Here it is:

Since we all want to make our bikes "ours", we personalize them in many ways, and other ways, we put improved products on like everyone else, but stop shy of truly tailoring them to our exact needs. Suspension is probably the place this happens most. The most popular standard spring rate for a factory installed straight rate spring is .7KG-MM. That is a good spring for a rider who is about 175 pounds or so. We big 'ol corn fed country boys need springs that are .9-1.0 KG-MM in out forks for a good front end feel on the Road Star.

Now, I have nothing personally against Progressive Suspension, and have bought rear shocks from them for several bikes, and have been pleased with the results.

For my own preference however, the progressive rate springs do not give me the consistency in front end feel that I like, which I first observed in a Used EX500 I had bought with progressive springs in it, and switched to Race Tech straight rate springs. I did not install emulators in this bike, but the springs alone where a big leap forward toward what I felt the front should do.
Not long after buying my 2002 Suzuki SV650, I decided to re-suspend, as I'm much bigger than the "universal rider" it's budget suspension was set up for. I installed a Showa racing rear shock off a GSX-R750 on the back, with a Race Tech straight rate spring, and serviced it with 7.5 WT (vs original 5 wt) oil, and 120 PSI of nitrogen Set the static sag, and called that end good. In the forks, I installed Race Tech springs, and gold valve cartridge emulators, which give you the ability to tune your damping rate via a calibrated orifice and tuneable spring. In order for them to function correctly, you must drill out the damping rod orifices at the bottom of the damping rod, that are the original metering. Instructions are in the kit. The damping rate on the valve is controlled by a straight rate spring on what is essentially a pop-off valve. Very small bumps are absorbed by the springs, and the air that is present over the oil in the top of the tube. Once the air is compressed to the point of exceedng the cracking pressure of the valve, the valve opens a metered amount and allows fluid damping through it's orifices. If you want less diving under braking, just raise the oil level a tad and force the damping to begin earlier that way. It is a balancing act, but most find that even the base settings are MILES ahead of stockers, and a great improvement over springs alone.

http://www.racetech.com/HTML_FILES/EMULATORGV.HTML

OK with this fancy setup in the front, what would be your reccomendation for the rear. Suspension mods would be a good winter project.

progressive #465 shock.

I hear lots of good things about the Progressive 465. Haven't ridden one yet. I'm looking hard at the Gold Wing shock swap, with only one concern. From the images I see, it is still a sealed pressurized damper unit, which means when it goes, you are back to finding a total replacement instead of doing a re-pack/service. There is probably not enough room under there for a serviceable unit to fit, as the schrader valve usually takes up space at the head, which it seems there is little room for. Quick answer today is the 465, it is sorted, available, and from a very reputable company. I ride very forward biased. Racer types say I ride the front. It's in the way you go at a corner, and the amount of trail braking you do. Most cruiser riders do not ride the front, and they are not as affected by things like braking dive and mid-corner line holding. They tend to brake real early, and just roll through, rather than attack the corner. Given that style of riding, I'm really keen to the front end. Does not mean I don't notice the back, but it has less to do with my warm fuzzy feeling.

I recently did the Racetech spring/emulator conversion and although it's hard, it's always under control.

For the back I installed a 930 progressive spring on to the stock unit.

Were you able to check the damper and make sure it was working well when the spring was out?
I hate sealed dampers, but they are much less expensive to manufacture, so I get it, but I'd rather have a unit that can be serviced if possible.

the 465 is rebuildable

That's a big part of why I like it! That may be what clears me off of the Gold Wing shock, unless I can figure out how to get a rebuildable damper in there. Don't think it will happen, but I'm still digging that remote preload andjustment with the little compressor!

recently did the Racetech spring/emulator conversion and although it's hard, it's always under control.

For the back I installed a 930 progressive spring on to the stock unit.

Did you use emulator for 2004-up?
I can`t find 1999-2003. I have 2002

I believe that the one listed for 2004 and up is the same one used on the Venture, which is what people were using before. If you want the front softened just a little, pull about 10CC of oil out of each fork. It will very slightly increase the compression dive under braking, but will make it more supple on small bumps.