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[Boxman88]

I would like to put Progressive shocks on my CVO Ultra for 2 reasons. One is to get a better ride on some of the bumpy roads around here and the other is to make the bike a little lower. Us short legged people need a little less seat height. I can sit flat footed but would like a little extra to move the bike backwards on a slight incline. I spoke with the customer service people at Progressive and they said the Std CVO already has the 12" shock on the rear and also the front is lowered. When I spoke with the dealer they looked up the part numbers for the shocks on Std and CVO Ultra's and they are the same??? Anyone running 940's on the rear and Monotubes on the front. Would like to know if this will lower the bike like I am looking for before I spend the money.

[Midnight Rider]

You have a 2012 SEUC, according to your info posted below your avatar.  The SEUC's are NOT lowered from the factory on either end.  Standard height 13" rear shocks, and standard full height springs in the front end.  The only (recently produced) CVO bikes that are lowered from the factory are the SESG's and SERG(C's), which are lowered in the rear, but not the front.  All "Ultra" CVO's are not lowered.

One of the ways to get you lower is the 940's and the 1" lower Progressive Monotubes in front.  Another way is to leave the front end at standard height (but replace the front guts with Progressive Monotubes...the stock stuff is total crap), and just lower the rear with the 940's.  Yet another way is to leave the front end at standard height and install Legend Air Suspension on the rear, which allows 3" of adjustment for the rear to get the bike down for parking it, etc.  You can adjust them on the fly for different loads and road conditions as well.  The Legends are the most versitile solution, but also more expensive.  If you are already flat footed, if it was me and I did not go with the Legend solution, I'd put the 940's on and see if that's enough...if so, then I'd replace the front end with the standard height Progressive Monotubes (or, if you want the very best, Traxxion Dynamics AK-20 cartridges).  If not, replace them with the 1" lower Monotubes (Traxxion also can do a 1" lower front cartridge).

Keep in mind that if you lower the bike permanently, you will be reducing ground clearance in curves.  With the Legends, you get the best of both worlds.

Whatever you do, replace the stock HD suspension.  It is total crap.  You just don't know it yet because you have nothing to compare it to.  It will be some of the best money you will ever spend on the bike.  100% guaranteed.

[Banana man]

Excellent reply Terry. Your information is spot on.

[GregKhougaz]

I also agree with Terry.  A lower suspension will not make the ride more comfortable, esp. not for your BSR.  You might want to consider a different seat.  Sorry to spend your money but you can see the HD seat is very cushy and a lower profile seat which would give you a lower seat height.  A narrower seat lets you not spread your legs as far and will also help.  There are many after market seat brands if you search here.  You can also have yours reupholstered...   There are lots of options.  Good luck! 

[Eagle Eye]

You have a 2012 SEUC, according to your info posted below your avatar.  The SEUC's are NOT lowered from the factory on either end.  Standard height 13" rear shocks, and standard full height springs in the front end.  The only (recently produced) CVO bikes that are lowered from the factory are the SESG's and SERG(C's), which are lowered in the rear, but not the front.  All "Ultra" CVO's are not lowered.

One of the ways to get you lower is the 940's and the 1" lower Progressive Monotubes in front.  Another way is to leave the front end at standard height (but replace the front guts with Progressive Monotubes...the stock stuff is total crap), and just lower the rear with the 940's.  Yet another way is to leave the front end at standard height and install Legend Air Suspension on the rear, which allows 3" of adjustment for the rear to get the bike down for parking it, etc.  You can adjust them on the fly for different loads and road conditions as well.  The Legends are the most versitile solution, but also more expensive.  If you are already flat footed, if it was me and I did not go with the Legend solution, I'd put the 940's on and see if that's enough...if so, then I'd replace the front end with the standard height Progressive Monotubes (or, if you want the very best, Traxxion Dynamics AK-20 cartridges).  If not, replace them with the 1" lower Monotubes (Traxxion also can do a 1" lower front cartridge).

Keep in mind that if you lower the bike permanently, you will be reducing ground clearance in curves.  With the Legends, you get the best of both worlds.

Whatever you do, replace the stock HD suspension.  It is total crap.  You just don't know it yet because you have nothing to compare it to.  It will be some of the best money you will ever spend on the bike.  100% guaranteed.

TC - Great information.  Thanks.  I think my stock suspension sucks.  At 5'11" I have no trouble reaching the ground, but in the twisties this thing is crap riding two up.  I need to fix that quick.

[Midnight Rider]

TC - Great information.  Thanks.  I think my stock suspension sucks.  At 5'11" I have no trouble reaching the ground, but in the twisties this thing is crap riding two up.  I need to fix that quick.

Eagleye...truely, suspension upgrades on a HD bagger is about the best money you can spend.  The difference is literally night and day, and it takes the whole riding experience to another level.  Your BSR will love you for it.

I do attempt to be objective about this stuff, even though I do have my own preferences.  But I'll spend my money on suspension before I'll spend it on motor performance upgrades, other than pipes and a tuner.  The rear shock options for the bike are one of the more difficult decisions, depending on a number of factors.  If a person rides one up most of the time, and only loads the bike up on rare occasions, it makes the options easier to choose.  A regular, good shock, like the Progressive 940, Works, Susp. Tech, Ohlins, Bitubo, etc will give you a great ride.  The only downside to a regular shock is that when you change the load, you have to set the shocks up for the load, which means taking the bags off and adjusting preload, and rebound/compression damping settings, if available on the shock.  That means you'll have about 3 settings...one for solo, another for two up, and another for two up and loaded (solo and loaded is about the same setting as two up).  The reason I throw the Legends out there is simply because it kills a bunch of birds with one rock...the ability to lower the bike significantly when needed, and the ability to infinitely adjust for loads and riding conditions while on the fly, with a push of a button on the handlebars.  It's not an inexpensive option though, but for me, it's worth it.  Same with the front end...IMO, the Traxxion Dynamic AK-20's are the best out there for a HD, but again, they are pricey.  On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being the stock front end, the Traxxion is a 10, the Progressive Monotubes are a 7-8, the new HD cartridges are a 5-6 (from what I've heard).  All great options...it's just a matter of money and if you want it perfect, or close to perfect.  And priorities, of course.  There's only one problem with upgrading the suspension on a HD...you can never go back, so every bike you own in the future will have to be upgraded too...
But, there's one thing you can be 100% confident in...ANYTHING is an improvement over stock.  HD should be shot for putting what I consider to be the worst suspension on a factory produced motorcycle.

[darth davidson]

Is it progressive suspension better or about the same as traxxion ?

[Midnight Rider]

Is it progressive suspension better or about the same as traxxion ?

No...Traxxion is the best, but it cost more.

[CVOThunder]

Oh I see now...Midnight gets a commission from Traxxion! Lol j/k It does sound good and I appreciate reading your perspective on upgrades. I do like the idea of air shocks but ones that actually work. Guess I should add the Legends to my search list. Brother, you really are lethal on my pocket book. 

[Boxman88]

Midnight Rider, I was reading the installation instructions and they were saying that some SE/CVO models are lower that STD. Are they talking about the street glide. I had the dealer order the 1" lower kit yesterday and want to be able to tell them which to install. Also got the 940's for the rear. Want the bike to have a even lowering. Is this correct. Thanks for the help.

[darth davidson]

No...Traxxion is the best, but it cost more.

Yeap, about 2Gs front and rear. Plus you have to ride to atlanta. Nobody down here in Florida wants to do it and I am not taking the fork down myself.

[JR]

I have a 12 SEUC and I went with the 940's in the rear and the standard monotubes in the front. I talked with Progressive and asked if I need the lowered monotubes with the 940's and he said if I wasn't challenged with the height before, I would be fine with the standard height and leave the preload spacers out on the front and I would be happy with the ride. I did and I am very happy!

 

[Supershooter]

I have mono tubes and 940's on my 2010 SEUC. I'm happy with the results, the mono tubes are great on the front. I am also challenged to stand flat footed, so I purchased a reach seat. After riding with the reach seat, I prefer the stock seat and would be willing to sell my reach seat, if anyone's interested.
Supershooter

[Midnight Rider]

Midnight Rider, I was reading the installation instructions and they were saying that some SE/CVO models are lower that STD. Are they talking about the street glide. I had the dealer order the 1" lower kit yesterday and want to be able to tell them which to install. Also got the 940's for the rear. Want the bike to have a even lowering. Is this correct. Thanks for the help.

From '06 and later, the only CVO Batwing/Sharknose bikes that are lowered from the factory are the non Ultra versions...SESG, SERG(C) (the '07-'08 SERK was lowered on both ends, if I'm not mistaken)...and they are only lowered in the rear by 1".  The front of all current CVO's are standard height.  If you don't need the bike lowered in front for footing, I'd put the standard height cartridges in, whichever brand.  If you do put the lower Montotubes in, do not go lower than 1"...you give up too much travel.

[Midnight Rider]

Oh I see now...Midnight gets a commission from Traxxion! Lol j/k It does sound good and I appreciate reading your perspective on upgrades. I do like the idea of air shocks but ones that actually work. Guess I should add the Legends to my search list. Brother, you really are lethal on my pocket book. 

I wish!     Don (Twolane) and I were the first two from this site to get the Traxxion front end.  He got his done one day, and I rode over and got mine done the next, then we both rode back to B'ham through some backroads to test them out, and Don spent a night here before heading back to Missouri.  So, working with Max, Mike, and Dan, we put together the CVO "discount", which basically covers the installation/labor pulling the forks.  Those first few bikes took them about 6 hours to do, as they were getting the process down pat.  They take exceptional care of your bike while installing, and their techs are actually excellent mechanics who know WTF they are doing.  They give you a tour of their CNC machine shops, where all components are made in house.  100% made in the USA.  They had come out with a Gold Wing suspension package (forks, rear shock, and a brace...yes, Gold Wings have issues as well)...people who ride Wings have known about Traxxion for years and come from all over the country to get the work done.  It's not a huge operation, but it is one of a kind.  They still do race bikes too.

They can now get you and your bike in and out of the shop in under 4 hours...they've got it down pat.  The last time I was over to get the '11 SERGU done, they let me borrow their tricked out 'Wing to ride to lunch and mess around on while working on mine.  About 100 miles or so North of their shop is great North Georgia riding, so making a stop there on the way up for some nice mountain riding just burns 1/2 a day.

The Traxxion and the Legends will run about $2500 + if you install the Legends yourself, which is relatively easy to do.  For me, it's worth every penny, but I'd rather spend my money on that than Cams and such.  If you belong to this site, it's going to cost you $$