Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Upgrades for 2 up riding

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 21, 2014 | 07:20 AM
  #1  
Don-T's Avatar
Don-T
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 108
Likes: 2
From: Pearland, TX
Default Upgrades for 2 up riding

My wife and I plan to start living and traveling full time in a travel trailer in a year or less. We are taking a motorcycle with us when we go. I am thinking about some upgrades to the Sportster for 2 up riding instead of trying to haul the RGU around with us. I have a set or rear air shocks on the way from Ebay, I hope they are good. I also have an issue of the front forks bottoming out. I am going to order a set of progressive springs for the front. I am not sure which would be better, the standard or the heavy duty. Our combined weight is about 370 pounds and we will likely carry a backpack or something similar with us on day trips. I would like opinions on which front springs would work best.
 
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2014 | 08:32 AM
  #2  
Dusty Bones's Avatar
Dusty Bones
Banned
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 4
From: MI
Default

What tire brand and size are you running.
 
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2014 | 09:44 AM
  #3  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Default

Don't use progressive-rate springs, use single-rate ones. Race Tech has a guide to the correct rate on their website. Installing them with the correct sag should ensure you get the best ride. You could also consider, while in there, adding Ricor Intiminators, which should improve the damping, hence ride quality. I have tried Ricor's Emulators but had no success with them, so don't recommend them.
 
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2014 | 10:15 AM
  #4  
cHarley's Avatar
cHarley
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Default

Originally Posted by Don-T
My wife and I plan to start living and traveling full time in a travel trailer in a year or less. We are taking a motorcycle with us when we go. I am thinking about some upgrades to the Sportster for 2 up riding instead of trying to haul the RGU around with us. I have a set or rear air shocks on the way from Ebay, I hope they are good. I also have an issue of the front forks bottoming out. I am going to order a set of progressive springs for the front. I am not sure which would be better, the standard or the heavy duty. Our combined weight is about 370 pounds and we will likely carry a backpack or something similar with us on day trips. I would like opinions on which front springs would work best.
With that kind of load, (within ~50 lbs. of the bike's GVWR) heavy duty would likely be a wise choice. The Progressive break-point for choosing Normal vs Heavy Duty is typically at 200 lbs (rider weight), but I recommend checking their website to be sure.

If you choose single-rate shocks/springs over progressive, remember that they will be just that, fixed-rate for 370 lbs. If you plan to do any solo riding on the bike, the suspension will be pretty harsh.
 
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2014 | 06:20 PM
  #5  
Don-T's Avatar
Don-T
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 108
Likes: 2
From: Pearland, TX
Default

I will be doing plenty of solo riding too. That is why I am thinking about progressive coils. I should have noted that too. For the weight, I am leaning toward the heavy duty and I am hoping, being progressive it will be ok riding solo. I have the stock size tires on the bike with a 21" front wheel. The previous owner put new Michelin tires on it just before I bought it.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
patrickd
Dyna Glide Models
16
Jul 5, 2012 10:00 AM
snidermire
Sportster Models
4
Mar 9, 2009 05:19 PM
docsouce
Frame/Suspension/Front End/Brakes
3
Feb 14, 2008 02:14 AM
capttawes
Sportster Models
2
Jun 20, 2007 04:26 PM
ckgdrums
Dyna Glide Models
4
Oct 17, 2006 06:06 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:21 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE