Progressive Suspension Motorcycle Shocks & Fork Springs
Progressive Suspension rear shocks, fork springs, lowering kits and Monotube fork cartridge kits, listed mainly for Harley-Davidson Softail, Sportster, Touring and Dyna models, with fork springs and twin shocks for the Honda Gold Wing and other makes. The range runs from the 412 Series twin shock to the 944 Series, plus the spanners, pumps and fork oil tools used to set them up.
About Progressive Suspension
Progressive Suspension was founded in 1982. On its own site it describes a range of shocks and fork springs for motorcycles dating back to the 1950s, and says its factory assembles, and in many cases dyno tests, each unit before it leaves. Its own site sorts the range under Harley, Metric, Triumph and Indian, with Off-Road and Tools alongside.
The range on this site
| Page | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Shock Absorbers | Rear shocks from the 412, 422, 444, 465, 494 and 944 Series |
| 412 Series Shocks | The twin shock Progressive calls its value shock, in standard and heavy-duty rates |
| Fork Springs | Progressive-rate fork springs and spring kits |
| Lowering Kits | Fork lowering kits, Drop-in kits and adjustable rear lowering kits |
| Monotube Fork Cartridge Kits | Kits that replace the fork internals on Sportster, Softail, Touring and the GL 1800 |
| Suspension Tools | Shock pumps, preload spanners, a shock spring tool and fork oil level kits |
Choosing a spring rate
Many Progressive shocks and fork springs come in a standard and a heavy-duty version. Progressive recommends the heavy-duty rate on the 412 Series for riders of 250 lbs or more, or who ride two-up more than half the time, and says the rates on offer vary by bike. The rate is in the product title wherever the supplier gives it.
Shock length and ride height
Shock length changes ride height. Progressive warns that a longer than stock shock needs wheel travel clearance checked, and some of its shocks are designed to sit lower than stock. The length is in the shock title, in inches, wherever the supplier gives one.
Also from Progressive Suspension: Shock Absorbers · 412 Series Shocks · Fork Springs · Lowering Kits · Monotube Fork Cartridge Kits · Suspension Tools.
Will it fit my motorcycle?
Each title names the motorcycle the part is listed for, with the years where the supplier gives them. Where a part fits more models than the title can hold, it says so, and the Fitment section on the listing gives every model and year. Check the year range as well as the model name, and on Harley-Davidson models check which fork tube diameter your bike has.
Which Progressive Suspension shock is right for my bike?
Start with the bike: the shocks page lists each one by model and length. The 412 Series is the twin shock Progressive calls its value option, with preload adjustment. The 422 Series is a Softail shock with ride height adjustable from stock to two inches lower. The 444 and 944 Series use what Progressive calls Frequency Sensing Technology, which it says adjusts damping as you ride.