Setting preload for 280lbs?
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 346
Likes: 48
From: North Carolina
Setting preload for 280lbs?
Hi everyone,
Just bought myself an 06 883c fire red/ black. Loved the look of the sportster and will never be fortunate to own a real chopper so this is as close as it gets!
For 2up riding, I've noticed that we bottom out quite often, I've tried the 2nd softest setting. Since have bumped it to slot #3 and it improved but the ride is getting choppy.
Anyone recommend I go to slots 4 or even 5?
I know progresive is the way to go but I already have Sundowner installed w/backrest and cash is short. My wife says her back hurt a little when i went up to the third setting, will it get much worse on 4 and 5.
Will it damage the bike if I decide to go back to 2 and take some bottoming on rough roads, I guess the tire takes abuse but am I going to hurt the solid disc?
Thanks all,
Cheers
Marc
Just bought myself an 06 883c fire red/ black. Loved the look of the sportster and will never be fortunate to own a real chopper so this is as close as it gets!
For 2up riding, I've noticed that we bottom out quite often, I've tried the 2nd softest setting. Since have bumped it to slot #3 and it improved but the ride is getting choppy.
Anyone recommend I go to slots 4 or even 5?
I know progresive is the way to go but I already have Sundowner installed w/backrest and cash is short. My wife says her back hurt a little when i went up to the third setting, will it get much worse on 4 and 5.
Will it damage the bike if I decide to go back to 2 and take some bottoming on rough roads, I guess the tire takes abuse but am I going to hurt the solid disc?
Thanks all,
Cheers
Marc
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 50
From: A barrier island in NJ
RE: Setting preload for 280lbs?
I own a 2005 XL1200R, weigh 200 lbs., and ride solo with the shocks always in the stiffest poition, but that's my preference - close to hardtail with only me on it. Whatever suits you is fine. By lowering the pre-load back to the 2nd notch you may wear out the shocks a little sooner, but you will not damage your disc. AND, you are right, Progressives would be the best way to go when you can.
Thumper26
Thumper26
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 980
Likes: 0
From: Leesburg, Florida
RE: Setting preload for 280lbs?
It is my opinion..... They took the configuration of the original Sportster, which now only exists on the Roadster model, put a bigger tank on it, moved the pegs forward, reduced the front brake to one, chopped a couple coils off the rear spring, and called it a Custom. Since there's not much spring left back there on the Custom, we have to tighten things up to keep it from bottoming out. I considered going to progressives, but was wary that if I kept the same spring height, I'd still have to settle for a stiff ride or bottom them out too. I decided to try a set of Roadster shocks (springs) and the result was a better all around fit for my 32-inch inseam, better handling, and a much better ride without the bottoming out from soft settings. With the "other half" on board (she's only about 100 lbs), no difference was noticed. And it was sooo much cheaper a solution. They work good!
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