Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Progressive 440 v Ricors

Hi all,
I've read just about every post I can find on here and TriumphRat.net regarding rear shocks, and I have it narrowed down to these two (Progressive 440 and Ricor), but want to make sure I'm spending wisely.

I'm about 200# (90kg) and live in the DC Metro. The 09 SM is my only vehicle, so I commute in DC traffic (on DC roads!) daily, all weather, but I also ride it for fun when time permits. The stock shocks are abusive, especially when I'm 2up, and just have to go. I've put a bit over 5k miles on it since October and I am ready for a better ride.

I know I want the progressive fork springs and ricor intiminaors, but I'm not sure which is the better purchase for the rear. I don't do a *lot* of 2up, but when I do, it's important that the ride isn't too jarring.

Does anyone here have experience with both setups that could offer some input? I'm ready to pull the trigger because every ride has me wishing for a more pliant ride, just want to get it right the first time.

I'd say my riding style is basic cruising, with 10-20% spirited riding, 10% 2up, and 100% on terrible, horrible, ill-maintained roads, mix of highway and urban. Any input is greatly appreciated.
-Allen

Hi Allen,

Before talking about you purchasing rear shocks, may I suggest that instead of putting progressive springs in your forks with the intimidators, you save your money and just put intimidators in.

I have at a bit of experience with modifying my suspension and in my opinion, the intimidators work much better with the oem springs. I know it probably doesn't sound feasible but I have a set of progressive springs in my garage after using them with intimidators and then reverting back to oem's just for curiosity reasons. Without doubt the intims and the front work much better with the oem springs and considering they were developed to work best this way, you could save yourself a lot of time, effort and cost. It's your call but that's my experience.

Regarding the rear shocks, again it's my experience i really don't think you could go past Hagon Nitros. There are others on here who I know will agree with me including Eddy from "Fast Eddy Sports" who did an extensive comparison between them and the Progressives and now he has them on his Thunderbird.

These are simply suggestions from people who have been where you are now except we (I and others) had to do it the longer and harder way.

Cheers
Stacka

+1 on using the intimidators with the OEM springs. Like Stacka, I tried it with the progressive springs and they feel much better with OEM.

I run 440s on the rear and love them so nothing negative to say about them. I am so happy with the intimidators that I would give Ricor a chance on the rear if my 440s ever failed.

Something to consider though... 440s are as they are out of the box, which is great BUT Hagon will take your needs into consideration and build the shocks for YOUR needs. To me that is a big consideration.

Oh, I weigh in at 300#

I have used Progressive 440s on a touring bike where the majority of riding was 2-up (Kaw Voyager). These shocks replaced factory air shocks. Most folks think air shocks give a ride like "riding on air" but air doesn't compress and the ride gets more jarring as you jack up the air pressure. Anyway, the 440s were a great upgrade. The downside is the cost; like the Hagon shocks, the cost is very high. The Progressive front fork springs are a good idea combined with the proper weight fork oil. Many folks use 15w and that may make riding in DC streets which are on the rough side uncomfortable. At 200 lbs, you may want to look at 10W fork oil. I can't comment on the Ricor gizmos which appear interersting but they might be a good idea if they work like the reviews imply. I checked their website and you will have almost $200 in a set if I read correctly. As far as back shocks and the fact that you ride solo MOST of the time, Progressive 12s have a lot of the same benefit as the 440s. If you get the black 12s, you can get them for about $172 without springs. Chrome springs are $72 more. The key is the progressive nature of the springs. If the spring rates are chosen correctly, the shocks become a revelation. Ride improves immensely. How can you choose the right spring rates? Find a dealer who sells tons of these shocks and have him help you make your decision based on road surfaces you ride, your riding style and of course, your weight. My friend Jeff at www.z1enterprises.com sells TONS of these shocks and is expert at fitting the springs and I believe they will actually install the correct springs if you buy both springs and shocks from them. The 12s are fairly attractive if you leave off the rubber cup that covers the top and serves no purpose. You need a shock compressor to safely install springs by the way. My shop has one but it isn't worth buying one unless you plan on doing this regularly. I use 145/190 spring rates on my vintage 1979 KZ1000E (Kawasaki) as I ride fairly aggressively and am a bit bigger than you. Check them out and by the way, Z1Enterprises caters to Japanese vintage bike owners but is the biggest business in that market space and the reason is that they are known for their primo customer service.

Ricors and O.E.M. springs..#1..

Hmmm, good thoughts all around, hanks for the input. If the intiminators (and really, what's up with that name? A typo that stuck?) are better with OEM springs, great...that's less work for me =)

I'll start reading up on the Hagons as well, I was hoping to have it narrowed down to those two, but I'm not one to ignore experience. Thanks!

Hi Allen,

I'm really glad the other intiminator guys agreed the ride was best with oem springs rather than progressives. When we get consensus like that, it goes from a subjective decision to more of a factual one. Great stuff. Of course, this now makes your decision an easy one and as we've mentioned, as cheaper one too.

As far as members agreeing on what's the best shocky, well the jury is still out on that one but mainly I think because not many have been able to compare say, the Nitros with the
progressives. This of course means most are happy with their particular choice which again means both are a good choice.

Personally, I'd be talking to Eddy cos he's ridden with both makes (Nitros and Progressives). He's also very thorough and honest as the day is long. In other words, I'd back his opinion if you really wanted an accurate appraisal.

Whatever way you go though mate, you won't believe the difference in your ride. You may also ask yourself, why did you stuff around so long with those heap of crap oem's. It's simply a classic case of not knowing what you don't know.

One last thing, the ride from your front forks with the intims is markedly better than just with progressive springs.

stacka