412 Cruise Series 12.5" Shocks / '86-'22 Sportster XL

The Progressive 412 Cruise Series is a 12.5 inch shock that lowers the stance of a Sportster without giving up the ride.

Lowering a bike normally costs you travel, and travel is what keeps the back wheel on the road over a bad surface. The 412 Cruise Series is Progressive's answer to that trade. It pairs a flat wire spring with a progressive main spring so the shock settles under the weight of the bike and sits like an 11.5 inch unit, while still using its full 12.5 inch stroke when the road asks for it.

How the 412 Cruise Series Works

The flat wire spring is the part doing the clever work. It compresses into a shorter stack than a conventional round wire spring of the same rate, which is what buys the lowered ride height. The progressive main spring then handles the range: soft over small stuff, firmer as the stroke deepens, so a sharp edge does not come straight through to the rider. A gas charged damper keeps the oil from foaming when the shock is working hard, and a five position preload adjuster lets you set it for your weight or for carrying a passenger.

412 Cruise Series Specifications

• 12.5 inch shock that sits like an 11.5 inch unit under the weight of the bike
• Flat wire spring combined with a progressive main spring
• Uses the full stroke as terrain demands it
• Five position preload adjuster
• Gas charged damper
• Available in chrome or black

Sold in pairs. One order covers both sides of the motorcycle.

412 Cruise Series Fitment

• Fits '86-'22 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL
• Does not fit the RH Sportster

That covers the Evolution Sportster range through its final years, including the XL883 and XL1200 families. The RH models, the 2021 and later Sportster S and Nightster, use a different rear end and are excluded.

Works With

Lowering the rear changes how the front end feels, and a soft stock fork is what shows it up first. The Progressive Heavy Duty Fork Spring Kit for 39mm forks is the matching front end upgrade, covering '88-'19 Sportsters.

⚠️ VERIFY that your Sportster is not an RH model before ordering, and check your current shock length if the bike has already been lowered.