Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories Progressive 440's

Those that have switched to the 440"s and springs up front do you notice a difference--are you glad you did--are they worth it. Phil

YES and YES!

yup, what he said.

yes yes

Frank

yaya

Triple yes

Yes, I notice a difference.
Yeah, I'm Happy with 'em.
Is it worth it?
It was to me, but just because the suspension was a priority for me at the time.

Where did you guys order your 440s & fork springs from.
Mark

maw

Frank

Thanks Frank,
They had the best price I could find
Mark

yea they are hard to beat price wise

Frank

*&%^$#@!!!!! You guys are killin me and my bank account. I have been eyeing the Progressive 440 and front spring mod. Man I have more in mods than I paid for the bike...I can see the finish line( yeah, right keep tellin myself that, huh??)

What the hell, it is just another $500.00

Yeah. What we all really need are shims for the swingarm. I've been told that some 's' shaped copper ones would work.

I ordered my Progressive 412 shocks from Phat Performance Parts. At the time they were cheaper than MAW, but that was over a year ago. Don't know how they do price wise compared to MAW for the 440s, but the service was definitely quicker.

I have not done the 440s yet, but just installing the progressive front springs made a world of difference in the handling, and getting rid of the "dive" on braking.

Phat's cost more but was less because of free shipping. $458.90 shipped.

Here's a backdoor into MAW's for $377.28. Not sure what shipping/handling would run via this portal. Not affiliated in anyway and never dealt with them.

Regards,

Tom

440s are $399.95 at Phat Performance with free shipping.

If ordering with MAW, I'd call them first. Their regular website used to list a lot more from Progressive, including the 440s, but now it's just the 412s. I wonder if they're phasing them out through their site, but only available if ordered through their specialty catalogs?

That $458. was for the 440's and the front springs combined.

I am having troubling locating the 440's for our bikes through my supplier. The 412's list but not the 440's and it's hard to cross reference the numbers.

eddy

I think you have to look for the 2002 america. Phat's and maw's both were listing the same numbers for the 440's it was 440-4214C which is the chrome and the front suspension is 11-1145. Phil

Are the Progressive 440s that much better than the 412s, to justify twice the price. I have no back problems, and the stock ride is not too bad for me. I ride almost daily, commuting. However, I would really like to help the steering in banked turns over bumps.

My wife also rides with me every week. She complains about the kick in the ________going over bumps and railroad tracks.

Would the 440s be much better for this than the 412s or would the 412s be good enough?

yes, worth the xtra $$ in my opinion.

Took the first 2-up ride of the season yesterday, and I was surprised how well the 440's took a couple bumps that normall jar me. I think I may back off on the setting for solo riding.

MAYBE THAT WHAT I NEED TO DO!

I just put the 440's on about 3 weeks ago... I'll tell you, it's a HUge difference. When I go out riding with my other buddys and their cruisers, I'm seeing them bouncing up and down and that jarring effect when they hit a pot hole dead on. It's not the same for me... it feels like I'm gliding over whatever almost bounced them out of their seats. I'm extreamly happy that I have the 440's! Especially with the low profile seat from Brent (thanks Brent!!!). I recommend them to everyone I see. It doesn't matter what they ride, they need these shocks!!

Fitted progressive front springs and 440 on the rear. I found them to be a bit harsh on poor surfaces with the setting backed off to the softest. I weigh 12 stone which i thought would be about average but have gone for the lighter spring, waiting for it to arrive and then i,ll let yas know how it goes..It is still heaps better than stock..cheers. Tadpole

Russell, you need to experiment with your pre-load to suit you weight. Here's a good website that explains the process of setting up your suspension. Just scroll down to the "SET UP BIKE TO YOUR WEIGHT (PRELOAD)" part. It's a good read and the rest of the article explains front suspension and finally fine tuning also. I intend to set up my new suspension this way next week. Here's the article mate. Hope it helps

Hi Staffo, Thanks for the advice, however i,m experienced in this and with the shocks on the least preload, the rear of the bike only drops 20mm with my weight which means when i,m riding ,the bike is only using a minimal amount of shock travel, the setting would be perfect if i had someone on the back as the sag becomes approx 40/45mm with my 11stone son sitting on it as well as myself..anyways i,ll keep yas posted when the lighter springs arrive, cheers, Tadpole

Just checked Fedex tracking, and there is a set of 440s & fork springs waiting at home . Ordered from Phat
Performance last week not bad service,and they threw in a free T shirt.
I've got the next couple of days off to install and ride.
Hope they are as good as folks say. No matter any thing is better than stock.
Mark

Mark:

Can you post part #'s.

OK, I'll play devil's advocate here now that I own a set, albeit used, have played extensively with adjustment, and have ran with them for a while.

IMHO, I recommend them only if you do more than occasional two-up riding, if you do more than occasional aggressive cornering, and the pavement you routinely ride on is not in the best condition. If you're a "fairly" conservative rider on good roads, use the cash for something else.

Asthetically the stock Triumph shocks are better looking, (keep in mind I'm a Triumph America owner and a chromo at heart) and the only "chrome" about the 440's is the springs. A dremmel with polishing wheel and chrome polish do verly little to increase the shine of the end-caps.

I do highly recommend the fork springs. I've yet to feel the routine dive associated with the stock Triumph springs.

I'm going to finish out at least one season with the 440's, switch back to the stock Triumphs for further comparison, then decide to cut my loss or keep them.

So ..... depending on your riding style, you may find they're fantastic, or wasted cash.

Regards,

Tom

The progressive website shows a Chrome 440 Retrofit Kit, pn 30-5044CC, which appears to be chrome end covers to replace earlier ones (perhaps with aluminum billet covers???).

My new Progressive 440s are due to arrive at the house on Saturday. I ordered the standard spring rate, chrome ones, from MAW.

PS:
After doing a little more research, the ones for about $390 at MAW and Phat Performance Parts are actually with polished aluminum billet caps, not with the chrome caps/covers. MAW doesn't sell the 440s with the chrome (CC) caps, and the 440s at Phat's with the chrome caps are about $135 more expensive. The upgrade chrome caps kit is $110 at Phat's. So, I guess mine will also be the polished aluminum billet capped 440s.

Phil,

Uncle Charlie and I upgraded our suspension last weekend at the CT Tech day.

I went with 412's and new progressive fork springs. Total a different bike and handling.

I ride two up alot with my son right now about 350 lbs. I have yet to bottom out the new 412's (something the stock springs did even at the hardest setting) on the softest setting with Brett and I have tried to find every bump in the road.

I just do not see how spending another $200.00 would improve the ride or handling any better at this point.

Iceman
Part# shocks 440-4214, springs 11-1145

Thanks, CT!!
I'm torn between the 440's and 412's right now.

You can have my 440s...

... after you wrassle 'em outa my cold dead fingers

I've been suffering with stock shocks and springs for the past year / 13,000 miles. The difference in performance was immediate and impossible to ignore. It's as if the bike has been re-born. No more "Who put the dayumned hinge in the middle of the frame, I better take this corner at full vertical as a mouse turd on the macadam might throw me into the weeds" dread. The Mack truck ride and nose dive is now gone too. With my budget, this one bike may well be my only for years to come, and so the cost (with lifetime warranty) seems well worth it. Plus they fit up so well too - no binding of the mounts on the post, a sweet surprise. I have to admit to heat gunning the decals off the 440s - Sorry Progressive, you'll have to do your own advertising, 'les you wanna comp me a pair, then we'll talk decals.

I just put the shocks & springs on last night. Will let you know how it works out. See my post in the tech section about fork spring change.
Mark