Progressive shocks

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18 Jul 2012 21:49 #536887 by bluej58
Progressive shocks was created by bluej58
One of my thirty year old S&W shocks is leaking so it's time for fresh ones

I am probably going with Progressive 12 series gas shocks with the heavy duty black springs.
Unless you guys talk me out of it.

I think They're around 260 bucks delivered from Z1

Do they last ?
Are they better than oil?
How can you tell if one goes bad, with the oil shocks it's obvious . :whistle:
Is there any other good choices in that price range?
Thanks,

JD

78 KZ1000 A2A

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18 Jul 2012 23:04 #536911 by dejavoodo41
Replied by dejavoodo41 on topic Progressive shocks
I've been running them on my bike for the last couple of years and have no complaints.

1977 KZ1000A With 1980 KZ1000A MKII engine, Wiseco 1105 kit, Dyna S Ignition, 3 Ohm Dyna Coils, Cams, Mikuni RS34 Carbs, Vance and Hines Pro Pipe with Comp Baffle

New Smyrna Beach, FL
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18 Jul 2012 23:29 #536921 by Motor Head
Replied by Motor Head on topic Progressive shocks
I also have the 12 series on my bike. I have both the heavy duty springs and the standard. The heavy are great for touring with bags and gear loaded up. The standards are better for normal load, of course. Once you change them, you will see they are much better than your old shocks. Its to bad they don't have a rebound or dampening adjustment, but then the price would be higher also. You can definitely spend a lot of bucks on shocks and get the best if you desire. The Progressives are good for the money.
If you do a search there are a few threads on the Progressives, including one I started a couple of summers ago.

1982 KZ1000LTD K2 Vance & Hines 4-1 ACCEL COILS Added Vetter fairing & Bags. FOX Racing rear Shocks, Braced Swing-arm, Fork Brace, Progressive Fork Springs RT Gold Emulators, APE Valve Springs, 1166 Big Bore kit, RS34's, GPZ cams.
1980 KZ550LTD C1 Stock SOLD Miss it
1979 MAZDA RX7 in the works, 13B...
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19 Jul 2012 01:08 #536967 by mtbspeedfreak
Replied by mtbspeedfreak on topic Progressive shocks
+1 for Progressives

2000 ZRX 1100
1976 KZ 900- Daily Driver
1980 LTD 550- Dalton Highway survivor!

If it has tits or tires, it'll give you problems!
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19 Jul 2012 03:02 #536995 by bountyhunter
Replied by bountyhunter on topic Progressive shocks

bluej58 wrote: One of my thirty year old S&W shocks is leaking so it's time for fresh ones

I am probably going with Progressive 12 series gas shocks with the heavy duty black springs.
Unless you guys talk me out of it.

I think They're around 260 bucks delivered from Z1

Do they last ?
Are they better than oil?
How can you tell if one goes bad, with the oil shocks it's obvious . :whistle:
Is there any other good choices in that price range?
Thanks,

JD


I put progressive (brand) rear gas shocks on my 750 twin about 5 years back and I love them. They are so much better than stock. I think I got them at Z1 if I remember correctly (?) But the gas shocks are the cat's pajamas.

1979 KZ-750 Twin
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19 Jul 2012 03:47 #537002 by faffi
Replied by faffi on topic Progressive shocks
I put a set of Progressives, heavy duty springs, on an Intruder 1400 I once owned. Although better than stock, they were less compliant than expected, the springs should have been even firmer for two-up riding, and rebound damping was much to soft. Not a bad product, but a pair of adjustable Ikons are significantly better in my experience.

1977 KZ650B1
1980 F1 engine
B1 3-phase alternator
B1 Points ignition
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19 Jul 2012 10:32 #537034 by Motor Head
Replied by Motor Head on topic Progressive shocks

faffi wrote: I put a set of Progressives, heavy duty springs, on an Intruder 1400 I once owned. Although better than stock, they were less compliant than expected, the springs should have been even firmer for two-up riding, and rebound damping was much to soft. Not a bad product, but a pair of adjustable Ikons are significantly better in my experience.


They better be good, the Ikons, for 3X the $$$$!

1982 KZ1000LTD K2 Vance & Hines 4-1 ACCEL COILS Added Vetter fairing & Bags. FOX Racing rear Shocks, Braced Swing-arm, Fork Brace, Progressive Fork Springs RT Gold Emulators, APE Valve Springs, 1166 Big Bore kit, RS34's, GPZ cams.
1980 KZ550LTD C1 Stock SOLD Miss it
1979 MAZDA RX7 in the works, 13B...

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19 Jul 2012 11:44 #537050 by loudhvx
Replied by loudhvx on topic Progressive shocks
I have S&W (Monroe) shocks on one bike, and Progressive Shocks on another. I think I read Progressive bought out S&W, but my memory is hazy on that. The two brands look very similar, so much so I could see both products coming from the same factory.

They also ride very similarly. If you like the S&W, then you will probably like the Progressive. You may even be able to swap the springs over from the S&W to the 12 series Progressive and save some money.
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19 Jul 2012 11:46 #537051 by 650ed
Replied by 650ed on topic Progressive shocks
I had a set of S&W shocks on my KZ650 for years and they worked great; I believe Progressive did buy them out. Ed

1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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19 Jul 2012 15:23 #537080 by bluej58
Replied by bluej58 on topic Progressive shocks
The Set I saw looked very similar to my S&W's only they're gas filled
I normally go for upgraded products but if these perform as well as the S&W's
and are a third the cost it would be prudent in my case to put the money somewhere else.

I'm not racing around any more , mostly riding 2 up with a sissy bar bag full of Mommas stuff.
Somewhere around 350 lbs. fully packed :blush:

Thank you everybody,looks like I'm going with Progressive's.

JD

78 KZ1000 A2A

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