it should be done with some goals in mind. What are you trying to accomplish by upgrading the suspension? Is your rear suspension correctly adjusted now? Upgrading the back without consideration of the front is only tackling half the problem. We can be of more help if you add more info.

If you change shock length from OEM you'll affect the steering geometry. Shorter will slow the steering as well as reduce shock travel limits. Longer shocks will speed up the steering (shortens trail measurement) increase ride height and add some travel. There's an upper limit to taller shocks usually about 1 inch eye to eye. I had 1 inch over Hagon Nitro's on my 05 Standard and put progressive fork springs in that were 10.5Nm/mm. That made for a very smooth ride, but it was taller to get into and out of the seat.

 

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

General consensus is not to use the 412. There are much better choices. The current common Progressive Suspention rear shock is the 444.

 

[1olbull]

Like the Atomsplitter said, it depends.
How do you ride? Aggressive twisty hooner? Smooth moderate, always sensible rider? Be honest with yourself.
The next thing is your physical size. The Rocket is a bigass motorcycle and can be difficult to ride fast. Your size matters in setting it up correctly (especially the inseam).
As sold the Rocket is designed for riders to be stable and not for best handling performsnce.
Give us more info and receive better advice.

 

[Big Gun]

Thanks guys. this is my third Rocket; I know the platform just having trouble remembering what I did.
Pretty mellow rider but I can lean when I get the urge. 6' 2" 250lbs. 500 mile day rides are my favorite. I'm in the queue at Russel for my third rebuild from them. The stock seats have never worked for me, tail bone on fire syndrome. IF I remember correctly the progressive shocks helped take the harshness out of the bumps.

 

[Big Gun]

My first two:

 

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

Great Looking Bikes. Would you please post a photo of the newest one ?

 

[Kim Turner]

Like the Atomsplitter said, it depends.
How do you ride? Aggressive twisty hooner? Smooth moderate, always sensible rider? Be honest with yourself.
The next thing is your physical size. The Rocket is a bigass motorcycle and can be difficult to ride fast. Your size matters in setting it up correctly (especially the inseam).
As sold the Rocket is designed for riders to be stable and not for best handling performsnce.
Give us more info and receive better advice.

I'm 69, going on 70. Changed stock seat to a corbin fast gun, which is more comfortable (wider, but sit deeper in seat), BUT, raises the bike a bit over the stock item. I'm a little 'vertically challenged' so I always ride with my old army boots, that give me an inch or so. Don't always wear a helmet, drive pretty conservatively, but get the 'bit between the teeth' once in a while and let rip.