recommendatins for improving comfort on nights tear 1200xl?
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Stage II
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Rochester NY
recommendatins for improving comfort on Nightster 1200xl?
I love my Nightster 1200xl. It's a comfortable weight and size and it just looks fabulous! BUT! The ride is so hard. Anyone have good recommendations for shocks and seat that will allow me to ride longer? After riding my partners Vulcan I want a smoother ride. I could consider trading up but wouldn't be able to afford a larger Harley and want to avoid the heavier weight. Ideally, I'd like to find a fix for my current bike. Any recommendations for saddle bags large enough for a laptop would be welcomed as well. I don't want to ruin the look of the bike.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Hi from the UK and welcome to HDF. You'll find that seats and shocks get frequent coverage in here, with a lot of variations of both. Simply use Search for one or the other and read through a few recent threads.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 716
From: Pennsyleffinvania
First and cheapest possibility: http://www.airhawk.net
For the laptop bag try this: http://www.aerostich.com/bags/should...messenger-bags
BTW great first post.
For the laptop bag try this: http://www.aerostich.com/bags/should...messenger-bags
BTW great first post.
Last edited by LoneWoolf; Jul 8, 2016 at 04:14 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,062
Likes: 1,943
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
Welcome from NC.
I agree with others on shocks, and the same goes for the seat. Just depends on your budget on the shocks and the firmness you prefer on the seat.
You might be limited on the Sportster, but HD has a demo program to try seats before you buy. Mustang or Corbin seats are popular here for starters.
I agree with others on shocks, and the same goes for the seat. Just depends on your budget on the shocks and the firmness you prefer on the seat.
You might be limited on the Sportster, but HD has a demo program to try seats before you buy. Mustang or Corbin seats are popular here for starters.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 843
Likes: 833
From: Central Indiana
Welcome aboard...
I'm riding my second Sportster in 2 years. (I'll be keeping this one!
)
The first was a 1200 Custom with a Sundowner seat.
The seat was kinda ugly but the ride was fairly comfy.
I could ride it ALL DAY LONG NONSTOP and frequently did.
My 72 has an HD springer solo and standard shocks and it is every bit as comfortable as the Custom with the Sundowner touring seat.
Since it looks like you are still riding with the standard Nightster solo, you might consider a springer.
They are surprisingly comfortable.
I'm riding my second Sportster in 2 years. (I'll be keeping this one!
)The first was a 1200 Custom with a Sundowner seat.
The seat was kinda ugly but the ride was fairly comfy.
I could ride it ALL DAY LONG NONSTOP and frequently did.
My 72 has an HD springer solo and standard shocks and it is every bit as comfortable as the Custom with the Sundowner touring seat.
Since it looks like you are still riding with the standard Nightster solo, you might consider a springer.
They are surprisingly comfortable.
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Stage II
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Rochester NY
I've had the bike for about 5 years and always used a messenger bag or backpack. Neither is fun:-). I've not found good looking saddle bags that hold much more than a cell phone. Without the cargo, my usage is severely diminished. I'm an educator so I often need to carry books etc. messenger bag gets heavy!
I've been reading the other forums on seats and shocks for awhile but never seem to get a viable image of whether the investment truly results in a smooth and truly comfortable ride.
The trade up debate continues.
I've been reading the other forums on seats and shocks for awhile but never seem to get a viable image of whether the investment truly results in a smooth and truly comfortable ride.
The trade up debate continues.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
If you buy cheap shocks you'll get cheap results IMHO. On the other hand if you do buy good quality shocks the forks are promptly exposed as being poor as well! Ohlins are due to introduce their Sporty fork cartridges soon and currently offer us choices of shocks, which between them should knock spots off most of the opposition!
As for bags, there are too many to count, so no excuse for not having them already. I recently bought LeatherPro, which are detachable, leave minimum visible mountings and can be carried with all your stuff inside.
As for bags, there are too many to count, so no excuse for not having them already. I recently bought LeatherPro, which are detachable, leave minimum visible mountings and can be carried with all your stuff inside.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 882
Likes: 126
From: Hahira Ga
I've had the bike for about 5 years and always used a messenger bag or backpack. Neither is fun:-). I've not found good looking saddle bags that hold much more than a cell phone. Without the cargo, my usage is severely diminished. I'm an educator so I often need to carry books etc. messenger bag gets heavy!
I've been reading the other forums on seats and shocks for awhile but never seem to get a viable image of whether the investment truly results in a smooth and truly comfortable ride.
The trade up debate continues.
I've been reading the other forums on seats and shocks for awhile but never seem to get a viable image of whether the investment truly results in a smooth and truly comfortable ride.
The trade up debate continues.
Last edited by Switchback12; Jul 8, 2016 at 09:14 AM.