Interstate Suspension Questions

[Chicago Mark]

I'm thinking of upgrading the Interstate suspension this winter. Here's why; I'm the right weight for a much taller person at 260+. At nearly 50, I don't see a vertical growth spurt in my future. My wife's not 90 pounds either. The current oem set up is ok for solo riding but I think we can do better when 2 up. We haven't been 2 up with luggage yet. I currently have the rear oem shocks set at 5 on each side.

Seems Progressive Suspension is one of the only sources for fork springs and I was wondering what your thoughts are on them. I installed a set of HyperPro progressive fork springs in one of my Moto Guzzis a couple years ago and thought it some of the best money spent on that bike.

Progressive Suspension also offers several models of shocks for the Interstate; 412, 418, 430, 430HD and 440 in 11.5", 12.0", 12.5" and 13.0" lengths. Where to start???

Thank You,

Mark

[Jack]

Check with Darryl he was working with someone to put together a suspension system for a Valk using size of the riders
http://xf6-custom.com/valkpartspage.html

[NITRO]

I weigh about 200 and have the Progressive 440 HDs on my IS. They are set at their lowest preload and it works fine for me. At that setting it will bottom out on large bumps with both me and the wife riding. Solo, however, it hasn't bottomed yet. I'm not sure of the length of shocks I have, but I know that my IS's rear end sits significantly higher than a friend of mine's IS does that has the OEM shocks. I would guess mine are the 13". The extra height is welcome since I'm 6'3".

I can't give advice about the progressive fork springs. The guy I bought my IS from had some sort of "helpers" installed in the front forks. Works well for me.

[don07tncav]

Tried Progressives on my IS and mamma still wasn't happy even after trying two sets of springs... Put on a set of Works shocks and she's a happy camper two up fully loaded.

Progressive springs in the front forks have worked great though.

[JetDriver]

Tried Progressives on my IS and mamma still wasn't happy even after trying two sets of springs... Put on a set of Works shocks and she's a happy camper two up fully loaded.

I've heard good things about the shocks by Works, but they don't have near the participants as Progressive on the Valk.  Can you describe what you find to be different about them?

[JetDriver]

Progressive Suspension also offers several models of shocks for the Interstate; 412, 418, 430, 430HD and 440 in 11.5", 12.0", 12.5" and 13.0" lengths. Where to start???

Mark~  Do a search to make sure I'm not lying to you, but I think the 12 1/2" comes closest to our OEM shock height.  If you're tall, like Nitro, 13" may serve you better.  It's surprising the difference 1/2" will make.

[don07tncav]

Smoother ride two up loaded down. My wife has back problems and she hasn't been bothered since we got those shocks. So far we haven't bottomed out on them on rough roads either. The Works guys were easy to order from and delivered the shocks when they said I'd get them at a competitive price too.

[cookiedough]

My stock I/S rear shocks must be in pretty good shape compared to others since I have never bottomed out with me 275 and the wifey pushing 200 plus about another 40 lbs. of groceries in all 3 luggage compartments.  I can certainly tell you though that it is sure hard to balance at a stop sign loaded down like that and squats the back end dow a bit with shocks set at 4.  Heard good things mostly about the inexpensive front progressive fork springs installed and considering it next time I need new tires and brakes next go around.  I still get pretty severe vibration over larger bumps in the road thru the handlebars jolting me and probably besides front progressive springs, may need new oil and fork seals in front as well.