Another vote for the Bitobo twin adjustables. I love them. Make my sporty capable of 5-600 miles a day

 

Just rekindling this thread for a moment, has anyone tried installing Dyna rear springs on a Nighster? I notice online some dudes have done this. I'm only 155lbs, and the old lady is about 110lbs...so we don't need anything too hardcore, just an improvement over the stock springs that do absolutely nothing when we potholes would be nice.

 

Steve, shocks have only two jobs to do for us: the springs hold us up; the dampers soften the blow when we hit pot-holes. Fitting different springs won't solve the problem of uncomfortable pot-holes, because the damping is not improved. If you and Mrs S want an improved ride I heartily recommend buying new good quality shocks. Bear in mind that your wife gets a different riding experience back there, not as comfortable as you do, so don't try to cut corners. Also remember that if you invest (wisely!) in genuinely good quality shocks, you can always remove them when selling or trading your bike.

 

I ride an XL1200L and, similar to your Nightster it was a lack of travel in the OEM shocks that made them perform terribly. My wife and I also weight the same as you two. We found that the 13" OEM shocks from an XL1200R work reasonably well for us. YMMV. With luck, you can get them on eBay. They'd be about $50.

HTH.

 

Is there a brand you would recommend? I'm commuting 74 miles a day and would appreciate a somewhat more comfortable ride.

 

I weigh 225 (250 w/gear) and have to run the stock shocks on my XL1200C at the 4th notch. There's no way the OEM shocks could handle me and a passenger comfortably. I also think going 1/2" longer is a very wise move as it will make the bike handle better anyway. I found some 12 1/2" Progressive 430s with HD springs at a discounted price because they wanted to clear them out of their inventory. I love these shocks and if I were to put a passenger on, I only need to screw the collars down some, but I run them at their lightest adjustment for just me. If you're under 225, I would recommend these with the standard springs.

 

I also have these in the classifieds for those wanting to upgrade from an 11" shock or the 11 7/8" that the Customs have for cheap.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...r-upgrade.html

 

16 & up were pretty adjustable. So that was never a high priority for me. Mine are just set to a softer setting than what the factory recommends for your weight. If I did change them I'd probably go air.