Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories Progressive 440 performance Road Test

Just came home from a 3 week 2700 mile ride on a bike with Progressive 440's. My opinion? GREAT! None, absolutely no bone jarring jolts as with stock on the occasional chuck holes. Handling was superb. Even with being loaded to the max with gear.

I only wish I had a side by side with the 412's, but from memory (can be distorted) they seemed to me, to be better than the 412's. Worth the money difference? I can't totally or accurately say with out a side by side comparison.

What I do know is that the 440's have better valving and that normally translates into better performance. The 412's are superior to the stock shock, that I have done a side by side comparison on. Those that have done side by side of the 412's report vast change, this I cannot attest to but have no reason to think it is not so.

eddy

IMO my standard length 412HD's are significantly better than stock. Are 440's worth the differential cost? Good question.
Ken

440's are a great shock and if you have the money i think totally worth it. nice write up

Frank

I liked my 440 when new but after two seasons,7,000 miles they are like rideing on just springs.No dampening.Progressive will rebiuld them under warrenty but I would have thought they would last longer than this.Could be a factorey defect but I'm on my stockers till they repair and send them back to me.

That's a bit dissipointing. I have 7000 miles already this year-hate to think shocks will not last a season.

+1
I have to get around to sending them back. I wouldn't go with the 440 again. I would go with 412s.

That's a real bug#er Jim as everyone else raves about the progressives and how good they are.

I've got no doubt they give a good ride just because of the numerous good comments they get from everyone who buys them.

Just for interest, I thought I would forward these comments which I found interesting about about the shocks I bought, which pretty much provide another opinion but on a different bike.

nitros comments on a guzzi

I know there have been some negative comments about Hagon shocks but as you can see from these comments, they are for the el cheapos which shouldn't get confused for the pricey but quality Hagon Nitros with all Stainless steel components. take a peek

Just one question though, do progressives give you springs that are matched to your normal riding load?

Anyway, I wouldn't recommend anything that I didn't think were good value, even if these do cost some big ones but again, you only get what you pay for eh? Say no more

Just spoke with Progressive regarding a set of 418's for a fellow. Seems they believe the big riders of 350+ with gear are better served with the 418's HD over even the 440's, better performance all around. I do know they stand behind their stuff, but a guy spends good money doesn't want to be returning stuff warranty or no.

Addendum to road test. I just took my bike which at the moment has stock shocks on it. I was brutalized so bad going to work today, even though it has been a week since I rode Bedouins ride with the 440's I can tell you this; in all of the 2700 miles I rode on that bike I did not get anything like what I got with my stock shocks! They are terrible!

As soon as I post this I am installing a set of 412's Enough, is enough. Maybe I can do an accurate comparison 412 vs 440.

eddy

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

Thanks for the comparison review Eddy......I'm following your reports as I'm about to make a new shock purchase. A little leery of the 440's now....considering the cost. You say the 440's give a smoother/softer ride and the 412's are a vast improvement over stock......perhaps the 418's would be a good middle ground? Don

Quote:

---

Do they come in a 12"?

---

Z, yes, after I lit teh fire under them tehy moved up the schedule for production by a year...however they have none produced yet and there is a 30 day lag time from order to in hand.

Quote:

---

perhaps the 418's would be a good middle ground? Don

---

Don, the 812's a 412 in a new shell. Not the middle. HOWEVER! The 418 is a middle ground shock that is better than the 412 and offers a good mix with rebound adjustments that make it something a kin to the 440 and a bit cheaper.

I amgoing to have to order a set of these and try them out. I like being able to know for sure.

eddy

412's performance.

While it has been a two weeks since I rode the 440's I can say this about the comparison between the 440 and the 412's. The 440 is a smoother ride than the 412's.

412's are better than stock, no question, take the "brutal" out of bumps. But I would have to say that the 440's are certainly smoother taking all the "sharp" edges out of bumps.

Going to order up a set of 418's and make a comparison.

eddy

Thanks Eddy, I look forward to reading your impressions of the comparison.

Uh-huh.
And do the 418s (heavy duty) come in black?

Another very sad statement about Triumph putting the worst, cheapest junk they can find on our bikes to maximize profit.

Good report Ed.

Eddy, is the 418 a different shock than the 412, or is it just a fancier version with the spring shroud? If they dont ride any different than the 412's, there is no real reason to fork over the extra clams. And they DO come in heavy duty? I need to know!!!

The 418 is totally different from 412 and it does come in a Heavy Duty.

This is confusing because of the numbers the 412 and 812 are the same shock with the 812 having the ornate exterior for the extra gida's.

The 418 is a different game all together.

eddy

Black?

Eddy, while we're on this subject, do you know or can you find out if the 412HD's valved or damped any differently than the regular 412's?

Ken;
I'll check tomorrow. I think, (Think mind you) they get their HD value from stiffer springs, but I'll check that tomorrow.

Black in which ones Bill? It's too late to think...my brain hurts!

eddy

Hi Eddy. I see you tried some of the 440's yourself! I have to say, since buying the 440s from you, I have yet to have the bike bottom out on me. And the ride is great. The greatest difference, for cost, was replacing the front springs. Before putting the progressive springs in, I just had to look at the front brake and the nose would dive.

Bill just called and ordered a set to test last night and they asked which color I wanted the springs and then they recanted that they no longer carry the black springs. SO I guess without knowing it I got your answer for you.

eddy

Ah, well .

Still on the list for upgrades, pending your report.

Well got the 418's and compared them with the 412's. First, the obvious the 418's are WAY better than stock, hands down.

Here were the ground rules for this test. I took my bike out for a determined course that I knew was rough. I rode it with my 412's. I then went directly and put on the 418's and took it on the exact same route.

The 418.

I could feel an immediate difference in the ride of the bike and handling of the bike. Notable difference on the small stuff and smoother on the rough stuff.

There was a stretch of road where they did a poor job filling cracks, that with stock was un-bearable with the 412's it became annoying, the 418's was tolerable. (This stretch is even bad in a car)

One thing I noticed was I could feel more through the stock front springs than I could through the back springs.

The 418's come with an adjustment for dampening the rebound of the shocks. I set out at the first setting and the #2 preload setting so that I was the "same" as my 412's. I rode down the rode a spell then moved it down to the base setting as it was stiffer at #2 preload for me (182 lbs) I then cranked up the the rebound setting and rode the rough segment mentioned and I think I preferred the 1st setting on that as well.

Observation;

They are smoother than the 412's but not as smooth as the 440's.

The ride is solid and responsive, I would have to say even better than the 412's, and I thought that they were spot on!

There is plenty of room for adjustment for heavier riders and loads to make this a great and versatile shock.

It comes only in the 12.5" and I would have to say the additional capacity actually raised my bike up slightly. I didn't measure it, but will do so when I put the 412's back on. For a step down comparison.

Here are some pictures that show the difference on my bike between the appearance of the two shocks.

eddy

Progressive 418 - America



Progressive 412 - America

Just finished my back testing. What is that you say? I took off the 418's and put the 412's back on and repeated the same test. For quantification purposes I made a 9 mile ride with the 418's went home replaced them with the 412's and repeated the exact same test with the same exact track.

The 418's are notably smoother on all bumps.

The 412's are still no slouch, they do by far better than the stock in terms of handling and absorbing really bad shock to the spine

Re-tested very large bone jarring bumps that with stock I would not be able to take them without putting my weight on the foot boards or it would send a shot up the spine. The 418's were superior in this area.

So what does it mean for me? I am keeping the 418's on my bike and I will have a set of 412's for sale! Still a great shock for the money.

The 418 like the 440 is re-buildable, better valving and fills the gap in the Heavy Duty Range that the 440 does not. The 418 is not as smooth as the 440 but pretty close.

I did this eval so those who are trying to decide can have a fair comparison. Though not scientific, I gave my honest assessment as if I was doing it for myself, which in fact I was.

Hope this helps some of you who are looking at this particular brand of shocks. Oh, as to the change in height I percieved? The 418's raised my bike up 1/2". They are stock length but the extra spring cpacity gives it a little more lift (more likely I compress it less than stock or 412's) editied 9/8/08

eddy

Hi Guys, I fitted 440s to my speedy day after i took delivery, the bike has done 19k kilometers (13k miles) been across australia and back (ask staffo)also have progressive front springs,,they have performed brilliantly under all sorts of conditions and are still performing as good as when they were fitted..They cocked up the order and were fitted with springs for a heavier guy..i,m 82 kilos so i had to fit lighter springs (rated 115/155) as they were too hard, since then ..perfect
I ride with them wound to the first line 1 up but have had a guy same weight as me on the back and wound em right up and they were still perfect, took it over some rough road and it didnt bottom out ,i,m very impressed, worth the money, i think so, i have ridden 1000 kilometers (620 miles)on 3 consecutive days and still been able to wander around checking out places at the end of the day with no soreness as all, i,m 58 and have a bad lower back, so yes, I,M IMPRESSED, cheers, Tadpole

That's a pretty impressive summation of the 440's performance Russ and btw, your bike was (is) pretty impressive to look at too .

BTW Russ, can you remember what air gap and weight oil you have in your front end?

From memory, the hagon rep suggested a 166mm air gap and 10 weight oil for my progressive springs which I sorted out 6 months ago and I just want see what your take was on this. For instance we have had a few different opinions on here saying keep the same air gap as stock as well as whether 10 or 15wgt is best. I just wanted to make sure my setup was right

Hi Staffo, Yep 166 mm with tube bottomed out and 10 weight shell advance synthetic oil, worked a treat for me (sent ya an email too) cheers guys, Tadpole

Eddy, when I installed the 412HD's on my 07SM bagger I initially had them on preload setting # 1; that seemed to have excess sag, so I went right to #3 before riding the bike. That setting gave great cornering clearance but was borderline harsh over bumps.

I'm about 170lbs w/o the gear, however my bike is carrying extra weight from various accessories. I tried preload # 2 on the 412HD's today, & wow, what an improvement in the ride quality. The spring rate & damping are in harmony, ground clearance is still great, and the thing now rides plush .

I prefer my shocks to have minimum preload & max clearance, so for me the 412HD's were the right choice. In short, I'm very happy with the 412HD's...

Eddy,I see no comparision's with the 812.Anybody have anything to say other than they are better to ride than stock.I can say Ilike them better than icons witch is what I use.

The 812 are fancy dressed 412's. And they too are better than stock.

Eddy, what are those PS shocks on your site?

Progressive Suspension (PS)

I abbreviated for the sake of space in my headers

Eddy:
I was wondering if the 440s are 12.5 inches (stock size for our bikes). Is that the only size available for the America/Speedmasters?

Also, the ad says weight of 230+ may not be recommended with the 440s. I am around that weight but don't do 2-up that much, nor do i haul much gear that often. What's your take on that?

12.5 is the only size listed for the 440 for our bikes.

Some one more than 230 pounds would have to crank up their preloads. Some one less than 230 pounds would have a stiff ride in a heavy duty shock, but the 440's don't come in a HD shock.

I know someone who is in the same weight range as you and has not had any trouble. It is more when you get into the 460 pound range (50% of the time)that you need a Heavy Duty.

I'll get a point specific answer for you on Monday. A guy wants to get it right when spending a lot on shocks. shock.

Eddy, the increase in height you saw w/ the 418's - that was related to the HD springs? Then, do you reckon that the standard spring will keep a stock height?