I have a 2012 Road King and when I bought it new I had the chrome front end put on the forks plus Progressive Springs and Gold Valve Emulators, made the handling a lot firmer, but never been happy with the Air shocks so I ditched them a week back and put the Progressive 444 Heavy Duty shocks in and a much better ride and tighter cornering and handling. Best money spent.
I picked up the bike today, it was drizzling with light showers so I wasn't riding hard and I only rode about 45 kms back from the shop (15 km town/ 30 km highway). The small jittery bumps are pretty much gone where as before I could feel every little ridge and small bump in the tar. On bigger bumps it's pretty firm but it's not as harsh as the stock shockers were. The front with the new springs and new fork oil feels like it's improved more than the back and the bike seems to sit on the road better than it did. A couple of times I did feel a bit of an odd feeling, sort of dip and then firming up in the suspension (I guess that could be the dual rate rather than soft stock single rate springs) but that's lots better than bottoming out. It's still early days but there's no doubt that the bike is better than it was at normal err lets call it 'touring speeds' but it remains to be seen how they stack up when I'm pushing a bit harder.
*edit* added a pic.
I too have a 2012 Roadking as well I put progressive mono tubes in front & progressive 444 in rear ,from memory they come in different weight spring settings. When I ordered my 444`s, not sure if I got the softer ones as ordered cause they are rock hard on the softest setting a little too hard for the kidney`s, but still much better all round.. spose I need to Harden up
I have to say I still done a two up ride with the Progressive 444's but have done a few rides on my own still at the factory settings and still the handling is far better that with the air shocks, yes a little firm as they are Heavy Duty and set for two up but I havent bothered reducing until I do a ride with the wife. I have a longer ride to Tamworth later this month solo with luggage so it will be a great test, plus a ride to Townsville later in June solo again.
I have found the rear premium shocks on the new streety a bit harsh. Have found this solo and two up. I still had my air shocks from my Roady so did some homework on the yank sites. Drained the light oil in them and refilled with heavier oil. Have fitted them now and have found they work a treat. Only run about 5-8 psi solo and about 18-20 psi two up and loaded. Very plush ride now and seem to still handle very well. Rode Chinas Road Glide a while back and was amazed how well the HD premium fork upgrade worked.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1upvM7udd8
Found this on the net,,, Seems a good way to remove and replace oil in shocks for those thinking about this procedure ....
