I have an 08 SEUC. The stock shocks were too long for my short legs. I installed the shock shackles that move the connection point back, thus lowering the bike. This lowered the bike to an acceptable height, but when riding two-up and pulling my trailer, I had to put the max amount of air in the shocks to keep the rear fender from touching the tire on hard bumps.... and still happen sometimes.
Then I installed the Arnott Air Ride Shocks. Now, that's $800 I wish I had back. The adjustability is nice when going from one-up to two-up and when pulling the trailer, but no matter how much air, it rides like an iron-wheeled wagon. With two-up and the trailer, it is almost tolerable, but still not good.
So here is my question: What will the 940's do to the height of my bike and will I be scraping the fender with a load?
Most likely the lowering kit (brackets) you installed were designed for more than a one inch drop in ride height, thus the fender contact. If you stick with the one inch lower shocks, and use stock tires, there should be no rubbing of the fender. The bikes are designed to use the one inch lower accessory shocks without contact.
My understanding of the 940 series shocks is that they are full 13" shocks, just like the stock shocks on your bike, but they offer reduced seat height through a little slight-of-hand. A typical 13" shock will have approximately 3" of actual travel, and in fact the 940 specs show the same travel as a 13" 440 shock. But the 940 has a shorter main spring and is designed to be run with more sag which will result in the claimed seat height reduction. But with 2" of the total 3" travel used up just supporting the bike and rider at rest, there isn't as much compression travel left to deal with those big bumps. It's a tradeoff that might be acceptable to some, but it can't be the ultimate in ride quality with that little amount of compression travel available.
If planting feet on the ground is the main objective, I suggest first looking at alternative seats with a thinner and narrower rider section and boots with thicker soles. If you still need to lower the bike itself, I'd talk to the folks at places like Works Performance about their recommendations for something like a set of 12" custom shocks to suit your actual riding conditions. Since you also tow a trailer as well as ride two-up, you have some unique requirements that an off-the-shelf, one size fits all shock may not meet. Places like Works custom build the shocks to your requirements, and from what I've seen their prices aren't any worse than Progressive's. Just a thought.
Jerry
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Topic: Progressive 940's (Read 5041 times)