Sportster suspension
Harley Shocks & Harley Chassis IssuesDiscuss Sportster suspension in the Harley Tech & Harley How-to forums; Hey everyone... I have been searching and reading as much as I could, but would like some input on what rear suspension to put on my 08 Sporty 1200 custom.
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Hey everyone... I have been searching and reading as much as I could, but would like some input on what rear suspension to put on my 08 Sporty 1200 custom.
This is my first Harley so I know virtually nothing about them. I know that lots of people change their rear susp. to the Progressives, but all the ones I seem to see say they are "lowering shocks". I will most of the time have someone on back, so I don't think I want to lower it, right? Just want a smoother ride.
Hey everyone... I have been searching and reading as much as I could, but would like some input on what rear suspension to put on my 08 Sporty 1200 custom.
This is my first Harley so I know virtually nothing about them. I know that lots of people change their rear susp. to the Progressives, but all the ones I seem to see say they are "lowering shocks". I will most of the time have someone on back, so I don't think I want to lower it, right? Just want a smoother ride.
Any feedback is appreciated, thanks!
I have the Progressive shocks on my 1200R and they were in a size either .25 inch longer or shorter than stock. I went with .25 inch longer. They work better than stock and make heavy duty ones for loads over 250lbs. The stock shocks are pretty bad IMO.
Awesome I will have to do a little more research. do you know which size you went with? I know you said a quarter inch longer, but which ones are those? And are they the 412's? Like I said, I'm just learning, so it's all new to me! Thanks.
Awesome I will have to do a little more research. do you know which size you went with? I know you said a quarter inch longer, but which ones are those? And are they the 412's? Like I said, I'm just learning, so it's all new to me! Thanks.
Yes I went with 412's and stock was 13.25 and my closest replacement with a 412 was 13 or 13.5. I went with 13.5 and then adjusted the sag for my weight. Middle setting for 190# rider. Glad I could help.
Progressives lowest cost shocks are still way better than the stockers on your Sporty. If you lower the bike in back, you should also lower the front an equal amount as it throws off the way it rides and handles.
My complaint is the front forks. They are very soft, and dont have much travel, because they have alot of sag.
I would like to put a heavier spring in, and maybe heavier oil in the forks.
I turned the preload all the way up in the rear, and its alittle better.
I'm only 140#'s with gear, and ocasionally ride a 130# passenger.
Surg, it's pretty hard to turn a pigs ear into a silk purse. There's not much you can do with 2 inches of travel that's not covered here. That's the price of being slammed, it's going to be stiff if you don't want to bottom out.
I think it was "Brigger" That put some "Progressive" springs in his front end. He liked them. I like the Progressive Shocks I put on back. I am still debating on spending the dough for new fork springs. I figured it be cheaper if I loose a few pounds.
Not really. It would all depend on the spring being used using. A longer spring less wound will give a mushy ride and will bottom out. The other end would give you a rough ride and not be so quick to bottom. There is also a possibility that a heaver oil then recommended could cause seepage.
Send Brigger a PM. Ask him what he did for his ride. I believe he went with a Progressive spring set up. Its in this forum. Just to lazy to look right now. If Brigger aint paying attention give Progressive a call. Tell em what you want.
Sportster suspension 
Linear Mode
