I am new to these forums and just bought my first Harley 2 days ago. It is a 2006 Sportster 883 with a 1200 conversion kit. The springs/suspension is stock. Everything is in excellent condition. I weigh about 190 and my wife probably 220-250. I was wondering if there is a max recommended weight for such a bike?

 

I would worry more about your wife seeing where you had advertised her wieght on the internet.

 

Gross vehicle weight rating for female passengers should not exceed 140.

 

In my owners manual for my 2012 sportster it says that the maximum weight on any version (883 or 1200) is 435lbs for rider+passenger+cargo. In your case: 190 + 220 to 250 is 410-440lbs. You're definitely going to be pushing the sportster to its limits. You also may want to make sure that your stock suspension is set to the highest preload. That or buy some Progressive Heavy Duty shocks. Or chop the rear fender so you can only ride solo and buy a bigger bike when she wants to ride with you.

 

Or you can do the popular air shock redo...

 

If your wife sees this post, you'll be riding solo, anyway.

John

 

John and Rickss....I just got ahead of myself. I just bought my first Harley so I kind of spoke without thinking because I'm like a kid in a candy store now. I just spent $365 on her at the Harley store so hopefully that will help.

 

You bought the wrong bike if you want to ride with your wife. If you want to dump her for a smaller model then that's another story.

 

Lmao!!!

 

I own a nightster and I weigh just over 180, and the old lady weighs 115, (if that) and when we ride, I can feel the springs maxing out over some bumps. but idk how the spring rates and heights vary between a nightster and other sportster models.