Progressive 412 Sequence Shocks Assessment

Improve Your Experience With Progressive’s 412 Sequence Shock

Anyone with a Sportster will know that the rear suspension is god terrible. Not solely is it harsh and unforgiving on bumps, however it makes the bike really feel reluctant to maneuver and is throughout a poor driving expertise.

As one would, I took to the web to analysis various suspension to the horrid inventory setup and got here throughout the Progressive 412 collection. Plastered all around the internet in boards and chat rooms are customers raving about elevated journey consolation from these shocks. To be sincere, I needed to do a deep dive simply to search out customers speaking a couple of totally different product.

Evidently, with so many customers preaching concerning the 412s I needed to get my fingers on some to provide them an sincere evaluation. Our pals over at RevZilla hooked me up, and I used to be quickly off to the races (and by that, I imply driving the pace restrict within the crowded streets of the GTA, Ontario).

Progressive 412 Sequence Rear Shocks

The 412 Sequence shocks are Progressive’s entry-level rear suspension resolution. They’re a easy, but sturdy design that’s meant to final. They arrive outfitted with a five-position cam-style preload adjuster to customise your sag based mostly in your weight.

The shocks are made out of a double-wall metal physique with nitrogen-charged, multi-staged velocity-sensitive valving that offers you easy, constant damping. For those who’re like me and don’t know what which means, it means they really feel nice – or at the very least ought to really feel nice.

The 412 Sequence is accessible in both a normal or heavy-duty ranking. They’re out there in full-show chrome or with black covers. I opted for the black because it matches my bike they usually look incredible.

High quality

There may be nothing worse than shopping for new components in your bike and being left disenchanted the second they arrive.

You recognize the sensation I’m speaking about.

You eagerly open the bundle and start unboxing your buy solely to be struck with an awesome feeling of how low cost they really feel.

Relaxation assured, that wasn’t the case with the Progressive 412s. In your hand, the suspension feels sturdy and of high-quality. The paint was freed from any defects and the set up {hardware} seemed sound.

On the bike, the suspension appears nice. I used to be amazed at how massive of a distinction the all-black look made in comparison with the half-black half-chrome look of the OEM shock. Total, Progressive delivered when it comes to high quality and I used to be excited to hit the highway.

I’ve put in a good quantity of miles over the past 2 months as I examined out my new 412s. I’m completely satisfied to report that over the course of the evaluation, I didn’t expertise a drop in efficiency. The suspension continued to dampen the identical because it did on day 1.

After all, 2 months just isn’t a protracted stretch of time by any means. Ought to I discover any change to the 412s efficiency I’ll you’ll want to edit this evaluation with my findings. Till then, it’s protected to say that the Progressive 412s have held their very own.

Construct Design & High quality Ranking: 90%

There’s a cause that so many customers and reviewers are preaching concerning the Progressive 412s. It’s easy – they’re the very best worth shock available on the market. They’re made out of high-quality, sturdy supplies that are supposed to final. Efficiency has not dropped over the course of my evaluation. Every person’s expertise can be distinctive to how they journey, and the 412s have been designed to resist all of it.

On the bike, the suspension appears incredible. It completely compliments the blacked-out look of my Iron 883. The one flaw I noticed, which was minor at finest, was a small quantity of paint that was starting to flake as I managed the pre-load. This was to be anticipated as the burden of the bike was resting on the suspension whereas I adjusted it.

Set up and Fitment

For those who’ve learn a few of my earlier components critiques, you’ll know that I’m considerably mechanically challenged. Whereas I’m not fully ineffective, I have a tendency to show simple initiatives into all-day occasions for one cause or one other. Nonetheless, even with that in thoughts, the set up of the 412 collection shocks was fast and painless.

Quick and Easy Set up

On my Iron 883, set up of the Progressive 412s took 20 minutes – or at the very least it could’ve if I had the fitting instruments able to go.

Putting in it was as simple as lifting the bike on a stand, securing it with a strap, eradicating 4 bolts to take off the prevailing suspension, after which utilizing the identical {hardware} to put in the brand new shocks. Lastly, decrease the bike in order that the springs are below load and torque to spec.

Included in your buy are spacers & sleeves which can be going to be distinctive to every mannequin of motorcycle. You’ll want to learn the included directions for the right mixture to make use of.

As soon as put in, sit on the bike and measure the size of the suspension from eyelet to eyelet. Take that measurement and reference the right size as indicated by the included spreadsheet within the field. For those who’re below, enhance the preload. For those who’re over, lower the preload. This ensures optimum journey efficiency and luxury.

Fitment

Earlier than ordering, it’s necessary to do a little bit of analysis in your OEM set-up. Particularly, you wish to decide the size of your inventory shocks. For me, my 2011 Iron 883 got here out of the manufacturing unit with 11” shocks.

Since I already knew I used to be going with the requirements, regardless that I often journey two-up, I opted for an extended shock. I went with the 13” 412 Sequence to deliver up my journey peak which in flip gave the shock extra distance earlier than bottoming out.

For individuals who wish to decrease their journey peak, the reverse is accessible. One factor to at all times have in mind is tire to fender clearance. You’ll want to do your due diligence earlier than ordering and make sure the measurement you’re contemplating will match.

Set up and Fitment Ranking – 85%

As talked about, the set up of the Progressive 412s was fast and painless. If I had all of my instruments lined up and able to go, I believe I might’ve lower the set up time in half. The 13” size gave my bike a little bit of journey peak with none points when it comes to fitment.

For areas of enchancment, I’d wish to see Progressive embody complete directions. The directions included in my buy have been fundamental and didn’t provide a lot assist in any respect. If I hadn’t executed my analysis beforehand and watched how-to movies on-line, I might’ve been left clueless based mostly on what they supply.

Wrenching on bikes isn’t all people’s forte. For those who’re on the lookout for an improve, however not trying to get down and soiled, we’ve bought a listing of the Finest Cruisers below $15,000 which can be certain to reinforce your driving expertise.

Experience High quality

Lastly, the half you’ve all been ready for. You didn’t come to this text to take heed to me ramble on about set up & sizing. You got here right here with one easy query in thoughts; Does the 412 Sequence enhance your journey?

The quick reply is sure!

I’ve examined these shocks with and and not using a passenger. Beneath each circumstances have I been left amazed with how a lot these shocks have modified the standard of my journey.

Driving Solo

As a comparatively new rider, I solely have expertise with my 2011 Iron 883. To me, feeling each little bump within the highway was all a part of the joys of driving a motorcycle. Earlier within the yr, I upgraded my seat to a Saddlemen in hopes of a extra snug journey. Whereas it helped, it wasn’t an ideal repair.

Enter the Progressive 412 collection shocks. The distinction between OEM and the 412’s is evening and day. Hell, it’s greater than that – The distinction is sort of indescribable.

Bumps that used to buck my ass up and off the seat now really feel like a mild dip. Turning into parking tons is now easy and seamless because the suspension seemingly absorbs all influence from the asphalt to concrete curb transition.

Whatever the preload setting, I nearly at all times skilled bottoming out with the inventory suspension. It felt as if the rear shocks had lower than a ½” of journey earlier than sending all of the power into my tailbone. With the 412’s, I journey solo on the second-lowest preload and am but to backside out.

Other than the graceful journey, I discover my bike feels extra playful. The bike feels higher in turns which has boosted my confidence as a rider. I really feel as if I’ve extra management over it and will make emergency maneuvers a lot simpler, and safer, at excessive speeds.

Driving With a Passenger

For those who proceed studying on, you’ll quickly discover out that the 412 collection suspension I bought wasn’t designed for masses over 250 lbs. Even nonetheless, the shocks held up extraordinarily effectively.

On my inventory set-up on the highest preload setting my suspension would backside out at even the considered a bump. It was harsh, uncomfortable, and at factors had Ashley, my pillion princess, airborne.

With the 412’s, Ashley has a newfound love for the bike. Bumps and jolts are dramatically diminished and the general expertise is much extra gratifying.

By adjusting the preload to the best setting, I’ve had passengers on my bike with a complete weight in extra of 400 lbs with none loss in efficiency. I’ve ridden over bumps, dips within the highway, uneven pavement, and the occasional small pothole with out bottoming out.

The steering is much extra responsive with the brand new shocks than was earlier than. It’s able to dealing with and distributing the extra weight much better than the OEM system thus permitting extra weight to be on the entrance tire.

For those who’re new to the bike scene, you’ll want to learn via our Final Information to Driving Two-Up earlier than hitting the streets with a passenger!

Experience High quality Ranking – 90%

My OEM setup was dangerous – like actually, actually dangerous. Due to it, the change to the Progressive 412s has possible been a extra dramatic expertise for me than it could be for you. Primarily it looks like I’ve upgraded from Fred Flintstone’s automotive to one thing out of the twenty first century.

As you learn this evaluation, you might want to take into account that whereas I’ve upgraded my bike’s suspension, I’ve additionally elevated the size of the shock. If you’re trying to decrease your bike’s peak, chances are you’ll not expertise the identical degree of efficiency acquire.

You’ll be able to additional enhance your journey high quality with different significant modifications. For instance, the addition of a fairing not solely improves the look of your bike however minimizes wind battering as effectively. Defend your neck, and get a fairing!

Selecting The Proper Suspension

For peak efficiency, you will have to make just a few concerns to make sure you’ve chosen the fitting suspension. For starters, are you planning on driving solo or with a passenger? Are you trying to alter your journey peak? And in that case, do you wish to go larger or decrease?

Selecting The Acceptable Size of Shock

The size of your shock goes to have an enormous affect on the efficiency you may count on out of your suspension. The size will have an effect on how a lot distance the suspension has to journey, in addition to the peak of your bike.

After I opted for an extended shock, I used to be wanting so as to add journey to the suspension. I knew that I used to be going to be driving with a passenger and that the extra distance can be wanted. By having extra journey within the suspension, the shocks have extra time to dampen or react to the terrain. This resulted in a smoother, extra snug journey.

Preload and Sag

Other than size, we wish to preserve the suspension sag and preload in thoughts. Sag is the proportion of suspension journey utilized whereas stationary. In case you have an excessive amount of sag at relaxation, your bike might backside out simpler whereas below load. However, too little sag could cause a stiff and harsh journey.

With preload, we’re referring to an adjustment to the suspension to account for weight. That weight will be simply your self, cargo, or a passenger. Usually you may confer with the producers’ preload tips to make sure that it’s been set to the right worth. For reference, the Progressive 412 collection has 5 preload settings.

Setting your preload is straightforward and takes a matter of seconds. Insert the included spanner wrench into the notched cutouts on the underside of the shock. Then, flip the shock till you’ve reached the specified degree.

The best way to Resolve Between Customary or Heavy Responsibility

When deciding between ordering commonplace or heavy obligation, you might want to contemplate your weight, the burden of a possible passenger, and the way usually you journey with mentioned passenger.

The overall rule of thumb is in case you weigh over 250lbs, or spend greater than 50% of your driving time with a passenger of which your mixed weight exceeds 250lbs, it is best to select the heavy obligation choice.

On the flipside, in case you weigh below 250 lbs, or do the vast majority of your driving by yourself, it is best to order the usual shocks from Progressive.

I discovered myself to be proper in the midst of the 2 as I do a good quantity of driving with Ashley, however solely weigh 180 lbs alone. I known as Progressive for some perception on the matter, they usually really useful I’m going with the usual choice.

Their recommendation was easy; Are you extra involved with often bottoming out whereas driving two-up, or would you favor a smoother journey whereas driving solo? At 180lbs, the heavy-duty suspension would’ve felt worse than my OEM arrange leaving my cheeks battered and bruised after every journey.

Warning: Thoughts Your Kickstand!

Little did I understand how a lot influence lengthening my rear shocks would have on my bikes lean whereas on the kickstand. To be sincere, once I first took it off of the jack I believed it was going over.

My bike was leaning slightly below 20 levels. This will likely not sound like a lot, however the higher lean angle left me uneasy so I made a decision to elongate my kickstand. I discovered a +1” Drag Specialties kickstand on Revzilla and it match completely. My bike now leans are a cushty

$70 kickstand versus a restore invoice from Harley? The selection was simple.

Would I’ve been okay with the OEM kickstand? Greater than possible. Was I prepared to take that likelihood? Under no circumstances. I can already image myself pulling right into a gasoline station or car parking zone and having the bike tip over due to uneven pavement or from parking on a slight incline.

Remaining Verdict

My solely remorse just isn’t getting the 412s sooner.

Since day 1 I’ve been considering upgrading the suspension on my Iron 883. The OEM setup is horrible and the 412s have reworked how my bike rides. To me, the distinction in efficiency, journey high quality, and luxury is unimaginable from such a easy modification.

With solely 4 bolts I’ve gone from combating for my life over bumps within the highway to gliding over them and not using a care on the planet. The Progressive 412s have given me extra confidence as a rider to maneuver the bike in methods I might’ve beforehand prevented. Turning feels extra responsive and the bike feels way more playful. What’s extra, I’m clearly not the one one having fun with the 412s as Ashley is at all times down to come back with.

It will’ve been good if Progressive had a bit extra data on their web site so far as inventory suspension sizes, commonplace versus heavy-duty shocks, and complete directions. With that being mentioned, these are small, trivial downsides with solutions that may be discovered plastered throughout the net.

Don’t make the error I did and constantly put it off. For those who’ve been on the fence concerning the Progressive 412s, it’s time to commit. Put within the time and make sure you’ve researched the best setup in your bike. I strongly consider that you’ll not remorse your choice.