I could not find a ton of info here, but LOTS of guys outside the RZR community are happy with the Progressive shocks. First, they came professionally packaged and boxed and I have to say the fit/finish was finer than Japanese OEM – very close to high end WP. So far, grade is a SOLID A.
I had a couple of simple question that were not addressed in the manual – which comes in real English…written by English speakers… I figured what the heck, and dialed their California number. Got a receptionist then one of their design techs in all of 30 secs. Super nice guy (Scott Hodgens or something). Questions answered. Now A+.
FWIW, the spring is a progressive spring (not to be confused with Progressive the company). He explained why they went with 225/250 as opposed to a straight rate. They have a single "name brand" spring supplier and have access to virtually any spring combo made. They test them extensively ON the machine application (in this case a 570) and have their own shock/spring dyno (whatever that looks like). After almost 40 years on bikes, I know my way around suspension pretty well – these guys know their stuff and are not some fly by night outfit run out of a garage.
I wish I would have snapped some before and after pics. The shock piston rod is ALMOST twice as thick. The springs look like another species altogether. The entire shock screams quality…pretty much the complete yin/yang of the OEM. A nice choice of metaphors as the OEM clearly hail from China.
Still an A+.
Ok, mounting.
My 570 only has 500 miles on it…and yet my rear has sagged to a miserable 9", if I am being generous. It is really about 8 7/8" measured tot he lower edge of the hitch. The skid plate is a hair lower, but generally, that is my lowest spot…and it gets hung up.
OEM shocks came off easy…no drama. While at it, I took the whole rear sway bar off too (like everything). Note: if you run a rear sway bar, grease the sway bar zircs. Mine were bone dry. I did the rest of the zircs and they varied from full to empty. Nice on a 2015…
Since I was pulling off the sway bar, I needed new lower hardware. Top is fine. I could only get flanged M10x55 in 8.8. They are probably fine, but I will swap them out with really good hardware later. Lesson learned, get your hardware in advance.
Top mount:
Bottom mount (and my wrong 8.8 flange bolt):
Spring closeup:
Fit is perfect. No spacers, shims, washers etc. The heims (upper and lower) are ball bearing. Eye to eye was identical to OEM.
Ok…almost ride time.
Off the floor jack. New hitch height now a bit over 11 1/2". Are you kidding me? Surely that wont last!
One benefit of the worst flood in the past 500 years is we have a few places that have been cut off by all but ATV/UTV while the water is high (technically owned by the evil power company). So I had a couple hours to hammer them good.
Verdict? Absolute winner! I know that I changed two things (sway bar too), but wow…wow…wow! Back end compliance now matches the front compliance 100%. I did not find the lack of either sway bar to be a problem whatsoever. In fact, several times when I got rutted, I was significantly more stable as the wheels work themselves in/out solo. I rarely get about 30 in the woods, so high speed stability is not a concern for me. The ride is absolutely stellar with typical trail chop totally soaked up. Needless to say, I won’t be touching a thing.
Pros:
VERY inexpensive. I got mine from Amazon (model 425-1006) for just $264 shipped. With my LTR fronts, the new rears, and some miscellaneous hardware, I am sitting at $425 on the nose. Very pleased.
Springs have lifetime warranty.
Shocks have 1 year warranty – but I asked some specific questions about this, and I suspect that Progressive will make right on any manufacturing defect.
Final lift was JUST under 2". My settled in height with a full tank, and full gear is 10 3/4". For grins, let’s just call it 2" as I tested the "pre" with about 1 gallon in the tank. FWIW I am on stock tires/wheels and no lift.
GREAT looking red springs look tight on my 570. Sadly my front are red…if you are OC…good luck with that!
Cons:
Well, not much long term feedback. I will follow up at 6 month intervals. Promise.
I don’t get to say I have $2K Fox shocks…manhood and image tarnished a bit!
Price, shipping, packaging: A.
Install: A.
Quality: A (so far).
Ride (A).
FWIW, I have limited time on a 900 with Bandits. I believe the 900 with Bandits feels SLIGHTLY better, but I believe that is due to the chassis design. There is no doubt that a total stranger would find both setups almost identical in comfort, compliance and stability.
