I'm looking into buying my first HD and I really like the super glide but I know both me and my wife together weight about 470lbs with no gear. Wondering if the bike will take it or if being 70lbs over the gvwr would be that big of a deal, what you guys would suggest. I will be riding this mostly solo but my wife would like to take a ride once a week. I'm not looking to spend 18k on a bike initially so I'm either stuck in that range or buying something heavier duty used but as i said, I really like the super glide. Any suggestions?

 

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haha i'm the fat one. I'm 290 and she's 180. I'm not really worried about the motor and tranny. Those should be fine. I'm worried more about the suspension. I would love to put some bags on it and all but since the wife decided she wants to ride as well it puts me in a bad position especially when she wants to be a tight *** about how much money I can spend on the bike.

 

I would say you will need to look into getting some heavy duty shocks and springs for the rear suspension as well as some heavy duty springs for the front forks. Since it sounds like momma is keeping you on a tight budget, you don't have to get top of the line components, but the spring rates are going to need to be stiffer than stock for sure. Good luck!

 

Diet and exercise. Problem Solved.

 

Thanks EricInNCa for your helpful response. Aces you really shouldn't talk unless you know someone. In my prime I was 20 i weighed 240 working down in a navy engineering plant sweating my *** off every day. Now i'm 37 and I do work out but i'm also disabled which makes it difficult. I'm a big guy when i'm ripped but yea i've got a belly now. Either way people are built different.

 

Suspension upgrade will be your friend as well as greatly improving ride and handling. I have a new 2012 SGC I got last spring. I will be putting Ohlins on the rear and I'm thinking of Gold Valve emulators from Race Tech for the forks.

Ohlins and the other shock brands will build the shocks to your specs and combined weights, depending on how much two up you plan on.

IMHO stock shocks are too soft, I keep mine on the firmest setting.
However if SG came with high performance suspension from the factory we'd pay a lot more for the bike. Also, by upgrading you build the bike custom for you.

I love my SGC, this 700 lb beast handles much better than I anticipated, even with the stock suspension.

 

I think the suspension will take it, but the brakes are relatively weak.

 

Talk about some BS replies...I'd expect better from HDForum members...OP you'll be fine with heavy duty rear shocks and front springs. Hell my bike needs stiffer front springs and I'm 180.

 

Fxdc has an adjustable suspension as it has easy access on the side. I weigh 200-210lbs my wife ways 120. The suspension has, if I remember correctly, 5 settings that you can adjust to soften or stiffen the ride as you put weight. Usually with saddlebags and wife in use setting number 4, when alone I use setting number 3.
Besides that info, I would suggest a test drive at the dealer or before you purchase and ask what setting the suspension is in. Then after you feel good with you bike and want to feel better go for new shocks.
Best of luck