OK Just put the 412's on my bike. They are a vast improvement over stock, fantastic. Took bone jarring bums and made them tolerable. To the question of the 440's price vs performance? I can recall enough of the 440's ride to know there is a definite difference between 440 and 412. The 440 certainly makes for an even smoother/softer ride where the 412 is great you can still feel the road but I in know way would go back to my stock shocks.
Now I have not messed with the pre-load at all and that may smooth it out even more but my head says that will stiffen it up but I am not totally sure about that. Will post changes as my playing around yields more results.
eddy
