Where or how are you able to determine the spring rates for these various shocks?

OK, thanks.  So with a lighter spring there is obviously easier compression.  With the progressives is the dampening good enough to avoid a pogo effect with a lighter spring?  Lancer, what are the ride qualities of the 418 that you like better.  You said you leave them on their softest setting and that you get lots of movement.  Is it at all pogo like?

Hammy211 wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:02:



I change my shock spring preload setting depending on the ride I am doing.  If it is an easy cruise with the club guys then I go with the soft setting, or if on a fun/hard ride I crank in a firmer setting...usually the 3rd setting (middle)...for better control under stress.   So far, the rebound setting has remained on the middle setting.  I need to learn more about this adjustment before I start playing with it.
This 418 Progressive shock is an excellent piece of work.   THERE IS NO POGO AFFECT WITH THESE SHOCKS WHATSOEVER.
The 418's are soft and firm at the same time, the response is precise and controlled.  When riding you don't even think about the shocks, they work so well you forget about the shocks completely.

When you hit a bump there is no jarring the spine.  You know you hit something but it is all controlled and absorbed.  Like when you ride in a compact car and then jump into a luxury car, you know when you encounter road  hazards but they do not affect you inside the better car.

If you want a QUALITY RIDE in comfort and performance, spend the money.  I got mine on ebay for $125, less than 1000 miles on them, and they retail for about $479.
It took almost 6 months of watching and bidding to get that kind of deal but the time and effort finally paid off for me.

Two weeks out and 300 miles later,and the change from oem to the progressives was worth it. I have hit all the pot holes, bumpy streets, rail road tracks etc that I had been beaten with using the Suzuki shocks and the Progressive are outstanding.
Following the advice of the sages here, I built the 2x8 prop/floor jack, and installed the 412-4200 shocks. And then set them at the third notch (I'm about 240, 5'11") and they are just right. Soft but responsive. And the bike seems to handle better, and the raise of the seat (about 1.5 to 2 inches) was perfect for my height. With the mod I had already made to raise the front of the seat it is very comfortable to ride now. It's not as smooth as a Lincoln or Mercedes, but I am not riding a two wheeled version.
Next addition is the fork brace. I still see the wobble when hitting the pavement snakes. And our local street repair and the state folk really like to slop long lines of tar on cracks in the pavement.
Savage Rob, thanks!

Bill in West Texas

The 4200 raised the rear high enough that the 2x8 was just the right height. (they are the 11.5 inch gromet to gromet ones). After installing the new shocks, if I wanted to prop the bike up again, I also will have to add something (2x4 or 2x6) to one side of the floor stand.
Next task is to add the noise maker so that I remember to turn the turn signals off, and when it gets here install the superbrace and the fork protectors. Tomorow I am planning to see if I can get the inexpensive bags (the ones I got that were too wide that were already marked Savage) to fit with the new shocks and the bag supports. If they come close then I will go find a leather worker/saddle/boot maker to make and attach a sling between the bags.

Then we go for longer rides in the wilds of Central Texas.
Gassed up today, and it was all in town riding at 50.4mpg.
And that has been from 24F mornings to 65F mornings.

Cheers
Bill

The progressive 412 series for the metric bikes are all I can recommend. and they are well worth the $300 price tag.  Depending on your weight and if you intend to ride 1up or 2up will determine which spring rate you need.  The Progressive brand for the metric bikes come with the necessary bushings that will make them a bolt on fit to the savage.

R.F.

I think it's the same shock as used on the VS800