Dial in your Can-Am Spyder with our 435 Series and 465 Series Shocks
Eric a good customer and long time fan of ours recently purchased a 2008 Can-Am Spyder RS. Factory OE Shocks leave the Spyder with much to be desired. Eric reached out to us about getting his ride better sorted with a full suspension upgrade. We recommended he go with 435 Series Shocks for the front and a 465 Series Shock for the rear. The 435 Series front shocks are a completely new design and are sprung and valved to address the challenges of the Can-Am double A-arm front suspension, resulting in improved stability and steering response. The 465 Series rear shock help smooth out the ride of these unique machines. A noticeable difference is evident on short and long rides alike.
Check out some of Eric’s before and after install photos.
- Before and After 435 Series Shocks
Before and After 465 Series Shock
Before 435 Series Shocks
After 435 Series Shocks
After 465 Series Shock
A great ride is not the only thing you will gain. Our shocks also add custom flare to the look without being a “big show boat”. It’s a good feeling knowing the parts you replace function as good as they look or vice versa. You can find more information on our shocks and the Can-Am at www.progressivesuspension.com or by giving one of our Product Specialists a ring toll-free at 1.877.690.7411.
Read MoreProgressive Suspension 970 Series Piggyback Shocks for H-D Touring Models
High performance suspension for big heavy touring bikes can make the world of difference on long rides and even on short putts to the corner store. And if you ride two up often or sometimes load down your ride with a touring pack etc. you might need to adjust your dampening to reflect those changes. With this being an often predicament for bikers with harder to access shocks, we figured we would offer a high performance remote reservoir system with adjustable dampening on the fly. The remote reservoirs mount in front of the bags to allow easy access for adjustability as seen in the pictures below.
The 970 Series Piggyback Shocks are available in 12”, 13” and standard or heavy duty spring rates to suite your desired ride height and weight. Available in a beautiful Bronze Ano finish. The fitment is for the 1993-2013 H-D Touring Models aka Baggers. Learn more on our website or locate your local Progressive Suspension dealer for more info.
Read More
April Bike of the Month Winner!
Thank you to all the enthusiastic fans who voted for their favorite motorcycle in the PS April Bike of the Month contest. No doubt, this month’s top 3 bikes were all really great but only one can win. The top honor this month goes to –Dave J. and his 1978 Suzuki GS550 featuring PS 412 Series Shocks and Fork Springs, earning him the most votes.
Congratulations Keith – your motorcycle is definitely an awesome bike! You will be getting a cool Progressive Suspension swag bag, plus your motorcycle will be featured here on the blog as well as on the PS facebook page. You also qualify for the PS Bike of the Year contest!
Dave J.’s 1978 Suzuki GS550
If you think your bike is worthy of winning the Progressive Suspension BOTM contest, look for a blog post later this month to submit your motorcycle for May’s contest. And, just because you didn’t win this month doesn’t mean you can’t resubmit your entry! Check out the contest details to learn more.
Read MoreVote for Aprils Bike of the Month
Before we announce the three finalists and ask everyone to vote in our April 2013 Bike of the Month contest, we would like to take a moment to thank everyone who submitted an entry. We truly appreciate everyone’s enthusiasm for the Progressive Suspension brand, and we thank the dozens of riders who chose to share their photos and stories.
We had a blast checking out all the customized bikes and reading the history behind each one, but as with contests, only a select few can make it into the final round. Without any further ado, here are the three finalists for April’s Bike of the Month:
1. Dave J.’s 1978 Suzuki GS550
Dave’s 1978 Suzuki GS550 features the following PS products:
- 412 Series Shocks
- Progressive Rate Springs
And here’s Dave’s statement about his bike:
” Enclosed you’ll find two pictures of my 1978 Suzuki GS550 – I hereby certify that I took these pictures and that they are my property, and that the bike is registered in my name and is my property. I also certify that this bike is running and in current daily use.
It’s a 1978 GS550 with Progressive Springs in the front end along with an ATK forkbrace, as well as a set of Progressive Shocks and hi-rate springs on the rear. I’ve got a set of hand-made TIG-welded rearsets on it, a nice set of new sticky Metzlers, a superbike bar, nice articulated bar-end mirrors and my choice of a short or tall plexi-fairing. In the summer, it lives on the backroads of the Okanagan Valley in southeastern British Columbia, and is a scratcher of the finest order. The pegs and handlebar make for nice weight distribution over the front end of the bike, and on the twisty roads below my house I just leave it in third gear and roll on and off the throttle – it’s nice to feel those tires work.
Other than an electronic ignition, the engine is stock and it’ll just touch The Ton – after fourty years of riding, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s nicer to ride a slow bike fast, than it is to ride a fast bike slow. And with the extra control provided by the suspenders on front and back ends, this bike’s a keeper – I’ll let my grandkids fight over who gets it after I’m gone.”
Cheers,
Dave J.
2. Johnny J.’s 1984 VT500FT Ascot
Johnny J’s 1984 Honda VT500FT Ascot features the following PS products:
- Vintage 412 Series Shocks
- Progressive Rate Fork Springs
Here’s Mike’s statement about his bike:
“My bike is a 1984 Honda VT500FT Ascot with your shocks and I love it! Thanks!”
- progressive suspension rear shocks
- d&d exhaust
- K&N air intake system
- Renthal handlebars
- joker machine starter/kill switch
- Baja designs lighting controls
- Cb750 headlight
- joker machine bar End mirrors
- cr250 footpegs
- joker machine brake Clovis, brake arm
- hammerhead shifter
- powdercoated stock wheels 18×3.5
- Avon tyres
- Accel coil and plug wires
- saddle man seat
- Rear cowling by Twin line custom cycles
- paint by Gauvry customs
Johnny J
3. Nathan J.’s 2011 HD XL1200 Nightster
Nathan J’s 2011 HD XL1200 Nightster features the following PS products:
- 412 Series Shocks
- Progressive Rate Fork Springs
Here’s Mike’s statement about his bike:
“My 2011 Harley Davidson Sportster Nightster 1200.
After less than 10,000kms of riding the OE suspension was buggered. After doing a great deal of research I opted for the upgrade of Progressive Suspension over the OE Suspension that I could have got under the Manufacturers Warranty.
The upgrade allowed me to lower my bike 1″ and improve the overall stance. My choice of suspension was the Black 412 series rear shocks and the Progressive Suspension Fork Springs.
After close to 16,000kms of riding on the Progressive products I’m very impressed by their performance and longevity.”
Nathan J.
We now leave the hard part up to you, our fans. Please use the poll below to caste your vote for the bike you feel deserves to win April’s Progressive Suspension Bike of the Month designation and a swaggy gift bag. Voting is open until 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, April 26, 2013.
Choose a Bike of the Month by voting below.
Read MoreSend in your pictures: April’s PS Bike of the Month
We’re now accepting nominations for April’s PS Bike of the Month
If your bike is tricked out with PS products (think PS 970 Series Shocks, Monotube Fork Cartridge Kit and more) and you’d like to see how fellow motorcycle enthusiasts rank your build compared to your peers’, then enter your bike in our April Bike of the Month contest, where you could win a special swag bag of goodies and be considered for PS Bike of the Year honors.
All you have to do to enter your bike in the April contest is submit one or two photos of your ride to contest [at] ProgressiveSuspension [dot] com. The experts here at Progressive Suspension will review all submissions and choose the top three bikes based on the following criteria:
- The loud and proud use of Progressive Suspension products!
The top three picks (in no particular order) will then be posted here on MotorcycleSuspensionBlog.com where all Progressive Suspension fans will have a chance to vote for April’s Bike of the Month. The winner (i.e., the person whose bike receives the most votes in an online poll) will have his or her bike featured here on the blog and will receive a $100 gift certificate towards Progressive Suspension product. As with all contests, some rules and conditions do apply. In order for your bike to be considered in the running for April 2013’s PS Bike of the Month honors:
- Your bike must have Progressive Suspension products.
- You must submit at least one (1) original photo — but no more than two (2) original photos — of your bike via email to contest [at] ProgressiveSuspension [dot] com.
- By submitting your photo(s), you must agree that the photo(s) do not infringe upon or violate the copyright, trademark, publicity, privacy, or other rights of any third party, and that you grant permission to Progressive Suspension, llc. to use your photos here on MotorcycleSuspensionBlog.com, ProgressiveSuspension.com, and other Progressive Suspension, Inc. controlled sales and marketing mediums at its choosing in perpetuity.
- All entries for April’s contest must be received by 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, April 19, 2013.
- All entries must include a 150-300 word written description related to the installation of PS products on the bike in question.
- One (1) entry is allowed per person.
Submit your photos and write-up today for the April Bike of the Month Contest. Entries must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 19th. Then, be sure to check back next Monday, April 22, to see if your bike made it into the top three, and cast your vote for who should receive April’s top honor!
Photo Examples:
Announcing Progressive Suspension’s Bike of the Month Contest
If you’re particularly proud of your Progressive Suspension-equipped bike, or if you just want to see how fellow riders would rank your bike, then this announcement is for you! Each month from April through the end of the year, we’ll be running a PS Bike of the Month contest where you — the readers of our blog — help select each month’s winner. At the end of the year, each Bike of the Month winner will be automatically entered in for the title “PS Bike of the Year”!
What’s at stake? Monthly winners receive a “SWAG BAG” full of goodies, while the talented builder whose bike is named Progressive Suspension Bike of the Year will receive a “Custom One Off” hand made gift. More details soon…
To enter your PS-equipped bike into any of our 2013 Bike of the Month contests, keep your eyes pealed to this blog, which will be the only place you’ll be able to find detailed info on how to submit photos of your bike for consideration. And, be sure to check back next Monday, April 1st, when we’ll share how to submit photos of your bike for April’s Bike of the Month Contest.
Read MoreHeadcase Customs Cafe Sportster
Casey “Headcase” Johnson from Headcase Kustoms has been in the paint game for a while and always does some amazing things. Known primarily for his artistic paint skills, he’s collaborated with experienced builders and has also built some pretty awesome bikes as well (BSA Chopper via StreetChopperMag).
This time he had an opportunity to customize a Sportster and was excited to get his hands on a “newer” (1993) Harley. He started by shortening and shrinking the tank, hand fabricated a great tail section, clip ons and many other detailed parts along the way. When it came time to dial in the suspension he reached out to us for some Shocks and Fork Springs. We suggested our Lowering Fork Spring Kit and to run our 412 Series shocks. We also suggested him to remove the outer spring caps to give it more of a “Vintage” look and feel. Casey then hooked up with the guys over at Speed Merchant for some 39mm Fork Pre-Load Adjusters and now has dialed in the front and rear suspension for his Cafe build.
Casey plans on unveiling the bike in time to ride it to the El Diablo Run in May. We’ve included a gallery of photos of the bike and it’s current state. We are really excited to be apart of the build and can’t wait to see the final product. Stay tuned for more as it evolves.
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