I am looking a getting a 2011 Iron 883 but i have heard that they dont ride very well is that true?

If so what can be done to change that?

Thanks

 

I have a nightster. Exact same everything except engine displacement. The ride is nice at city speeds (40mph or slower), but once you get the speed up to highway and interstate speed (55+) the ride gets very rough. Big bumps have sent my rear end into the air. Its not as bad as a rigid. The little humps at the seams it the pavement are especially bad on these bikes and my kidneys and back. They were hardly noticeable on a Road Glide that I rented. There are tons of suspension upgrades out there to help elevate the rough ride.

 

The stock rear shocks are crap partly due to the short length but mainly 'cause they are just crap. I put on some progressive 412's and the ride quality improved greatly. You can also improve the diving of the front shocks just with some heavier oil or change out the springs. Progressive makes the springs as well and for a good price.

Also, I added a superbrace and that really helped with any high speed wobbles or wandering I was getting. In my opinion the best upgrade to improve ride quality on the iron is definitely the rear shocks.

 

It looks like your bike is significantly taller than a stock bike. How much taller did you end up with new rear suspension?

 

Ranalli7777 is right, Progressive 412's are the way to go. I have had my Iron for about three months and it is a big difference. I used the 11".

 

I have 13" progressives on it in that picture. Since then I actually installed a lowering kit that allows me to lower it 1-3 inches. I know many will say not to do this but I had to try it anyway. Turns out the bike still feels MUCH better lowered 3 inches with the progressives than it felt with the stock shocks. And it never bottoms out.

 

Hi, do you have an part number or direct web link to these HD 412 13" so I can order the right stuff? Also I believe the originals are 12.5" so going to 13" should be hardly visible, right?

Many thanks.

Cheers, Fons.

 

What bike do you have? The stock shocks on my '09 Iron are 11". The part number for the progressives I have is 412-4061B. And if you want chrome instead it's 412-4061C.

 

I would be SURE what length shocks are on the bike before ordering.
Also, every step longer on the shocks improves the ride quality a lot.
Progressive sells shocks in 1/2 inch jumps.
Their web site lists the shocks for each year and model bike, plus lists what is stock.
You can get the shocks for $200.00 a set on line from places listed on this site.
Let your mouse do the shopping...

I went from 11.6 stock, to 12, then to 12.5, then to 13 inch 412 heavy duty shocks, each jump was much better and I LOVE the 13's, solo or 2 up they never bottom and give a very nice ride.

I also had the back end off the ground a foot after hitting bumps with the stock shocks.

The cheap way to fix the front is to replace the fork oil with 15 weight fork oil, costs about $6.00 at motorcycle stores.

Progressive makes springs for the forks, about $88.00 a set.

The rider has to decide what is important, a nice ride, or looks.
I don't spend any time looking at myself on the bike, but like to ride, and ride a lot, plus I have back problems, plus I like to go fast in turns, so the 13 inch shocks were what I went with.
The wife loves them also!

Then there is the seat issue....

Brett

 

Yup Brett. That's why I went with the 13.5" shocks and the 1" tamarack lowering blocks. Rides much nicer than stock.