progressive front springs - worth doing?

[owl]

OK - so I'm not at all as expert at setting a bike up as a MotoGP racer, but when I had Progressive front springs fitted to my Fatboy, the difference was huge.

Instead of nosediving with a handful of front brake, it would settle in a sort of a flat plane, and felt much, much better.

On that basis, it was one of the first mods I did after replacing the rear springs for Progressives (which did make a big difference in the bends) but I gotta say I was disappointed.

I was expecting the same big difference, but I didn't get it.

To be honest, I found the difference to be so minimal I thought it was a waste of money.

Maybe it was because the rear was set up so nicely on the Rocket already and whatever I did to the Harley made a huge difference? Dunno.

All I do know is that I couldn't tell much of a difference, if at all.

(I ride solo only and weigh in at 200 lbs)

 

[Blastedbones]

You can test the OE springs to check how much deterioration there has been. Sit on the bike, apply the frount brake & shove down hard on the bars. How much fork compression is there? On mine @20k kilometers I'd hit the stops!! it was wallowing like a rocking horse!!. MUCH better after the progressive springs.
Anyone know if there's any difference between Hagons progressive fork springs & "Progressive" progressive springs?

 

[DCRocket]

I'm with Owl on this one. There is some improvement but minimal. Thinking to go up from 10 to 15 on next fork oil change. I'm running the 412s for rear suspension, which are as good as the 440s (tried both on the bike) though they only have 5 positions unlike the 440s that you can dial in exactly

 

[Blastedbones]

To reiterate, the handling of the OE fork springs out of the box , is fine & no you won't notice much difference..HOWEVER several people , especially myself, found that the OE springs get tired & soggy in 20k .. dangerously so.. ( hence the test for this in my last post) IF YOUR SPRINGS are soggy, replace the buggers!!! And it's a good time to use a progressive spring when you do.

 

[budman]

and use 10 w instead 5 w oil..I used 5 and wanna change it over to 10..

 

[peteC]

Hi,
I have the Hagon progressive springs in the front with slightly heavier oil and I have the Hagon Nitro's on the rear. The suspension is much better, less "Wooly" in the bends. Would recommend the Hagon kit for sure!

 

[warp9.9]

I have not got the Hagon springs yet plan on changing them when I do the Carpenter Racing goodies I do have the Hagons in the back. 350mm I ordered 340mm but when the made them in the UK they screwed up and made 350mm so the hagon dealer credited me 70.00 dollars back on my card even though they worked fine. Hell I will order the Hagon spring from him. My question to you guys is I am onlt 155lbs do you think I should move up to 10 weight or stay with the 5. I have over 50,000 mikes on the stock one and am going downstairs to put the final drive back in. I tore it out for Les so I could compare the 06 to the 08 final I have plus my friend R3T to see if you can swap them turns out you can not run a R3t on a standard or Classic and Vise a versa. Anyway after about 10k on the splines I greased with the Moly lube from Honda I am pleased to report the lube hangs in their great unlike the pig snot that Triumph uses.

 

[Blastedbones]

Pulling 4th gear wheelies, I'd stick with 10 Wt. mate

 

[warp9.9]

thanks bones!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mike Sands]

Warp - Hagon supply the progressive front springs with 2 litres of their own recommended oil which is 7.5wt. I'm gonna ask the dealer to put that in on the basis that Hagon must have a good reason for supplying it. I am not a lot heavier than you and am interested to know what rating your rear shocks were delivered. Mine say 35kg springs (on the box) which is the heaviest they do. Can't help but feel that their 30kg springs would have been better for me solo.
Thanks
Mike