Air shocks verses progressive?

[shesseltine86]

I picked up a 86 voyager and a parts bike that was complete. The bike I am going to ride has progressive shocks on it and the parts bike has the original air ride shocks that are in great shape. What set gives a smoother ride?

[iowawill]

Just replaced my oe air shocks with progressives....the ride is improved slightly for me. My air shocks still worked but would leak down some when not ridden for a while. Glad not to have that hassle any more. Bill

[shesseltine86]

Just replaced my oe air shocks with progressives....the ride is improved slightly for me. My air shocks still worked but would leak down some when not ridden for a while. Glad not to have that hassle any more. Bill

Thanks Bill, I think I will keep the air shocks as a back up and do you change the settings on the shocks when you add a passenger?

[Mr Jensee]

Progressives are a much improved suspension upgrade over the original air shocks. I would never go back to them.

[landygrundy86]

I see a lot of talk about switching over to progressives, is this generally meaning running the spring'd shock like the 412 series, or their air shock?

[SgtSlag]

Most of us went with the 412 Series springs (no air). No more hassles with low air pressure, hand pumps, low pressure gauges, etc. With the spring shocks, you just set it, and forget it, until the load changes. Cheers!

[shesseltine86]

Thanks guys, i'll stay with the progressives

[ghostler]

One of the previous owners replaced OEM with custom air shocks in the rear. Seems to work fine so I haven't changed that. OEM front springs were sagging even when air level was set to factory recommended, Progressives made a huge difference, restored height, ride is now extremely smooth on rough rural paved New Mexico roads, made a huge difference in comfort. Plus, I like not having to check air level.

[Mr Jensee]

Progressives will give you a slightly stiffer ride but the handling all around will improve dramatically. My Voyager tracks and rides like a lighter motorcycle with them. It now handles quick and responsive over the original shocks they replaced. If you go Progressive I don't think you will ever go back.

[paulezy]

Does anyone have a picture with their bike upgraded to the progressive shocks?

[ghostler]

Actually there is nothing really to show. The front fork progressives is a new spring set. One reuses their existing shock. Requires disassembling fork shock, replacing spring. A spacer above spring is not used as the progressive spring is longer than stock spring. When I did mine, I also replaced the shock seals.