Update - my buddy got his shocks Saturday and installed them. What a difference! He noticed that the shocks have a good progressive feel to them. They ride fine solo, just feel a little firmer on the rougher roads but the back tire seems to stick to the road better, he says. His ride height seems to be about 1/2" higher, but not 100% sure so this is just a guess. He did take his girl for the acid test and it went well. The bike rode well and did not bottom out. He noticed that on one real big dip he was trying to see what would happen and it passed the test. He said they may have just "kissed" the bottom out point but in now way did it feel like it. So - worse case test the shocks passed. Plus the girl is now on a diet....