Rough Ride
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: MD
Rough Ride
I have a stock 1200 custom. Took my girl down to DC this weekend, and when we got home she didnt like it much.
She had riden plenty of miles on bikes in the past so it not that. She kept slidding back on the seat that is tappered the wrong way if you ask me, and the bumps were rather hard on her back after the miles added up.
I pretty much know the stock seats are not that great, but what else can I do to improve the ride for her ? The shocks are set in the lowest position because I dont have a spanner wrench.
We want to take some long rides, multi state, later in the year.
She had riden plenty of miles on bikes in the past so it not that. She kept slidding back on the seat that is tappered the wrong way if you ask me, and the bumps were rather hard on her back after the miles added up.
I pretty much know the stock seats are not that great, but what else can I do to improve the ride for her ? The shocks are set in the lowest position because I dont have a spanner wrench.
We want to take some long rides, multi state, later in the year.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,718
Likes: 1
From: manhattan beach
gotta change the seat- i like the wide mustang. my 3rd seat and this one is the only one that works for me (and her)
new shocks are also a good idea. mine are ordered- going with works performance. not cheap, but as i have been told over and over (by her) - "happy wife, happy life" !!
new shocks are also a good idea. mine are ordered- going with works performance. not cheap, but as i have been told over and over (by her) - "happy wife, happy life" !!
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
From: B-More ,Md
Get a spanner off E-bay i paid like $5 for one. depending on the room you have even a strap wrench will work. I find stock shocks are just that stock look into a set of Progressives or something to help.
as for the seat maybe even a quick disconnect small bar/pad will help. my kid rides on back a lot with mine and likes having that small pad I have . I'm sure they have something like that for the sporties as well
as for the seat maybe even a quick disconnect small bar/pad will help. my kid rides on back a lot with mine and likes having that small pad I have . I'm sure they have something like that for the sporties as well
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 0
From: Western New York
Ahhhhhhh. And the ride begins. Crack out the $ . Biggest difference for My comfort was the Mustang seat . Followed by Avon Venom tires, progressive front springs. The list goes on.......WVleo
Road Captain
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 606
Likes: 2
Two thinks will make her love it, a good seat (sundown or mustang wide vintage) and the longest progressive shocks you can get for your bike (13 inches I think) and they come with a wrench to adjust them.
I just did 800 miles in 2 days and it was very nice, the hiway pegs helped a lot.
Brett
I just did 800 miles in 2 days and it was very nice, the hiway pegs helped a lot.
Brett
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 762
Likes: 1
From: mission bc canada
he has a custom so ultima chrome versions may be more suitable ,but either way its the way to go for sure ..progressives will stop the brake dive as well
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Novice
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Maine
I bought my 2009 XL1200C, and my wife had the same reaction (and rightly so). The passenger part of the stock Badlander seat does slide toward the rear -- kind of a sick joke for a passenger.
I replaced it with a Sundowner seat, which is much better. I also went with 12.5" Progressive 412 shocks. They are OK; the main improvement is that the travel is 3.5" vs. I believe 2.12" stock, so you are less likely to bottom out on the hard stuff. Other than that, ride quality, firmness and handling are similar to stock shocks.
I say replace the seat first, and get her on the bike again. If that is not enough, then look into shocks.
I replaced it with a Sundowner seat, which is much better. I also went with 12.5" Progressive 412 shocks. They are OK; the main improvement is that the travel is 3.5" vs. I believe 2.12" stock, so you are less likely to bottom out on the hard stuff. Other than that, ride quality, firmness and handling are similar to stock shocks.
I say replace the seat first, and get her on the bike again. If that is not enough, then look into shocks.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: MD
someone told me the progresive shocks don't last very long ?
the seat is top of the list. the Mustang duke regal looks pretty comfy
http://www.mustangseats.com/Categori...ory-Name=Seats
the seat is top of the list. the Mustang duke regal looks pretty comfy
http://www.mustangseats.com/Categori...ory-Name=Seats