Sportster Iron 883 Progressive 412 Shocks Review / Riding Over Bumps

A quick review of the Progressive 412 Standard 11.5" shocks on my Harley Iron 883. Tests were done riding over the sidewalk dips and adjusting the shock notches on each ride. Stay until the end for tips on how I installed the shocks and what tools were needed. Enjoy!
I weigh roughly 170 lbs at 5'8" in height (5'9" on a good day).
2021 Harley Sportster Iron 883 in Black Denim
Progressive 412 Shocks (412-4063B)
(11.5" standard - the ones I have) amzn.to/3E5pc0o
(12" heavy duty) amzn.to/3hkeIAj
Biltwell Frisco Handlebars (Dimpled)
www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/b...
Biltwell AlumiCore Grips
www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/b...

[@johnmatero234]

put the 13" on mine and it TRANSFORMED the bike. You set the sag to 11.75" so when you're on the bike, you're barely higher than stock, but the increased travel is amazing. If you look at the videos of folks who tried the 11.5" versions, they almost unanimously regret not going 12.5-13"

[@kevlarxkoffee]

If I had to buy them again, I'd go with 12" or higher lol. They've been fine for me tho 🤙

[@anthonydebellis9416]

I just read your post. I have an 883 Sportster. Would you recommend that I go with at least the 12” progressive? Thanks

[@KSMotoCafe]

great job with the review man! I am looking at the exact rear shocks for my 883. New to the channel and I dig it! subbed

[@bill392]

I put the 12.5" 412's with standard springs on my '09 Sportster 1200 Custom replacing the stock 11.5". I'm 240 lbs and 5'10" and I prefer level 3 for the best overall ride. Level 2 is a bit softer and the bike sits very slightly lower but it can bottom out over RR tracks which is why I leave it at level 3. The bike sits about 1/2" to 3/4" higher than stock with me on it. The steering turn-in is a little easier and I really love the ride. It's a night an day difference. I noticed that in the video, you kept saying "payload" but the term is "preload". Little chuckle from that. I looked at a lot of makes and models of shocks across the entire price range and I think that the 412's are, by far, the best value for the money and arguably the single best mod for the Sportster.

[@timcarter7616]

I have a '14 Seventy Two and put on the 12.5" standard springs. I weigh 260 and set the preload at 4. It sags about 1.3" while the specs show the travel is 3.14", so I still have some travel for bump absorption. The slight lift at the rear helps with the downhill slope effect of the pancake seat and ape hangars.. Anyway the bike rides a lot nicer and floats over bumps it would slam into before. 12.5" is a great choice for the Sportster.

[@nbowling10trio]

100% agree on the exhaust. I have the screaming eagle slip ons and they're just loud enough to let people know I'm there but not obnoxious. Definitely will go HD on my shocks after seeing what experience you had. Thank you!

[@ChairmanSteel]

Super helpful video, thanks for making it!

[@onlyhereonce7290]

A good video. I’m sure it’s going to help people that want to upgrade their rear suspension.

[@glllllazed]

Great vid...best info after browsing the web...gonna go with heavy duty 12" for my 1200 custom sporty....I'm 175lbs but as you suggested put the shocks to the lightest level, then I'll have room to adjust for a passenger....thanks

[@paulpolicastro6448]

Great review! ALSO, stoked to hear I Set My Friends on Fire used as intro music. Thoroughly underrated band!

[@kevlarxkoffee]

🤣 didn't think anyone would know the song!

[@chowmeinpapi]

Thanks for making this video bro. I’m 5’10 175lb. Can’t decide between the 11.5 or 12. Definitely don’t want to go 13 though

[@cubanheelsbeerbelly]

Great video, I appreciate the install walk through too. 8:04 is priceless 🤣. I had some lady try to fight me the other day when I got off my bike. Her boyfriend wouldn't back her up though. This is why we waive to each other. Shared experiences like these that you only get from riding. I live in SoCal too they hate us out here!

[@mosca.883]

very useful, thank you!

[@wolfontheroad2262]

Very cool - same height & weight as you. Just bought these shocks for my Triumph T120 - we'll see. Best to you.

[@pavanbayana9806]

Great info thanks; i have installed 412s on my Iron 883 and i am hearing a squeaking noise from the brand new rear shocks. Any suggestions from you on how to get rid of this noise? Thanks

[@dukebrar]

Nice ride bro

[@kalakachi1]

Great video! on the stock shocks which level of adjustment do you recommend for a smoother ride?

[@Sun-ph3ih]

Hey bro, you really did a good job on this video. Thanks man! I want to buy those shocks too, but i ride with a passenger most of the time. Do you think 11.5 standards could support a passenger or i should go up to 12 inch?

[@kevlarxkoffee]

If you have a passenger then get the heavy duty and at least a 12" or 13" 🤙

[@NuvolariF1]

Old school torque beam wrench. Nice...

[@kevlarxkoffee]

Given to me by a neighbor that also rides Harley's. He can be seen in my older videos when I worked on the cafe racer bikes lol.

[@NuvolariF1]

@@kevlarxkoffee Cool, I'll check it out.

[@free2rhyme14]

been itching to get these but after talking to progressive they recommended the 444s. any regrets with the 412s? I'm 180lb and 10% of the time ride 2 up with my wife

[@kevlarxkoffee]

I'd probably go with what they're recommending lol. I did wish I got 12 inch or higher.

[@bthomson7770]

Interesting way to test your shocks, but what about checking your sag? Have you checked that on the various preload settings?

[@vernon8337]

Great video on the 412's, I just installed a new pair of 412's 11.5in and I have a question, do your 412's make a squishy squish sound when you bounce up and down on the seat ? Does anyone else out their experience this squishy squish sound from their 412's ? , is this normal ? Out of all the reviews and videos I never hear anyone mention this squishy sound coming from there progressive 412's !

[@zacheryjohnson214]

I’m 6’2 210lb I went with the 13” haven’t rode with em yet but hoping they make the overall ride better an handling better

[@rollinghighsmokevape9013]

Nice ride!!!! And good info, you install your self?

[@kevlarxkoffee]

Yup, all the mods on my bike I install myself 😬🤙

[@jimdaniels2333]

Love your videos !! So were these shocks a waste of money ?? I'm looking to update my shocks on my 2022, would u go with something different knowing what u know now ??

[@dc8173]

Sportsters forever

[@fjbyedone1731]

How did get your pipes delivered? Amazon no longer ships exhaust to CA 🤬

[@kevlarxkoffee]

There are websites that sells and ship it to Cali. Just do a google search. Also, I think two bros racing are in Cali. Hit them up.

[@fjbyedone1731]

@@kevlarxkoffee Thanks for the heads up on two bros! I ordered and installed their mid controls on my 883 last week. Next up will be suspension; looking at the 412s as well since they're more affordable, debating between the 11.5 or 12'' to get some more clearance. Would you have done a 12'' if you had to do it all over? I realized you're on a 48 now, how are the suspensions on them?

[@jimdaniels2333]

@@fjbyedone1731 "I ordered and installed their mid controls on my 883 last week" 883 comes stock with mid controls. Whats the difference ?

[@joakinsb6564]

Peso 163 libras. Progressive 11,5 standar?

[@kevlarxkoffee]

Si, progressive 412 standar 11.5

[@KimJongilsll]

5,6 around 170 here on the same bike. i got the 13,5 and now im riding a fkin cloud LOL. and yea i still reach the ground haha.

[@txff181]

Anyone know what bars He’s running in this video?

[@kevlarxkoffee]

tc bros window bars. All of my bike upgrades are in the description and also on the website kevlarxkoffee with photos and everything 😬🤙

[@XenaTheQuadCamBikah]

Haha was that a woman’s voice yelling f u from that truck when you passed it?

[@kevlarxkoffee]

Lol, I edited in the voice 🤣