Progressive Suspension 422 Shocks Review at RevZilla.com

Progressive Suspension 422 Shocks Review
www.revzilla.co...
As riders seek to take their Harley to the next level, one of the first items to be augmented are the rear shocks. The stock options are notoriously rough. Fortunately there are options out there such as the Progressive 422 Shocks for Harley Softail that afford a vast improvement in both handling and comfort throughout the ride. As one of the most recognized names in aftermarket parts for Harley Davidson motorcycles, Progressive Suspension is a go to option for a wide-variety of riders.

[@azvoltman7335]

Great shocks, just put a pair under my 2003 heritage softail. What a big difference in feel and ride. You can tell these shocks are built to rock and roll. I adjusted mine a bit heavy on the pre load so my wife can hop on with no worries .... So far i love em!!!!

[@davidson2004fatboy]

WHY DON'T YOU DO A VIDEO OF THE ACTUAL INSTALL, THIS WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL TO ALL OF US

[@edwardfuller5391]

Amen

[@frankclements6296]

Why are you yelling at everyone? Caps lock is cruise control, brother!

[@hscoach55]

This post is 2 yrs old and still nothing...I have the same question

[@Embarq007]

put these on my 2000 FLSTC and adjusted them to max height, and preload to the middle, makes more aggressive riding possible in the curves. Great shocks!

[@AndresCuervoArt]

Joe Niles hey can you help me out I have. FLSTC how to make the shocks softer ? They are all the way clockwise and the shocks suck they feel exactly the same as the oem

[@Raiderpike]

@@AndresCuervoArt you actually go counter clockwise. Less preload is a softer ride, more preload is a rougher ride.

[@RickDelmonico]

Thin wall box end wrench and heat the section of rear frame where bolt threads into to remove the rear bolts.

[@csaint6780]

You should do a video on 422 series shocks W/RAP

[@SDMF5000]

I like this dude.....good stuff Lemmy.

[@artsbest1]

Good job with the explanation. My 2016' HS Breakout is a better bike now as a result of installing these shocks.

[@hscoach55]

You should explain why there is only 1 valve and not two.

[@johnglowatz6969]

Im planning to do this on my new (used) 03 fxst. Im a 300 pounder and i ride 2 up frequently with different people. Am i swapping the front suspension as well to get the most out of this system or does it not really matter that much?

[@coldairbuick]

Lemmy, great review. The stock shocks are ok and really expensive. These would make a great upgrade for an older bike and still be cheaper than OEM.

[@buddhaonux]

422 shock will come with the adjuster or need buy additional?

[@shannoncook8723]

Hi Lemmy, so if I'm understanding you correctly, the 422's will lower the bike 2"below stock height and a lowering kit is NOT necessary? Thanks

[@RevZilla]

That is correct. If you want to lower the front end as well, you would need a fork lowering kit. -DrewZilla

[@daytonwilson4793]

Progressive website site says stock -2’’ lower ?

[@user-ro5bh9ks1f]

@@RevZillaDoes it feel too stiff If standard 422 one lowers 2inches below stick height? Cause I know normal lowering kits kill my back.

[@asstastic2323]

Are these good for about 550lbs on a softail custom. I've tore the hell out of the longshots on my bike with factory shocks. Think I even busted them cause I had them adjusted for me but it's back to bottoming out again

[@RevZilla]

Possibly, but the concern is that you can't raise the ride height, just keep it stock or lower it (and you don't want to lower it, given your past exhaust scraping). Your best option is the Heavy Duty option at stock ride height. -DrewZilla *www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/progressive-422-series-shocks-for-harley-softail

[@moustachemike7128]

my shocks have the same tube bushings on both ends..and i noticed the bushing mounted to the frame are shredding apart..? 1986 fxst...should i cut back the outer bushing material thats rubbing against the washer and bolt face..???

[@RevZilla]

It's difficult to say without pictures. If you don't mind, please send us an email with photos and a description to [e-mail]. That way we can make a better recommendation. -DrewZilla

[@rickb.5492]

Harley threw budget shocks at the Softail? You call $650 for factory replacement shocks "budget"?

[@DerekCosgrove]

Great video! Out of curiosity, I have a 2011 Fatboy Lo, I'm not sure what shocks are installed under her yet, but she feels stiff. I also have a DG Weekend XL 2up seat and not sure if it's the seat or the shocks but after 8hrs of riding it feels like I was kicked in the @$$ by a mule... were there different shocks installed in the FB Lo edition softails at the factory?

[@RevZilla]

I'm pretty sure the shocks are the same. The front end is raked out a bit more, and the seat is lower. The Softail has never had great suspension, as the travel is limited and the quality mediocre. Going to the 422s should help improve the ride. Your seat also isn't ideal for full-day riding. The TourIST would provide better support. -DrewZilla *www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/progressive-422-series-shocks-for-harley-softail *www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/danny-gray-tourist-2-up-seat-for-harley-softail-2006-2015 *www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/danny-gray-tourist-2-up-air-seat-for-harley-softail-2006-2015

[@DerekCosgrove]

RevZilla Thank you very much for the detailed reply. the info and advice is greatly appreciated!

[@gregwexler4702]

I need a comparison between these and air ride suspension.

[@RevZilla]

Air ride suspension is going to be much more comfortable. additionally, air shocks can be more easily adjusted for if you are riding solo or two-up. When it comes to suspension, you definitely get what you pay for and if you are looking for the smoothest ride period I would suggest checking these out: www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/legend-suspension-aero-air-suspension-for-harley I hope that helps! -Zack

[@hscoach55]

@@RevZilla their is one problem with all air shocks...they leak some sooner then others. im going to put the 422 on my 2016 breakout

[@nicksteele5459]

About 60% of the time is just me I weigh about 2:15 when it's just me I have no problems the problem comes in when I go to up riding my wife and I are not small we are both large people and when we do it causes bottoming out even puncturing a tube on my tire and leaving me on the side of the road my question is this should I go with the standard or the heavy duty I have heard horror stories about the heavy duty they work great when you're too up and have a load but when you're on your own the ride is terrible does anyone have any comments or no for a fact anything that can help me make my decision on which to buy

[@robertbernath1565]

Getting these for my 2008 fatboy any one know if there’s any truth to Nick Steeles question I’m about 240 and my wife 130 wanted to know same question

[@killdozer3464]

@@robertbernath1565 I have these on my 2017 Fat Boy S. The Heavy Duty are called for when you are near or exceeding the GVWR of the bike. In my case, when we 2-up we are actually about 25lbs beyond the GVWR (dont forget to add your bikes wet weight, both passengers, all after market accessories, and all cargo, including helmets and other gear). in this case the Heavy Duty is what we needed. If you total riding weight is well below the GVWR, then the standard will do just fine. I recommend the Progressive fork springs as well for a total package that will have your bike handling uber improved.

[@alvingallegos6367]

Guess Progressive Insurance isn't the only thing they're into.

[@robphillips4296]

Can you please advise on the Progressive 422 Shocks W/ RAP For Harley Softail 2015 if the single adjustable cable and control only adjusts the one cylender? Thats what it looks like and need to understand how this works?

[@RevZilla]

Yes, the remote preload only adjusts the one cylinder, as that's the cylinder that controls preload. The other cylinder just automatically sits at the same level as the preload-adjusted cylinder. -DrewZilla

[@-MrRichBiker1967]

there is NO CABLE to adjust, you use a spanner wrench in the holes or the shocks, to go up and down!!! WTF, cable are you talking about??? ITS A SHOCK BRO..WAKE UP!

[@sgtrock2821]

@@-MrRichBiker1967 You wake up fool. the RAP REMOTE ADJUSTABLE PRELOAD....Eliminates the need for the spanner wrench. I'm unclear also how the "other cylinder" auto adjusts along with the "preload adjusted cylinder" What would be the point of the RAP if you still had to go under there and adjust "the other cylinder" ?

[@jamesturner9858]

trying to figure out what’s the part number for the heavy duty progressive 422 shocks so I can order online. I have a 2006 Big Dog K9

[@RevZilla]

We don't have a part number for a Big Dog as far as I know, so I recommend reaching out to Progressive directly at 877-690-7411. -DrewZilla

[@BusterKitten]

Lemmy, what's the weight range for the standard shock and the heavy duty ones?

[@RevZilla]

Heavy Duty applications are recommended for bikes operating at or near the manufacturer's maximum load rating over 50% of the time. That's usually printed on the frame somewhere, but if you not you can find it in your owner's manual or from a Harley dealer. There's not usually a specific range since it varies bike to bike. -Kraus-e

[@dennisecarrington8586]

awesome vid

[@jacobowitness5564]

Can i rise my softail? Instead of being lowerd

[@RevZilla]

Due to the design of the Softail suspension, we don't really have a way to raise your Softail. Lengthening the suspension bolts actually lowers the bike, so there isn't really room to shorten the length of the stock bolts. -DrewZilla

[@azb2010]

@Jacabo Witness I rewelded the shock mounts on the swingarm that allowed a 1" height increase.

[@oscarruiz16]

does this improve the lean angle i have cvo pro street breakout. Great video Lemmy.

[@RevZilla]

No, these shocks are only adjustable from 2 inches below stock height up to the the stock height. You cannot raise the height of your bike with these, so you cannot improve the lean angle. -DrewZilla

[@user-ro5bh9ks1f]

Can I lower up to 2inch with this 422?

[@RevZilla]

That depends on how tall your stock shocks are, these go down to 11" which is the lowest a Harley can accept without running into clearance issues. -Zack

[@user-ro5bh9ks1f]

@@RevZilla mine is 2014 softail deluxe. I just want to lower 1inch with 422 not having any issues

[@jarrodguest7172]

Wanted to know are they named after shitty ass route 422? That road is such a mess

[@lomate1963]

He needs to speak quicker 😊👍🏻

[@jonathansmith1853]

Can you lower your bike 2 inches with these and not give up comfort?

[@RevZilla]

Lowering your bike will give a compromised ride. There's no getting around the fact that you're reducing suspension travel, so all the damping has to be done over a shorter range. However, these shocks are really good at using that range. -DrewZilla *www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/progressive-422-series-shocks-for-harley-softail *www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/progressive-422-series-shocks-w-rap-for-harley-softail

[@sgtrock2821]

@@RevZilla I had a set of 422-4037Cs on my Fatboy Lo. I wouldn't advise running it lowered 2". Especially at night. The accumulation of bottoming out and hearing the frame clank enough times and before too long you're breaking and loosening shyt. I cracked an engine half bolt off. Buy air ride of you want it to look cooler parked. But don't buy SAS. It sux azz. I currently have SAS. Advise shotgun shock. But every mechanic I've talked to says sooner or later your air ride is gonna have issues. Nature of the beast. Progressive 422s are damn near bullet proof. Not worth the money but they got you by the balls. No competitors.