This product is an significant improvement at a reasonable price.
I commute everyday through the pothole infested streets of NYC on my iron 883. I ride 2 up about 50% of the time so when a pothole is unavoidable the stock rear shocks would bottom out making it unpleasant for the passenger and myself. The 11.5" progressive 412 shocks allow enough travel without sacrifying the look or handling of the bike. I also chose the heavy duty spring because of the extra weight i carry with a passenger but if you plan on riding solo most of the time a standard spring should be fine.
Completely new bike
I ride an XL883L and found that with the stock suspension that every time I leaned the bike for a turn I was scraping something against the ground. I bought the 13 inch heavy duty spring and installed them on my bike. Not only is the ride much smoother, but it also raised the bike enough that I can actually lean for my turns without scraping. I would highly recommend this product, even if you are fine with the stock ride height, just for the smoother ride.
Best investment I've made for my sporty!
Stock shocks on my bike were 11", so I went with the 12" Progressive 412's as I wanted my bike to sit a little taller (problem with kick stand dragging on left turns). Took me about 40 minutes to put on, and boy do they make a huge difference. The bumps/pot holes that use to throw me off my seat, no longer do. I don't know why I waited so long to get these!<br /><br />2009 Harley Nightster XL1200N
Sportster 2015 Superlow - Installed rogressive 412's
Changed the stock shocks to progressive 412's as the stock shocks were killing my back. Originals were 11.5 inch I think. Changed them out for 12.5 inch. Raised the ride height a little, but no noticeable change in the look of the bike. Ride is greatly improved. I don't have to stand on my pegs anymore when I go over rumble strips. A great buy.I would recommend them .
Great so far (800 miles on em) on '07 XL1200C
Much better shocks for my '07 XL1200C. The factory ones were 11.75" and were on the 4th preload to keep from bottoming out. For my new shocks I went with the 12.5" standard weight springs. The extra little bit of height made the bike sit level. And the extra height keeps my short shots from scraping as easily. Overall I love the new shocks, only downside I see with them is the shim and bushings that come with them. Given the shocks mount fine and install easily, im not a fan of the shim setup because the shocks are meant for multiple harley applications. (I am o.c.d. about fit and aesthetics) Despite that dislike they are great. I have mine on the second preload setting for solo riding and im 230 lbs, haven't had a bottom out yet. Also has more feel in the corners without being rigid. I would recommend these to anyone. I'd really like to try a set of the higher end progressive shocks. Although at this cost, I see the 412 shocks being very, very hard to beat. <br /><br />Currently have 800 miles on the 412 shocks at time of review.
They are good!
I purchased the 13" PS shocks, Standard. I weigh 210 lbs. and the stock ones presented the following behavior: medium setting was smooth, but they bottomed out, even when I was alone, in some street depressions of Rio de Janeiro; stiffest setting was rough even when I carried my 125 lbs. son (he complained) stock shocks have only three steps.<br />Immediately after the PS installation, I tried the medium setting of PS shocks (third step they have five!), but they were too stiff for my taste. The day after, I have adjusted them to the lightest setting and they seem OK for me. I have passed by some street depressions and felt no risk of bottoming out.<br />They are brand new: 20 miles ran. Well, I guess they have a softening period of around 150 miles, and maybe I have to set them a little stiffer in the future, maybe one step.<br />I do not recommend the Heavy-Duty ones for you if you weigh equal to or less than me.<br />Bike: Harley Davidson 2010 Sportster XL883R the tall one.
Progressive Shocks are the Bomb
This is my second set of Progressive Shocks. In a word, great.<br /><br />A few years ago I replaced the stock shocks on my '04 Road King with Progressive 444s. They were recommended by the Progressive rep at a dealer event I attended. They were easy to install and combined with the Progressive Tour Link, I felt like I had a new bikebut enough of the King.<br /><br />A few months ago I picked up an '08 Sportster 1200 C. The stock shocks on that bike just plain suck. If you've never ridden on a good set of shocks, you might think that's what shocks are supposed to do, but it's not.<br /><br />I think the piggy-back style shocks are very cool looking, but I'm not a racer. I'm a geeser that likes to take my Sporty up the nearby canyons along the Wasatch Front and buzz around town, and just couldn't justify spending close to $2,000 for a pair of shocks. So, when the Progressive 412 shocks were on sale, I decided to snag a pair.<br /><br />I couldn't be happier.<br /><br />I purchased these shocks about a 1/2" longer than stock, but I didn't buy the heavy duty shocks. I've set this bike up to ride single (I've taken the passenger peg mounts off and put a solo seat on) because if I want to ride with a pillion, I'll take the Road King and aren't anywhere near the max load capacity of the Sportster.<br /><br />I'm 6'1" at 209 lbs, so I'm not a huge guy, but I'm not a little guy either. These shocks are doing a great job for me.<br /><br />Would I buy these again? Yes.<br /><br />Would I recommend these shocks? Yes.<br /><br />Am I a Progressive fan boy? It sure looks that way, so I guess you can take this review for what it's worth.<br /><br />New shocks are one of the best mods for your Harley that will give you a noticeable improvement in how it rides and handles. Just say, "No," to stock Harley shocks.
Like a new bike with Proper shocks
I can't say enough good things about these shocks.<br /><br /> I put the 13 inch standard springs on my 2017 Sportster XL883n Iron.<br /><br />I way 182 lbs. and on the softest preload setting the SAG is textbook perfect.<br /><br />These completely Blow Away Harley's Emulsion Shocks!<br /><br />No more cringing every time I hit a good bump and jar my back. No more rear light covers flying off when it bottoms out. ( It doesn't bottom out with the 412s ).<br />I don't have to worry about dragging a peg in a turn. The motorcycle jack now fits under the bike.<br /><br />The Sportster is actually a good motorcycle with proper shocks.<br /><br />Slammed suspension is for Posers.
Nightster to NightStar!
Okay, I'm 6'3" and around 205lbs. The stock 11.5" rear shocks on my Nightster were a pain in the ass, and lower back, and neck, and occasionally teeth. They did't absorb small vibrations, and they bottomed out on big hits, even with max preload.<br /><br />So I bought a set of 13" Progressive 412 shocks. They were an easy enough install for this home mechanic, although you will need a 3/4 inch wrench for the lower shock bolt, and bike jack/lift if you're changing lengths. Also, get a torque wrench! The factory torque settings are higher than I would have been comfortable tightening by hand. Oh and read the instructions carefully as there are different spacers included depending on your bike model.<br /><br />Since installing them I've been for a few rides and the difference is like night and day. They soak up small vibrations, but don't bottom out on anything. FWIW, I'm running one click of preload.
Overall a decent rear shocks - wished I had bought the 12" or 12.5" for my 883 Iron (instead of the 11.5" that I bought)
The bike still bottoms out at preload setting of 3. It's set at 4 now (2nd stiffest preload setting) to minimise the chances of bottoming out - I ride solo and weights at 70kg.<br /><br />Installation was a straight forward 30mim job at my local workshop.<br /><br />Ride safe.
They are good, not day and night vs stock as some people say.
2017 Harley 48<br />I got these shocks and a Drag specialties low profile touring seat to be able to get a smoother and more comfortable ride on my sportster. Had 11.5 " stock shocks and upgraded to 13" to gain more travel=smoother ride. On the small bumps and imperfections on the road these progressive shocks made a lot of difference, not for the big imperfections tho. I live in the LA area and boy i can tell you some roads here are bad. I think you get what you pay for with these shocks, they are a cheaper than other shocks so you can of course expect better quality and ride out of the more expensive ones...<br /><br />When I opened the box what i didnt like is that one of the progressive stickers on the side of the shocks was blurry and that made me think that i got a re-built product. Other than that everything is ok.
not life-changing
I was hoping for a life-changing event with these shocks, but didn't get that. <br /><br />according to the instructions, I should be 2 or 3 clicks in on the pre-load, but honestly, I don't feel any difference when riding. I can't say they are a big improvement over the OEM shocks, but they look nicer and my bike is lowered by about a half inch, so that's something.<br /><br />bang for the: 3 I guess. they weren't too expensive, but i'm not sure it was worth the money at all<br /><br />features: 3. no special features.<br /><br />Style 4: yeah they look ok<br /><br />ease of install 4: the instructions could have been printed in a larger font, but they were easy enough to install. took me about 40 minutes, and this was the first time I'd ever done something like this. I would give 5 stars if the spacers weren't necessary<br /><br />Fit and finish 5: they fit right and look good.<br /><br />over-all, I can barely feel improvement over my OEM shocks. maybe I should try adding even more preload than they suggest, IDK.
Excellent suspension upgrade
I got these to remedy the bone crunching stock suspension on my 2012 sportster 48. Really wish I hadnt waited so long to upgrade. Huge difference on ride comfort. These are a great value if youre on the fence I say go for it. Easy to install as well but please make sure you have a secure lift and work safe.
A must for riding two up on a Sportster
Love my 05 XL 1200 but with my lady on the back the shocks would bottom out on bumps. I bought the 412 hd stock height shocks, started at the stiffest setting, and had to dial them down to get some give. problem solved. They look great on the bike also.
Great improvement
I ordered these to replace the stock shocks on my XL883C. These seemed to be the common replacement unless you went through the effort of swapping in some road king air shocks. I considered the air shocks but decided against it in favor of these because the air shock swap had mixed reviews and I prefer spring shocks. These shocks are a massive improvement and my bike is now much more comfortable to ride. I did move up from stock 11.75 inch to 12.5 inch shocks. The increase in height improved my cornering abilities and overall rear travel. This for me was well worth the cost. Some additional height at the seat was just a bonus making the bike more comfortable at red lights and stop signs.
TICKET TO RIDE
These shocks are the key to the Sportster that was meant to be. Back surgeon or chiropractor must have designed the factory "emulsion" shocks. Emulsion must be a medical term that means to fuse your spinal chord to your helmet. Anyway, I got the 12" heavy duty shocks. The 48 leans a little more on the stand and the rear fender sits just a bit higher; but the real difference is in ride quality. Factory 11.5" shocks have 1.6 inches of travel, the 12" Progressives have 2.64 inches and it makes all the difference in the world. I cannot overstate the dramatic improvement in comfort. I was all hopped up on Softail Slim and Heritage video's, ready to move on from my 48. Not now. Finally, if you are on the wrong side of 230 pounds, get the heavy duty ones. Mine rides very nice, soaks up the imperfections and bumps in the road, all while on 2nd setting, so not much preload. I would give 10 stars if possible.
Great shocks
These are great and a tremendous upgrade over stock
Heaven on wheels
I love it. The ride is sooo much better and it wasn't hard to install although I did have to buy a motorcycle jack. I'm looking for a good seat now. I'm 5 ft. 4in and the new shocks did raise the bike some, any suggestions?
Great shocks, pair with fork springs
Easy to install on a 2020 883. Soaks up the bumps. Harsh bumps and pot holes can still be teeth rattling, but pair these with some progressive fork springs and what a difference.
Rides nice!
Bought this for my '19 Harley Sportster. Went with the 12" standard shocks and it feels great! I'm 5'7" and already have a seat that pushes me up 1" so I didn't want to go any higher than 12". I can still comfortably flat foot. Installation was very easy especially because I have a center bike jack. <br /><br />I didn't have super high expectations given the price, but was definitely surprised at high smooth it was. Bumps and imperfections in the road after time used to make my back hurt with the stock shocks, but these feel a lot better. Definitely recommend if you don't want to spend a lot on shocks, these are still good and definitely good bang for your buck!
Out with the old, in with the new
Just picked up a 2018 48 Special Sportster. My first ride almost landed me in a chiropractor's office. The rear shocks have no visible travel and hitting a bump sends pain shooting up my spine. Installed the Progressive 412 and that really helped cushion the ride. These are a good, adorable option to stock shocks that should never be on any bike.
Great option on a budget
Purchased these shocks to adjust my rear end higher from 11 to 13. Especially with my wife in the back these shocks were just right. Comes with upoen spanner to adjust load which makes a diff if you ride alone. One thing i did notice is creaking noise every now and then when moving up and down on rear coming from the shocks. Even though i lubricated bearings well and bushings. I got all black and it looks great. Overall very happy with these shocks. Would just recommend re enforcing front end too you can feel the load transfer on front end with these. For the price, its a great option
Huge improvement/15' 883iron
I am 6' 190 & was not happy with the ride of the stock shocks, I liked the lower look,but not the ride. These look great & I no longer bottom out.
Great Shock
These shocks should be the OEM shock offered on Sportsters. I ride without passengers at 180 lbs. The standard 412 shock on the 3rd "click" setting works for me. It's a bit stiff, but the shocks still need to be broke in.
Great shocks
Amazing!! No washout in the turns. I love them
Transforms the Iron 883 in ridability, but leaves the looks alone.
Holy effin' ess! Why Harley doesn't work out a deal to put the 11 1/2" standard version of these inexpensive shocks onto the Iron 883 from the factory I'll never know. Doesn't change to look any, and when I hit sunken manhole covers I totally can't feel them. Slight thump in the hands. Ass and back feel nothing. Otherwise feels stock on smooth road. IOW they don't make you corner like an '82 Sedan DeVille. Install was easier than sparkplugs on a lot of cars.
Progressive 412 rear shocks
It is an improvement over my 15 year old stock shocks , but I think you can only get a sportster to ride better just so far , lol . I don't bottom out anymore and the bad bumps don't hurt as much. Went with 12 inch instead of 11 stock length.
2015 seventy two
Shocks are great what a difference from Harley junk. If your a bigger guy like myself 250 pounds this will make your bike ride like its on a cloud of air. Down side was I noticed sloop in the forks after replacing shocks.so I put heavy duty progressive springs in the forks and OMG. Best purchase so far for my seventy two
Best thing I could have done for my Sportster
The stock rear shocks on my Harley xl1200c are worthless. I dreaded any imperfection in the road as it made me feel like my spine was being shoved up into my skull. Do yourself a favor and get these now.<br /><br />The stock was 11.5" (10" compressed). I went with the 13" (11.5" compressed), heavy duty version for my 2009 xl1200c. I could not be happier. The bike now handles better. The rear fender is no longer sitting on the rear tire. The damping is far superior to stock. I give my highest recommendation for these shocks for a Harley Sportster. You won't be disappointed.
12.5 inch 412 Progressive shocks on a XL1200N.
I chose the 12.5 shocks to try and get a bit more clearance on my 2008 Nightster. I could immediately feel a difference in the rear end once I sat on the bike for the better in my opinion. It did improve the clearance as well. It leans over at a more drastic angle on the kickstand, which will affect the oil level when you go to check it. Only went out for a couple of rides since putting them on as of right now, but I feels better going through turns mainly because I'm not scraping as soon. It doesn't feel as jarring as before if I hit a pot hole or a bump I didn't see in time to avoid. I highly recommend these if you're looking to raise the back for some clearance and a better ride, maybe not the greatest improvement but for under $300 well worth it. One thing that might throw off others is that I have a lot more of my rear tire showing, not my favorite part about it but for the added clearance on turns I'll take it.
Progressive 13" Shocks on a 20' Iron1200
Bike sits higher, bought the heavy duty shocks ( Im 150Lbs but thinking about going 2 up ) Still need to dial the suspension in but it rides great if i bought these shocks again i'd buy the regular shocks instead of heavy duty shocks.. But overall a great improvement from stock, the bike leans alot better and when i sit on the bike i can feel the shocks actually compress and do somthing un-like the stock shocks woulden't compress and were super stiff... Looking for a reason to justify this purchase? well here it is..
Great upgrade to my sportster!
Great upgrade to my sportster! The bike is more confortable and rigid, shocks dont hit anymore.. also looks nice!! Very happy!
Under 500 miles
SO far so good, but I've only had the shocks on for less than 500 miles. I do notice a more comfortable ride, when riding solo and with a passenger. I could have spent more on other shocks but this was in my price range
Best investment for my bike.
I got a 2014 iron 883 as a first ride, and after a year of riding I learned the bad way the toughness of HD shocks! my back really hurt after long rides, I found this shocks, they are THE SECOND BEST upgrade for my bike, I think that this shocks and the fuelpak will make your rides much more enjoyable. 100% Recommended.
Nice affordable upgrade
Put a set of these on my '04 Sportster XL883 (kept with stock length and standard duty since I'm 160 lbs) and it made a huge difference in handling and comfort. Feels way more solid in turns and over bumps. I'm also considering adding a set of the Progressive fork springs as well.<br /><br />You should be considering these if you want to upgrade your rear suspension but don't have a huge amount of cash to do so (or want to spend your money on other stuff too).
best thing I've done to my back....I mean bike
Ave a 2014 48, everything I rolled over I could feel or bottom out on, these help the bike on bad roads and riding with the lady, but overall much more comfortable
Wasn't expecting these to make such a huge difference
I paid my local Harley shop a half hour of labor to put these on, as I didn't have a proper jack. Tried using a car jack and some lumber and quickly decided against it. Anyhow, after probably 15-20 minutes at Harley, these were on and I was on the road. I went with the 12" for my '17 Iron, and didn't notice a huge difference at first. The ride height feels almost the same as stock. You have to give it a little time, and you'll start noticing that the usual bumps you felt on your commute or whatever no longer feel like grenades going off under your back tire. It's a subtle change at first, but I definitely couldn't go back to stock at this point. Highly recommended!
Replace Burly slammers with these
My bike came with burly slammers. Very quickly I noticed they didn't have strong enough spring or enough travel for a bigger guy (6'3" 220 lbs)<br /><br />These shocks improved the ride quality and the handling. The bike turns in soo much better now!
Night and day difference from stock shocks. Got the standard 12" love the extra inch of ride height (I'm 5'9"). I ride 2 up from time to time and set preload to 3rd setting and have no issues bottoming out or scraping over speed bumps.
Remarkable improvement
The Progressive 412, 12.5" shocks are the perfect suspension upgrade for a Harley Sportster 48. They give the bike much needed rear suspension travel while keeping its overall profile as close to original as possible. No more painful jolts to my lower back after installing these shocks.
Great suspension
Im 170 lbs and got the 12.5? heavy duty. It?s perfect. Way better than the stock suspension.
Night and Day difference
This was the first mod I did on my 2021 iron 1200. Before the progressive shocks I didn't know better and being my first sportster I thought everything was normal. After a week of riding I started to realized that my back was killing me each morning. Since I was riding to work everyday (18 miles) I decided to get this as my first mod. After the install, which was pretty easy, you notice the ride quality was Soo much better. I feel like the rear end actually travels up and down absorbing the bumps. I'm only 5'6 with short legs.. I went with the 12" set up and still have no issues with both legs down at a stop.
Upgrade
Better than stock, for sure, if you?re looking for an upgrade and you don?t wanna break your bank, this is the way.
Good choice
Fitted very well to my Sportster XL1200C 2007, easy instalation.
Great improvement over stock shocks.
Look great, perform great, price was right, love them.
Best Purchase this season!!
Have a Harley IRON 883, got the 12 1/2, totally different ride, extremely please.. will change the front fork springs now. Very happy.
Much better ride
Wow! These went on in under 30 minutes and the ride after install was awesome. Sportys arent known for being comfy, but these progressives make it pretty close. Def happy with this purchase - Best mod you can make on a sportster.
Just do it!
My Bike: 2009 Nightster (Thunderheader Exhaust)<br />Me: 240Lbs 6 foot<br />Purchased: 12" Heavy Duty Black finish <br /><br />Review: This is simply the best mod I have done to my bike ! it was a night and day difference for me, if you are tired of scraping your jockey stand or exhaust while leaning then raise the rear an inch like I did, it really made the bike more capable of riding aggressively in the turns. Also now potholes and speed bumps now feel like nothing compared to stock. The stock shocks are trash compared to these. If your on the fence of buying these just do it you wont regret it!
Great ride
got these to replace what was on my 2004 1200, best ride ever. Felt like I was riding on a cloud compared to those old worn out stock ones.
Progressive 440 shocks
A definite improvement over the stock suspension on my 05 1200 sportster. I didnt mind the stock suspension until I got a new job and the road to work was like a minefield. I bruised my tailbone and couldnt hardly sit for a week. The Progressive 440 suspension isnt the highest quality out there but for the price you cant go wrong. Its hard to explain but even though the suspension is more stiff it feels softer. Does a better job of absorbing the blows. I recommend them for sure.
Nice shocks for the price
These shocks do everything I could expect for an XL1200C. With a reduced amount of travel, they do a pretty good job, look great and are easy to set the spring preload on.
Such a huge difference!
I ordered these to replace my stock worn out shocks on my 2007 Nightster. Fit right up with no problems at all. They come with several adapters for fitment on different bikes. The black finish is exceptional. They also came with a spanner wrench for adjusting. I cranked mine all the way up since the roads around here are pretty terrible(Italy). The difference in ride is amazing. I no longer feel like I'm going to fly off the seat every time I hit a small bump. Cornering is way smoother too. Shipping was really fast!
Excellent shocks
Made my 2009 hd sportster 1200 a more capable and mean looking machine with the 13 model. The blacked out shocks to replace the chrome ones changed the look of the rear entirely. I got the heavy duty ones as I am near 240 lbs at 64. Much better feel for the rear. Takes bumps like a champ but also allows for much more lean angle without the risk of peg scrapes. Awesome product that I could not recommend more. Big changes for not much $$$
Work Perfectly
The previous owner of my 05 Sportster 1200C had lowered the rear of the bike with 11 inch shocks. It had a real gunslinger look to it. Way cool except I'm a Lemmy size guy and the bike would bottom out, harshly. It was a rough ride. The 12.5 inch progressives with heavy duty spring has changed the character of the bike completely. It handles Roads that are somewhat rough smoothly now with very little up and down movement of the frame and no more butt busters, something the old country roads I like to ride provide frequently. The new Progressives are worth every penny. I get a lot more miles on the saddle before I have to get off for a stretch. 70 miles were about all I could tolerate before but yesterday I went 120 miles and was still good to go.
Amazing bang for the buck!
Put theses on my 2015 HD Iron. Took off the 11" and went with 12". Levels out the bike nicely. It had just a little squat with the factory 11". Fit and finish is beautiful. Super easy to install using a lift jack. Recommended pre-load of 1" is also super easy to set with the included spanner wrench. These shocks make a huge difference in ride. My local roads are terrible and these have plenty of travel. You will not regret getting these shocks!
Very nice
Great shocks for a great price, Read alot of reviews on the standard shocks for my 2010 Harley Iron being crap and I have to agree..Install was not terribly hard and can tell a noticeable difference with these shocks. I went up and inch to the 12inch and had to just do one adjustment for maximum comfort. Great product for a great price.
Night and day difference
I installed 12.5" 412s on my 2014 883 Iron a couple of weeks ago. The difference is amazing, night and day. I weigh 200# and have the preload set to 3. The 412s easily absorb small imperfections and the additional wheel travel allows the back end to absorb the larger bumps without a problem. The ride height came up about an inch or so. Handling has improved drastically. With a lift the job took about 30 minutes. Great upgrade for not a lot of money.
Shocks
Bought the 12.5" heavy duty shocks. Good quality product. Took my wife for a ride and we did not bottom out once. Made the ride much more comforable for us.
Worth the investment.
Great item. If you are wondering whether or not to go with these then think no more. Great quality product. I got the 11" for my 2016 Iron 883. They were easy to install. I did it without a bike lift with a little help from my wife, took about 25 minutes. A bike lift would have been really handy though.<br />They were a little stiff at first which I expected but after a few weeks of regular riding they have softened up. Make the bike look great and handles nicely.
Better than Stock
I added an inch to the travel over stock on my '13 883 Iron. If I were to do it again I would add 2 inches.
Excellent shocks!
Having a Sportster XL883 Low means only an inch or so of shock travel (stock). When I got these, I went an inch longer. These shocks make my Sporty a whole new bike. I fear no bumps. No longer do I take lower back and kidney shots from bumps. Even when riding two-up with my wife. Easy to install too. As with everything motorcycle, they're pricey; the exception is that these are worth it.
Great shocks
I got the 13" shocks. They've made a huge difference. I have several back injuries and I was really suffering with the stock shocks. These changed the look, handling and comfort of my Iron for the better. I love them can't wait to get the monotube cartridge kit for the front suspension.
progressives are "as advertised"!
Easy to install and man what a difference! Now it is clearly evident that I must now replace my front springs for progressives!<br />The ride is smooth when your cruising and firm when you need it. My sporty is actually quicker with the progressive shocks. Reason is that you no longer have that rear end squatting issue. All of the power is transferred directly to the rear tire. I highly recommend you replace your stock shocks ASAP with a set of progressives......
Way better then stock shocks
With my weight and running saddle bags I needed shocks set up for my weight. Got the progressive 412 heavy duty went 1” over. stock on my iron 1200 was 11 1/2 so I went 12 1/2, easy to install just 2 bolts each side of you are running saddle bags there is a little more to pay attention to I had to look up instructions on installing the Viking bags to make sure I put them back right but if you are only dealing with the shocks it is a no brainer! The ride is so much better no bottoming out! I have since ordered a 1” longer kickstand I did not like the way the bike was leaning after going an inch higher
Night vs day
These standard-12" shocks made a world of difference for my Iron 1200. They soak up all the spine-rattling bumps and vibrations that the original shocks didn't. Feels like a whole new bike, where commuting on it is now tolerable and enjoyable. Right hide is only marginally increased in the rear, but it's enough to make the bike lean further on the stock kickstand.<br />You'll want to pick up the Drag Specialties 1" Taller kickstand, it's an easy swap. If you're creative and careful, you can manage the shocks and kickstand swap with a car jack.
I was afraid these would be basically stock shocks based on other reading. But I finally decided on these and my bike floats now. Lifted the back end a couple inches too for more clearance and much more give. Went from jarring hit on bumps to just soft bumps. The install and instructions were completely clear too. Now to do the front.
XL1200V
Perfect fit. Great looking. 1000% better ride over stock. Good installation instructions.
HUGE upgrade from stock.
These are worth every penny, made my 2007 sportster ride better than it came off the lot. I saw a lot of reviews saying they were only slightly better than stock, and that may be true if you weigh more than me (200 lbs) or you ride with a passenger but for me they are amazing.
Works with Harley Street 500/750 without modifications
True bolt on with all spacers and bushings included in the box. Harley Street 750 (XG750) comes with 13.5" rear shocks as standard. The 11" progressive 412s fit with no rubbing or binding. Ride is noticeably firmer as one would expect.
Is this a Sportster?
Better ride and handling. Transformative upgrade. Doesn’t feel like someone is smacking me in the tailbone with a ball-peen hammer every time I go over a crack in the road anymore. Ride height is a little taller which is nice. Overall very good.
Good stuff
Only gave them 4 stars due to the lack of clear instructions. There were some gaps in the information seemingly because they assumed the person installing them would know or have prior experience with them. So Google and YouTube is your fried in this case.<br /><br />Otherwise, these are great. They lowered my 2016 Roadster just enough to give it "that look" and still properly cushion me (260 lbs) over harsh bumps.<br /><br />And they look great too.
11" progressive 412; best bang for buck
Slightly better than stock. Definitely a budget shock, but they won't blow you away. I got these to lower the rear end so I would be able to foot my bike, and was hesitant to buy the burly slammers. These were easy to install and they get the job done. I recommend at the end of the day.
Great performance and look and easy to install and understand adjustment
still waiting for riding season to really appreciate the quality but instructions and hardware were included and easy to install. Instructions were very clear on what the expected ride height should be under load and how to adjust.
Great Upgrade Over Stock
Got the 13 shocks for better ground clearance, went with standard because I dont weigh that much. Massive upgrade over the stock Harley shocks. Better ride quality in a straight line and in the corners. Time to hit some more twisties to see how much farther I can lean the bike before scraping pegs again
Very happy with the purchase
Progressives are great! I went from 11in progressives to the 13in standard shocks. Day and night difference. I loved the low look on my sportster. But I was looking for that more comfortable ride. The 13in 412s did it all for me. Very satisfied customer.
Great upgrade for your Sportster.
These Progressive 412 shocks are a great upgrade over the stock. Absorbs a lot of bumps that would normally bottom out the old suspension. I liked that I got it quickly and it was pretty easy to install with the spacers given with the instructions. Would recommend buying these shocks.<br />For reference, I weigh about 190 lbs on a Sportster 72.
Night and day difference over stock. Can?t wait to get the fork springs done!
super upgrade over stock. The ride is much better. I had stock set to max pre-load and still bottomed them out. These shocks are set at lowest setting and I have not bottomed them out!
Very nice. Super comfortable. Easily installed.
Smooth Ride The 412 Shocks!
The 412 Shocks look ?? good ?? and a ride very good smooth over bumps but one thing I should?ve went with a 11 1/2 or 12 but that?s OK the steel ride smooth.
Installed on a 2010 883 sportster. Way better than stock and now it holds a passenger without bottoming out. I thought the seat that came with the bike was painful, turns out it was the shocks. With the 412's the seat is now just fine. I was worried about the 2" lift ruining the look of the bike but it doesn't. When you're sitting on the bike it's only about half an inch to an inch taller than the stock suspension. You might need a longer jiffy/kick stand because you end up with a pretty aggressive lean when you're not sitting on it.<br /><br />All in all money well spent.
I love these. I read reviews and decided to go with these. Im beyond happy with them.
I installed these on my 2013 XLIron883N and must say the ride improved greatly. Smoother ride and better control. Although I might add that the higher you adjust them, the more lean there is over to the kickstand. I need to see what can be done for that.
Great big difference over stock 09'XL883C
2011 Sportster 48 what a difference over stock shocks! my 53 yr old back loves this upgrade
Don't bother
Bought these and within 3 rides was back to bottoming out. The only benefit they don't bottom out as hard as the standard shock. Now they sit in their box in the garage gathering dust. I ended up replacing them with longer standard shocks and that made things much better and haven't bottom out since. And just for the record I'm 5'4 and 58kg so far from a weight that would stress them. On the plus side they look good (but not sitting in a box) and they have a better action than standard till they bottom out. They probably a lot better in the longer versions but not these 10.5. So go longer or don't bother
412 shocks
The rear 412 shocks made my Sportster handle awesome. It corners like a sport bike!
Excellent product
Dont put this off... pick a length for your personal taste, and order these. I needed a big torx bit to pull my old shocks, so look for one of those. You may not have one. This really transforms the bike, making it a pretty nice ride. Install was under an hour Id say.
New bike
Face it the stock shocks on a sportster suck. These made my bike a whole new world to ride. Gliding over bumps that would normally shove my spine out. Best update for the bike yet.
Your Butt will be happy!
I got these for my 2016 iron883. <br />the ride has improved, I can lean with out scraping and go over bumps with out feeling it! <br />great addition to my bike overall!
Love these things
I wanted to raise my Sportster XL1200C so I could enjoy a little more lean angle. The improved performance is nice too! I also ordered a longer jiffy stand to make up for the new height.
Better than stock
I bought these shocks after doing extensive reading and review research. The installation I done quite easily myself on my 2006 Sportster 1200 custom, I had no difficulties with the installation of these shocks. I got the 412 heavy duty shocks in chrome, and they compliment the rear of my bike nicely. I have not had a proper ride to check them out as it is winter time here in Ohio but I did do a very short ride and I think that they will far exceed the stock shocks on my bike.... I will update this report in the spring after a 900 mile trip... RGW.
Great purchase
A very worthwhile upgrade . Very pleased!
Not bad
I really like the shock much better then the stock from HD since it was not the premium shock. There is some areas where the pain is chipping off dont know why specially since I dont ride in the rain but for the price is not bad.
These shocks are great the ride is so much better then before i have a 2013 Sportster 1200 and my wife can ride with me no more bottoming out i would recommend these shocks cant beat them especially for the price!
First mod!
This was my first upgrade and have to say it was a wise choice. My butt thanks me and the ride overall is more enjoyable than those stock turds. If your on the fence about these, just do it. Money well spent.
Not recommended for light weight riders
I just finished installing these on my 2010 883 iron and let me say this; these shocks are not what I had hoped for. I wanted to get rid of the ugly rusted chrome stockers I had and these were a great replacement. From all the reviews and hype about these shocks, I really thought I was going to get a silky smooth ride quality as well. WRONG! These are stiff! So stiff, I had to triple check my work to see if I had installed the spacers wrong. With everything installed correctly and the bolts torqued to spec from the service manual, the ride is still much more harsh than it was with the stockers. The reason i believe these are so harsh is most likely because they were built for riders under 200lbs. Everyone who says they love these are either on the heavy side or ride 2-up most of the time. <br /><br />All-in-all I'm disappointed. Gotta go sit and stare at my bike now hoping I convince myself that the harsh ride is worth compensating for the black look... :/
Quality Part, definite improvement
I selected the ~13" version of these shocks for my Sportster cafe project. Lifting the rear affected the trail up front just enough to feel added instability at medium to higher speeds. Childishly, I ignored my better judgement knowing the stock front-fork- springs could NEVER keep up with the much improved rear suspension's abilities. I need to get front fork springs next, now that they've been thoroughly romped. That should fix most of the wobble.
Great shocks
Dropped the bike down a couple of inches. Gives the bike a better stance.
Essential upgrade for any Sportster
I got tired of choosing between bottoming out or a harsh ride and heard good things about these shocks. It makes all the world of difference in comfort and handling. The only downside is that since it raised the bike it leans over quite a bit more when parked.
Very happy with these shocks
First let's talk about the stock shocks on my '07 XL883L. They suck. Every pebble felt like a punch in the tailbone. Softening the shock setting made the back end washy on long sweepers. The Progressive 412's react as advertised. Minor bumps produce a soft response, larger bumps or pot holes a stiffer reaction. Now full disclosure I did replace the fronts with a Progressive Monotube Fork Kit at the same time. (Easier to ask me wife to replace four shocks once than two sets twice) So I can't rate the rear shocks on their own. However the overall feel is a more stable "stuck to the road" feel. I had them installed yesterday and rode for an hour on a variety of conditions including city and highway. So far so good.
After 1k
Far better than stock but still bottoms out no matter what the preload. I wish I had bought the HD 12's.
So much better than stock Harley suspension
perfect? just perfect definitely worth the money
Progressive 412 shocks on a SuperLow 1200T
Replaced a 11.5" pair of stock Sportster shocks with the 13" Progressive 412 shocks. Raised the rear about 2", no more bottoming out on a small bump. Much nicer ride. Did also need to install a 1" longer kickstand. Perfect combo.
Direct fit looks great in then black one ride amazing now thanks
Great upgrade for my 48
I went with the 12" heavy duty since I wanted a little extra play and I'm 5'11" 230lbs. The 412 are a great upgrade for my 48! Handles better and no more grunting while going over bumps on the road. ?? I highly recommend them!
Great!
Love them! Perfect upgrade for the sportster.
Very happy customer!
Work wonderfully and look great!
Rides great
Fells 1000% better then stock suspension!
Good shocks, provides comfortable ride even when 2 persons are sitting.
Easy to install...
I like the shocks so far. I have them set on the softest ride but they still seem kinda stiff to me.Maybe they need some wear in time?.at least they have more travel than the old ones and I like the longer shock stance. They are great for my riding style?.Thanks?I did buy the standard shock because I dont ride passengers.
Progressive 412 Standard
Meh, they're not as impressive as the hype would suggest. I think it's a good replacement for stock shocks but not a huge improvement. The company is great and is easy to communicate with. I would just recommend saving up for a higher model number, if you're looking for a major upgrade over stock.
Make the right choice
Definitely an improvement to those stock Sportster shocks on my 1200cc ride. Looks good too. Ordering and shipping was easy and fast (I like easy and fast!). My older 2005 ride was kind of straining under my 230# so went with the heavy duty and no regrets.
Good shocks
If the bottom part was chromed like the rest of the shock, it would get 5 stars.<br />For the money a great improvement on my bike.
Terrible!!!!! Absolute junk!!!!
These are terrible!!! I want my money back or a credit to get different ones!!!
No buyers remorse here, these are exactly what I was looking for.
I wanted to lower my bike slightly while still maintaining a comfortable, smooth ride. After a short break in period that's exactly what I got with these. My bike feels like it was made for me now, it fits me perfectly.
412
Great shocks. Easy to ride.
I didn't buy them to have a cushy ride i bought them to raise the bike up for some better handling and they do that perfectly and the ride quality I'd say is better then the price of them.
Mounted on a Bolt
I mounted these on a Yamaha Bolt with some 14mm bushings from Graingers. The stock units are 10.5 inches and these are 11.5 inches for a little better ride and ground clearance.
Progressive 412
Was what I expected good quality
Nice
Glad I upgraded. Such a better ride compared to the stalk suspension.
The way to go for a sportster.
Put the 13? heavy duty progressive 412?s on my sportster 48. It raised my seat height to around 29? and my ground clearance to just over 6?. My bike is so much more maneuverable that I?m still getting used to its new capabilities. It?s still my bike just better. Originally I imagined upgrading to a faster bike, but now I?m leaning toward the hammer performance kit to upgrade my displacement because I love my platform.
Look better than expected and perform great.
Easy to install, rides perfect!! Highly Recommend these
Rear Shock Upgrade
Easy to install with a bike jack and wheel chuck. No issues at all. I went from stock 11" shocks to 13" shocks, big improvement to ground clearance and much better ride. Highly recommend.
Looks Great on 883 But Not Much Comfier Than Stock...
Swapped my stock 2018 Iron 883 shocks for these guys in chrome 11.5". Smoother ride but not by much at all... Don't get me wrong, they look great but doesn't provide the amount of comfort and cushion I was hoping for by upgrading from stock. I'm 5' 9" & 125lbs... I ride on the lowest setting possible for both 1 up AND two up... Ended
Great upgrade
Installed on my Harley Sportster 48 XL1200X 2016 and it?s just night and day after making the upgrade. Haven?t been able to take it in a long ride but I made a couple 40-45 miles ride and it?s great and also helped with my all black look!!!
Great purchase
So far so good. Huge upgrade from the stock Rear Shock. I took the 12?. However. For the looks, I will go for the 11? next time.
412?s poor build quality
the price is right and the ride much improved. However, after 18 months and 1400 miles one of the shocks is spewing oil. No rebuild kit offered.
Big difference. Should have been first mod
They?re only an inch or so longer than stock but what a difference. My bike is a 2012 Iron 883. My spine no longer rockets out of the top of my skull over sharp bumps. Even minor bumps like shadows are hardly noticeable as compared to riding on the stock shocks. As others have said, the handling has improved with the change in head tube angle. I should have done this before I even left the lot with the bike.<br />I used a socket and open ended wrench; super easy install. If you can change socks with minimal instruction, you should be able to do this in your garage/driveway.
Improved ride quality. Best upgrade I’ve done so far.
Was surprised how much tighter the bike felt. The shocks made the bike feel heavy and mure stable. Beg difference. Service was outstanding too!
Fantastic shocks. Worth every penny
Used them on a Honda rebel 500. They will not fit unless you modify the bushings.
One of the biggest improvements on my bike long ago. But came time to get a new set after 40,000 miles.
Way better than stock!
What?s a difference in ride quality. Would recommend
These shocks made a huge difference in how much more comfortable the ride is as well as improved the handling. I want to kick myself for not getting them sooner
great look! install not easy. The instructions are not clear at all.
Great shocks ride great and smooth
Great street bike twin shock replacements
This review is very much tied to the make and model of the bike, a 2017 HD Sportster 1200T. This model had asymmetrical shocks. In plain English, one side was heavy duty, the other side not! Even when new, this created an uneven load on the swingarm. Handling while cornering was severely compromised once they were worn. The new 412's evened out the load from side to side. Obviously they are smoother and the ride more controlled with the new shocks. The stock length lower the bike to 'superlow' status, thus compromising cornering and ground clearance. I purchased 13 inch length shocks to raise the ride height to regular XL or Custom specs. The black color vanishes under the bags. The weird handling in curves and corners is gone. I still drag pegs but the 13 inch length helps a little. It is not a sport bike even if its name is 'Sportster'.<br />The price is very affordable. The appearance is nice. The adjustability is limited to preload. I'd recommend them as working above their price point. I'm not looking for sport bike handling or tour bike plush. Just perfect for an average street bike doing commuting and short haul trips (50-100 miles).
Love Them
Used to lift my 2015 Iron883 an inch and it has been a huge improvement.
Shocks ride much better and have more travel than stock. They look great, easy install.
I could not be happier with my 412 shocks. However oh, I did run into an issue that the 11 and 1/2 in that is supposed to match the stock size did not work out for me. Even getting the heavy-duty shocks they still bottomed out going over big bumps and railroad tracks. I ended up getting to the 12 and 1/2 in HD shocks and they are perfect!
Love It!!
These are absolutely amazing! They 100% changed my ride for the better and were super easy to install.
Very good! I am fully satisfied. Thank you Mr. Mike F and JOJO.
Traded these 13" for the stock 11" on my '20 Iron1200. World of difference. Love 'em.
this should be the first mod done to a sportster. my 1200t turns easier and feels better in corners and rides so much better over the rough stuff. easy install. i used the 13" shocks.
Great shocks. Night and day over the stock shocks. Great price and performance. Supper simple to install. Awesome product.
Great shocker looks good feels good much firmer than stock, great buy for the money
Better than stock.
Would be 5 stars if there were some instructions on the proper placement of the provided spacers.
Still alittle stiff but overall install and customer Service was great
Easy install... work great... definitely a good upgrade over stock...
Easy install
Changed the handling quite a bit even before breaking in. Very easy to install and the instructions are clear as day.
They took about 50 miles to break in. These replacement shocks are a great improvement over stock.
Super easy to install. It took my son and I about 20 minutes to install and the ride difference is insane. 1000% improvement over stock.
Easy install, includes bushings, washers and adjustment tool. Looks great.
5 Stars
Great upgrade
Gear bad boys do not break the bank and are a wonderful upgrade. I just did 1200 miles in 4 days and my back couldnt be happier. <br /><br />Did a similar run last October and was feeling every little bump way more. <br /><br />I cannot recommend these shocks enough. Do it.
These shocks made my 2007 nightster ride so much better than the stock ones. Highly recommend.
The shocks we recieved were exactly what we needed to lower our xl1200cx so we could sit on the bike with confidence and still keep the handling that we desired. Great shocks!
What a huge improvement
Wow, what a huge improvement over the stock springs. The stock springs were too soft. With these, I can feel the road and feel much better about the handling of the bike because of the improved responsiveness. I would definitely recommend these to anyone looking to improve their riding experience.<br />Before it was like driving a '73 Oldsmobile Delta 88, now it is more like a new Mustang...
5 Stars
Compared to the stock ones is night and day. I ordered the 13 " , my bike is not that close to the ground any more , and i can lean much more . One thing i can say do not think twice to order this shocks ,especially if you live in NYC. Easy to install , although mine looked like they were installed once before i still kept them !
Would recommend this upgrade to everyone but, especially to those with back injuries. Before upgrading I could only ride for about 30-45mins before needing a brake. Now I’m only limited by on board fuel.
Installed these shocks on my 07 sportster low. Fit perfectly much better ride and handling Shipping was quick 3 days Would recommend these shocks to anyone looking for a better ride quality and better handling
Honestly, the best money I've spent on my Sportster. So much more pleasant to ride!
5 Stars
Night and day difference in the quality of the ride. These shocks are great. Greg
looks much better on my Sportster than the stock ones
Well worth the money. Husband fitted them no problems. Has made my ride more comfortable. Black looks great in contrast with silver tank and Crome bits. And they came super fast. Very impressed with that.
One of the best additions I've made. Vast improvement over stock. It absorbers speed bumps and city/highway terrain like a champ without making you feel like you are floating or lost contact with the road.
Good, but not great.
First off, I did not buy these, they came on the bike when I got it. Now, they are better than stock, but not as great as people make them out to be. Spend the extra bucks and bump up to the triple 4s.
Awesome
Finally I get some soft bike, bike back thanks a lot for this change.
Absolutely Terrible
I did a lot of research online about the progressive 412. I really wanted my sportster to ride smoother. These shocks are terrible. Way to stiff even on their softest setting. And no, I did not get the heavy-duty shocks. I got the standard Springs. I weigh 190 pounds and The springs no not sag at all when I sit on the bike. Maybe they would work if you are over 250 pounds? Regardless, you get what you pay for. $300 wont buy you suspension thats any better than what is already on your bike from Harley.
Excellent shocks.
the ride improved dramatically on my 05 Sportster! <br />I would recommend these to anyone!!
Put these on an 07 Sportster Custom 1200. Two things I wanted to change when I bought the bike were the rear shocks and seat. These don't beat my back up like the shorter stock springs. I weigh @ 230 and have them set one notch from the bottom. With these and a used Corbin, rode 2-1/2 hours w/o complaint.
Best upgrade for Sportsters!
Best thing you can do for your back and rear end. Excellent product for the money. Must lift the bike a bit to install the shocks and it's a two person job ideally. <br />Handling is superb.
Very easy to install, just get a lift to play with the rear axle height. I usually drive in Mexico City (full of crater-like potholes). Comfort was dramatically improved, softer riding sensation while having better stability. I combined the shocks with the Progressive Monotube Cartridge Kit, the bike feels sporty, stable and under control while driving, without losing confort. Completely new bike!
Made a huge difference in the ride of my 2014 883 Iron!!! Well worth it, should of done replaced the rear shocks sooner!!!
Great shock, perfect for two-up riding. This will not bottom out like the stock shocks. Fast delivery!
