Shock suggestions

[Walking Tall]

Yeah, that's for Progressive themselves. When I bought mine, Progressive showed them OOS until mid-June. I had a hard time finding what I wanted in stock. Finally found a few vendors that had some on hand. I really wanted the STD sprung ones but no one had them anywhere, so I went with the Heavy duty ones. Just cause Progressive doesn't have any in stock doesn't mean that no vendors out there don't have stock on hand.

I called Progressive and if I order them before Friday, they will put me in the queue and honor the free fork spring promo. If I commit, it sounds like I may get them before 7/30 along with free shipping. I'm about ready to pull the trigger, just need to decide h.d. or standard springs and 13" or stock length. Stillserving, you went with 13", h.d., black springs, right?

 

[1olbull]

Amigos,
I have rustled up some of my data and work regarding shock and tire settings and geometry for your reading/viewing pleasure.
I hope it helps illuminate some stuff for you . . . it did for me.

 

[barbagris]

I started with Fournales shock absorbers. It was OK for me as a driver but was very bad for the passenger. Very small imperfections on the road are not "eaten" by Fournales shocks which are ok to absorb bigger bumps. That means that for very small imperfections on the road, your spine discs mainly are the shock absorbers. And after a while you can suffer a lot. So it was an investment with Öhlins shock absorbers specially adjusted for R3. Then, after half a mile with these ones, my wife told me that there is a huge difference. As we ride together on the bike 80% of the time, afterwards any ride was better for her.

Surprised. Really, as I have tried all sorts of stuff and nothing came close to the Fournales overall. Hat's off to Öhlins if they manage to control a big heavy unsprung mass like the R3. True I have modified seating for the small stuff. Front and rear.

 

[Stillserving]

I called Progressive and if I order them before Friday, they will put me in the queue and honor the free fork spring promo. If I commit, it sounds like I may get them before 7/30 along with free shipping. I'm about ready to pull the trigger, just need to decide h.d. or standard springs and 13" or stock length. Stillserving, you went with 13", h.d., black springs, right?

Yes, I went with the 444-4221B. These were the black, 13" Heavy Duty springs.
I went with these because:

I could not find the STD sprung units in stock anywhere and in order to get in on the good deal, I decided that if I didn't like them it would be less than $100 to get the STD springs from Progressive and switch them out myself. If I could have found the STD spring shocks in stock anywhere, I probably would have gone that route based on Steve's suggestions, especially since we're about the same size and riding style.

As for the 13" over the 12.5". From what I've read/could figure out, my rationale there was might get a little more seat height and it may make the bike a little more responsive in the cornering dept. I already had the larger rear and different front tire sizes on it and liked the improvement and figured this would add to it, but this combination would still keep me inside of the "not twitchy" zone.

Out of curiosity, why go straight to Progressive, pay full MSRP and wait a month and a half instead of using another vendor. You can get those same shocks from a vendor, still get in on the free fork spring deal, pay a lot less AND get them in a week or two.

 

[Walking Tall]

Yes, I went with the 444-4221B. These were the black, 13" Heavy Duty springs.
I went with these because:

I could not find the STD sprung units in stock anywhere and in order to get in on the good deal, I decided that if I didn't like them it would be less than $100 to get the STD springs from Progressive and switch them out myself. If I could have found the STD spring shocks in stock anywhere, I probably would have gone that route based on Steve's suggestions, especially since we're about the same size and riding style.

As for the 13" over the 12.5". From what I've read/could figure out, my rationale there was might get a little more seat height and it may make the bike a little more responsive in the cornering dept. I already had the larger rear and different front tire sizes on it and liked the improvement and figured this would add to it, but this combination would still keep me inside of the "not twitchy" zone.

Out of curiosity, why go straight to Progressive, pay full MSRP and wait a month and a half instead of using another vendor. You can get those same shocks from a vendor, still get in on the free fork spring deal, pay a lot less AND get them in a week or two.

I thought the free fork spring promo was only through Progressive

 

[Walking Tall]

I thought the free fork spring promo was only through Progressive

I see now how it works. Could purchase the shocks through a different vendor (Amazon) and provided I have a receipt, I could fill out the promo form and send it to Progressive along with a copy of said receipt, and get the free fork springs. I guess one benefit of getting everything through Progressive is that I was told they will swap the springs for standard within one month of purchase for no charge if the h.d.'s don't work out.

 

[Stillserving]

That's a plus!

 

[JPHDT]

Surprised. Really, as I have tried all sorts of stuff and nothing came close to the Fournales overall. Hat's off to Öhlins if they manage to control a big heavy unsprung mass like the R3. True I have modified seating for the small stuff. Front and rear.

Forty years ago several doctors told me that within five years I will live in a wheelchair because of my back (spine and discs). So I did not, but I have take care of my back every minute . As a motorcycle fan, seat and shock absorbers are just a question of life for me. It is the same for cars and also chairs, sofa and bed . Fournales are very nice as you will never go until full displacement. But you will have small rebounds due to air system. öhlins were the best for me because, Ölins in France had a rocket 3 during several days. So they were able to built and adjust the shocks according to the bike and riders.
I previously had a 2013 HD cvo road-glide. I called an old US guy, a private specialist working with HD bikes and Öhlins shocks. So after several phone calls, I order my Sweeden shocks to a guy in the USA ! But he was able to rebuilt and adjust Öhlins shock absorbers according to our weight, way of riding and the bike. It was not possible in France as nobody gave them a road-glide to test. But this US very skilled guy was used to adjust several tens of öhlins a year for HD riders.

So according to my experience of very sensitive guy to shock absorbers efficiency, the best is to find professional people who will be able to built and adjust the shocks to you. I prefer put some money in the bike and not in medicine

 

[Bigwalleye]

Just purchased a back set of Hyperpro 360TS all black and front progressive springs. I called EPM Performance in NJ and he talked me into these over the Wilber cause I am looking for more of a soft 2 person ride over a performance setup. Here is to hoping it was the right choice. Should get them early next week.

 

[Walking Tall]

Just purchased a back set of Hyperpro 360TS all black and front progressive springs. I called EPM Performance in NJ and he talked me into these over the Wilber cause I am looking for more of a soft 2 person ride over a performance setup. Here is to hoping it was the right choice. Should get them early next week.

I have spoken with Klaus. He pushes the Hyperpros. Basically said the Progressive Suspension shocks do not compare. Please post a review when you fit them to your bike.