Heavy Duty Shocks??
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Iowa City
Heavy Duty Shocks??
I just bought a 2008 Superglide. Love the bike!!! The only problem is that I am a BIG guy (300lb+) and my girlfriend weighs about 200lbs. When we are riding 2-up it feels like it is bottoming out over bumps in the road and hitting pretty hard. I have the shocks on the stiffest setting (5). Funny thing is that is doesn't bottom out going over curbs like in and out of the driveway.
We stopped by the local Harley shop the other day and the parts salesman told me that there was NOTHING I could do about it and that for anyone over 300lbs the ONLY bike that Harley makes that would ride smoothly is the Street Glide.... seriously?
I find this hard to believe personally and am considering getting some heavy duty shocks. Can anyone recommend some good ones for my bike and situation?
We stopped by the local Harley shop the other day and the parts salesman told me that there was NOTHING I could do about it and that for anyone over 300lbs the ONLY bike that Harley makes that would ride smoothly is the Street Glide.... seriously?
I find this hard to believe personally and am considering getting some heavy duty shocks. Can anyone recommend some good ones for my bike and situation?
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Leicester / Hereford, UK
So, you're a big guy? It shouldn't be an impossible situation.
With enough time and money, you can fix anything.
Have you looked at aftermarket shocks? Ohlins, Progressive, etc? It might be worth buying a set of new rear shocks, and having correctly weighted springs fitted. If you were really keen, you could also get the shock re-valved / tuned for your weight and riding style.
How about your front forks? There's a few options there, too. Heavier duty springs, thicker oil... Maybe even new cartridges. Again, get them tuned and adjusted to your weight and riding style.
Depending on how much money you got to spend, you can transform your bike.
With enough time and money, you can fix anything.
Have you looked at aftermarket shocks? Ohlins, Progressive, etc? It might be worth buying a set of new rear shocks, and having correctly weighted springs fitted. If you were really keen, you could also get the shock re-valved / tuned for your weight and riding style.
How about your front forks? There's a few options there, too. Heavier duty springs, thicker oil... Maybe even new cartridges. Again, get them tuned and adjusted to your weight and riding style.
Depending on how much money you got to spend, you can transform your bike.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 448
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From: Upstate NY
Try the progressive 440 heavy duty shocks. Im 230 and have to leave them set on the softest setting (no preload). even riding 2up with the old lady ( 350 combined) still have it set on the softest setting. Plan B. By a solo seat and tell the old lady she's out of luck
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Iowa City
Yeah I'm a big guy hehe.
I don't really know that much about it or what to do which is why I went into the Harley shop and asked for help and advice and pretty much hit a brick wall. The man at the parts counter literally told me there is nothing I could do other than buy a different bike but I find that pretty hard to believe. It kinda ticked me off. I used to have a Honda Shadow and never had a problem with the suspension... even when riding 2-up.
Yes I am looking at aftermarket shocks and the progressives seem to be what keeps jumping out at me. But never having had tried them, was hoping someone could steer me in the right direction for which ones to get.
By having correctly weighted springs fitted do you mean that I would need to have the manufacturer make something special? Surely it can't be that extreme of a fix.
I don't really know that much about it or what to do which is why I went into the Harley shop and asked for help and advice and pretty much hit a brick wall. The man at the parts counter literally told me there is nothing I could do other than buy a different bike but I find that pretty hard to believe. It kinda ticked me off. I used to have a Honda Shadow and never had a problem with the suspension... even when riding 2-up.
Yes I am looking at aftermarket shocks and the progressives seem to be what keeps jumping out at me. But never having had tried them, was hoping someone could steer me in the right direction for which ones to get.
By having correctly weighted springs fitted do you mean that I would need to have the manufacturer make something special? Surely it can't be that extreme of a fix.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 44
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From: Iowa City
LOL I thought about telling the old lady she was S-O-L but she helped me buy the bike so I probably better not do that.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Leicester / Hereford, UK
Hombre,
You don't need anything as special as custom manufactured springs!
With an aftermarket shock, you can buy different 'weighted' springs. So, if you were a very light rider and found everything else to be too hard, you can get a lighter spring. However, seeing as you're a big guy, you'll need heavy springs.
Best bet is to talk to a shop (an independent, or a suspension specialist) with the kind of specialist info you need, but it's not too much of a problematic fix.
You don't need anything as special as custom manufactured springs!
With an aftermarket shock, you can buy different 'weighted' springs. So, if you were a very light rider and found everything else to be too hard, you can get a lighter spring. However, seeing as you're a big guy, you'll need heavy springs.
Best bet is to talk to a shop (an independent, or a suspension specialist) with the kind of specialist info you need, but it's not too much of a problematic fix.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
Just make sure you get the HD's and not the standards. Youll love them
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