I tend to obsess over the small stuff, and I'm having trouble deciding on 12 vs 12.5 progressive 412 shocks.  Has anyone done either and not liked it, or wished they'd gone bigger/smaller? I've seen a picture of a yellow bike with 12.5s that I like the look of (think it's a bike off of this forum, google image "suzuki savage shocks").

As far as I can tell, problems may or may not include:
Kickstand too short
Oil level glass reads off
tank vs reservoir ratio lessening
belt cover adjustments needed.

I don't use the belt guard anyway.  Tanks reservoir size doesn't matter. So of the other two, are these problems I'll only have with 12.5 or with both?

Also, I'm tall so any height increase seems like an advantage to me. Ground clearance added also a benefit as I live a little ways off paved roads. Is the gap between the rear wheel and fender going to cause any kind of air trap I should worry about gas mileage wise?  I remember the gap on the picture I saw looked pretty big.  Any other pros cons I'm missing here?

Thanks
Josh C

Was reading through some posts about this and saw two things,

1
"Babbalou,  my concern is the oil will sit too high at the crank shaft even though it may be reading low at the sight glass.  The long term consequences of a condition like this are catastropic!  If the crankshaft is slapping the oil as it spins it will cause it to foam which will do a number of REALLY BAD THINGS.  First it will dramatically increase the oil pressure inside the crankcase and cause seals to be pushed out and begin to leak.  In addition, foamed oil losses most of its lubricating properties and will cause increased ring/cylinder wall wear and premature bearing failures."

And two
12.5 lift putting the axle bolt behind the muffler

Either of those concerns to be had? Also saw an exmember red2k1 say theyd gone with 12.5 but would go no higher than 12 if they started over, but no reason given. Grrr.

MMRanch wrote on 07/10/12 at 21:06:47:


I'm pretty sure he has stated that those are the Wingerline Highway bars that are so hard to get for our bike... good luck finding a set  

j wrote on 07/10/12 at 20:42:54:


If the axle does line up with the muffler and prevent you from removing the rear wheel without taking off the muffler.....pull the axle out and insert it from the left side - with the nut behind the muffler.