5'5" 350lbs on 07 XL1200C
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Stage IV
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 4
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From: Dayton, Ohio
5'5" 350lbs on 07 XL1200C
Hello,
I am new to the forum and a new rider and have had my bike for a few months now and had a few questions. I am 5'5", 350 lbs and the stock rear shocks definitely bottom out on me when I ride over bumps and anything over an hour gets to be fairly uncomfortable. I was wondering what the cheapest rear shocks that are heavy duty enough for me would be? I am on a very tight college budget but the bike has become my daily rider as my truck gets 12 mpg on a good day and I just want to be able to ride comfortably without breaking the bank. I was also wondering if a different seat would be a better initial purchase? I have roughly $100 to spend which I know is barely anything in the Harley world and I usually buy used items for my bike so I'm debating which to buy first, seat or suspension? Also, what would the most comfortable affordable seat be? I have been told the mustang solo vintage and la pera but those are way out of my price range even used and didn't know if a different company made a comfortable seat cheaper or if even a harley solo or sundowner would be better than my stock one? I am in the Dayton, Ohio area and have a lot of trouble finding any places that sell used parts for Harleys so if anyone in that area has any suggestions other than craiglist/facebook that would be much appreciated! Thanks and sorry for the multiple questions!
I ride an 07' XL1200C
I am new to the forum and a new rider and have had my bike for a few months now and had a few questions. I am 5'5", 350 lbs and the stock rear shocks definitely bottom out on me when I ride over bumps and anything over an hour gets to be fairly uncomfortable. I was wondering what the cheapest rear shocks that are heavy duty enough for me would be? I am on a very tight college budget but the bike has become my daily rider as my truck gets 12 mpg on a good day and I just want to be able to ride comfortably without breaking the bank. I was also wondering if a different seat would be a better initial purchase? I have roughly $100 to spend which I know is barely anything in the Harley world and I usually buy used items for my bike so I'm debating which to buy first, seat or suspension? Also, what would the most comfortable affordable seat be? I have been told the mustang solo vintage and la pera but those are way out of my price range even used and didn't know if a different company made a comfortable seat cheaper or if even a harley solo or sundowner would be better than my stock one? I am in the Dayton, Ohio area and have a lot of trouble finding any places that sell used parts for Harleys so if anyone in that area has any suggestions other than craiglist/facebook that would be much appreciated! Thanks and sorry for the multiple questions!
I ride an 07' XL1200C
Last edited by tankwalters74; Aug 15, 2018 at 09:12 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,067
Likes: 394
From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
The simple answer is big twin air shocks, you can get take offs for around a hundred bucks and they are awesome.
Search air shocks, or big twin air shocks there are hundreds of threads about them in the Sportster section.
Search air shocks, or big twin air shocks there are hundreds of threads about them in the Sportster section.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,512
Likes: 3,924
From: San Diego, CA
I used to be a fanatic about lightening my backpack weight on trips. One day, a buddy said "It would be easier to lose 10 pounds off your *** than find 10 pounds less to carry." Good advice.
Maybe drop some numbers off that 350? That much weight at your age can't be healthy. I'm only 5'8" and 160, so you weigh more than twice what I do. Take care of yourself, then worry about your bike. Good luck. You are so very young, take care of yourself now. Sell that bike and start walking instead. Sorry to sound like a nag, but as a high school teacher, I see the epidemic of obesity and it scares me for these kids future health issues. It's not fake news.
I'm 60, and almost all my fat friends are dead.
John
Maybe drop some numbers off that 350? That much weight at your age can't be healthy. I'm only 5'8" and 160, so you weigh more than twice what I do. Take care of yourself, then worry about your bike. Good luck. You are so very young, take care of yourself now. Sell that bike and start walking instead. Sorry to sound like a nag, but as a high school teacher, I see the epidemic of obesity and it scares me for these kids future health issues. It's not fake news.
I'm 60, and almost all my fat friends are dead.
John
Last edited by John Harper; Aug 15, 2018 at 10:30 AM.
Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Dayton, Ohio
I used to be a fanatic about lightening my backpack weight on trips. One day, a buddy said "It would be easier to lose 10 pounds off your *** than find 10 pounds less to carry." Good advice.
Maybe drop some numbers off that 350? That much weight at your age can't be healthy. I'm only 5'8" and 160, so you weigh more than twice what I do. Take care of yourself, then worry about your bike. Good luck. You are so very young, take care of yourself now. Sell that bike and start walking instead. Sorry to sound like a nag, but as a high school teacher, I see the epidemic of obesity and it scares me for these kids future health issues. It's not fake news.
I'm 60, and almost all my fat friends are dead.
John
Maybe drop some numbers off that 350? That much weight at your age can't be healthy. I'm only 5'8" and 160, so you weigh more than twice what I do. Take care of yourself, then worry about your bike. Good luck. You are so very young, take care of yourself now. Sell that bike and start walking instead. Sorry to sound like a nag, but as a high school teacher, I see the epidemic of obesity and it scares me for these kids future health issues. It's not fake news.
I'm 60, and almost all my fat friends are dead.
John
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 553
From: USA
You would adjust the psi on the shocks based on your weight.
Last edited by hscic; Aug 15, 2018 at 11:54 AM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 144
Likes: 17
From: Florida
I understand the bottoming out.
Have you adjusted your preload on your shocks?
Kathy and I total more than 350 and we rarely bottom out, although she lets me know when we do,
If your able to flat foot solidly, you might think of just getting a nice gel seat cushion for comfort,
I will assume they make blocks that will add an extra inch to the travel of the shocks, but at 5 foot 5 you might have to wear boots.
A lot of people want to upgrade their seats, so if you can find someone who has done so (Craigs list) you might find a deal on a Sundowner Solo.
Keep looking.
The sportster is a great bike for a campus life.
Have you adjusted your preload on your shocks?
Kathy and I total more than 350 and we rarely bottom out, although she lets me know when we do,
If your able to flat foot solidly, you might think of just getting a nice gel seat cushion for comfort,
I will assume they make blocks that will add an extra inch to the travel of the shocks, but at 5 foot 5 you might have to wear boots.
A lot of people want to upgrade their seats, so if you can find someone who has done so (Craigs list) you might find a deal on a Sundowner Solo.
Keep looking.
The sportster is a great bike for a campus life.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 3,837
Likes: 1,430
From: NJ
Shocks first.
But a proper seat will make a huge difference as well. Most Sportster seats aren't meant for bigger guys. They're in the 9"-11" width range which for a heavier guy, like me, it puts terrible pressure right in the middle of each butt check. And after a while you feel every pebble. You'll want to find a wide seat. At least 13" if your 350. I'm 240 @ 6' and using a 12.5 that just cuts it. Also a seat that's dished....which is why the Mustang Wide Vintage Solo is a popular comfy seat.
But a proper seat will make a huge difference as well. Most Sportster seats aren't meant for bigger guys. They're in the 9"-11" width range which for a heavier guy, like me, it puts terrible pressure right in the middle of each butt check. And after a while you feel every pebble. You'll want to find a wide seat. At least 13" if your 350. I'm 240 @ 6' and using a 12.5 that just cuts it. Also a seat that's dished....which is why the Mustang Wide Vintage Solo is a popular comfy seat.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 195
Likes: 42
From: SoCal
I feel my sit bones more now that I've lost 95 lbs. (even in chairs around my home) I never had a real problem riding at 309 lbs but at 213 lbs I'm feeling a lot more. IMO my weight was absorbing more of the shock. This and I need to readjust the shock absorbers themselves but, the seat is trash on my now bonier butt. So I guess it's a combination of both the bike and rider. Now what I do have though is, a greater potential for two-up riding. "Le Pera Cherokee here I come!"