I am thinking about putting a set of 412 Progressive rear shocks on my 99 Magna and was wondering if anyone has them and if the difference over the OEM shocks are worth the money. I do most of my riding two up and am not real impressed with the stock shocks.
Good Question Doc..
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While I can't say anything about the 412's, the 440's are a very big improvement over the stock shocks. If you do mostly two-up riding, go with the heavy-duty springs too.
I put the 412's on just before MM9. With the HD springs, 3rd setting, very good. Had the originals on the '96, and they were toast after 15 yrs and 50k mis. Found them for ~$230.00 new. The rear tire stays on the pavement on bumpy turns, etc.
Brad Badgett
MOOT #164
OK Region
1996 VF750C
Thanks for the information. My wife and I almost had an accident in a turn a few weeks back. We were running about 55 on a curvy road and went into a long right hand turn. We hit a patch of road construction, the back tire lost contact and we were all the way over in the oncoming lane before I could get it back in control and just barely saved it.
I have a '94 with 95,000 miles on it, about 80,000 of that was with 412's. Way better than stock. I use setting 3 when solo, and 4 when carrying a passenger (youngster). If I were carrying an adult, I would use either 4 or 5, depending on the passenger's weight.
Can't comment on the Progressives, but for a lower cost, and lower performance (but still better than stockers) alternative, have you considered a set of VTX 1300/1800 shocks? They mount up like stockers, but are firmer and give a bit more lift to the rear. FYI, I had a set of 1800s and they were too firm for me, replaced those with a set of 1300s and they were just fine.