Progressive rear springs

[BigRed]

You know, I never even checked ebay....

I already ordered shocks and springs from OneStopMoto, so I guess I'll go with those. I'll post back once they're installed.

[motoman]

Do the Progressive rear shocks have dampening on compression as well as rebound. Also, do they have spring preload adjustment and dampening adjustment. To those that use these shocks, would the heavy duty be the better option for my factory dressed Venturer. Mostly one-up with an occassional two-up. One-up tips the scales at an additional 185lbs. The bike with all three trunks empty, fairing with lowers and half tank of fuel tips the scales at 680lbs. Having the stock shocks with 5position spring preload and 5 position dampening adjustment, slabbing it with myself and extra gear settings are usually set at 3 and 3 so as to compress evenly with front. Right now, having the front T-Kat'ed makes for a bit of a jeckel&hyde handleing when suspension is loaded heavily on occassion in the twisties. That I attribute alot to the rear not having dampening control on compression as bike was pushed a bit beyond it's designed capabilities. The front being T-Kat'ed, completely re-built using 15#Silcolene fork oil and 9psi air lead fine, rear didn't follow so nicely to put it mildly........for a moment, pucker factor was up a couple notches with a new crease in the Corbin seat! Any and all comments pertaining to the choice of rear Progressive shocks and their dampening functions are most welcome. Thanks, Brant.

[crazy steve]

Do the Progressive rear shocks have dampening on compression as well as rebound. Also, do they have spring preload adjustment and dampening adjustment. To those that use these shocks, would the heavy duty be the better option for my factory dressed Venturer. Any and all comments pertaining to the choice of rear Progressive shocks and their dampening functions are most welcome. Thanks, Brant.

While I don't have Progressive shocks on my XS, I do run them on my 'other' bikes and have been extremely pleased. Yes, they have compression damping and preload adjustment (all shock models) and a few models have damping adjustment, but that feature can be rather expensive ($400+ a pair). The 'base model' 412 series is a very good shock and will be more than adequate in 90% of cases. Truthfully, given the XS suspension system you won't need anything better as you'll run out of front suspension first.

Standard vs Heavy-duty? That's a tough call; I have no doubt that Progressive will recommend HD in your application (fully dressed, some two-up riding) but they may be a bit stiff if running empty and one-up as when they say HD, they mean it (AMHIK). But one nice thing about their shocks, you can get different springs, so if the HD units prove to be too stiff, you could always get a set of 'standard' springs to put on when running solo and empty. It's not a big deal to swap springs if you have a shock tool and the shocks are off the bike.

As an alternative, you might look at a set of 'take-offs' from a Harley bagger. These are adjustable air shocks, and numerous riders I know have adapted these to other bikes and been very happy with them. Much wider range of adjustment, and they won't be 30 years old and probably worn out like the 'vintage' Yammy air shocks some use. Whether on not they'll fit the XS without mods, I can't say, but it may be worth a look for a lower-cost alternative.

'78E original owner