Hello all, bought my first street bike about 2 months ago (fore mentioned 2008 XL 1200N) and loving it. As I am getting more comfortable on the street the Wife is learning and this will be hers. Until then, we would like to ride together on nice days.

I read in the manual, in how to adjust shocks area, that passengers and cargo are not recommended on stock 1200N suspension. I scoured the manual for about 2 hours looking then took to google and this forum and all of the searches return total weight of the bike, or "it can carry 440 lbs." I have seen 250lb guys on stock 883's and they said it was fine for them.

The two of us combined weigh about 300-315 lbs. That is also accounting for boots, helmets, etc. If I set the shocks to max pre-load (5 for me), is this overloading stock suspension? I would rather not, but if I need to get progressive springs, what do you guys recommend that is not Harley? There has to be a product that is equal to or better out there for a fraction of the cost. Labor part seems easy enough.

 

Setting to stock shocks to their highest preload position (5) is fine.
No issues.
(When riding solo just consider the ride like a hard tail - you will be fine).

Changing shocks is a big debate with many choices.
Budget appears to be Progressive Suspension Brand Heavy Duty 11.5 inch shocks - @$200
Ohliens brand is well regarded yet pricey.

Stock shock length is 11.0 inches and many go as far as 13.5" length.
Do a search to your hearts content.

 

Thank you. Does anyone know why the manual specifies the 1200N specifically for the "cargo or passengers" need different shocks without saying how much they can handle?

 

If the bike "can handle" 440lbs , that is the capacity of the bike like the GVWR of a car or truck.
The shocks may not ride well at that weight , but it "can do it" if need be.
If your combined weight is 315lbs , you are within the bikes limits.
Crank up the shocks to max and see how it handles.
If it only bottoms ocassionally , you're still OK.
If you went to the Progressive Suspension site , they will show most shocks in standard and heavy duty.
If you were to ride two up the majority of the time , they would recommend the heavy duty for the better weight handling capacity.
Go easy and see how it handles , you might be fine with the stock spring rate at 315lbs and the max adjustment.
Mick

 

I have that same bike, see sig. Wife and I are about 330 combined. We do a lot of local site-seeing and lunch and dinner rides. Granted have not done any trips longer than an hour but the bike has been fine. Once in a while it will bottom out and I do plan on upgrading shocks at some point. But for now we ride.

 

Thanks for responses. I'll do what ya'll have, and adjust shocks and go.

Out of curiosity, what is different about the 1200N and the 883 iron (if I remember correctly) that causes the manual to call out those two specifically that should have upgraded shocks?