I just purchased a 2002 wide glide which I know the rear was lowered and I also think the front was also. The rear shocks are EMS sports ( which I can find no info on ) They appear to be 11.5 inches. with my wife on the back we bottom out and cant ride at all (we weigh together about 310 LBS) What should I buy as replacement shocks and what length would be good for 2-up riding.

 

stock wideglide shocks off ebay would work

 

I run a set of EMS shocks as well (http://www.tedtine.com/homepage.html) and I love them. Have you tried to adjust them? You should be able to adjust the ride height, compression and rebound.

 

no I have not tried. I can see the ride height is adjustable at the top mounting bolt. How high do you think they will go. How much thread do I need to leave. I think stock is 13"

 

If you're at 11.5 now I think you can get another .75 out of it. I have never opened mine all the way but I believe they will stop when maxed out.

 

You can get big bucks for lowering shocks on ebay and then turn around and buy stock shocks for cheap at the same place.

 

Stock FXDX shocks are real nice for two-up too and can be found on ebay.

 

The stock sport shocks on my FXDXT are a better grade than most Dyna models and are OK, so I haven't changed them. But I have recently fitted Fournales air shocks to my Glide, which are great. They use high air pressures and theoretically cannot bottom out, as the spring pressure increases with load and deflection.

There are several after market options, which are superior to stock shocks. I strongly recommend you do not buy stock! They are not good enough for extended two-up work. Other brands that get good reports here in the UK are Progressive Suspension Inc and Hagon. With short rear shocks you are running with an inch less travel than some other Dynas, so to get a good quality ride you need good quality shocks!

You owe it to your wife to have an enjoyable ride, so don't be shy in buying really good shocks. You can further improve your ride by fitting progressive-rate springs to your front forks, along with Race Tech emulators. These will improve spring quality and damping and further transform your bike.

If you want to take a short-cut, just go to Progressive for both front and rear! Get advice from one of their dealers, or the company themselves.

 

12" Progressive 412 heavy duty shocks should work out for you if you are looking for after market. I've been riding 2 up with mine for a couple of hundred miles and haven't bottomed out at all. $210 from easternperformance

Stock shocks from ebay should be good too - never had problems with them either.